Watching the Obama news conference regarding his decision to leave Trinity, he is worried that he may not find a church that will not be controversial. It is safe to say few churches preach the hate that Wright perfected at Trinity over the past 20 years. Obama can throw a dart into the Yellow Pages and likely find a church that will be acceptable to the electorate he seeks to please in November. Trinity, under Wright’s leadership clearly followed a racist, anti-American agenda. Further watching the church’s members approvingly Whoop and Holler when obscenities are cast about America and its white population by Wright and more recently Father Pfleger it is clear that these topics are routinely emphasized in this house of worship. As many have covered, it seems impossible to accept an argument on Obama’s part that he did not know Wright was not a racist, and that the new preacher, Otis Moss does not share similar thoughts. See a discussion of this topic and others regarding Obama’s relationships by Karl Rove here.
Listening to Obama answer questions he continues to exhibit his debate performances of generally thinking slowly and responding in a stuttering manner (which makes me nervous if the red phone rings at 3 AM). When he gives speeches that are planned and scripted he is a talented and inspiring figure, but on his own he is rapidly proving that unlike Ronald Reagan that went from acting to politics, Obama may very well find is true calling on the silver screen where can truly tap into his ability to deliver on a script.
During the news conference, Obama dismisses a question from a reporter saying he joined the church for political reasons years ago by saying if that was the case he would have denounced Wright when the controversy first emerged. While trying to raise indignation and anger that the reporter is being cynical, it was one of less convincing performances. Obama does a poor job fielding questions and seems very uncomfortable when having to react to questions on the fly without the warming comfort of tele-prompter.
I think Obama is confused as to why Trinity is a controversial issue to his campaign, because his view of the world is consistent with Wrights larger preachings – that basically America’s history of property rights, personal freedom, and capitalism is wrong. While he couches his beliefs in politically astute phrases rather than the chest thumping terms Wright used, he believes government’s role is to actively change the nation’s social dynamic through aggressive taxation and wealth redistribution. Essentially the change he advocates is a movement away from personal responsibility and choices towards equality of outcome and government control.
Obama’s news conference will do little to quell the fundamental questions about his sincerity in denouncing Wright and his beliefs. His long history of associations with political figures believing that America is a fundamentally flawed country that requires radical change trumps a politically forced discussion about his religious choices now that he is tacking to the political center in preparation for the November general election.
