Why Obama’s preacher matters

The story of Barack Obama’s inflammatory preacher, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, and, uhhh, colorful church have been making the rounds in recent months.  Until now they have received scant attention from the mainstream news media.  But now there’s video!

I can honestly say that is the first time I’ve ever seen or heard of a preacher taking the Lord’s name in vain in the pulpit.

Here is the description of Obama’s church, Trinity United Church of Christ, from it’s own website:

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian… Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain “true to our native land,” the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

Insert the word “white” everywhere you see “black” in that description and imagine how the media would react if a Republican went to the church.

Obama has written a column condemning “the statements that have been the subject of this controversy.”  Personally, I think the condemnation comes far too late to have any meaning.

The fact that he attended - and continues to attend - this church for twenty years shows that Obama does not really repudiate the words we hear coming from Dr. Wright’s mouth.  One would have to believe that the sermons in the video are isolated incidents.  This is highly unlikely based on the reactions of those in the audience.  They weren’t reacting with shock when this preacher said things that were completely uncharacteristic.  They clearly were not surprised and were actually enthusiastically supportive.  Even if Obama just happened to never hear one of those sermons in person surely one of his fellow church goers would approach him and say, “Gosh Barack, you should have heard the crazy things Wright preached about.”  Quite simply, Obama cannot credibly proclaim ignorance of the content and themes of his preachers sermons.

I think Obama’s long term membership in the church, all the while led by Dr. Wright, undermines his claim that he has good judgment.  Wright’s sermons - at least the portions contained in the videos are quite odious.  The church’s race based values are no less detestable.  Why would Obama stay in the church so long?  Why would he let Wright preside over his wedding?

Let me expand by offering a personal anecdote.  I grew up in a Southern Baptist church.  After my wife and I got married we discussed where we wanted to worship and we mutually decided to join a different denomination.  We both disagreed with the church’s stated views on women.  We believe that women are just as capable of delivering a sermon as men.  More so, neither of us agree that “a wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband.”  Now those are just personal belief differences we have with the official Baptist message.  Those positions taking by the Baptists are FAR less offensive than those taken by Obama’s church.  Just the same, we chose to join a denomination more compatible with our views.  Why couldn’t Obama have done the same?  The church you belong to says a lot about what you believe.  It doesn’t mean you believe everything the church leadership does, but in Obama’s case you have to be skeptical because he would have to disavow a considerable amount of the church’s official beliefs to fall below a reasonable threshold.

I think Obama has set himself up for some VERY effective attack ads in the future.  He said:

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation.

I’m just guessing, but I think we’re going to hear about quite a few additional controversial sermons and comments.  Unless Obama was a very infrequent church goer I think it is highly likely that someone will recall seeing him at specific sermons.  Then he’ll have some ’splaining to do.

At first I was a bit curious about why McCain’s campaign would be putting forth effort to get this story in the media at this time, but I think it is a fantastic strategic move.  This story could have the strength to knee cap Obama.  So why do it now?  Because if McCain can tip the balance in the Democrat race in favor of Clinton he can effectively fracture the party, weakening it for the general election.  At this point Obama’s lead among pledged delegates is quite solid and he is even gaining ground among the super delegates.  Clinton will not be able to win without blood being spilled and feelings hurt.  Will the black vote, which Democrats have long taken for granted and are voting for Obama in force, be disenfranchised by the perception that Clinton stole the nomination from Obama?  What about all those young, eager voters who’ve brought the well documented energy to the Democrat primaries?  Will their zeal be tempered?  Will they even bother campaigning and voting for Clinton?  Will the Democrat donors “spend out” trying to shepherd their preferred candidate through the primary?  Those are all good questions with unpleasant answers for the Democrats.  Prolonging the Democrat race and weakening Obama now only helps McCain.

Obama might make it through the primary.  I still think the party will move surreptitiously to stymie Clinton due to the harm her victory might cause them.  One thing is for sure: this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Dr. Jeremiah Wright.

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