obama's killshot kabuki
In a New York Times profile of the Obama-Wright relationship in April 2007, Wright himself predicted such a split based on the controversial remarks that were already under some scrutiny. “If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Wright told the paper over a year ago. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.” CBS
Well, i find it odd that just last week i heard people saying that Obama was probably going to have to formally cut his ties and distance himself dramatically from his pastor of 20 years - the Reverend Wright.
If this was not a "performance" on Wright's part - taking one hard for Obama by speaking his mind loudly and pointedly at a recent appearance in Washington at the national press club - then it was one of the best timed coincidences in political history. Either way, i tend to call this "The Killshot Kabuki" - a piece of well fashioned theater (masks and all) that gave Obama the chance to make a break from the words and posturing of Wright ... something Obama's brilliant speech earlier in Philadelphia was unable to accomplish.
It's a gutsy play - that had to come if Obama held any hope of getting past this huge drag on his candidacy.
The major problem is - this doesn't really take away the huge problem with the Rev Wright issue. Honestly, Obama's speech in Philly was plenty to get past this - if it had only been about some loose associate of Obama's making racist comments and irresponsible rants. The problem is and remains - in my eyes - that Obama's claims of not knowing about such positions held by his pastor of 20 years - positions now spelled out clearly by both Wright and Obama - stretches credulity.
The problem has never been that people like Rev Wright exist and hold such views. It has really not been (for me at least) that Obama knew or knows people who hold such views. It has been an issue that Obama sought and chose to associate, not only himself, but his children and family for years in a community that not only was led by a pastor espousing racist views such as these - but a community which obviously champions and cheers on such views - loudly.
Either Obama's discernment is so poor that he cannot realize the types of people he associates himself with - or Obama's judgment is so weak that he has willfully chosen to remain a part of a racist community and to sit under the teaching of a conspiracy theory promoting, racist pastor for so long without making any sound choices on the matter.
There is always the third option - that Obama is really quite comfortable with the thoughts and positions of Wright - and is now just play acting to become President. i doubt the third option is fully true.
But, who knows - Obama is eloquent - something i have only come to accept. Let me explain - i've been listening to him for about a year now - and in the beginning he spoke in two very distinct voices with two different vocal patterns. One sound was heard in black churches and before largely black audiences. The other voice was heard on television interviews, speeches before mixed groups, and in the early debates.
When Obama found his current voice, with it's rhythm and meter - i took it as another affectation - an act of sorts. Listen, i was probably right to have noticed it - but wrong to have been put off by it. Everyone who speaks in public has a "speaking voice" of one sort or another. i myself speak before people - and we all use the tool of the voice to meet the circumstance. Speaking to a crowd is not speaking to a small group and certainly is not speaking one on one or to a few people around the dinner table. i think i simply wasn't used to hearing a public person discover their voice while on the campaign trail - going from a beginner with charm - to a bright spark with a strong and winning delivery so quickly. Obama certainly has found his voice.
Next however, comes the content - and that will be something he could either amaze or fail at miserably. Up to now, Obama has been the empty speaker - saying things in such a way and presenting himself in such a way so that it appears people paint onto him what they wish to hear (for good or for bad). Obama has left the safe place of attempting to nuance himself around Reverend Wright - now maybe he should take that debate with Hillary? Maybe he shouldn't - she might clean his clock - because one thing Hillary will not be afraid to do - is to speak plainly about her positions and her proposals - well, as plainly and specifically as one can prior to the general election.
Killshot Kabuki - i doubt it will bury the Wright issue - but it will help. The Clinton's are masters at understanding the press cycle - two weeks tops. I have seen the Clinton's do the bold dance with heavy hands - the controlled burn if you will - knowing that in 1 - 2 weeks the issue will die out of the news cycle and out of the sight and thus mind of the American public.
However, they're also wise at weighing the cost of such moves. Hillary says, "Obama hasn't done enough spade work..." prior to a Carolina primary. More little racial blurbs and barbs are ever so gently thrown about - Obama shows up dressed in Muslim gear - you know the drill.
Two weeks and it's gone from the MSM and the American mind. But, was the cost worth it? I suspect the Clinton Machine knows it was worth it - because they weren't aiming at the general population. They were solidifying the votes against Obama among those who might be racist, fearful of electing a "Hussien" anybody after 911, etc. The minimal damage of a bad two week run of news is not to be compared to the vast numbers of shored up votes.
Killshot Kabuki doesn't appear to be quite as wise ... Hillary will smell blood in the water on this one ... only a nod and a suggestion is all she needs to shoot this target successfully. Now, she can move on to painting Obama as the Leftist.
i've already said that IMHO Obama is a Leftist - Hillary doesn't even have to go center if she can paint this picture of Obama. All she'll need is a few head fakes to the center if she goes this route.
i think we actually are about to see some hardball politics in America - mostly on the Dem side for the time being. McCain - they'll count on him making a missed step here and there and keep the anti-Bush (where it crosses McCain) noise up.
i got some McCain jabs coming soon as well ... though full disclosure ... I picked him to be the President of the US back in early November 2007. My reasoning then, the US doesn't elect senators. We tend to elect governors and war heroes. That's kinda when the light bulb snapped on above my head ... hey, McCain's a war hero!!!
now, i've just warmed to the idea.
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