Can Obama repair the "damage?" Ummm - what "damage?"

[EffieBlack]

The morning shows today are all asking, "Can Obama repair the damage?" I ask, what damage? His poll numbers are steady, he's still ahead in the delegate count, the number of states won and the popular vote. The only real damage seems to be in minds of the media, who can't stop talking about this story. There has not been a new revelation or any new information in five days - they're just beating this horse over and over and over and over because they have nothing else better to talk about - or, in truth, there ARE other things to talk about (Iraq, the economy, the housing crisis, etc.), but they're to lazy to do the work that covering such stories requires.

Meredith Vieira actually said this morning, "This story just won't go away." I love it when the people who decide what the story is going to be wring their hands that the story is bigger than they are. Bull.

In the face of this foolishness, Obama is doing exactly the right thing. He's dealing with it head on by confronting it and addressing it. When he's done, unless anything new comes up, people (including the media) need to move on. If Rev. Wright's comments are offensive to you and you wish to conflate them with Obama, fine - don't vote for him. But pushing and pushing and pushing the story - beating voters (actually, beating white voters) over the head with repeated cries of "NO, you don't understand! You SHOULD worry about this! No, really! It's a big deal! It is! Really!!!" is a meaningless, petty and cynical exercise.

Obama's speech will likely give much to chew on about the larger issue of race in America. I hope there will be much serious discussion and analysis about this serious matter. But I also hope that after the speech, we will be done with the "Wright is a racist and Obama knows him so HE must be a racist, too!" crap. If you believe that, believe it, but stop arguing about it! Continuing to do so is nothing more than race-baiting and playing the race card since there's no other reason to keep hammering away about an issue that has nothing new to offer.

[Umbram]

1. That's the game. By repeating this, they will manufacture damage.

And it'll give thirsty Hillary supporters something to lap up in the meantime.

[niceypoo]

26. Almost every Wright thread today is started by Obama supporters...

[Umbram]

31. I'm one of those rare DU'ers

that DON'T believe that DU is reflective of the world around us, nor do I believe DU is the center of the universe.

I believe the OP was discussing the media...

[EffieBlack]

32. I'm not an Obama supporter. I support ALL Democrats

And funny, whenever I defend one of the candidates, I'm accused by supporters of the other candidate of being in the tank for whomever I'm defending.

Pretty sad.

[Kokonoe]

36. What makes you think Obama isn't a democrat?

Just kidding;)

[cali]

2. Effie, there really is damage and Obama knows it.

The examples you give of the media seizing on this issue is evidence of damage. I believe that Obama can overcome it, but it's possible that he won't be able to. We'll just have to see. He has an opportunity to quell the fire today.

[Umbram]

4. Perspective

Consider what the polls reflect. Consider how much time there is until the GE.

There are going to be enough intervening stories and problems between now and the GE that this will barely be a blip on the radar.

[EffieBlack]

6. My point is that the damage is being caused by the media at this point

who keep beating this story as if it still means something.

[MethuenProgressive]

15. Yeah! What's with this 'guilt by association' stuff anyway!! (Shaheen, Ferraro, Cuomo...)

:shrug:

[cali]

17. The damage is almost always caused by the media

and if they keep beating this story it DOES mean something.

[izzie]

3. It gives people a reason not to vote for him and they do not have

to think if this is a race thing. Gets the guilt off your back. You can sure see the Joe is not a Congregationalist.

[EffieBlack]

9. trust me - anyone who didn't want to vote for Obama was not going to vote for him anyway

This might give them an excuse to SAY they're not going to vote for him without fear of sounding bigoted. But no matter what they SAID, they wouldn't vote for him in the privacy of the voting booth anyway.

[Life Long Dem]

20. True, but that's no excuse.

[MonkeyFunk]

40. You're saying that issues like this don't change anybody's mind

I think that's just patently untrue.

[MojoMojoMojo]

5. He has no chance in the GE .Is that important ?

[EffieBlack]

10. No - it's not important because it's bullshit.

[polpilot]

16. Obama's pastor didn't vote to bomb Iraq...Hillary did..

Let's focus on what's important here.

[niceypoo]

7. If he is to become the nominee, he needs to address it now

rather than in October

[Neshanic]

8. Other than the Iceberg, it was very relaxing. Now we enter the Twilight Zone

of the True Obamists (TO's) special little bubble world. In this bubbble they swing wildly from overestimating to underestimating the average voter.

The denial continues, and only McCain's mug on their HDTV with glorious clarity announcing his win will they POSSIBLY think that something is amiss.

[EffieBlack]

13. here's a clue for you - everyone who does not trash Obama is not an "Obamist"

your silly, schoolyard names notwithstanding, some of us are capable of analyzing situations without being "in the tank" for any particular candidate.

If you don't like what I have to say, fine. But trying to twist it by claiming I have some kind of agenda, coupled with your childish name calling, only makes you look ridiculous.

If you can't address the issues I raise, you might want to stay out of my threads. My discussions are aimed at grownups with something meaninful to say.

[Neshanic]

22. You are in a Twighlight zone if you write....

"Obama's speech will likely give much to chew on about the larger issue of race in America. I hope there will be much serious discussion and analysis about this serious matter. But I also hope that after the speech, we will be done with the "Wright is a racist and Obama knows him so HE must be a racist, too!" crap. If you believe that, believe it, but stop arguing about it! Continuing to do so is nothing more than race-baiting and playing the race card since there's no other reason to keep hammering away about an issue that has nothing new to offer."

This issue is the Obama gift to the Republicans that keeps on giving. It will NEVER end. Oh, and of course it's your fellow Democrats and Hillary's fault.

And on the topic of staying out of "your threads", that's not your call.

[theredpen]

18. Ah, yes, DU is the place I come to find out what the "average" voter thinks

:eyes:

[Vinca]

11. Great post, Effie! nt

[MethuenProgressive]

12. Obama based keynote speech and "Audacity of Hope" on Wright's sermon "Audacity to Hope"

From the Chicago Tribune (which endorsed Obama for President)

REV. JEREMIAH A. WRIGHT, JR.: Pastor inspires Obama's 'audacity'
In Wright he had found both a spiritual mentor and a role model.
...
Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated.
...
Later he would base his 2004 keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention on a Wright sermon called "Audacity to Hope," --also the inspiration for Obama's second memoir, "The Audacity of Hope."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story?page=2

Obama's entire Presidential bid is built on the foundation Pastor Wright built.
Yeah, no damage there...

[Inuca]

19. yes, and that 2004 speech was so divisive n/t

[jefferson_dem]

23. I offered you a link to the audio of the "Audacity" sermon. Did you listen to it?

If you did, you wouldn't keep harping on it...or maybe you would.

[MethuenProgressive]

24. I never open links from questionable sources.

The point remains that you who claim Wright is a marginal unconnected to Obama side show are living inj a fairy tale. Obama's entire Presidential bid is based on the preachings of Pastor Wright. Obama is lying when he claimes he had no idea Wright was a raving lunatic.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MethuenProgressive]

28. Why, when faced with Truth do (almost) all Obama followers cry "liar" like you just did?

Your post reveals who the real liar is.

Obama based his speech, his book, and his campaign on the teachings of Pastor Wright.
Not all fairy tales have happy endings.

edit: added "almost" to subject line.

[Umbram]

34. Heh, I guess what the poster means is

that they don't open links that might contradict their bias.

Better to be a pig in mud I guess...

[MethuenProgressive]

35. Truth is I say what I mean, and mean what I say.

That's one of the many ways to tell the Obama followers from the Democrats.

[Umbram]

38. So, all DUers are one way and Obama supporters are another?

If you had much credibility, these sorts of comments would be eroding it.

Not to worry though - you have nothing to fear in that regard.

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. Boy the way Glen Miller played, songs that made the hit parade ...

Call it the Archie Bunker factor. I'm just pointing it out folks ... where groups live together, we have resentments.

[jefferson_dem]

21. This is their game. The media giveth. The media taketh away. The media giveth back.

I see their latest "this story just won't go away" talking point as a setup for the new narrative - "Obama's great comeback." He will make us proud and the media will promote how he has, with great inspiration, called on the nation to put away our fears, rise above our divisions, and embrace a new day. Watch it happen.

[MethuenProgressive]

29. Obama has a chance today to make things right.

This speech is really a 'make or break' moment.
If he fails, and still becomes our nominee, McCain wins.
If he succeeds, the Democratic Party succeeds.
I wish him good luck.

[jefferson_dem]

42. ...

Two :thumbsup: for MethuenProgressive!

:toast:

[Prick]

25. Damage

Dear Folks - If we keep using the word "damage" then it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let's stop it already and move on. ABC News began running this expanded story on Saturday after the Fox News interview last week. ABC is getting to be almost as bad as Fox. I think they should both be boycotted. CNN took the sensible approach by only mentioning it in a brief story and running it non-prime for about a day. We are shooting ourselves in the foot though when our radio shows (Ed Schultz, Bill Press, etc.) play these soundbytes over and over - it's not even relevant. We already know what atrocities our brothers have faced and we should stand by the Reverend's words. Viva Obama as there are some injustices to be settled !

[BeyondGeography]

30. They want him to reveal the cure for cancer today

The good news is most Americans, the ones who are thinking of voting Democratic anyway, will be satisfied with a very good speech, and I'm sure he'll deliver.

[calico1]

33. This will of course totally fall out of the

news cycle before too long.

But it doesn't mean the clips or pictures are gone.

Obama supporters focus on the news cycle. But that isn't what should be cause for concern. What should be of some concern is the Swiftboaters and how and if they will use this stuff. It's out there.

Remember Kerry? How long had he been out of Vietnam when they Swiftboated him? They dredged up pictures of him attending a speech by Jane Fonda, remember?

There is the footage of the Rev. Then there is the footage of Mrs. Obama saying how she is proud of American for the first time in her life. Or at least that is the only part of her speech that will be played. Over and over. And they will show the picture of Obama standing next to Richardson and Clinton, them with their hands over their hearts, him with his hands in front of him. And it goes on. There is a lot of material out there that the Swiftboaters can work with.

The last two elections have proven to me that most Americans do not read or educate themselves like they should. Instead they base much of their opinion and election decisions on soundbites, chain e-mails, talking heads, etc.

Forget Meredith Viera. That is not who Obama or his supporters or staff need to worry about. And I hope for the sake of this next election they are prepared to deal for what is sure to come from the RW.

[EffieBlack]

39. I agree

And feel that Obama is handling this exactly right. He's not allowing himself to be "swiftboated" but is going out an confronting the issue head on. It may or may not work, but it is the right thing to do.

I am so sick of people saying that we shouldn't have a black nominee this year because "America's not ready." America never is "ready" for anything until it's put in front of it and pushed and nudged and educated a little bit more. This feels like one of those moments.

The alternative is to put our heads down and say, "Yas'm boss. I sees that it ain't my time yet. I'll just go on over and set there in the corner and watch all y'all white folks do your thing until you tell me that it's my time. But don't forget to come over and get me when it's time for me to get up and come vote for one of you. And then I'll go back over to my corner and set till y'all is ready for me. Thank you SO much boss for lettin' me be in the room with all y'all good white folks. I'm much obliged for your kindness."

It's time for us to say NO - that's NOT how it's going to be. Barack Obama is not putting his tail between his legs and scampering away because a black man he knows and loves got uppity and scared a whole bunch of white folks to death. He's rising above it, but first, he's taking the time to help people better understand why there's nothing to be scared about.

Rev. Wright may have said, "God damn America" but I say, God bless Barack Obama. And all of the rest of us. Please.

[Bullet1987]

37. I'm cynical...so I at least wouldn't be surprised if this story played out until the end of the week

But I agree with you 100%...how many times can people repeat the same thing over and over. I'm skeptical that Obama can end it tonight, because people will still want to beat the drum that Obama MUST BE some kind of anti-White, Black nationalist because he knew Wright.

And yea, I hate it when the media KNOWS they're obsessing over a story and then the pundits come on and put their hands up as if it has a life of its own...so they can't do anything about it. It's bullshit Orwellianism.

[Texas Hill Country]

41. His poll numbers have plummeted, they only talk about what people watch, and they are talking...

about the GE as well as the primary, and this is a massive problem, especially in the GE.