Diplomacy 101-Before you trash your close friend and Pastor in a "Historic" speech on race relations

[2rth2pwr]

it would be a good idea to have a face to face meeting to prepare him for what you are about to do.

The man has been there for him for at least 20 years, he introduced him to Christianity, married him, baptized his children, blessed his home

Obama took his words to use as the title for his bestselling book (did he share any of the profits?), and ministered to his community.

Obama: I tried to talk to him before the speech in Philadelphia. Wasn’t able to reach him, because he was on a — he was on a cruise. He had just stepped down from the pulpit. When he got back, I did speak to him and the — you know, I prefer not to share sort of private conversations between me and him.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/04/29/obama-saddened-by-the-spectacle/?mod=WSJBlog

I'm sure that Wright was beside himself to find out that while he was away and couldn't speak for himself, his friend and member of his congregation

trashed him and his reputation in a speech aired live around the world to millions!

If nothing else, with all the money available to Obama, he could have chartered a helicopter to visit his dear friend.

One of the foundational parts of Obama's campaign is his self-touted ability to bring people together and perform a new kind of diplomacy.

I think we have just witnessed the 50 car pileup in the fog that is a direct result of his ham handedness.

Can we trust this man to deal with leaders of countries that are so different culturally from us when he can't work things out with his buddy?