So, folks needed Barack Obama to explain issues of race to them? Is what he said new?

I don't think so. I've heard (and said) most all of what he expressed today in his speech. He's a year younger than me. Many of the important struggles he spoke of were capping off and settling when we were children - the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Act, desegregation, equal opportunity.

I saw his speech as a political address which was opportunistic for his campaign, notwithstanding whatever effect his association with Rev. Wright many have on how it's received. I think whatever potential the speech may as a 'historic' address or some significant impetus to any shift in race relations or some better understanding of these issues in America is going to be subject to the political opportunism which is being exercised by all of the campaigns in this election.

It was a reasonable defense of his pastor, but, I don't know what the impact will be on those folks who haven't already realized the very basic understandings Obama expressed in his speech.

We've been falling prey to the politics of 'divide and conquer' for ages. He's addressing that.

But, in the context of a political campaign which, by its very nature, is fostering 'divisions', the speech seemed a wash.

....

legislatively settled, but what you don't see, is what he brought out..there was a lot of resentment left in the populace that is still there. Those issues DO need addressed and one way to address them is to address the problems that are hitting everyone. Job losses, wall street stealing out futures again with bail outs for bad decisions, no health care, bad schools, and Iraq war that's eating up all the funds that need to be used elsewhere in THIS county. Between the wall street fat cats and the Iraq war, we are majorly screwed.

been realized, then why did he need to make them?

What made his speech opportunistic for his campaign?

or, if there wasn't some overriding concern about the prospects of his campaign withstanding criticism over his associations with this pastor.

But, really. Politics? Opportunism? In a presidential campaign? Oh, my!

appeased the voter who would never vote for Obama ever. This speech may reinforce their reason,

I think Obama knows exactly why this speech will not resonate with everyone.


If he wanted to boost his polls, he would have given another speech.

I find your post uninspiring and unconvincing.

out if the media swung this one his way,

I thought half the speech was Hillary did it, the other half I inherited the problem and can make it better.

The Hillary did it was funny when he pulled the IWR vote into a speech on Wright and his relationship and race - "political opportunism" is a kind phrase to use.

There were politcians before Obama, you know...

Jesse never gave one this good. LBJ and Bobby I am a bit young to remember well but I still doubt if any white politician ever annunciated the perspective we heard today.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jessejackson1988dnc.htm this one where he says at the end that he understands is very powerful

also this one was much more powerful- http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jessejackson1984dnc.htm

http://clinton1.nara.gov/White_House/EOP/OP/html/ut.html

Hate is a terrible thing, but I can understand that it's easier than actually Thinking.
:hi:

where certain parties (I won't mention who, but their name rhymes with rethugican) attempt to keep people of color from voting.

This speech answered my questions about Obama, all of them. I felt as though he had read my DU posts and spoke to each issue I raised. I think that is probably true for a lot of people, although many people did not ask the questions as clearly as I did.

At this time, we need a president who does not flinch in the face of huge problems. Obama showed with this speech that he can face any problem, large or small and keep his balance and intelligent, but compassionate perspective. That is what we need. I am and Edwards supporter, and I heard some Edwards influence in Obama's words about the corporations, job outsourcing, etc. That is very reassuring because I have feared that Obama did not really understand just how great the barriers to working with Republicans are.

Obama showed far more grace and understanding and above all far more love than Hillary, great as she is, will ever know. This speech proved to me that Obama would make a great president. I would still prefer Edwards, but between Hillary and Obama, Obama will be far better for our country.

The kinds of insights that Obama expressed in this speech ring true. They arise from his personal experience and they show what a loving, kind man he is. Oh, what a relief it would be, after Bush to have a kind, loving president, male, female, black, white, Hispanic. Race does not matter. It is the lovingness and the kindness that we need to heal our country after the Reagan-Bush fiasco of the last 27 years.

I do think the speech will go a long way to filling gaps in his character with those who advantage themselves of his remarks. That may be the most redeeming aspect of the speech - the extent to which it served to define Obama and help fill in his blank slate that most Americans see at this point.

process of dealing with parents of two very opposing, even warring cultures or groups, I know that Obama is describing things he learned from his own experience reconciling those two cultures or groups. Someone told this person that in such a situation, you strongly identify with the identity of the minority culture. As with the person I know, Obama appears to have grown beyond that initial identification.

Have you really heard what he said stated as clearly and honestly in the political process?

All of us complain about how dumb and shallow and pandering political campaigns have become.

Obama's speech raised the level by many notches.

The people who are too dumb or too bigoted to understand what he said won't likely vote for either Democrat anyway. Fuck 'em. As Obama said, I have more faith in this country than that.

The center motivation behind giving the speech right now was to rescue Obama's political ass. He's got something to build on to help define himself to those whose first impressions of him were clouded by the controversy.

divisiveness--now he tries to cure it by a speech.


We will see if there is any action behind his words

bye

Yes, he does make defensive remarks but I thought it was a pretty even handed critique

I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy...

Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike...

As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity...

Some will see this as an attempt to justify or excuse comments that are simply inexcusable. I can assure you it is not...



And sadly, I think these words do need to be spoken again. Not to make an impact on those folks that already understand it, but to counter the attacks by RWing and those still living in the 50's.

dems? Obama...who would benefit by giving a speech about race after causing dems to fight dems? obama Who used race in this campaign thus far for their own beneift? Obama

Folks this speech was to coverup that obama lied....he lied about something he should not have and that was simply saying, he had attended services when pastor racist wright spoke this type of message.....so obama lied and what now? he is forgiven because he tells us their is still a race problem in america.....no shit sherlock, and it is this reprobate that in this instance caused it all......

I think the man should bow out of this race because he lied.....and with this lie he should not be(L-rd, I hope not, the nominee)

You've made so many divisive and disgusting comments about race that it's clear what YOU are. Obama is almost certainly the nominee. He won't be dropping out. Not even a chance. Get used to it.

this'll make you feel better

a 'cure' with a speech.

To my mind, it's the best imformative speech on this topic I've heard a politican give.

. . . and the motivations of those who agree with the statements which have generated controversy.

And, it may have served to present his own character on his own terms, apart from those controversial statements.

:eyes:

But... he did have a Press Conference to announce that he would be giving a Speech. :P

I sure hope this isn't an indication of that whole Transparency in Government thing I keep hearing about, and I agree, this Speech was "Preaching to the Choir". I seriously doubt it will change the 'negative' opinion of Rev. Wright that quite a few Americans have.

With rightwing TV and radio, old wounds are actively trying to be reopened by them. And he gave both perspectives (AA and white) which hasn't been done to my knowledge.

Again with the Rightwing influence reference. :eyes: Please... you do realize that comments like this inspire many Clinton supporters to refer to the Obama "movement" as a cult?

I wonder if those folks were listening to educate themselves on race? Or, were they just listening to his defense (and critique) of his pastor for some indication of where he stands and to make some judgment about him and his candidacy? I think a lot of his speech might be lost in the context of the controversy which prompted it. And, the campaign doesn't help.

Reasonable people can see the general tone and realities of the speech. Those looking for something to advance their views will pick and choose. A wash as you say with the rightwing but with moderates and democrats, probably helped clear some air.