Rev. Wright, the Man of God vs. Obama, the Politician

Having a theological education from an accredited seminary, I watched Rev. Wright’s presentation at the National Press Club with interest this morning, and I could empathize with much of what he had to say about the oppression African-Americans have long endured.

Nevertheless, I felt squeamish in response to Wright’s charge that media criticism of his more inflammatory comments was actually criticism of the black church in general. I don’t believe Rev. Wright is qualified to speak for all black churches in America. Unlike Trinity United Church of Christ, I’m quite sure that many black churches would best be described as moderate or conservative in both their religious and political beliefs.

Watching his performance on CNN, I caught just a whiff of vengeance from Wright that was directed toward Barack Obama. Reading the various online media accounts today, I became aware that I was not alone.

The analysis by the AP’s Nedra Pickler was accurately titled, “Wright Does Obama Little Good.”

Pickler begins:

“The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is going after his critics on an incendiary tour that is doing his one-time congregant, Barack Obama, little good.

“After weeks of staying out of the public eye while critics lambasted his sermons, Wright made three public appearances in four days to defend himself. The former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has been combative, providing colorful commentary and feeding the story Obama had hoped was dying down.

"This is not an attack on Jeremiah Wright," Wright told the Washington press corps Monday. "It has nothing to do with Senator Obama. It is an attack on the black church launched by people who know nothing about the African-American religious tradition."

Pickler continued:

“Wright's tour couldn't come at a much worse time for Obama, who is campaigning for white working class voters in Indiana and North Carolina. Many of Wright's most controversial comments are angry condemnations of the United States for its treatments of blacks — thoughts that were applauded by the black church leaders in his audience Monday but risk offending white voters.

“An Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Monday suggests the Wright controversy may be hurting Obama among whites. His Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton is doing better than Obama among whites in head-to-head matchups with John McCain. Among white respondents, Clinton gets 43 percent to McCain's 48 percent. Obama gets 38 percent to McCain's 51 percent. Obama said Monday, after Wright's latest comments, "None of the voters I talk to ask about it. There may be people who are troubled by it and are polite and not asking about it. It's not what I hear."

Pickler quoted Obama further:

"I have said before and I will say again that some of the comments Rev. Wright has made offend me and I understand why they have offended the American people. ... Certainly what the last three days indicates is we're not coordinating with him."

Pickler added:

“Wright showed no concern for how he might be affecting the presidential race. He suggested Obama was distancing himself only because of political motivations while he, the former pastor, was trying to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

Read more of Pickler’s analysis.