The Voting Booth | Obama must distance himself from divisive pastor

Allison Good Columnist

As things heat up in the Democratic primary, the race is no longer just about the candidates themselves. Most recently, Barack Obama is attempting damage control after Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s public expression of radical and controversial views of the race issue in America. Obama’s presence during Wright’s black power, anti-white sermons has caused speculation about Obama’s stance on racial issues.

These speculations were answered on March 18 when Obama delivered an impressive speech that preached unity and urged Americans to transcend the racial boundaries that still exist. Unfortunately, Obama’s eloquence may not be enough to combat the odds against him.

At this point in the game, those supporting the candidates are becoming equallyimportant as the candidates themselves. This was powerfully demonstrated by Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Obama, seen as critical in the nomination race. However, Obama’s relationship with Wright has weakened his ratings and will alienate many groups of voters.

If your goal as president is to unite America, a public association with Wright is certainly not ideal because his sermons preach a vision of unsolvable divisions. A leader of Chicago’s Christian community, Wright has dodged accusations that he is anti-white as well as anti-Semitic.

Of course, it is questionable to judge Obama’s character based on that of his pastor. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for sitting in the pew and listening to long sermons about the damnation of America and its post-Civil Rights Act racism, as Obama has.

One of Obama’s key words is unity, and his post-Wright speech was all about “a more perfect union.” Because he claims the divisive Wright to be his spiritual leader, it is hard to see how Wright contributes in any way to Obama's utopic vision of unity.

Obama has repeatedly told the press that he does not agree with his pastor’s political views, and that he is just like any other pastor, reverend, priest or rabbi. Unfortunately for Obama, this is not exactly the case. Wright is clearly very radical and very different. His message, including his statement that America was to blame for Sept. 11, is unsupportable.

No defense from the Obama camp can allay the shock felt by the average Democrat after viewing footage of Wright’s worst moments. It is certainly enough to turn “Gobamas” into “Hillblazers,” and it may have already had that effect on some superdelegates.

I am no psychoanalyst, but when a liberal hears that a candidate is close to someone as divisive as Wright and has willingly listened to his spiteful sermons, it has a huge effect on that person’s opinion of the candidate. In a perfect world, Wright’s actions would not tarnish Obama’s chances for the nomination, but people are very quick to panic and overanalyze when the stakes are higher than ever.

This sizing-up of candidates and their values includes evaluations of the important people that endorse them. However, just like Bill Clinton, they need to learn when to keep their mouths shut if they really want to help their candidate’s victory. Clinton has finally taken a back seat, but Wright only seems to be gearing up for his big finale.

Obama needs to distance himself from his spiritual leader even more than he already has. That title carries a lot of weight, and those who bear it are expected to teach about ethics, law, religion and social relations in a peaceful manner.

Average Americans cannot relate to Wright, and therefore Obama is considered to beoutside the mainstream. The populace may not necessarily be able to separate Obama from Wright, and Republicans certainly do not want to. Hillary Clinton’s campaign has responded gracefully, stating that this is an issue Obama must address himself.

For the sake of Obama’s campaign, one can only hope that he has learned his lesson. It may be said that he already has, since his speech on race decided Richardson’s endorsement, who is supposedly still a close friend of the Clintons.

While Richardson is a well-respected and prominent politician, Wright is still someone who, from time to time, erupts in anti-American tirades. This does not sit well with Americans, who do not find it easy to turn the other cheek. Wright stands for every kind of division that is undesirable in our society, whereas Obama continues to talk about change, unity and the abolition of racial boundaries. These values seem contradictory in a campaign preaching inclusion and reconciliation.

—Allison Good ’11 is writing a weekly column about American politics, focusing on the 2008 presidential election and the primary process.