I've never written an "Omama should say . . ." diary. And in truth, I have little patience for reading such diaries.
Having said that, I believe that I know how Senator Obama can defuse and disarm this ridiculous and tiresome "controversy" immediately and for good.
If you can stomach one last Rev. Wright diary, I invite you to read on.
Senator Obama has given his speech--perhaps the most eloquent, courageous, insightful, and moving political speech of this young century.
He has expressed his justified outrage in his remarks before the press.
But the saga goes on, and will go on at least until November. Every time Rev. Wright speaks in public (and he will continue to speak—particularly in the fall when his book is released), the Old Media will crank up the video loop for another news cycle. That’s to say nothing of the spam campaigns and forthcoming Republican attack ads.
None of it will have much shock value, but in all it will slowly, inexorably, overshadow the positive message of the Obama campaign. It will not be enough to deny him the nomination. And it may not be enough to defeat him in the general election. But it will certainly be enough to make the climb much harder than it needs to be.
Unless . . .
Unless Barack Obama says the one thing that could end this saga once and for all. The outrageous words of Rev. Wright will continue to dog this historic campaign unless Senator Obama says the one thing that would completely defuse and disarm this "controversy" immediately and for good.
Try to imagine this in Obama's voice:
I love Jeremiah Wright.
I’ll confess that some of the things he’s said have angered me—even deeply offended me. And I’ve been very up front about that. He’s made some outrageous statements that have caused hurt and division in places where we, as a people, need healing and reconciliation. And I have to be honest with you, I’ve been pretty angry with him these past couple of days.
But that doesn’t change the fact: I love Jeremiah Wright. And there’s nothing that Reverend Wright can do or say that could change that.
I hope that when all the political brouhaha of this election year is behind us, that Reverend Wright and I can come to peace with one another. I expect that we’ll never see eye to eye on some things, but I do hope that we reconnect, heart to heart, in grace and brotherly love. If and when that happens, it won’t be a media event. My relationship with my former pastor is a private matter, and if there is to be a reconciliation between us, it will be a private matter: between me, Reverend Wright and God.
So from this point forward in this campaign, you, the media, can ask me all the questions you like about my former pastor. But I can tell you right now what my answer will be every time:
I love Jeremiah Wright. Period. Next question?
UPDATE: Well, I've read the comments below. It looks like there's not much room for grace in the heat of American political discourse. Sigh. Thanks for reading anyway.
UPDATE II: So this is what the underside of a bus looks like. Well I'll be. Peace all.