Barak Obama redux

A few random comments on yesterday's speech and the events that led to it. First, I am not sure how many white votes Barak Obama stands to lose because of his minister's speeches. It strikes me that if you hold something the Senator's former minister said against the Senator -- even after he condemned it -- Senator Obama probably was not going to get your vote anyway. In other words, the folks who a flogging this issue were likely looking for any execuse not to vote for the man in the first place.

Second, the reaction of the white community to the Minister's comments betrays a certain sheltered existence. As a white resident of a majority black town, I can tell you that none of the views expressed are that far from the mainstream. You hear similar statements from pulpits all over this town and from commentators all over the radio dial. We should not be surprised that black Americans do not hold our country in the same esteem as we do and we should not be surprised that black Americans have a less than flattering view of white America. Their historical experience with our professed freedom and liberty lends itself to a different point of view.

Third, it strikes me the Senator may be held to a higher standard than his compatriots. Recently, one of John McCain's endorsers referred to Catholics as members of a cult. Other candidates have rubbed shoulders with all sorts of hate mongers like Jerry Falwell, Bob Jones University, The Minutemen etc. and escaped without embarrassment. Majority politicians have always been able to wink and say
"There are some nutballs who support me. What are you gonna do?" Let's hope Senator Obama is afforded the same opportunity.