Good for you. Having watched his NAACP performance, I'm sick of seeing so many posts extolling Wright's virtues
Prior to that speech, I had concluded from the various possible reasons for his coming out now that the most likely was vanity/ego. Post that speech I'm pretty sure it's far more negative than that. This man is NOT stupid. When he shouted over again `Barack HUSSEIN Obama` he knew damned well this would be the most likely clip that would play ad nauseam on tv screens across the country. He knows how many uneducated people actually still believe Obama's a muslim.
He doesn't want Obama to win. His whole life - his church - is predicated on the thesis of blacks as victims and white supremacists. Obama winning would be a profound challenge to that.
If this pastor were the genuine champion of the black poor, what the hell is he doing having the church spend millions on a mansion in a white gated community accompanied with a 10m credit card? Why couldn't he have a pleasant, average house in a black or at least mixed neighbourhood and make sure those millions were funding the church's community programs? Or, given his insistence on acceptance of difference and how h talked of the differences in culture - music,dance etc, give those millions to funding a foundation that pursues just that - eg like the Daniel Perle foundation? (tolerance and respect for people of all cultures; unshaken belief in the effectiveness of education and communication; and the love of music, humor, and friendship)
The man's a charlatan.

Either the people are ready to handle a grown up conversation on religion in America, and race, or they are not. Boy, can't wait to see what happens.

Great post!

Good post. Wright is a catastrophe for Obama, and Wright knows what he's doing. There were so many startling remarks by Wright - "Barack HUSSEIN Obama", black/white brains, AIDS conspiracy, mocking LBJ, "I represent the black church" (more or less), white KKK robes, etc - from all three events, that he knew he was going to get substantial exposure. From the very beginning (February), I suspected this guy was a grandstander and a potential problem for Obama. Wright also knows the bind he's put Obama in, but he doesn't care. I have to agree with inspectormerlot: "He doesn't want Obama to win. His whole life - his church - is predicated on the thesis of blacks as victims and white supremacists. Obama winning would be a profound challenge to that."

It's hard to overstate how depressing it has been watching the reemergence yesterday of Rev. Jeremiah Wright at the National Press Club.

It has been depressing to see the Obama campaign go through more "Wrightgate" in the wake of "Bittergate", and the loss of Pennsylvania. Obviously, this is the last thing in the world they needed.

It has been enraging to watch the news media obsess so deeply over the words of a man who is not even running for office, and then associate those words and positions with Sen. Obama—a man who has never uttered publicly any of those words or ideas, nor taken publicly any of those positions. It has been even more infuriating to hear a blowhard like Chris Matthews ask aloud "why won't the reverend just go away", then devote the entire hour of Hardball to picking over his every word. This, naturally, has been the reflex position of the entire political elite the last 24 hours.

It must be downright surreal for the Obama campaign to watch someone utterly out of their control pop off to the news media whatever he feels like saying, whenever he gets the urge, and then have the same media gallop over to Barack and demand an explanation.

More than anything, though, to have watched Barack Obama go to great pains several weeks ago to defend the character of the man he once called pastor, only to have Jeremiah Wright stab him in the back today with the following comments, was the most galling moment of all.

When Wright was asked today about his original remark that 9/11 was "America's chickens coming home to roost", rather than offer the sound foreign policy theory of blowback to explain, he used the Bible: "You cannot do terrorism on other people and expect it never to come back on you. Those are biblical principles, not Jeremiah Wright bombastic divisive principles."

On his feelings toward Farrakhan: "He is one of the most important voices in the 20th and 21st century; that's what I think about him. I said, as I said on Bill Moyers, when Louis Farrakhan speaks it's like E.F. Hutton speaks."

Not to stop there, he dragged all African-Americans down that road with him. "All black America listens." Really? So now Jeremiah Wright speaks for all black America?

On his theory that the U.S. Government gave AIDS to black people: "Have you read Horowitz's book 'Emerging Viruses: AIDS and Ebola'? Whoever wrote that question, have you read 'Medical Apartheid'? You've read it?" No, we haven't.

On the sincerity of Barack Obama's disowning of Wright's controversial remarks: "He didn't distance himself. He had to distance himself, because he's a politician..."

On his personal loyalty to Barack Obama: "If you get elected, November the 5th I'm coming after you, because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people."

I don't agree with the Washington Post's Dana Milbank, or the National Review, that this event may have doomed Obama's candidacy. I do believe, however, that it may have doomed his chances to win the Indiana primary—one that until today was essentially a dead heat. It also threatens to seriously tighten his popular vote margin in North Carolina.

I confess I don't know exactly where I stand on the near-unanimous media opinion that Obama's only escape from the newest controversy is to completely disavow Wright, once and for all.

I think there is a good point to be made that Wright's narcissistic rant today was a public betrayal of Obama, thereby providing a fair pretext for a disavowal. I believe there is an even stronger argument that since Wright has insinuated Obama is faking his distance from the controversial statements, this requires the senator to directly refute Wright, publicly and immediately. Obama certainly can't have anyone close to him—especially his former pastor—continue to give interviews telling everyone not to really believe Obama means what he says.

On the other hand, I get pretty nauseous when the media starts dictating to public figures whom they are and aren't allowed to associate with. Let's call it what it is: blackmail. The MSM is saying to Obama, "you can make this easier on yourself if you play by our rules, and cut Wright loose. Otherwise, we will hound you day in and day out with this until you drop out of the race." Not included in the threat is the obvious fact, of course, that nothing Obama says or does will ever shut the media up about Rev. Wright anyway. So, what's the point?

Also, wouldn't it look deeply political for Obama to kick Wright to the curb at the very moment the minister is causing him the most damage? And didn't Obama himself say "I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother"? You can just see the tabloid headline: "Obama Disses Wright; Granny Takes The Hint, Packs Her Bags".

I don't really know what Obama should do, though the thought of Barack having to cough up yet another mesmerizing "race" speech to get himself out of yet another jam certainly isn't appealing. I do however, have a question for Rev. Wright.

You're obviously an intelligent man, Reverend, who I surprisingly find a lot in common with ideologically, although I believe your leftist politics are of a more conspiratorial strain than my own. It is also obvious that you care passionately and profoundly about the African-American community you have dedicated your life to serving. With these two truths in mind, the obvious question surfaces:

Why are you knee-capping the first viable African-American presidential candidate in our nation's history?

Your avatar could be analyzed too, Scientific.

Check yourself.

Funny how you use the "crab-in-the-barrel" analogy as you bring down Wright to your "deficient because of different" definitions.

Insightful and interesting post. I agree with your points. The problem of Reverend Wright is not going away, ever. The immediate problem is the impact on North Carolina and Indiana. Should Senator Clinton win both, the nomination process will be in chaos. Even an Obama N.C win and a Clinton Indiana win will be a problem. Should Senator Obama win both the primary contest is essentially over. He needs to address this head on but he is in a box. He has said he can not renounce Reverend Wright but now he surely needs to distance himself more than he has. This is a opportunity for him to more forcefully address the issue.

On one hand, I wish Rev. Wright would go away, because he's prolonging the nontroversy. On the other hand, there are several upsides to his news appearances. He's showing that he's not the madman and hater than Fox News had claimed. He's also demonstrating that Obama isn't in cahoots with him. And he's wearing out everyone's patience with this non-issue well before the general election campaign begins. I agree with Greg (as usual) that it's not at all clear that Wright is hurting Obama. And Obama is a very adept politician. I think that once again, he's gonna be able to spin this nonsense into electoral gold.

Here's hoping for a big win in NC and any kinda win in IN.

Posted this on another blog but I want to reiterate this point.I'm one of those who feel that Wright helps rather than hurt Obama. The Republicans are going to run ads of his 30 second sound bites NO MATTER WHAT. By getting out and about, the public may get innoculated to his presence, and might even be bemused by his exasperating personality. They will also recognize the decent but misguided man in him, and at least they won't fear him.

He won't raise Obama's ratings, but he will at least help to beat back the impact of the Republican ads, neutralising that avenue of attack.

He is quick, witty and funny, that's going to go down well as a TV personality. Even Comical Ali, an "Iraqi enemy", was quite a hit - it was impossible to hate him. Wright'spresence will help diffuse the fears of the "unkmown" in Obama once and for all, and that's a good thing.

Excellent post, Scientific. I'm glad you made is so personal: it gave me what I think is an insight into how you think, and by reflection, how some others may thing.

I disagree with you entirely about Wright. Some of what you wrote struck me as if you were apologising for him. He doesn't need to apologise. And you don't need to apologise for him.

I want Obama to win. I think Wright will help him do that. If it were necessary for Obama to disown Wright to win, I'd as soon he lost and look forward to another chance and better circumstances up the line.

I like the crab story because I see a different meaning in it. It doesn't apply just to Blacks. We are all of us the crabs.

Here's what I think happened:

Obama has been planning to cut all ties with the Rev. for a while now, and he decided to do it today. In preparation he went to Rev. Wright and told him:

"I am going to cut ties with you next week. You do what you gotta do to defend the church and yourself, and I'll do what I gotta do. See you on the other side."

It might have been just as simple as that. No collusion, just one sentence.

a missouri voter: i love you for your enthusiam as an obama supporter myself, you put me to shame with your optimism; however, but i can't help but feel like the poster!

rev wright's selfishness shocks everyone! the only good thing about this is it highlights obama's altruism in my eyes-a boon!. obama had an opportunity to throw rev wright under the bus for political expediency and he didn't. instead, he took the high road. well, we are finding out that evil prevails in the short run...ask hrc, she will tell you all about it...now, let's hope evil doesn't do our man in b/f it is all said and done....

rev wright reminds me of one of those embarrassing uncles you love, but you cant take him out in public and you don't want him around when your intelligent friends are coming over. he is just that embarrassing! what a waste of a good education and brain cells! well, obama's embarrassment is out of the closet and nothing can make him go back in there. obama is going to have to deal with it.

to the poster--if rev wright's idiocy turned someone off and now they are claiming to be against obama, i have a newsflash for you and them--that person was never for obama and never will be for obama. any real consideration for obama would have been strengthened by rev wright's idiocy and selfishness period!!!!! obama is a victim in pretty much the same way my catholic priest duped me every sunday during mass.....you get the hint~

Right on target, Scientific. Many other thoughtful posts.

Wright demonstrates the known but hardly mentioned political shift occurring with the Obama candidacy -- a shift not of race but of age. I imagine in my mind that Wright received numerous calls of sympathy from supporters, became reinforced that his cause was just, and decided to use the book tour to let the world know that he was not the kind of black man to take this abuse.

He has no clue how folks under thirty or forty find his old fashioned ways. There comes a time to let go, but his grip has been too tight too long to change.

Well Scientific, a part of being scientific is effort, time, and patientence; the scientific methods has not changed.

Your have well expressed an intragroup dynamic that is much the same among all groups, and most individuals recognize this phenomena. I have a near inherent distrust of religious folks, not religion; humans populate religious institutions. The mixture of faith and community in the relationship between Obama and Wright is of concern, something may have gone off the farm in this area.

My only qualm with Obama he speaks of faith a bit too much for my taste; he needs to talk with President Carter or go look at tapes of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen(from back in the day, as they say) for pointers on how to handle one's faith in public discourse. Wright's behavior is trying to understand, and regardless he has no place on the public stage at this point in time. Also, he fully knows he is being use by the MSM, and so on; I do agree his actions are selfish, but see some destructiveness for himself. Some have suggested a book deal is spurring his action, seems doubtful.

I do hope that whatever it is, the reason is not personal; the brew of faith, community and interpersonal relations can be caustic. Differing views are find but Wright is too old and experienced to have become snared in this madness. I do tend to agree with the view expressed in the first post,that this will blow over.

Scientific, you are rather perceptive.

Babe, I call those crabs "playa haters."

It's a common phenom

great post.

Another reader here to say, yes, this is a great post. Thank you.

IF the 'Wright is clinging to victimhood' interpretation is correct, then, we might wonder whether Wright may just end up being more identified with another victimhood-prone one who lives in the past and is closer to his age.....to wit, Hillary Clinton.

Scientific,

I appreciate the perspective and insights you present in this post.

I have been shocked and saddened by some of the things Rev. Wright has said in the last few days. While I have sympathy for his anger and for his desire to defend his legacy from the smearing he's gotten due to Obama's campaign, I can't help but feel he is unfairly making Obama himself the target of his anger.

I am so sad for Barack, the Trinity United Church of Christ, the UCC, and...yes, for Rev. Wright.

The crabs in the barrel illustration you offer is hard for me to take because it seems so terribly petty. I don't know if you're right about this or not. My hope is that you're wrong, because it's almost too painful to accept.

We can only guess at Rev. Wright's motivation. Regardless of Wright's motives, your summary about the effects of his behavior is indisputable:

To break it down, here's what Wright is doing: he's spitting in the face of the man who defended him, who said he was "like family" and did so without any undertones of private anger or resentment. He did so unconditionally. Now Wright is using his newfound notoriety to become the next racial demagogue, and who cares if it's at the expense of Obama?

A few days ago, I heard Barack saying he believes in reconciliation and redemption. I hope that time, courage, and self-awareness will bring reconciliation and redemption to the relationship between these two men.

Wright is nearly 67 years old and recently retired as pastor to a community for over three decade. He is well known is religious circles. Given the current day widespread retirements, it is not uncommon to know individuals who have difficulties adjusting to the cessation of their primary employment. Wright's circumstances has added additional burdens; unquestionably, he is accomplished but as all is flawed, which has been amply displayed of late.

I do have a clear bias concerning religious folks, in short too many confuse the life after with themselves in this life. Wright is not the exception nor are many from all ilks of life. Whatever the "black church" maybe it is known by ALL kind of folks nationwide, it secrets as well.

Scientific noted "racial subtexts" as used by the Team Clinton earlier this year, these are devices to evoke stereotypes and prejudices, which to the Clinton's demise many voters recognized. This phenomena will not go away, and it will grow to flaming glory in short order albeit temporarily; thus, I am not too concerned with "racial subtexts" and nearly welcome them. Other terms have been used as well that is far less descriptive: victimhood, self-victimization,post-racial era and(my own)the brew of faith, community and interpersonal relations can be caustic.

Do not want to get into the pros and cons of either but to suggest some thoughts on limitations of the use. The specific intent is to avoid "racial subtexts" as this is the underlying basis for this whole matter; the intent being to use Wright's words against him to evoke action from him(preferably spoken) that reflect negatively against Obama. In short to use you against yourself! This is what makes me mad as hell with and about Wright; Rule 1 Never, Never and Never give them an easy one, NEVER.

( I try like hell to avoid buzz words absent specific intent.)

This is a terrific post. Found you via Andrew Sullivan.

I'm Black too, and what pisses me off about this is that it is TOTALLY CRABS IN A BARRELL.

And, it's so obvious A SETUP.

Shouldn't have had 3 events. I keep on trying to make this point. Having the 3 events is what steels me in my belief that this was done totally ON PURPOSE.

He knows that Obama had caught hell because he wouldn't distance himself from him. He KNEW THAT.

It would have been politically smart. It would have been politically convenient, but he didn't do it. Obama honored the best traditions of the Black Community, in honoring the Elders. He respected his Elders.

Wright set him up. Totally set him up.

There are folks that just don't ' know any better'. We all know them. We know their limitations, and don't expect anything too high from them.

But, he had THREE events. The Moyers Interview was full of substance and authenticity; the NAACP was full of substance and authenticity. He didn't have to sacrifice anything for either venue.

Which is why no one will be able to convince me that what he did at the NPC wasn't done ON PURPOSE.

He had done 2 events, and provided absolutely limited soundbites. Those that they DID play made those that played them look ridiculous.

So, he CHOSE to ' clown'. It was a knife to the heart for Obama. It was up close and personal.

But, Obama didn't see it coming.

I won't even get into the psychobabble of him losing his Black ' Father' for a second time; of being abandoned by him - once again. The second time for all the world to see.

Damn, that's messed up.