I am a liberal.  I will call out my own hypocrisy if it rears its ugly head.  I want to believe what I want to believe as much as the next guy.  I had heard about Wright's controbersial sermons but not seen them.  And they were horrible.  Yes, I understand the anger from his generation that actually fought for what Obama's generation now enjoys.  At the beginning of the day yesteray I was angry that Obama had not changed his church the day he announced for President.  How could the campaign not know this was going to happen?  My husband whose roots are in the racist, white SOuth side of Chicago was heartbroken -- he's sure he's done.  He certainy may be right. 

I've listened and read and paid very close attention the last 24 hours.  What I have to say is nusanced and probably not mean anything in the election.  But here's what I see: 

Obama at the core of his being, sees the entire person and not fractions of people to exploit or elevate (his "slice and dice politics" line has more meaning for me now).  He understands Thanksgiving with my racist brother-in-law who I put up with, won't aruge politics with, but would do anything for my husband, his brother.  My brother-in-law is far more than just his politics and if I needed anything, although we don't particularly like each other or understand each other, he would be there for me, too because I love his brother.  We all have variations of this in our lives. 

Read Cass Sunstein's op-ed about Obama in the Chicago Tribune.  It's how Obama views problems, solutions, answers -- he will look at the totality of a task, ask the hard questions, find the best answer regardless of where those answers fall ideologically or politically.  Seriously and genuinely consider the other point of view if it has merit and dismiss it if it's b.s.  He was able to work in the the Illinois Senate and the U.S. Senate with people who would never work together.  He did it in Illinois when no one else could and actualyl enacted progressive legislation on children's health care and the videotaping of iterrogations.  What syould have been an adversarial issue on videotaping of interrogations -- Obama was able to show law enforcement that he was on their side, looking for the real bads guts, not just a meaningless confession, which ultimately was what they wanted, too.  He showed the "other side" how they would benefit as well.  It was an amazing feat, the sort of effectiveness we so desperately need. 

He did with the Lugar-Obama non-proliferation bill.  He will do it as president I'm sure. 

So Obama looks at Pastor Wright and understands that his anger, as offensive as it is, is part of his personal history.  Without whose struggles there would be no Candidate Obama.  For this he is grateful.  He sees a church that calls for public service and responsibility from its parishioners, that social justice and helping your fellow man is living the message of Jesus.  Who do good deeds every day with compassion that brings them closer to God.  And Obama will not categorically condemn the entire man.  There is more to him than those 30-second clips.  He will not negate the good.  The will not redpudiate the man's entire life. 

Then you being to see the context of Obama being willing to meet world leaders, especially the "bad guys".  Because it's about finding solutions, not just posturing.  It's truly about finding the one, thin thread where our needs intersect, building from that.  No "slicing and dicing" into good/evil, black/white, tough/weak.  I better understand the kind of leader Barack Obama would be than I did 48 hours ago, because he sees more in Pasto Wright than how he serves or hinders Obama's political ambition. 

We hear that Hillary is the Comeback Kid, but Obama nevers gets the same credit for how he wins against insurmountable odds.  No -- he's "lucky" because he's black. 

I'm not stupid.  This will probably sink him.  Pastor Wright will not go away.  Bad judgment, naivete -- he's taken a hit on his core selling points. 

All of this is way too nuanced, I know that.  But Obama has undone damage before.  If anyone can, Obama can.  I'm hoping and praying.  Because I would be proud to call this man my president.