The intense media dialogue between Barack Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has riveted the nation, regardless of its citizens' political affiliations.
While Obama supporters are more than willing to look past the Democratic presidential candidate's former affiliations (and attempt to divert the discussion to comments made by John McCain's former pastor), the fact remains Wright is actively campaigning to clear his name without regard to the disastrous consequences it may have for Obama. For Obama, it is difficult to resolve a situation that seems to get worse by the hour.
To conservatives, Obama's past associations are just as important as McCain's were to liberals when his pastor was under the spotlight for previous unflattering remarks. Why? Because people are often judged by the company they keep and how they respond to controversy. As a liberal friend told me when McCain was experiencing similar grief (albeit to a lesser degree), "It's all part of the vetting process for presidential candidates."
Regardless of that debate, the issue of race is still squarely before the American people. Even if Obama were to successfully distance himself from Wright, the discussion will continue to rage as long as Wright remains on his "speaking tour." Unfortunately, it is very difficult to squeeze toothpaste back into the tube -- especially when the toothpaste is everywhere.
But just how successful has Obama been at distancing himself from Wright? Has he really even tried? That's exactly the question About.com Guest Commentator Jack Kerwick attempts to answer in this week's "Friday's Guest" column.
From the article:
Obama no more denounced Reverend Wright by denouncing his comments than he denounced his white grandmother by denouncing her remarks regarding her fear of strange black men. For that matter, and for the record, neither did Obama denounce Louis Farrakhan when the latter endorsed him.
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