comment #1

JackTorrance says ...

It was the greatest speech I've heard in my lifetime.

comment #2

whirlofagirl says ...

I don't think this article was posted. . .

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obamafullwebmar16,0,7569169.story?page=1

comment #3

Mark says ...

"This country seethes with fear and ignorance and stupidity, and there will never be a shortage of people eager to stir these ingredients in the big steel kettle and bring out their rancid aroma."

Was that on the fly, Jeffrey? Kudos. I actually thought it was a continuation of Obama's speech, which I'm sure was continuously massaged over the last 48 hours.

comment #4

thegreatmags says ...

Brilliant speech...aw fuck it, I hope this guy's our next President. Why the hell not?

comment #5

Michael says ...

It was second only to:

"The issue is not whether we broke a few rules...or took a few liberties with our female guests...we did."

comment #6

mutinyco says ...

This wasn't "I Have A Dream." It was "Checkers."

comment #7

Gordie Lachance says ...

Some people look at America and see "progress".

I see the old, hard-core racists succumbing to mortality, and young people raised in a world where saying the 'N' word can cost you your job.

Not exactly something to be proud of.

comment #8

MAGGA says ...

Where can I find the whole speech? The press here in Norway used to pounce on every piece of news on this election up until about a week ago, but people seem to have tired of it. And on youtube I've only been able to see two different ten-minute pieces. My impression is that this speech had much more content than many of his others, that he was tackling issues of great importance, and I think he proced himself a winner once and for all. If these words don't matter, shut up because none do.

comment #9

gansibele says ...

Far from "I Have A Dream", because unlike MLK, Obama did not address the fundamental issue that has fallen in his (unwitting) lap. Racial divide is not a "distraction", is a defining topic. It has to be addressed meaningfully. It will be addressed after the nomination and when Obama is elected, if he's elected. With this speech he's basically saying "these are old ideas, he's stuck in the past, we are changing". It glossed over a fundamental truth that anybody who doesn't have his/her in the sand knows:

What Wright said is not that different than what mainstream black America thinks.

Even Obama told you: “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community”. It's not outdated thinking. It's not baggage. There is real anger out there. There's a fundamental division in outlooks. Most black people don't think they'll see true equality in their lifetime -while most white people think they have already achieved it. Most white people are horrified when they look "under the hood" and see what black people think. That's why OJ. That's why Katrina.

But you can't make a political speech out of that. Make no mistake, Obama would have preferred to cruise through the nomination as the panracial candidate with the "No, YOU are racist" shield. He could continue to glide between the Tavis Smileys and the Geraldine Ferraros. But Wright he couldn't shake, and when the time came to speak about the most defining issue of our times, the thorn in our national conscience, he fouled. It may have looked like a homerun for the adoring set, but it was outside the lines.

He professed not to dismiss it while dismissing it as a "distraction". He said it would be "politically safe to move on" while basically asking to move on in the name of unity. If you don't agree, show me Obama's plan to mend race relations. The "Yes We Can" candidate became the "But I Can't" candidate. "I can't disown" my crazy old pastor or my racist white grandma. Pithy, because disowning them beyond calling him divisive would have shown character and willingness to tackle the issue with more than gilded oratory. MLK wasn't trying to get elected to anything. Obama has shown himself to be just another politician.

(Feel free to call me negative or hateful or racist. Couldn't care less)

comment #10

SaveFarris says ...

The hate and suspicions and negative spinning will continue from the people with a need to live in those places and to disparage others in order to advance their agendas.

People like ... Jeremiah Wright!

Obama can put as much lipstick on this pig as he wants: his continuing intimate relationship with a race-monger while simultaneously trying to be the post-racial candidate simply won't fly.

comment #11

UnChien says ...

MAGGA, her er hele fitta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

comment #12

gruver1 says ...

Hooray for SaveFarris! Hug that foxhole! No napping. Keep your weapon clean, locked and loaded. Uh-oh....the enemy is attacking the perimeter! Trip those claymores!

comment #13

monetnj says ...

I don't know if it was the equal of the "I have a dream" speech. I think only the perspective of history can tell us that. However, it was one of the most impressive pieces of oratory I've heard in my lifetime.

I've seen Obama speak in person twice here in Texas, and while he was very good both times, this was different than his stump speech. It started from his standard "I was born to a black man from Kenya and white woman from Kansas," quickly fleshed out a bit more of his upbringing and then sprang full-on into his dream of a post-racial America. He reminded us that both our shared problems and shared hopes are stronger than our simple racial divisions. He also reminded us that he is a product of both the black AND white American experience. In a sense, he is a reflection of us all. I think this point is often not acknowledged enough both by those who seek and, shall we say don't seek, the first black President.

I think that even his critics would have to agree that the man is brilliant. He has shown a consistent ability to take the slings and arrows fired his way and turn them around into commentary about the American condition. No panic. Only a powerful and unifying theme of family, church, our common problems and hope for a better tomorrow.

Yes, it is also brilliant political maneuvering as Clinton and McCain are left little wiggle room to disagree, but this also points to Obama's superior intelligence. To me, this is his answer to how he responds to that 3AM call. Experience only gets you so far. Talent and brains have to count somewhere too.

comment #14

MovieBob says ...

GREAT speech, ZERO content. Didn't actually answer a single question, didn't take a single noteworthy position, but he made awestruck white people feel super about themselves for supporting him. Classic Obama.

If you want the one-line version of this speech, it's very simple: "Press, PLEASE stop talking about this." The most important part is when he goes on about "playing the clips over and over;" i.e. it's not Wright's commentary that's the problem... it's actually airing it thats the problem.

He's STUCK, because if he does the right thing and tosses the Reverend aside completely and REALLY runs as the post-racial candidate he will alienate The Black Community by breaking The Code: Black political activism/awareness for the better part of the last few decades has been defined by an unspoken rule that "we're all in this together," so you never cast ANYONE aside for any transgression so long as they've done some good... ESPECIALLY if they're a preacher.

BTW, consider this one: How can he now properly answer the recurring "is he a secret Muslim?" nonsense when his "I belong to a Christian church" comeback now innevitably reminds everyone of Wright?

comment #15

mutinyco says ...

He answers the phone at 3 AM by making a speech?

comment #16

dangovich says ...

When Jeremiah Wright suggests a link between 9/11 and America's policies in the Middle East, the conservatives foam at the mouth and the media readily gives them a forum for their rantings. But when President Bush cozies up to the late Jerry Fallwell, or when McCain embraces his BFF John Hagee, both of whom say America got what it had coming to it on 9/11, it's OK. Move along, nothing to see here. It's a safe bet Fox News and the Wall Street Journal won't be hectoring these guys at every turn, they way they do with Obama regarding his association to Wright.

Oh, but I forgot. The media is lib'rul. Like The New York Times, with Iraq war pimps Judy Miller and Michael Gordon (now propagandizing for war in Iran) and the loathsome, "I've never been right in my life but still I keep getting work!" Bill Kristol. Or the Washington Post, with editorial page editor and Iraq war enthusiast Fred Hiatt.

Fair and balanced, my ass. The Internet is the last bastion of real journalism.

comment #17

Bonifer says ...

We are the UNITED States, after all, why would we not want someone as President whose focus is on unity instead of division, whose path in life has been one representing the diverse cultures, ideas and yes, conflicts, that make this country great, and so rich with potential?

The choice has never been more clear. We can embrace the future, and work together to create a better world for our children. Or we can get stuck in the past with the racial divisions and fearmongering that wound and weaken, so that the powerful can play their profitable games at the expense of the disadvantaged.

A vote for Obama is a vote for optimism over fear, a vote for healing over hurt, a vote for equality over elitism. It is a vote for the future over the past. It is a vote for that part of ourselves which can help make the world a better place.

God bless the man for the speech he gave in Philadelphia today.

comment #18

monetnj says ...

No, mutinyco, he responds to the 3AM call by using his brain and out-maneuvering his opponents. You might not think so, but the pundits falling all over themselves on TV seem to. My guess is that more people will see those reactions from the press than your pithy comment on a message board.

I'll take the brains over the "experience" every time. Something we have had precious little of the last 8 years.

comment #19

truefaith says ...

Totally agree with gansibele and moviebob's postings. As usual, Obama's speech was all fluff and no substance. What does he exactly propose to do about race relations? He's not saying anything probably because he knows that he's going to help the African-American community more than any other. I don't have a problem with this but at least OWN UP TO IT.

comment #20

Zac Bertschy says ...

I honestly feel bad for the people who are so blinded by lame-ass partisan infighting and their own sense of retarded "world-weary cynicism" that their honest reaction to a speech this beautiful, important and inspiring is just more tiresome negative hatemongering and fire-spewing.

It must be a very sad, lonely and angry world to those people.

comment #21

monetnj says ...

MovieBob, you crack me up. Didn't answer a single question? Guess you missed the question and response part of his speech where he said, yes, he had heard Wright say controversial things in the past and, yes, he disagreed strongly with them. I think he also successfully walked the fine line between rejecting the man and rejecting what he said. This is the core of his argument here. We don't reject friends and family because they say things we disagree with. Unless you are Bush, in which case you expect everyone around you to parrot your opinion or face excommunication.

comment #22

BlueBomm says ...

It's frustrating to read some of the comments here that seem oblivious to the function that intelligence, ideology and optimism have when it comes to "leadership." The message here is a kind of "ask not what your country can do for you" sentiment-- a rally cry that suggests that with a strong and inspiring personality at the helm, people can and will come together to make things better.

Asking "what exactly does he propose to do about race relations" is ridiculous-- what would you propose to do, guy? And in fact, if you look, he's saying it all right here... What he wants to do is try to make evident the humanity behind people's anger, frustration and dissatisfactions, and if he can make us recognize and understand each other's troubles, then we'll all take a plunge into building a better future together. It's the kind of simple and beautiful idealism that people want to acknowledge and contribute to. The specifics are going to be largely up to us. Isn't that okay? On an issue like this, that seems to me the only way to make real progress-- make us accountable, make us proud to be accountable, and make us eager to contribute.

comment #23

Rich S. says ...

I don't know if it's the equal of "I have a dream," but I do know that Hillary could triangulate this issue for a thousand years and never come up with a speech like this.

comment #24

MAGGA says ...

Thanks UnChien. Watched the whole thing finally, and while I don't think it's anywhere near the I Have A Dream speech, it's an important speech that fiannly lays on the table something that's been missing from serious debate in mainstream American politics. He only did this when pushed into a corner, but he did it, and I respect the speech. Also it's NOT without content, because the context of the speech is Obama claryfying personal beliefs, not being criticised on content. He convincingly laid out society past, present and future as he saw it and I believe he'll be able to nudge America a little closer towards that idyllic vision. Also, he handled this crisis very well, which should boost his credibility.

comment #25

monetnj says ...

Trufaith, WOW, just wow. I think your post is the perfect illustration of the deep fear and resentment of the racially divided America Obama was talking about in his speech. Obama talked about Wright, what he has heard him say and that he disagreed strongly. He talked about his mixed upbringing both domestically and internationally and then spoke to a future where we go after the corporations and special interests to give the little guy, both black and white, a fair shake. Sorry he didn't lay out a 5 point plan for ending racially inequality in this country.

comment #26

frankbooth says ...

Gordie, That's how progress happens. It's a very slow process. Are you saying that it doesn't count unless the "old, hard-core racists" willingly change due to some epiphany? As long as attitudes change over time, we're moving forward.

My grandfather was a sweet old man who told corny jokes. He also thought Birth of a Nation was great history.

My dad is much more moderate. He's the sort of unintentional semi-racist who says things like "black guy...but a real hard worker!"

Me? Who knows? I've only had sex with one black woman, but it's not for lack of trying. I find most contemporary hip-hop grinding and mechanical, but that's more generational than anything (I'm more of a Public Enemy guy.) If a group of young black men dressed like gangsters is walking toward me on an otherwise empty street, my guard goes up. Some of my best friends...

Progress? You tell me.

comment #27

wayne76 says ...

He's got my vote. But, then again, he already had it.

comment #28

DarthCorleone says ...

BlueBomm>> Extremely well said.

comment #29

MattyC says ...

Zac Bertschy-

Amen, Brother! Someone who could listen to that speech and just say, "Typical, empty Obama", is to be pitied, rather than feared.

comment #30

Mgmax says ...

"I'm too vested to be trusted, but Sen. Barack Obama didn't just hit an oratorical home run a little while ago in Philadelphia. He hit the ball above the bleachers and into the electric scoreboard...bam. Sparks flew, people applauded, the news commentators were awed."

Yes, it was sort of the political equivalent of the movie of The Natural...

comment #31

K. Bowen says ...

The effect of the speech will last until he's seen in a video clapping or cheering one of these sermons, which is a strong likelihood.

comment #32

Mgmax says ...

http://tinyurl.com/2hox3y

comment #33

mutinyco says ...

I'm not sure I see how this speech was a display of genius. It was a speech, not an action. In fact, giving speeches seems to be the only thing he's proven himself good at so far.

comment #34

brendan says ...

Obama comes out ahead here. The Muslim issue goes out the window now. Everyone knows he is a Christian, thanks to Rev Wright. (To me this does not matter at all, but to many in this country and in PA it does.)

I am very proud of Obama today. I listened to the speech in the car and still felt the power. My 65 year old father from Philly, who voted with passion for one JFK in 1960, called me right after and praised the speech up and down. He is going to tell his friends why the time is now. That is the type of power a true change candidate has and why this country is so hungry for one.

I will be driving down to PA on Sat. to volunteer and help get out the vote for the Obama campaign. I am happy I have the winds of today's speech at my back. Obama is correct, the union is flawed, and so are its people. The refreshing thing is that we now have a candidate who is willing to tell us the truth about ourselves and include himself as one of us.

Brendan

comment #35

AH says ...

Obama does not have my vote, not yet anyway. I have yet to see his bottom line policies on major policy issues such as free trade, immigration, economic development, etc.

However, his speech today was very, very good. He did the one thing that I hoped that he would do. Admit the issues with the pastor but not abandon the man. He showed loyalty while admitting the failings. That is the mark of a true leader.

comment #36

monetnj says ...

No mutinyco, Obama is very, very good at giving speeches. As for action, this is the baseline for genius? Athletes are geniuses then? The bully who beats up a kid is smarter than the kid that avoids a fight by using his brains?

The genius in the Obama speech is that it defuses similar attempts in the future to drag out potentially racially divisive audio/video in what is left of the primary and then the general election. By framing the argument around the American xperience, Clinton and McCain can only respond to this speech with words of agreement lest they seem hostile to one group or another.He didn't just take lemon and make it lemonade, he turned it into apple pie.

comment #37

truefaith says ...

First, Obama said that he didn't hear Pastor Wright's racist comments then today in his speech he said that he did. That's a flat out lie. Second, he said he could not disconnect from Pastor Wright just as he couldn't disconnect from his racist white grandmother. Yet throughout his speech he kept referring to Pastor Wright as his FORMER pastor. So he was able to disconnect from his pastor? Lie #2. And why did it take him 20 years to disconnect himself from a raciist pastor? Political pressure? Obama is proving to be just like every other sleazy politician. So much for his unity speech.

comment #38

Monument says ...

His former pastor, as in his pastor retired from his position. Try paying attention, to the speech in particular, you seem to have missed the point entirely.

I'm not sure what Rev. Wright said that was racist, ill advised and inflammatory possibly, but racist?

You seem like one of those Republicans that voted for Hillary just to keep Obama out of the race; in other words, pathetic.

comment #39

Aladdin Sane says ...

truefaith, you're grasping at straws. like monument said, try paying attention.

comment #40

Chicago48 says ...

Brilliant Brilliant! He's got my vote.

comment #41

Chicago48 says ...

I agree, Rev. Wright never said anything racist against "white" people, because his congregation is part white. Look at the video, he has a few whites in the audience. He was speaking to the U.S. and our policites. "Damn the U.S." that's how a lot of Americans feel. Just ask Tim McVeigh.

comment #42

hatchetface says ...

Awesome, thoughtful, penetrating speech. The naysayers in this forum have never before appeared so dull, backwards, inconsequential and desperate for a political reason to exist.

comment #43

D.Z. says ...

gansi: "The "Yes We Can" candidate became the "But I Can't" candidate. "I can't disown" my crazy old pastor or my racist white grandma."

If Strom Thurmond's illegitimate child didn't disown him, why should Obama be expected to disown his grandmother or pastor? The phrase "Yes we can" is about working together, in spite of our differences, not about trying to prove that he's more American and tolerant than the rest of us.

Farris: "Obama can put as much lipstick on this pig as he wants: his continuing intimate relationship with a race-monger while simultaneously trying to be the post-racial candidate simply won't fly."

*cough* Bush and Bob Jones *cough*

faith: "As usual, Obama's speech was all fluff and no substance. What does he exactly propose to do about race relations?"

More than Bush did in New Orleans, anyway.

"First, Obama said that he didn't hear Pastor Wright's racist comments then today in his speech he said that he did. That's a flat out lie."

I don't believe he lied. My feeling is he views Wright in such a positive light, that he filters out his comments.

"Yet throughout his speech he kept referring to Pastor Wright as his FORMER pastor. So he was able to disconnect from his pastor? Lie #2."

That's not a lie, since the guy retired.

"And why did it take him 20 years to disconnect himself from a raciist pastor? Political pressure? Obama is proving to be just like every other sleazy politician."

A sleazy politician wouldn't bare bring up their personal lives.

comment #44

Reel1 says ...

He reminds me of Nelson Mandela.

If the DP do not nominate him, they will pave the way for a third party in the US. If they go against the "wishes of the people', they will prove themselves to be a party of insiders and cronies, unable to serve the constituency they claim to serve.

I am a white South African woman and perhaps have no right to comment but please, America, do the right thing.

You ARE at a crossroads - you can go the way of hatred and fear mongering or you can choose the path of new ideas and hope. Yes, maybe it is sentimental and naive, but I come from a country that chose that over ugliness and it DOES make a difference. Yes, you can...

comment #45

Dave Polands Gut says ...

Obama is going to get creamed in the general election. This is McGovern/Carter here.

Hillary must be kicking herself for not dragging out the white hating preacher earlier.

What more policies of Obamas do you want? Hes a socialist. He'll nationalize health care, raise taxes, cut the military. What more do you need to make a choice???

comment #46

christian says ...

"He'll nationalize health care, raise taxes, cut the military. "

Because the GOP plan is spreading rainbows and miracles across America and the world.

What money fairy pays for the trillion dollar war DPG?