Obama's pastoral problem

It never ceases to amaze me how the national media ignore news that interferes with their preconceived notions, until it becomes so prominent that the public knows it without them. Then, and only then, do they pounce on it with both feet, like they've just discovered the holy grail.

So it is with today's sudden media explosion about Barack Obama's pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. This United Church of Christ clergyman has been Obama's pastor for the past 20 years. He performed Obama's wedding to Michelle. He baptized both of Obama's daughters. Prior to becoming a presidential candidate, he would brag about how Wright was his main spiritual advisor, and accompany him quite publicly to many different events. Wright has been a member, until recently, of Obama's campaign team and a trusted advisor.

These facts are not in dispute. Wright is not some left-handed thread who just rode into Obama's campaign on a load of pumpkins. He is a close friend.

What has set Obama tap dancing away from Wright is that the blogosphere got a hold of tapes of some of Wright's Sunday sermons, dating back to the 1990s. They are explosive, as this shouting, stomping pulpiteer spews forth his hatred for white people, jews, the white rich and his fondness for African despots, Arabs and anyone who blames America for all the world's, and particularly the Black's, problems.

Let's face it, if you attend the same church for 20 years and become friendly with the Pastor, you must substantially agree with his views or at least, not strenuously object to them--or you'd have found yourself another church, right? Not Obama. He must have the world's worst church attendance record, as he claims to have been missing on the Sundays when a controversial sermon was preached. Or he makes first amendment arguments about Wright's right to say what he says, even if Obama personally disagrees with it.

This is all well and good, except that this is the first major crisis of Obama's campaign. A lot of very decent liberal Americans who were fired up about Obama's claims about hope and dreams, are now seriously questioning their support, based on the hatred and bile they have heard flowing out of the mouth of Obama's Pastor.

Even the rumors that Obama vigorously denies about his Muslim roots, find a measure of validation in Wright's sermons and actions. Wright is a close friend of Nation of Islam head Louis Farrakhan, and made a special award to him in front of the whole church. Wright also travelled with Farrakhan to Libya to honor Muslim despot Moamar Khadafi.

Obama is back pedaling as fast as he can on the national television news shows. Somewhere, hidden away in a luxury hotel suite on the campaign trail, Hillary Clinton must be enjoying this tremendously. Even if somehow Obama muddles through to the Democratic presidential nomination, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot of tape of one Rev. Jeremiah Wright this fall--Obama's Pastor.