The Phoenix

Obama's Speech and the Campaign

Obama's speech on race in Philadelphia yesterday was wonderful rhetoric and the reaction has been almost universally positive. But will it help his campaign? On that, of course, the jury is out and we won't have any answers until at least the Pennsylvania primary in a month. Remember that Republican pundits tended to love Mitt Romney's speech earlier in the campaign on his faith, too, (though it wasn't nearly as good), and in retrospect, it certainly wasn't the political plus they said it was.
For what it's worth, the hunch here is that the speech didn't advance Obama's cause nearly as far as some of his supporters might like to admit. He needs to be recasting his rhetoric more to attract white working-class voters -- a subject we'll be addressing in tomorrow's column.

Published Mar 19 2008, 07:04 AM by Importer

LorenzoJennifer said:

A most telling reference in Barack Obama's speech was about his white grandmother being frightened at the sight of a Black man. Barack is an African-American who grew up in the white society and culture of Kansas. His Kansas mother's side of the family raised him after his Kenyan father left the family. Rev. Wright supplies Barack with the Black-American point-of-view missing from his childhood and young adulthood. Rev. Wright, a Harvard man like Barack, gains credibility as he fulfills Barack's desire to be around men and women with whom he feels comfortable. Any American can identify with having a white grandmother being afraid of Blacks. Very very few Africans can identify with having a white grandmother being afraid of Blacks. Rev. Wright provides the "Roots" perspective in educating Barack in the Black American (not African-American) experience and ways of thinking.

Curious as to how these tapes became so suddenly unearthed, intact as they are. Could well be that the Rev. Wright had a hand in planning their release. More and more people across America - whether white or Black - are now coming to know Rev. Wright. And his comments. The good Reverend has expanded his pulpit.

Barack is to be commended for criticizing Rev. Wright's comments without criticizing Rev. Wright himself. He rejected the gift but continues to respect the giver.

Short term consequences will affirm that Barack has a genial, conciliatory and inclusionary nature that lets him listen to comments he may find disagreeable. Long term consequences depend, in part, on the irrepressible Rev. Wright. Relieved that these tapes did not come out in late October were Barack the Democratic Party nominee.

While not hearing the entire speech, I heard sound bites on radio and read a summary. Barack apparently referenced the majority of Americans being victimized by entrenched corporate and governmental interests. May well be his opportunity to emerge from the quandary and address issues that concern many more Americans than those who'd prefer to dwell on Rev. Wright's remarks.

March 19, 2008 12:15 PM
Dr Berole said:

Go home Hillary! Stop your tactics. The American people

won't be deceiived by your tactics.

March 21, 2008 12:56 AM
Rev De Olive said:

Dear American people, Don't allow Hillary to disrupt the election, including the party. She's so divisive.Pleeease!

Since the day she started this campaign, she's in the business of

trying to grap the nomination by hook or by crook

Imagine if Hill. grabs it what will happen to the party and to America.

I think what she's already demonstrated is enough for the American people to know her tactics. Take Michigan. Is it because she loves Florida? Definetely no.

Obama has shown moe transparency and ability to be the presumptive nominee

March 21, 2008 1:03 AM
LorenzoJennifer said:

My guess on the Michigan and Florida primaries has Barack Obama playing a waiting game. He'll block Hillary Clinton's efforts to have another primary and get her campaign to finally propose that caucuses be held instead. As the records show, Obama has won all caucus contests.

March 22, 2008 5:10 PM
LorenzoJennifer said:

BARACK NEEDS ANOTHER TEDDY

Bill Clinton, after the South Carolina primary, attempted to play the race card against Barack Obama by pigeon-holing him as the candidate of Black America. Ted Kennedy took the edge off the issue and turned the topic into an endorsement of Barack's candidacy by Caroline, himself and other Kennedy family members. Now, with the Rev. Wright becoming better known to the general electorate, Barack needs someone to come forward and join him in rejecting Rev. Wright's remarks. To diffuse the public response and - like the Teddy intervention - make lemonade from lemons. Admittedly a tough assignment for any politician. But one necessary lest Barack stand alone. Candidates who stand alone are easily targeted by their political opponents. And Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania poll lead is now into double digits.

Rapid research finds out how the speeches of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., became publicized. Turns out that Trinity United Church of Christ sold packages of sermons delivered by its pastor - Rev. Wright - after he retired in March 2008. ABC News picked one up and the rest is current events in the process of becoming history. To paraphrase Shakespeare, talk about being hoisted by one's own petard!

March 25, 2008 7:57 AM