Let's focus on Obama's views, not Wright's
YESTERDAY, Barack Obama made his most forceful effort yet to address the controversy over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
So as we begin yet another round of discussion about the radical reverend, let me offer a radical proposition.
What's really relevant here is not what Jeremiah Wright says but what Barack Obama believes.
And in his remarks yesterday, Obama said unmistakably that Wright does not speak for him.
"When he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the US government somehow being involved in AIDS; when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st century; when he equates the United States' wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses," Obama said. "They offend me, they rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced. And that's what I'm doing very clearly and unequivocally here today."
With the wrathful reverend now delightedly reinjecting himself into the headlines, that's precisely what Obama needed to do. Wright falls into the category of intelligent people who believe some certifiably nutty things and who can't draw meaningful differences elsewhere. And yet, no matter what conspiracy theories the reverend subscribes to and no matter what moral equivalencies he draws, it's Obama, not Wright, who is the presidential candidate.
Admittedly, I'd be more comfortable if Obama had left the Trinity United Church of Christ during Wright's long tenure there. Still, it was never fair to read his failure to do so as an endorsement of Wright's outlandish views.
But for those who needed reassurance, Obama gave it yesterday, stressing that he himself is about promoting mutual understanding and common hopes and dreams, and calling Wright's Monday appearance at the National Press Club "divisive and destructive."
It's also important to remember that Wright is not the first controversial clergyman to surface in US politics. And that some of the others have made explosive statements that have passed by with far less notice - and with much less forceful denunciations from political hopefuls.
Take the example of Jerry Falwell, a pillar of the Christian right, who died last year. Falwell regularly made offensive comments against gays. And after Sept. 11, he opined that the attacks had come because this country had forfeited God's protection, and that pagans, "abortionists," feminists, gay and lesbian activsts, the ACLU, and People for the American Way had "helped this happen" by trying to secularize America. (He later offered an unconvincing apology for that comment.)
That didn't diminish the premium Republicans put on Falwell's approval.
Televangelist Pat Robertson, meanwhile, has been a veritable artesian well of asinine assertions. Reacting to Orlando and
In this campaign, however, Rudy Giuliani proudly accepted his endorsement. I don't recall the talk-radio types holding Giuliani responsible for Robertson's views or expressing concern about what the candidate's association with Robertson told us about Giuliani's character. Or, for that matter, Robertson's many ludicrous comments becoming the focus of seemingly endless discussion on the cable channels.
Certainly Republican John McCain, who sought the endorsement of televangelist John Hagee, hasn't been held responsible for Hagee's various controversial statements, including his (later retracted) suggestion that the devastation of New Orleans was God's punishment for a planned gay-pride parade.
McCain has a confusing pose in regard to Hagee. Although he has rejected Hagee's controversial comments and allowed that it may have been a mistake to seek Hagee's endorsement, McCain has also said that he admires the man and remains pleased to have his support. Still, his unpersuasive attempt to distance himself from Hagee has largely been accepted.
Obama, who has now firmly repudiated Wright, deserves equal consideration.
Fair-minded people should judge him on his own beliefs - and not on the rhetorical sins of his former pastor.
Scot Lehigh's e-mail address is lehigh@globe.com.
