That experience - and the knowledge of other "messianic" and "mesmerizing" orators in history - has always made me very hesitant to embrace any political or cultural leader on the basis of his or her eloquence.  I pride myself on not being a "hero-worshiper," not following the crowds in their current likes and dislikes, distrusting grandiose and unrealistic statements about our leaders, and withholding my good opinion of people until I can see whether their actions meet their words.  

It is in this vein that I question whether Barack Obama's denouncement of Louis Farrakhan is for real - and whether Senator Obama's actions will match his words.  As many people know, Louis Farrakhan is the head of the Nation of Islam, and has used his prominent position to level hateful remarks towards Jews, whites, and homosexuals.  Farrakhan has called whites "blue-eyed devils," referred to Judaism as a "dirty religion," and Jews as "blood suckers."  He advances a separatist agenda and claims that the U.S. government is "the enemy."      

On February 25, 2008, Louis Farrakhan endorsed Barack Obama for President, claiming that he is "the only hope for healing the nation's racial divisions."  At the Texas debate that evening with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama was asked about that endorsement.  Senator Obama denounced Farrakhan's views and stated that he did not seek Farrakhan's endorsement, but also joked that "he can't help if people like him."  When Clinton pressed Obama to reject Farrakhan's support, Obama stated that he both denounced and rejected Farrakhan's support, but again jokingly questioned whether there was much of a difference between the two words.  

Excuse me, but is this really a joking matter?  I had expected more from an elected official who could potentially be our Democratic nominee and our President.  To his credit, Senator Obama also spoke eloquently about the need to heal any perceived rifts between the African-American and Jewish communities.  But Obama's inclination to joke about a figure as divisive and extreme as Farrakhan is disturbing to say the least.  

Also disturbing is the honor that Barack Obama's church - the Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) -- bestowed on Louis Farrakhan in December 2007.  Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright of the TUCC recognized Louis Farrakhan in the church's magazine with a Lifetime Achievement award, calling Farrakhan a "giant of the African American religious experience," and lauding him as a man of "integrity and honesty."  According to his website, Senator Obama has been a member of TUCC for twenty years and counts Reverend Wright as a close confidant.

Senator Obama's association with a church and religious leader that lauds Louis Farrakhan - whose views Obama supposedly denounces - is another example of Senator Obama's actions not matching his words.  If I were to belong to a synagogue whose rabbi lauded Meir Kahane (now deceased) as a giant of the Jewish American experience, I would be a justified pariah among my friends and family.  In fact, I would quit that synagogue and look for one that more appropriately matched my values.  

What are Senator Obama's values when it comes to racism, anti-semitism, and bigotry?  I hear the pretty speeches, but I don't see the action.  Instead, I'm left with many questions.  

Senator Obama, does your church match your values?  If not, will you quit your church and find one that truly reflects the best qualities in people, not their prejudices?  If you stay, will you call upon your church to renounce its support of Louis Farrakhan, just as you have rejected his support of you?

Until I see action, I do not see a leader.  Instead, I see someone who is willing to laugh this matter off and take a pass.  True moral courage takes more than words - it takes action.  Unfortunately, in my view, Senator Obama has not passed the character test on this one.