John Nichols: Obama didn't do the politically "smart" thing....He did the right thing.

[marmar]

from The Nation:




OBAMA: "NOT THIS TIME"...Barack Obama could have responded to the controversy that has been ginned up with regard to comments made by his former pastor with a safe and predictable speech. The politically "smart" strategy -- counseled by some Obama allies -- would have been to have the Democratic presidential contender focus on concerns about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.'s critique of U.S. foreign policy and then distance himself from any offending sentiments.

But Obama did not do the politically "smart" thing.

He did the right thing. And that is why his campaign will weather this storm.

The Illinois senator recognized that the media-driven dialogue about sermons delivered by Wright had little to do with the content of the pastor's words and everything to do with the color of the pastor's -- and the candidate's -- skin.

So Obama seized the opportunity to open up a dialogue about the role of race in America, turning a political challenge into what the late Paul Wellstone referred to as "a teaching moment."

At the most basic level, Obama did what the media has failed to do. He presented Wright and Wright's comments on U.S. domestic and foreign policies in context: the context of the African-American religious experience, the context of the candidate's connection to the church and, above all, the context of this country's unresolved experience of what Obama correctly refers to as "the original sin" of the American experiment -- human bondage -- and its legacy. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=299938

[Alter Ego]

1. It's amazing how the "right" thing has become so foreign

to everyone, even people here.

[polichick]

2. He did what a true leader would do!

[babylonsister]

3. I really think he threw pundits for a loop by not disavowing Wright.

In fact, he praised him some more, but in the context of their personal experiences. He talked circles around everyone, and made so much sense! :patriot: And rec'd!

[redstate_democrat]

5. The man has principles.

You can't throw the man who introduced you to Jesus under the political bus. I wouldn't have respected at all if he had. It just proves that he won't and say ANYTHING to get elected. He has morals and integrity.

[zonkers]

6. I always seem to agree with you.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. Get a room.

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. He risked everything behind a principle

He might well lose because of it.

But we could never imagine in a thousand years any of the other candidates being in his position and doing the same thing: putting it all - everything, the campaign, the Presidency, the mission, the career - putting it all at stake behind a foundational belief and principle. It's actually quite shocking to see, which is why various opponents are apoplectic or delighted or befuddled or respectful.

He rolled the dice for a principle. We've had Democrats for far too long conditioned to within a quarter inch of their lives to respond in a politically "smart" way - consultants up the wazoo, the Mark Penn's with their fucking charts and phone banks and demographic districts marked in red, blue, green, purple. The calculation more detailed than nanotech innovations or advanced statistical methodologies. To see a politician (and Obama is surely that) roll the dice for a principle is almost beyond reckoning.

[Voice for Peace]

7. I think he might well win because of it, not lose.

I would bet money that anybody paying attention to Obama is beginning to recognize possibilities and see hope in the unlikeliest places, in the smallest ways. This is a universally beautiful thing.

[writes3000]

19. Love this line of yours: "which is why various opponents are apoplectic or delighted or befuddled"

So true, A_M. So damn true.

Just look at the posts here desperately trying to diminish the speech.

[Cha]

21. Which is what we New Yorkers wanted

hilary to do in 2002 if she had been capable of it.

[papau]

8. He avoided a straight answer on why he was not offended and stayed in the church

[marmar]

11. ......

:eyes: Eyeroll for lameness.

[FlyingSquirrel]

14. .......

:-) For the fact that I could not read the lameness.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. No, he didn't

He answered extensively by detailing black anger and how it plays itself out in the barber shops and beauty salons and churches, and how it is part and parcel of the black experience in America. I know that's not an answer you like to hear, but that was his answer, and it was cogent and courageous. You want him to say "I agree," or "I disagree." He said something far smarter: I understand, and love, and disagree, and work for something better. he said something we're mostly all familiar with, like when a good friend or parent says something racist and offensive, and you might say something or not, but you don't walk out of Thanksgiving dinner, and maybe you still even love that person.

Of course, I'm sure you're far too pure for anything of the kind. You want the simple answer that's driven by consultants with their polls and statistical charts on the wall. I think you should know where to get that answer. I'm sorry Obama provided an answer more in tune with the lives and experiences we live as Americans, but I'm not surprised that you failed to recognize it.

[Scurrilous]

9. K & R

:thumbsup:

[eissa]

10. That's been the biggest attraction for me

He's not your run-of-the-mill type of politician. There are no canned answers to everything ("My weakness is that I care too much" :eyes:) I like that he doesn't just tell us what we want to hear, as some here have practically demanded of him ("What about ME?!?!!!!?!") I truly believe he will make an amazing president.

[DerekJ]

13. he did the right thing

and I don't give a damn what happens after that ... I'm proud of him

[uponit7771]

15. I agree, I don't think a lot of politicians would take the steps he took

[Window]

17. K/R.

:kick:

[saltpoint]

18. Agree absolutely. Nichols usually gets it. This is no exception. Good post.

[Cha]

20. No wonder Obama didn't toss

Pastor White away..he's done a lot of good in his life and Obama presented it as John Nichols writes, "in a way the media failed to do".

This is the Change we've been talkin' about. I knew Obama would have to transcend the media to get elected and he's doing a masterful job.

"That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time."

NOT THIS TIME

[Tatiana]

22. Great piece and Nichols is right. This wasn't the safe thing, but it was the right one. n/t