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If there is one thing this presidential campaign has convinced me of it is that we are a society of “bandwagon” individuals. This is not a criticism but what is one to think when you cannot visit many prominent websites nor read a major publication or view a news program without the name Wright being front and center?
Here is my question though. Is there any one of us who has not been in the presence of another whose views make us cringe? Heck I’ve had family members with steadfast opinions who left me shaking my head in disbelief. Does this mean that because I have been in their presence on several occasions in my lifetime that I have adopted or agree with their beliefs?
Who among those that have extensively written of their interpretation of Obama’s words or actions was ever present when his “mentor” spoke of his hatred of this country? Has there been anyone who has attended this church who has stepped forward and admitted that Senator Obama personally expressed the same sentiments as his Pastor? Is there one among us who can attest to that fact?
You can judge the character of a man by the company he keeps, that is fair. But the endless pummeling he has incurred based on another’s words to me is ridiculous.
Is anyone holding Hillary fully accountable for her own words? Does anyone even care that if she were to be elected her administration could very well begin where her husband’s left off? Let me say, very few. Obama/Wright has become an obsession and an unhealthy one at that, not for those who choose to continually harp on its existence, but for the process of elections in this country.
There was a time not too long ago that many across the blogosphere had Hillary Clinton’s campaign on life support. I believe I have always said I would never write a Clinton off. They are tough, ruthless individuals who will do most anything to achieve their goals. To some I suppose that is a quality to be admired. But is it admirable when those qualities include ruining anyone and anything in their path? Is it not disingenuous for Hillary to do an end around on any question which involves her faith, but Obama be held fully accountable for his? Senator McCain has stated that he will keep his faith private. Should we not investigate to find out what he might be hiding?
None of this is meant to excuse any candidate whose character comes into question when it comes to securing the presidency. What would have happened though if when the character of President Bush was called into question late in an election cycle no one cared enough to get to the whole truth?
Due to a lack of a choice I find totally acceptable, I will no doubt vote for Senator McCain. The liberal agenda of those on the left is not something to which I could find myself enamored and while I question how different McCain will be, voting for either democrat is something I feel I cannot chance.
There are few who probably agree with what I have written but I will offer no apologies. It is my contention that a presidential race is far too important to allow someone as irrelevant (in the long range scheme of things) as Reverend Wright to become such a central figure in a campaign.
Would it not be more desirable to spend time on real issues like the economy, child welfare, terrorism, trade, energy independence and continued re-building of our military. Sure, these issues are occasionally addressed but for almost a month now it all circles back to one topic Wright/Obama.
I may not believe Obama is the man for the job. But I will not join the party to destroy a man based on a pastor who is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame and has a new book to hawk.
The Senator could conceivably become the President of the United States. Should that materialize, he will receive from me the respect due the Office.
Let’s just hope that whichever candidate is successful in November they do not arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as severely damaged goods. That serves no purpose to the Presidency or the country.
Written by Sue
David M Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 amVisit David M
Thanks for this, Sue. I do agree with you. I was talking to some high school classes for Law Day on Wednesday. I happened to mentioned that age had given me experience, not necessarily wisdom. Part of that experience is the ability to walk away from a disagreement and not to feel compelled to correct everyone’s opinions with which I may disagree. I feel Obama’s in that position. Should he hve left his church? If so, when? Maybe he felt the good his daughters received from Sunday school outweighed Rev. Wright. Wright’s really taking advantage of Senator Obama’s fame for Wright’s own self-promotion. Obama’s now in a no-win situation with this guy. If he leaves now, it will be seen as a purely political move. If he doesn’t leave, Wright’s opinions will be used against him. From what I know, when Wright became controversial, it was already too late for Obama to leave.
Sue Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 amVisit Sue
David:
It saddens me to see what we have become when it comes to our elections.
The tendency to find it acceptable to destroy someone based on many unknowns is just beyond my comprehension.
Is it any wonder people shy away from entering a profession
(politics) which used to be considered admirable?
You are so right about “experience v. wisdom.” I learn something new constantly and it does not come from associating only with those who agree with my opinions or thoughts but by being willing to consider the opinions of those who don’t.
~J~ Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmVisit ~J~
Instead of talking about his pastor or former pastor, we need to focus on what he would do if president and weigh that. He falls short in my book, but his pastor can say what he wants just as mine can. I don’t control what my pastor says either.
Guss Says:
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:05 amVisit Guss
You should stick to Republican politics and let us Democrats decide what’s important in choosing our delegate.
Sue Says:
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 amVisit Sue
Guss:
This is not a democrat, republican problem. It is a problem for the entire country.
I agree with you that Democrats should select their candidate without interference from republicans at the polls. That is not at all what this piece intended to address.
All politicians open themselves up to criticism when they run for office but when not their words but anothers are being used to destroy not only their candidacy but the person, that no longer is a (R), (D) problem. At least not in my opinion.
The real issues in this country do not belong to one party, they affect us all. If we somehow cannot move past the partisanship which we have imposed upon ourselves then I fear the only losers will be those of us who are on the outside of Washington looking in.
doug in colorado Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pmVisit doug in colorado
Sue, Wait a minute, look what Obama himself has said and done, or not done…First he said he didn’t know, didn’t hear the sermons, wasn’t there, and wouldn’t disown his “pastor”, whose personal committment to Marx appears to be at least equal to his personal committment to Christ…Then forty odd days later, he says he’s outraged by it when the man merely repeats what he’s said before, and proceeds to disown him…but only after it became too politically hot. In his book he calls Wright his Mentor and close friend…words have meanings…Over twenty years, he never understood Wright’s views that were no secret? Sorry, I think it just became poltically expedient to throw the Rev under the bus.
What kind of judgment is Obama showing in his choice of friends/mentors, what kind of integrity? I judge him by the content of his character, which is to say, lacking.
Sue Says:
May 5th, 2008 at 5:45 pmVisit Sue
Doug:
Thanks for visiting and for commenting.
I cannot disagree with you that Barack Obama has himself dug this hole deeper than it may have been if he had been more forthcoming initially. But I also look at what the Reverend has to gain by creating this firestorm and ask myself why someone who was supposed to be anothers spiritual leader would seek to destroy that person. Usually history would tell us that someone has something to gain from such actions.
As I tried to say in this piece, it is absolutely fair to judge a man or woman by their character, however, for this issue to be front and center over such a long period of time was in my opinion, over kill.
Again, many of the words spoken by the good Reverend were at times when the candidate was supposedly not in church. Should Obama have understood the makings of this man..perhaps, but I have had more than one surprise handed to me in my lifetime by someone I had trusted or for that matter might have considered a “mentor.”
Regardless, do we not have far more important issues to address and should not all candidates be held to the same standards by the electorate. I believe that is the only way for us to make an educated choice.
We have one candidate who has on more than one occasion deliberately lied about her experiences to garner votes, another whose associations have come into question and a third whose base for the most part has done nothing (due to his previous record) to support.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that I do not excuse the actions of any of these individuals but wish that we (in this long political season) would have the opportunity to address (in terms which could be believed)far more important issues than Reverend Wright and Bosnia.
While yes, these go to the character of the individual, is it to be the only issue on which we should elect a President of the United States? Will these campaign moments resonate throughout a Presidency? I don’t have all the answers that’s for sure, but I do not think we are served well by attempting to totally destroy any man or woman aspiring to the Presidency.
Just my humble opinion and believe me when I say, I do appreciate yours.