Oh how I hope it's true!

Maybe I wasn't the only one emailing his campaign and Michelle Obama pleading with them to do it!

More likely, a lot of superdelegates told them they wouldn't continue to support him if he didn't.

(There's an article coming out in NYT tomorrow
(Adam Nagourney) giving the impression that remaining uncommitted superdelegates aren't quite as strong for Obama now as many had previously thought.

What's the principle? That you'll stay in a church that mocks the principles you stand for?

I believe that everyone gets to choose their spiritual and religious disciplines. However, as we all argue day after day after day, Obama isn't "everyone". He's a presidential candidate, a charismatic presidential candidate who makes his dignity a high priority. There are things you simply can't be associated with if you want to appeal to everyone under the Democratic Party's "Big Tent".

Just as Obama disassociates himself with his supporters in the blogosphere because we're a bunch of wild-eyed nuts who as often as not hate Hillary with such bug-eyed vigor that we'd shock anyone's conscience, he must disassociate himself from an institution that is apparently neither willing or able to moderate itself.

It is not "his" church, after all; he is a member, and the church has no obligation to defer to his needs. He's given the church every opportunity to show some moderation, just as he gave Wright every opportunity to at least leave him alone. And, if he's going to go after McCain on his wacko Christian Right supporters, he's got to make sure his house is clean.

A smart decision, politically. But one can only imagine the personal pain this decision will cause Michelle Obama and her mother. I am agnostic, but see the great benefit of unquestionable community enjoyed by my friends who church. A sad day, chez Obama. How much more must they give up and give over to convince the white vote that they are patriotic and/or not Muslim?

I am torn.
The Obamas have a right to worship where they please as do the other parishioners of Trinity. But I think there is a responsibility of the parish to protect one of their own. To continue to push the envelope is one thing. They are entitled to worship in the manner they choose. But Trinity is no longer a local church, they were the church of a parishioner attempting to become the first African American President of the US. But when their actions begin to damage a parishioner, that parishioner has the right to and the responsibility to resign.

The real questions is, why is this Hillary's fault?

Speaking as an ordained Presbyterian minister, I'd guess, but do not decisively know, that the church that plays at politics ought to be left. Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesars." For many of us, the point was that you shouldn't fuck with the fuckers. You shouldn't try to manipulate people to vote for one person or another. Rather, the idea is to lay out the spiritual principles, like the principle that justice is about enabling us to see the best in people, not the worst. Another idea is that love is above all. Empathy enables love. Mocking Hilary isn't a part of that. He should leave not to protect himself political but to abandon a bankrupt spirituality, one that mocks instead of empathizes. The pastor can call Hillary a liar without beating her to a pulp. He can try to understand an redeem her without being pious. He can empathize with her as a fellow traveler. Amen, brother and sister.