Subtle phrasing.

[Rex_Goodheart]

Scrutinize this portion of Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech:

"And yet, it has only been in the last couple of weeks that the discussion of race in this campaign has taken a particularly divisive turn.

On one end of the spectrum, we've heard the implication that my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action; that it's based solely on the desire of wide-eyed liberals to purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, 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."

[JuniperLea]

1. I've posted that paragraph about six times today...

And several before and after...

Here are two from a couple of paragraphs down:

"But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country - a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.

As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems - two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all."

I've read the entire speech several times over now, and this bit is more disturbing every time I read it:

"...a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam."


Edited to say: One end of the spectrum... to the other... are people really getting what he's saying about Wright?

[Rex_Goodheart]

2. Obama is certainly no dummy

If I hadn't been closely following the news I would have thought from Obama's speech that Wright's words were made in the last two weeks.

Obama's paragraphs are technically true but purposefully deceptive with regard to timeframes.

[Drachasor]

3. I don't think it is deceptive. This seems like nitpicking to me.

All this talk did start in the last few weeks, and that's the important part.

And from a rhetorical standpoint, I don't think you can easily restructure that paragraph to have the same effect and to clearly enunciate when Wright said what he said as well as when we heard what he said.

[Rex_Goodheart]

5. There's a missing paragraph..

something Obama should have included in his speech that would have gone a long way in mollifying his detractors on the issue. Something on the order of:

"As I sat in Reverend Wright's church for 20 years, listening to many wonderful sermons that sought to elevate its congregation, and to some with which I strongly disagreed, I grew more confident in my own ideals and directions, and more determined that my calling was in public service, and surrounded by people who hear many conflicting messages both inside and outside of that church, that ultimately I could best serve them by not abandoning them."

Well, I constructed that run-on sentence hastily, but you get the drift. He should have tried to justify his 20 year attendance more clearly.

[Johnny__Motown]

4. No, he is referring to the change in tone within the campaign, it is not deceptive at all

[goodgd_yall]

6. Please clarify

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make.

I want to say, though, as one who leans left of center, I suppose, I see him as taking a very moderate stance and one that should be more palatable to American voters. Although, as nationalistic as we've become since 2001, Obama may still be looked at suspiciously as not patriotic enough even after this speech just because he hadn't rejected his pastor from the get-go.

[Rex_Goodheart]

7. See #2 above.

Obama was being clever. The change in tone in the campaign was over a Wright speech delivered several years ago, but you'd never know from his words. In other words, he sidestepped the issue of his long-term attendance in Wright's church.

[goodgd_yall]

9. My post was in reply to Juniperx

He seems to be making another point.

[JuniperLea]

11. She... eom

[TacticalPeek]

10. Exactly. He needs to be clever to make the fuss about the pastor, not Obama's judgement.

And especially not about Obama's credibility.

Most in the MSM are helping that frame along. Good luck with that - it's a long time until November 4.

[JuniperLea]

12. A few points...

First, I've read many threads on how Obama supporters here deny that Wright said anything racist. When I point and link and cut and pasted to Obama's own words, chastising the words of Wright, saying they were wrong and racial, the Obama supporters called me a liar and told me Obama never said that... in the face of fact and links to his words. Astounding.

Obama again speaks of racial things when talking of those who would say his campaign is akin to affirmative action... and then speaks of the other side of the spectrum... to Wright's words. Racism to both extremes. He truly is between a rock and a hard place!

The third point is his broad-brush statement in support of Israel, and I don't agree with his statement at all. Their problems started long before radical Muslims got in on the action. Seems Israel can never be blamed or forced in any way to be held responsible for their own actions. I'm having a real problem with Israel these days. Seems we are burning our bridge, or candle, at both ends... or at least Bush is. Pals with the Arabs and Israel, giving Israel money when we are so far in debt... where is that money coming from? Are we borrowing more for them? That stinks. New Orleans is still in ruins and we're supporting another country's hate with borrowed money!

[goletian]

8. youre looking for something that isnt there. keep looking though, dont post again till you find it.

[JuniperLea]

13. Don't insult others and say they have a splinter in their eye...

Until you remove the log from your own.

[goletian]

14. lol, what log would that be?

the log that prevents me from seeing what isnt there? i think ill hang on to it.

[JuniperLea]

15. Suit yourself... just remember, that whooshing sound you hear...

Is stuff flying over your head.

[goletian]

17. yeah, lies just whoosh right by... - nt

[blogslut]

20. psst

[Straight Shooter]

16. No, it took the particularly divisive turn over the LBJ/MLK brouhaha.

Bill Moyers eventually attempted to set the record straight in an extremely forthright and strongly-worded video, but by then it was too late, because the Obama supporters or his campaign had firmly entrenched the idea that Hillary had trivialized MLK's contribution to the civil rights movement.

Or maybe it was the ridiculous flap over Obama's stance on Iraq being called a "fairy tale" by Bill Clinton and BC was accused of making racist remarks by the Obama supporters or the Obama campaign.

Everyone walks on eggshells now, lest they offend, and that started long before the Rev. Wright controversy.

[rucky]

18. I'll call Hillary's oppo research team...

and let them know that their jobs are safe.

[JoFerret]

19. A sly and divisive slice

oh well - politicians want to win.
Bama is a pol.
He wants to win.