Senator Barack Obama is running for president; Pastor Jeremiah Wright is not. The latter’s outrageous statements in his sermons defaming the United States are in no way the responsibility of Obama even though he was a member of Wright’s church and may have heard or been aware of what the pastor was saying. The senator is being criticized for not resigning from the church when he first heard or learned of those statements. Much is made of that. Too much, I believe. Compared in importance to all the other matters that bear on a candidate’s competence, this one ranks low on the list.
The Senator has made it clear that he does not share his pastor’s anti-American views, and has fervently expressed his own love for this country. We have no reason to doubt him on either point. His refusal to denounce Wright as a person is understandable and even laudatory, given their closeness over the years. In this world, we all do and sometimes must associate with persons who hold and express views which differ strongly from our own. When that person is someone we love or revere for their good qualities, and I am sure that the Reverend Wright has those, we don’t just throw them under the bus when the relationship becomes inconvenient.
Let’s get on with the campaign and consider those things that really matter like each candidate’s beliefs, background, and program for America.
