NYT editorial: Mr. Obama and Rev. Wright; Obama's opponents must also repudiate race-baiting

[DeepModem Mom]

Mr. Obama and Rev. Wright
Published: April 30, 2008

It took more time than it should have, but on Tuesday Barack Obama firmly rejected the racism and paranoia of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., and he made it clear that the preacher does not represent him, his politics or his campaign....

***

It was the most forthright repudiation of an out-of-control supporter that we can remember. We would like to say that it will finally take the racial charge out of this campaign. We’re not that naïve.

It is an injustice, a legacy of the racist threads of this nation’s history, but prominent African-Americans are regularly called upon to explain or repudiate what other black Americans have to say, while white public figures are rarely, if ever, handed that burden.

Senator John McCain has continued to embrace a prominent white supporter, Pastor John Hagee, whose bigotry matches that of Mr. Wright. Mr. McCain has not tried hard enough to stop a race-baiting commercial — complete with video of Mr. Wright — that is being run against Mr. Obama in North Carolina. If Mr. Obama is the Democratic presidential nominee, we fear that there will be many more such commercials. And Mr. Obama will have to repudiate Mr. Wright’s outbursts many more times.

This country needs a healthy and open discussion of race. Mr. Obama’s repudiation of Mr. Wright is part of that. His opponents also have a responsibility — to repudiate the race-baiting and make sure it stops.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/opinion/30wed1.html?hp

[DJ13]

1. repudiate the race-baiting and make sure it stops

Okay Hillary, you're up next.

Hello?

<crickets>

[navarth]

2. I'm hoping Obama won't have to keep on repudiating.

"I've already dealt with this issue."

That should be enough.

[MessiahRp]

3. I agree

How many times do we need to hear the same god damned thing from the poor guy. Hillary and McCain are connected to some seriously shady people yet they never have to denounce what those people say. And to be fair they shouldn't have to either because it didn't come directly from their own mouths. Yet Obama has to apologize for everybody he has ever come in contact with and that's just ridiculous.

Rp