Posts with the tag 'wright'
With more over-the-top preaching coming out of Trinity Church this weekend, some question the relevance of these different preachers’ comments to Senator Obama’s campaign. Understandably, many become frustrated that important issues receive less attention than the politics. However, as someone who would love to see more issues debated and less political pontification, I see Senator Obama’s connection to Trinity Church as both relevant and important. His twenty year connection to Trinity Church and Reverend Wright speaks directly to who Senator Obama is as a person. Senator Obama’s explanation that he just didn’t realize the controversial nature of some of Reverend Wright’s sermons is absurd. Whether it is the church newsletter ‘The Trumpet’ featuring Senator Obama on the same cover with Louis Farrakan, whether it is Reverend Wright stating that he doesn’t appologize for his ‘GD America’ speech, or whether it is Pastor Pfleger mocking Senator Clinton and basically calling her a white supremist (a criticism that I have not heard out of even the most ardent Clinton-haters); there is no way Senator Obama could not have known that the church, at which he is still a member, is radical and at best, dabbles in hate. His membership in this church is a direct contradiction to his campaign message of hope and unity. The two possibilties voters are left with is that he believes the teachings of his church, as church goers often do, or he joined for political reason. He has said nothing to that explains how a man that talks unity can attend a church that regularly preaches division. This matter speaks to Senator Obama’s beliefs and honesty, and if he wants this issue to go away than he needs to answer for these glaring contradictions.
Tags: chicago politics, contradictions, division, fleger, honesty, Obama, pfleger, political contradictions, questions, reverend wright, trinity chuch, unity, wright
May 30th, 2008
Senator McCain opened the blogger call talking about his recent tour of areas of the south that have been left behind economically. This included a stop made in Inez, Kentucky where FDR first announced the War on Poverty. Senator McCain stated the lesson learned is that the local government is far more capable of effecting positive economic change than large federal bureaucracies. He went on to say that he still believes in Reagan’s economic principals of keeping taxes low and cutting spending to increase economic growth; also stating that anyone willing to raise taxes when the economy is struggling doesn’t understand fundamental economic principals. When questioned later about taxes, Senator McCain explained that Senator Obama’s plan to lift the cap on Social Security would affect people making $102,000 and that his plan to increase the capital gains tax would affect 100 million Americans. He repeated his plan to give Americans a summer gas tax holiday, and to temporarily suspend putting oil in the strategic oil reserves in order to provide temporary economic relief. He went on to explain that long-term breaking America’s dependence on foreign oil is the priority.
Several of the blogger’s questions were about Senator Obama and his ties to Bill Ayers and Reverend Wright. The first from Hugh Hewitt asked about Senator Obama comparing Bill Ayers to Senator Coburn. Senator McCain found the comparison offensive as he described Ayers as an unrepentant terrorist and Senator Coburn as well respected doctor who still has an active practice delivering babies. He was also questioned about why he wanted to see the anti-Obama ad featuring Reverend Wright in North Carolina pulled from the air. He explained that it is not the tenor that he wants his campaign to take, and that he voices his opinion as the nominee of the party and sees the ad as offensive to some.
On foreign policy Jennifer Rubin questioned Hamas’ apparent endorsement/desire to see Senator Obama elected president. Senator McCain agreed that he would be Hamas’ worst nightmare and knows that he is not who they want to become president. Also, he was questioned about Iraq and President Maliki’s move into Bazra. He was encouraged to see that the Iraqi army was starting to act independently. He admitted there were some problems with desertions, but was pleased overall with the progress of the army and the signs of success in that region.
Tags: ayers, beaucracy, blogger call, economic growth, fdr, foreign oil, gas prices, Hamas, inez ky, iraq, Obama, reagan, social security, spending cuts, tax cuts, war on poverty, wright
April 25th, 2008
Promises from the left of a decent and honorable campaign so far are coming up short. Comments from Obama surrogates stating that Senator McCain is war monger and that his military experience shows that he doesn’t care about people are far from the ‘new politics’ that Senator Obama promises. The left has been crying dirty pool for the last eight years, and now their the ones with a pool cue in their hand. There’s always a challenge when candidates have other people speak for them, but it you compare the two sides Senator McCain is seriously out-classing the Democrats. When supporters were repeatedly using Senator Obama’s middle name, the McCain campaign told them to stop. When a radio host introducing him at an event went on a rant against Senator Obama, Senator McCain condemned it angering some conservatives. When a McCain blogger posted video about the Jeremiah Wright controversy, he was suspended from the campaign.
The Democrats on the other hand have their leader, Howard Dean, making personal attacks calling Senator McCain an opportunist. This is an attack which is both personal and baseless. The liberal blog The Atlantic posted an admittedly unsubstatiated article that was a direct personal attack on the Senator. The Democrats have accepted and embraced political dirty pool. If this trend continues, and if America is truly seeking a more decent and respectful style of politics Senator McCain has shown himself to be the leader bringing this change.
Tags: campaign, change, decency, Democrats, dirty pool, DNC, honor, honorable, Howard Dean, mccain, Obama, republicans, rnc, rockefeller, wright
April 9th, 2008
