Obama

I watched Obama's speech this morning. He talked about America's racist past and our racist present. He did not agree with, but understood, the anger and anti-American diatribes of his Reverend Jeremiah Wright. He did not disavow Rev Wright, but condemned his hate speech. Left unsaid, however, was that Obama has sat in Rev Wright's pews for over 20 years, listening to these types of sermons, in an environment that indisputably would be uncomfortable for most whites (including Obama's own white mother), but never openly challenged the Reverend's teachings or ultimately changed churches. What does that say about Obama? And left unaddressed by Obama was why he dropped Rev Wright from his advisory committee so quickly when Rev Wright's rhetoric reached a broad audience via the internet. Although he claims that his race is a liability, it actually is an advantage that is unavailable to a white man (McCain) or a white woman (Hillary). How else to explain his appeal to whites? His popularity can't be the product of his ideas. He has never actually explained what he means by "change" or "hope". Exactly how would he bring Americans together? He is long on sweeping abstracts but short on actual details. He frames the presidential race in a way that leaves whites with the false choice of "change" now (vote for a black man) or forever be mired in the "past" (vote for McCain or Hillary). Without a doubt, Obama has himself made his run for the presidency about race. That approach does not work for me and one's race and/or wispy visions do not impress me. My vote is for sale to the best plans and ideas offered by anyone from any affiliation.