Why is Wright engaging the media?

[JasonHill]

Note that i'm saying this as a defender of the context of what he said in his sermons that have been used to portray him negatively and smear Obama through association.

What I do agree though with many of the politico's is that if Wright really wanted to help the Obama campaign he should be laying low right now instead of continuing the coverage cycle by making new news through granting interviews and subsequently doing high-profile speeches. All this does is continue the story and helps to throw off Obama's attempt at framing his campaign theme. It doesn't matter what he said , the issue is that many whites are scared of/resent what they perceive to be "angry black people", and that might reduce Obama's crossover appeal.

[anonymous171]

1. I don't think he looked very angry tonight, personally.

He's not affiliated with the Obama campaign anyways.

[DJ13]

19. I don't think he looked very angry tonight, personally.

Not after listening to that angry guy introducing him.

Wright came across as mild mannered compared to him.

[Duke Newcombe]

2. I disagree...all Wright, all the time...

will get old quickly, and take away this stupid meme from the Republicans.

Duke

[Muttocracy]

3. the unknown is scarier than the known. nt

[kid a]

7. that is right....flood the airwaves with Wright in Washington, Disney Land, Dennys

...well maybe not dennys

[TheDoorbellRang]

8. You nailed it

Can't be "scary black preacher" if he's out there for all to see that he's a brilliant man.

[Hoof Hearted]

11. but he keeps providing new material, see.

'stuidness' aside.


I hope he keeps ranting, raving, singing and screaming his way across American television screens from here till June, at least.

[kid a]

13. exactly - that helps Obama ENORMOUSLY!!!

[cliffordu]

17. So do I.

Gobama!!

[chascarrillo]

21. Pathetic.

[woolldog]

78. Bingo! As long as it doesn't affect him in Indiana and NC....

[Tatiana]

4. Did you watch his interview with Bill Moyers?

Cause if you did, then you would know why Wright feels like it is his time to defend himself.

Obama is a politician. Wright is a pastor. Wright's job does not entail helping the Obama campaign. It entails preaching the truth and enlightening those he preaches to.

He is a grown man who has every right to correct the record.

[JasonHill]

29. Both are politicians

Both were/are leaders in hierarchical institutions, they just have a different type of base.

I am not saying that i want him to not correct the record. I do. What i am saying is that now isn't the time to do that when we are in a sensitive phase of the campaign where Obama has less of an ability to control his message because of the primary process still being contested and with McCain shoring up the nomination.

[kid a]

5. Look at the GE...Those 10 sec clips would have been (and still will be) played OVER etc

They'll be played - but there is, and will be more after the press club speech tomorrow - a larger context of Wright out there available..

The more Wright the better for Obama - as long as he not providing new GDA and 9/11 sound bites.

[Political Heretic]

6. The more the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[99th_Monkey]

74. I agree. Rev. Wright represents Obama's "no bullshit" line-in-the-sand to Rethug 527 swift-boaters.

It's like, "oh, so you want to talk about race, real patriotism, and what real loyalty to the US Constitution looks like?"

Great!! More than happy to oblige.

[EFerrari]

9. Wright is a notable person in his own right.

His stature doesn't depend in any way on Obama. To the contrary, Obama most likely gained in stature among his constituency by his association with Wright.

Since he is retiring, it isn't surprising that he's making the rounds.

[cliffordu]

23. DING DING DING We have a winner!!!

Wright has been a success and a major spiritual leader for decades....he doesn't NEED Obama for anything...

Well, maybe to sell more books......

:rofl: :rofl:

[EFerrari]

30. Isn't that what influential people do when they retire?

They go on a round of appearances -- like saying goodbye to one part of your life as you enter another.

[cliffordu]

57. That's exactly right.

The book sales comment was a joke.....

[EFerrari]

60. Hey -- I want a copy of that damned book.

:)

[cliffordu]

61. I'll get one for sure.

I hope he sells two hundred million copies.

[JasonHill]

32. I agree he is notable

but he isn't notable to a national audience on cable news except for his association with Obama and the political capital involved in Smearing him and Obama through Guilty by association.

[EFerrari]

40. Not on cable news, but he is a nationally respected historian

and spiritual leader. It's possible that CNN would not have filmed his speech tonight but for the Obama connection, but he would have given it regardless. In truth, it is the media that has engaged him.

You know that nothing of real importance ever happens on our cable channels, right? And the few things that they manage to engage, they screw up. :)

[JasonHill]

52. I agree

I agree he is notable in that context, and that the media is engaging him right now, but the "blame", imo, is reciprocal. The speech he gave, imo, wasn't an issue more so than his interview with Moyer's which helped him to promote the speech by pushing his name back to the top of the media list in coverage. It's a sensitive time right now, im just wondering why he didn't wait to try to rebuild his reputation knowing that he is a political negative to Obama.

[EFerrari]

58. This is the problem. His reputation is undamaged in the sphere

-- in fact, the much larger sphere where he lives and works.

If anything, he is seen as something of a hero for being forebearing and taking his time to respond to the disgusting media distortions.

Obama's campaign doesn't trump Wright's career. I know that may be hard to take in, but it really doesn't.

/ack

[JasonHill]

68. I'm not saying it does

but it doesn't matter if he does or not. What matters is that the belief that Obama agrees with the Media-pumped soundbyte views of Wright and subsequently he'd give power to those soundbytes, making the fear of whites toward "angry black people" a reality to them. That's why he took such an initial hit and has this issue as a barnacle to his campaign and personal numbers.

[MADem]

42. His 'constiuency' right now is the entire state of Illinois, not just the

chunk he was repping in the State Senate.

He WANTS his constituency to be every citizen, across this land. Many of whom find Wright a real problem.

I don't think Wright helps, retiring, or otherwise. He should have taken a long leave, and retired in December.

[madfloridian]

10. I disagree. They are trying to destroy him to get to Obama

He has to stand up and defend himself and speak for his church.

The Clintons are suing this issue...shame on them.

[oasis]

12. Wright's ego would not allow him to wait. (eom)

[EFerrari]

18. To wait for what?

Really, that's just bizarre.

[oasis]

31. The OP used "lay low", I used "wait". What's the difference?

[EFerrari]

33. Why would he need to do either? This man has had a career

few Americans ever have. He's winding it up. Is he supposed to put his whole life on hold for the whims of the Democratic Party?

[oasis]

41. "Life on hold"? why can't he wait until after the general election?

[EFerrari]

43. Why in the world should he?

Just because 12 freepers are afraid of him?

lol

[oasis]

50. Okay by me if he gets 24/7 coverage, but I stand by the comment about his ego. (eom)

[EFerrari]

55. Why shouldn't a man who has given so much of himself to his country

and to his community enjoy the appreciation of his peers on the eve of his retirement?

Ego, my @ss. Jeremiah Wright has earned EVERYTHING that is coming to him and I for one hope he enjoys every fuckin' minute of it.

[donheld]

73. Did you even listen or watch his interview with Bill Moyers or

His talk to the NAACP?

[oasis]

87. Yes, I saw the Moyers interview. I didn't expect Wright to rant and bellow.

Therefore,we won't see much of that encounter played accross America. Look for Oprah to put him on her show before long. For what good it will do.

The GOP already has the ammunition it needs for the general election.

[cliffordu]

27. Grip. YOU need one.

[oasis]

39. And YOU need to stop swilling the Kool-Aid.

[cliffordu]

49. I think your advice is as corrupt as your arguments,

reflective of a corrupt intellect.

twitter twitter chirp chirp, little freeperbird....

[oasis]

54. And I'll keep on chirping. Thank you very much.

:hi:

[Forkboy]

79. He's got a lot of nerve defending himself from Fox News type smears.

What a jerk.

[ClayZ]

14. He is a Holy Man

[DJ13]

15. I dont know, but I wish the Obama surrogettes ......

........would let the network anchor ask about a Wright statement, then the only response they gave in return was "what does Wright have to do with Obama and his capability in being President?"

Just cease to answer their inflammatory questions, put the MSM on the defensive.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Because Rev. Wright is not Barack Obama........

and at some point, even the blind are bound to understand that better.

In addition, it further illustrates Obama's point that the Pastor's words are his, and his alone.

Also, it humanizes someone who has been demonized. Remember that there were a lot of dignitaries at that NAACP event tonight. Sen. Levin, Gov. Granholms, and others were there. In other words, the man is not the devil. What he is, is a fiery Black preacher who has done much good for his community and who is not a fool, but an educated man and a former Marine.

That's the reality and the truth, and I believe that Barack Obama stands for the truth, and relies on it daily...which is why it wasn't for him to restrain Rev. Wright....because the truth shall set you free.

Folks who believe that Rev. Wright should have stayed quiet, will understand, if nothing else, that Obama is not the boss of him, and vice versa. This action by Wright divorces the two, in other words.

[EFerrari]

22. People seem to have no grip on the idea that Jeremiah Wright

does not work for Obama.

It's just weird.

lol

[JasonHill]

38. Im not saying that though

I understand he is his own man and that he believes he is preaching the truth. The issue isn't truth. The issue is the reality of perception, and that reality is that he is currently an albatross to the Obama campaign because of their association, regardless of whether that is fair or not.

[EFerrari]

47. He is not an albatross. He is a secret weapon.

Watch what happens this week.

[FrenchieCat]

48. The issue should be the truth, and if it isn't then we are a sorry nation

more so those those who take the time out to be "concerned" about others who won't see the truth, as opposed to one taking the time out to share the truth with those who may not initially see it.

If White people are so scared, and that seems to be your perception, then only God can help us.....and it also means that we are a fucked up nation who deserves whatever we get at the end.

Bill Clinton was embroiled in a Genifer Flowers scandal, for a 12 year relationship, during his primaries, and he still won. What were the perception of those who voted for this man about his values and character?

You might deserve Hillary or McCain at the end for being so fretful, but I don't.

[JasonHill]

65. I hear ya, but unfortunatly it isn't

Truth is perceptual, and perception shapes political power. In my heart, my beliefs push me to want human civilization to overcome as much of it's combative nature in organizing power as possible. The thing is though that that is an ongoing process, and the only way it can be achieved is through engaging the political realities of the day in order to help shape it.

The thing about white people is that many of them are that scared as the lingering history and impact of racism can attest to. Not to single out whites since humanity as a whole is guilty in some way or another of a projection of anger onto negative prejudicial stereotypes, but many lower/middle class whites specifically fear and resent black people as a projection of anger over economic and social status. Because of that, i think it's important to have the first black nominee not evoke these emotions when running for a position in a country that has as a majority white people.

This doesn't mean forget the truth. It just means that many people aren't ready for it and have to be persuaded and shown it since they aren't ready to accept it right now. This isn't cowardice or timidity but trying to be as effective as possible as one can believe to be within the climate.

[grasswire]

69. oh my lord

You believe Gennifer Flowers and the two Arkansas state troopers?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I didn't think anyone fell for that junk.

[donheld]

20. I could not disagree with you more

He's laid low long enough. The MSM has had ample opportunity to tell the truth, and now it's time for him to come forward and tell it like it is. His interview with Bill Moyers was wonderful and should do a good bit to put to rest that he's an angry fire-brand. I think Bill Moyers was a wonderful choice to do the first major interview.

[EFerrari]

25. When you think about it just from a PR viewpoint, he's masterful.

The Friday interview with Moyers, the speech tonight, the appearance tomorrow at the Press Club.

Man, he really knows what he's doing. lol

[Tatiana]

51. He's got a little help from a PR firm.

But it is the man himself that is turning the tide.

[EFerrari]

59. That's the report but, honestly, do you think he needed it?

lol

I'm loving this. :)

[Tatiana]

71. Oh hell no. But every bit helps, I guess.

I'm enjoying watching Dr. Wright "make it rain" on our "stuck on stupid friends."

:hi:

[Blue State Bandit]

24. The Master Stroke, Pt 2

First Obama does the FAUX interview, and then Wright goes on CNN (via NAACP Dinner) and defuses the debate from within the Democratic Party base.

The right will keep playing their "snipes", but he could go to Mars, and still could not "lay low" enough to deny the "true believers" in the Republican base the temtation to use it.

As a Bush or Clinton would tell you, you only need 50% + 1, and sometimes not even that. I like the fact that Obama is positioning himself for a greater take in the GE.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5702369&mesg_id=5702369

[cliffordu]

36. Yep, Absolutely.

I don;t think Obama being on FAX news and tonight CNN has Wright -

Sounds like a masterstroke of sinking the swiftboats....

AND,

It took Hillary off the news cycle for oh, I dunno, a WEEK???

:rofl: :rofl:

[EFerrari]

45. It's better than that. First, Wright goes on Moyers on Friday.

Then Obama goes on Faux, then Wright's NAACP speech is aired, then he goes to the National Press Club Monday morning.

:evilgrin:

[stillcool]

26. Defending himself? His Church?

I don't know what the protocol is for responding to a public lynching.

[backscatter712]

28. To show the world the real Rev. Wright, not the cartoon.

This absolutely will help Obama in the long term. It's already getting people talking about what he has to say, and about more than a couple soundbites or that damned tape loop.

This humanizes Wright, which will drive a stake through the heart of the Wright controversy.

[MADem]

It's a good question. I despair of seeing much discussion on it.

I tried here, but all I got was the usual partisan shit. I hope you get better than "You're a racist! You HATE Obama! You're TEARING the party APART! What? There's NO ISSUE here, everything's FINE!! No one is even NOTICING!!!!!" for daring to ask the question.

I thought he would have been better off waiting until AFTER Indiana. It just seems like a horrible time for Wright to go on HIS "legacy repairing" tour. Late November would have been better.

And then, there's Obama, emphasizing the word FORMER when he tells Chris Wallace on Faux that he's his FORMER pastor. It wasn't FORMER, like, "Oh, he's retiring"--it was more like FORMER, as in "I disassociate myself from him."

He's just "distracting" from Obama's campaign. He's eating up the news cycle, and not in a good way for Obama, either. The only ones "digging" Wright are absolutely unconditional, hard-core supporters of Obama. I think a good chunk of Obama's supporters wish the guy would go on another long holiday.

When Wrigh isn't pissed off, the guy introducing him at the NAACP is. It's just unhelpful.

The old "guilt by association" thing may be unfair, but it happens. That's what no one wants to talk about.

Of course, distractions can be used as excuses if the internal polling is looking very bad. Maybe he's going out front so that there can be some justifying/excusing of less than brilliant results in IN. You know, the old "We would have gotten X percent, only (fill in the blank) happened, and that depressed my support" type thing.

I don't know, though, why Wright is doing this. I don't know what's in the guy's head. His timing, IMO, stinks.

[bhikkhu]

34. More is better - he is brilliant, and on our side.

Or at least working toward a common purpose, with flare.

I can just see the idiots in the media who thought they had him pegged, and the idiots on the RW who thought they had him where they wanted him, flocking to the libraries and bookstores on Monday morning mad as hell that they actually have to read and study to approach his message. Rant as they will, they are empty shells in comparison.

[grantcart]

35. it was a clever speech - it not only defended the African American church from

its idiosyncrasies it also defended evangelicals and Pentecostals and every other group that ever felt different.

[ProSense]

44. It relished the very

idea of America: that people who are different can coexist and form a more perfect union.

[EFerrari]

46. Myself, I'm still worried about that white enslavement thing.

:rofl:

[crankychatter]

76. that's kind of kinky

hm

[ProSense]

37. Because it's a free country

"the issue is that many whites are scared of/resent what they perceive to be "angry black people'"

Really? That's why Wright should go into hiding and let them continue to distort him: ignorant assholes?

[PurityOfEssence]

53. He's a bit frustrated and he's trying to set the record straight

Like most things, it's not just a single impulse. He must have felt wronged and wanted some redress, and he obviously gave it a lot of thought and preparation.

I'm sure he hates feeling that he's hurt his friend and wants to make good, and I'll bet it was a hard decision to make.

It was a lecture, though, and that's not the tone of acceptance. The angry religious tradition, religious tradition, religious tradition, religious tradition and other ham-fisted screaming repetition isn't the dulcet tone you want to invite in for tea and crumpets.

When he gets to the point of telling people how they have to feel about their god, he's playing with fire and he'll only lose. When he mocks a white voice talking about loving Jesus and goes into the contrasting surging emotion of how it SHOULD be done (like WE do it, with real feeling) he's not helping the oneness crusade much. On a fundamental level, he doesn't get it. He's a victim of one of the most universal of human failings: the assumption that deep down, everybody REALLY likes the things we like, too. It just isn't true.

Many of us don't want a messiah. Whether believers or non-religious, many of us don't like the crushing, grating repetition of some overloud lord of certainty grinding us into obedient agreement.

Okay, this was at the NAACP, but this is the 21st Century: the camera's ALWAYS ON, and the image goes EVERYWHERE.

Bad move.

[EFerrari]

56. Wow, am I glad I'm not burdened with your eyes and ears.

You didn't hear a thing he said.

That's too bad.

[PurityOfEssence]

86. Anything short of a hundred percent agreement is EVIL, isn't it?

One must agree with EVERYTHING or one is filth, right?

This is getting to be a tiresome bit of exclusionary groupthink.

[ProSense]

63. "Many of us don't want a messiah." Who are you referring to?

"Whether believers or non-religious, many of us don't like the crushing, grating repetition of some overloud lord of certainty grinding us into obedient agreement."

Who is asking you to "like" this?

Your statements imply that Wright is running for office. He's not, and he's free to say whatever, whenever he wants to.

[EFerrari]

64. It should be plain by now that there are people that are deeply threatened

by difference.

They most likely can't help that, and they make it worse by blaming others for their own fear.

[boppers]

67. Black man mocked a white voice. And a black voice. And an italian voice. And a german voice.

..and then noted we are one America, One Voice.

I think you might have missed the substance of the speech. By miles.

[IsItJustMe]

62. Last time I checked we are still somewhat free in this country.

[Skittles]

66. because he can n/t

[barack the house]

70. Wright, had no choice, he isn't a surrrogate,, he is a man, vilified, he had his name to clear.

Howard Zinn " If they try to silence you speak out more"

[2rth2pwr]

72. How dare you question the judgment of this brilliant man!

[Forkboy]

80. Buying Fox News smears speaks to your own lack of brilliance.

[guyanakoolaid]

75. Why is the media enagaing Wright?

You expect him to lie down? Speaking plain truth to rhetoric-filled bullshit is what the Obama campaign is all about.

[jbane]

77. Exactly, I agree ...

I said this in reply to a couple of Rev. Wright posts and got hammered for it. As long as the Rev. is out there McCain does not
have to employ Karl Rove.

[susankh4]

81. Desensitization?

It's a risky strategy... but if it works, we will all be desensitized by November.

[jeffrey_X]

82. You seriously don't understand why?

He was seriously mis-represented by the sound bytes that have been plastered all over the news the past month. He's said some controversial things, but he is not a bad man.

Shouldn't we have more information about this guy before we all make too many assumptions?

The whites who are scared or resent angry black people are racist biggots. They were never going to vote for Obama in the first place.

[izzybeans]

83. Your title should read in the opposite direction.

Why is the media engaging Wright?

[Kber]

84. Wright isn't a politician and he doesn't work for Obama

Maybe he could be more "helpful" to the Obama presidential campaign by laying low, but his real job is to preach truth to power.

It's what he does.

[ShortnFiery]

85. No, this is not "a conventional" campaign season ... this may help Obama for November. eom