The controversy over Senator Obama’s pastor, Reverend Wright, created a variety of concerns and led to an equal number of questions; however, are they the right questions?

There should be no surprise or shock at Reverend Wright’s comments. Even a cursory view of the opinions and interpretations of the hard left would eliminate any sense of surprise over his reactions to 9/11 or his harsh evaluation of his own country. So be it, he enjoys the right to his opinions and the right to express them, here in the good old US of KKK A.    

There should be no surprise that Senator Obama distanced himself from Reverend Wright’s comments, Senator Obama backing away from the comments was expected and predictable. You don’t trade in your campaign over your pastor’s sermons.

However, Michelle Obama’s comments about being proud of her country for the first time in her life could take on a bit of a different tint in light of the opinions of her pastor? Having listened live to Mrs. Obama’s speech that contained the comment in question, it was not difficult, in the moment, to write off her comment as maybe trying a little too hard to make a point. Now, one must wonder if this point of view was actually educated by a 17-year relationship with Reverend Wright? It seems fair to assume that Reverend Wright did not reach an epiphany of opinion in the week after 9/11, and it’s clear that he’s not so very proud of his country either.

The central themes of Senator Obama’s campaign have been Judgment and Unity around a new kind of politics. The touchstone for the judgment argument has been his opposition to the war. The pledge of unity based, in large measure, on not engaging in “typically” divisive political behaviors. These themes have been, so far, well executed, Tucker Carlson a noted Libertarian perhaps said it best, “I like him, and I get the feeling from Senator Obama that while we disagree, he doesn’t hate me for it.”. That would be an important change in American politics going all the way back to the antics of the founders.     

Nevertheless, I have this itch related to baseline questions and whether or not there is a larger philosophical context here. The problem with these questions is that they may be unanswerable in the short term. Does Senator Obama truly disagree, on a fundamental level with Reverend Wright, or is this nothing more than an expeditious political position? In light of the extended relationship and the Reverend’s role in Mr. Obama’s life, can we really know what Senator Obama thinks about all of this? Are we seeing a transparent representation of the Senator’s views? To what degree have Senator Obama’s views of race, politics and history been educated by the views of Reverend Wright? Do we get a significantly different President than what we’ve seen as a candidate? 

Whether or not Senator Obama’s representations about Reverend Wright are accepted as true or proven to be no more than political posturing will be a function of a single question and answer. The question came from Major Garrett during an interview: “If you had been sitting in the pew during this type of sermon by Reverend Wright would you have quit the church”? Senator Obama answered “yes”, he would have. That answer could prove to have been a major mistake.   

The politics that Senator Obama justifiably decries will, unfortunately, now descend on him. The dogs will be unleashed to determine whether the Senator made a true representation of what he would have done had he been present at the type of sermon we’ve seen broadcast over and over.  Audio and video tapes by Reverend Wright will be collected and evaluated, efforts to determine when the Obama family was sitting in the pew will be undertaken, donation records pursued and the Senators schedule evaluated for likely attendance dates and, of course matched up with the tapes.

The Senator has enjoyed more support based on brilliant, inspirational rhetoric and personality than any candidate in memory. Avid supporters cannot identify specific accomplishments but to them it’s not about that and that’s OK for now. It’s been about being inspired, it’s been about trust and yes about change. It’s about the point of faith that Senator Obama is the real deal, that what you see is what you get.

Should the bloom go off the flower of inspiration, or the faith shaken, the consequences will be substantial; Disenfranchisement of young voters, cynicism, more polarization in race relations, empowerment of politics as usual. Agree or disagree with Senator Obama, one has to hope that if his candidacy is going to end that it ends at the ballot box.      

Unity and judgment stand in the balance, framed by the Senator’s answer to Major Garrett. If the Senator’s answer is inconsistent with the reality of his relationship with Reverend Wright trouble awaits. The unity theme will disintegrate over the question of how far to the left Senator Obama might really be and the potential that his statements were disingenuous and politically expeditious. The ability to make good judgments and act on them will be critically questioned at level much more basic than taking a political position on the war.

For the politics as usual politician these issues might not be insurmountable, for Mr. Obama they might.