Reactions to Controversy

In part, Barack Obama’s speech at Constitution Center denounced comments made by Reverend Jeremiah Wright in a 2003 sermon. The Illinois senator also tried to redeem his own credibility as a political figure, as well as the credibility of his church as a legitimate religious institution. Framed by a historical overview of the events and policies which inform lingering racial resentment, his speech provided a brilliant assessment of race relations in the United States. Here's a brief overview of some reactions to the controversy:

Obama, in this brave attempt to dampen the flood of criticism he recieved for the comments of his Reverend, mentioned that while sermons heard in Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago may sound inflammatory to the “untrained ear,” the numerous merits of the church and congregation have been overlooked. Indeed, NPR reported Wednesday that the church has “70 ministries that help the poor, the unemployed, those with AIDS, or those in prison.” The radio report provides a rare look at those who attend the sermons of Rev. Wright, who say the perception of God in churches like UCC is of a power and force that drives causes such as social, economic, and racial justice.

Wednesday’s New York Times editorial praised Senator Obama’s address, likening it to the great speeches of such iconic presidents as John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The article briefly mentions, and rightly so, that Mr. Obama’s religious affiliations should be “none of the voters’ business.”

John McCain rose above the media’s obsession with playing and replaying the Reverend Wright sermon in which he says “God damn America for killing innocent people” (as if the idea that the United States should not massacre innocents is unreasonable to begin with). On March 11th, campaign manager Rick Davis released a memo to the media emphasizing the importance of running a campaign against the Democrats based strictly on issues that affect America. “Overheated rhetoric and personal attacks on our opponents distract from the big differences between John McCain's vision for the future of our nation and the Democrats',” the memo reads. Let’s just hope he means it, and that he is not also secretly colluding with the ruthless right-wing attack machine.

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