Most Americans, including myself, had no idea who Obama was until last year, and even now they don’t really know much about him beyond his campaign slogans and message of hope. Wright is a reverend that he called uncle and kept as a close and personal advisor and mentor until this story broke – for 20 years! He named his book after his sermon, the guy baptised his children, and he was at his innaguration in Springfield when he took office, just to name a few facts that establish his very close relationship with this guy. Were this issue to have never surfaced and were Obama to get elected, Wright would have clearly had access to the White House.
Overblown association – no way. Not only has Obama’s response to this entire spectacle been horrible, but because of his lack of history with most Americans and lack of previous accomplishments this episode has cast some serious doubt about who Obama really is at his core and what he truly believes. Contrast this with Mccain who in every poll that I have seen maintains a high level of respect from almost all Americans because of his long history of service to this country, military service etc. We know who he is, and even if we disagree with him politically most Americans are fairly certain he is a man of character and integrity and they have had 40+ years to make up their minds about him.
I am starting to believe that at his core, Obama is a very confused man when it comes to his identity. While his mixed race is clearly an asset and has been used masterfully to showcase his ability to overcome the racial divide, it has also caused him great confusion throughout his life. Raised in a white household, he eventually found his identity as an African American during his college years. Now we discover that he was drawn, and spent 20 years with, a charasmatic pastor who preaches hatred towards whites and jews, black liberation philosophy and denounces America at every turn. And he refused to denouce him until he really, really had to!
Like I said, most Americans are still ‘getting to know’ Obama, and they are well within their rights, and not racist, to judge him based on the company he keeps- and kept for 20 years in the case of Wright.
