Rev. Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP

Today is Day Five of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Media and Publicity Tour, and, like of the previous days, he continues to dominate cable and local news, and, newspaper headlines. On Thursday, teases for the upcoming Bill Moyers interview were released, on Friday the interview aired on PBS, on Sunday the controversial and longtime pastor of Sen. Barack Obama delivered the keynote address to a fundraiser dinner at the Detroit NAACP. The theme was "Different Not Deficient" (video). FOX and CNN broadcast the full speech to counter charges that the media have played his sermons "out of context" and CNN rebroadcast it several times.

This morning, the pastor delivered a speech to the National Press Club (video) on the history and intricacies of the black church. The Washington Post's Dana Milbank describes the scene as adding "lighter fuel" to to a power keg. "Speaking before an audience that included Marion Barry, Cornel West, Malik Zulu Shabazz of the New Black Panther Party and Nation of Islam official Jamil Muhammad, Wright praised Louis Farrakhan, defended the view that Zionism is racism, accused the United States of terrorism, repeated his view that the government created the AIDS virus to cause the genocide of racial minorities, stood by other past remarks ("God damn America") and held himself out as a spokesman for the black church in America."

Jake Tapper at ABC News amplifies the narrative we illustrated on Friday.

[Wright] clearly was not doing Obama any favors, not only by reappearing before a ravenous media thus distracting from Obama's attempt to relate better to white working class voters in Indiana and North Carolina, but by implying Obama's condemnation of some of his sermons was not sincere. "Politicians say what they say and do what they do because of electability," Wright said, arguing that Obama had not seen the sermons played in the media that Obama has called "offensive." "He had to distance himself because he's a politician...Whether he gets elected or not, I'm still going to have to be answerable to God."

Wright defiantly defended some of his more controversial remarks:

"Have you heard the whole sermon?" he asked a questioner about his infamous post-9/11 sermon in which he seemed to blame the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania as blowback from U.S. foreign policy, saying "America's chickens are coming home to roost." ...

Asked about those who wondered about his love of the U.S. in light of his "God damn America" comments during a sermon, Wright said "those citizens who say that have never heard my sermons, nor do they know me...I served six years in the military, does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?"

The issue here is not substance. It is tone. At times the reverend comes across as brilliant and scholarly. At other times he is clearly flippant—he joked about running as Obama's vice presidential running mate, gestured behind the moderator, and, at times, was somewhat sarcastic. The combative Wright is totally at odds with the spiritual, healing and historical figure introduced in the Moyers interview . It is not a good idea for Rev. Wright to take questions from the press and appear in a non-controlled environment. In addition to inviting additional media scrutiny, the question and answer period at the NPC luncheon will certainly make the ever-growing highlight reel of Rev. Wright's greatest hits, which are now being used in Republican attack ads against local Democratic candidates in at least two states.

This is now the fifth day of a media circus and sideshow to the Obama campaign. Rev. Wright is now receiving more airtime than Obama, Clinton and McCain combined. Many people in the black community and Obama supporters say Rev. Wright should be "humanized" and allowed to clear his name. Certainly, but, at this point, it's not about rehabilitating Jeremiah Wright's image because that could wait until November. This is about the branding of the Democratic Party. Not sure is Wright trying to establish himself as media figure, trying to rehabilitate his image, or, even trying to diss Obama for the pereception of throwing him under the bus. Meanwhile, the media and Party continue to wring their hands over the fairly predictable results of the Pennsylvania primary (see Ohio and likely Indiana) and the Indiana and North Carolina primaries are around the corner. The time is not "Wright."

Last night, a similar tone in Detroit at the annual dinner for the local NAACP. The audience of 10,000 gave the Rev. Wright a standing ovation after introductory remarks described him as the "hottest brother in America" and his media profile was compared to the "crucifixion" of Jesus Christ. Interesting.

The entire speech can be seen here or above. There is no doubt that Wright is a powerful speaker and quite entertaining—we've heard him preach twice in Chicago—and his "Different Not Deficient" speech played well to a friendly crowd. The section on right-brain/left-brain and race-based learning and socialization technique was somewhat curious and not unlike the theories of "The Bell Curve." The section on accents was perfectly appropriate for the theme, however, the decision to mock John F. Kennedy's accent is raising eyebrows and being slammed, and, certainly ironic given the Kennedyesque branding of the Obama campaign. Similarly, the remarks about the Arabic derivation of Barack Obama's name was historical, but, speaking Arabic and giving a shout out to the Nation of Islam is already being blasted by FOX, Limbaugh, etc. Curious to hear what others thought of the speech.

More OBAMA
More JEREMIAH WRIGHT
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Rev. Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
Yes But No—But Yes [R20]
McCain: Not "Catering" to Far Right [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain's MLK Day: "Pandering" to Racists [R20]
McCain Wins Republican Nomination [R20]
McCain Camp Enlists Racist Shock Jock [R20]

Comments

[Corey @ I'll Keep You Posted]

Jeremiah Wright continues to dig a hole just big enough for both he (and Obama to fall into). And he appears to be loving every minute of it. One of those things that make you go hmmm.......

[Derrick from PHilly]

I understand what you're saying, Rod. The Obama Campaign should have known this was coming way back BEFORE he decided to run. Reverend Wright is not going to kiss ass--even for Barack's presidential hopes. Reverend Wright is not going to take orders, advice or pleas from the Obama Campaign. They'd better figure out some other strategy to deal with the Wright Affair.

Humph, it may be the issue the Hillary folks needed to start a movement among superdelegates to her side, "Wright will make Barack unelectable." Maybe. It hasn't been proven yet. Hillary Clinton has got to be careful with this. I don't know if she can win with a 40% black turn out in November. She needs to be careful discussing the Wright Affair.

[A. Ronald]

This is ridiculous. Wright has been in the news nonstop for days and is still in the news now. "The Situation Room" is opening with his speech.

Great idea to deliover a speech blasting the news media to the Washington press corps.

[greg g]

Umm, Hillary Clinton doesn't need to mention Rev. Wright. He'[s doing quite well making a name for himself and all other Democrats!

[Derrick from Philly]

You're right, greg g, I shouldn't even have brought up Senator Clinton for this thread. My point is that the Democrats are going to have to find a way to argue that Reverend Wright's feelings are his own--that the Democratic Party is diverse. Black Americans simply come to the table with a very different view of American history. Like Jeremiah Wright, most of us just aint gonna' lie about it.

Damn, maybe Barack should've converted to the Church of frickin' England.

It's funny, how many of us say we want a president who's honest & trust worthy. What we really want is a liar who can say the things needed to get elected.

But if the American people are stupid enough to elect Senator "One Hundred Years In Iraq", then, yes, God damn America.

[Rod Mc]

Derrick: No need to apologize because you make a several very good points. We know see that Jeremiah Wright will obviously do what we wants to do, and, apparently will not listen to the Obama campaign. Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign has to navigate a minefield and cannot be seen as milking the Wright controversy or disrespecting the black church. She came out today and told McCain to pressure Republicans to stop running the Rev. Wright attack ads.

Last March or April, I wondered why didn't Obama introduce Rev. Wright when FOX News because airing these video snippets. He might not have won Iowa, but, he still would be in the race, minus last minute carry-on baggage...

If Obama would stick to policy, specifics, and core Democratic positions, he will probably do much better with seniors and white voters.

[ATL Kid]

>>>But if the American people are stupid enough to elect Senator "One Hundred Years In Iraq", then, yes, God damn America.

Derrick, you are a riot!
But i agree with you. I am a Hillary supporter but do not want her or the campaign to capitalize on Wright or try to use him to derail Obama's chances. Let it play out.

Speaking of that, thanks for the video clips Rod and the perspective. Derrick is right, this is Rev. Wright's moment and he wants to be in the spotlight.

[brandon]

If I can answer that questiopn, yes, it does seem like he wants to derail Obama's campaign. Rev. Wright is for Rev. Wright.

[Duwayne]

Rev. Wright is not for Rev. Wright he is for God. I have much more respect for Rev. Wright because what he is doing this BECAUSE he needs to make sure people know the truth about Trinity UCC. Obama rejected him and threw him under the bus despite 20 yrs of friendship. Why should Rev. Wright listen to the Obama camp or Obama for that matter? He has a mind of his own...

[Lavenderpop]

Rev. Wright made a point to mention the mistreatment of gay people in his speech to the NAACP. He gets major points in my book although I've supported him from day one.

"...many of us are committed to changing the way we treat each other. The way Christians treat you. The way straights treat gays. We are committed to changing the way we treat each other. And we are committing number four to changing the way we mistreat each other. We can do better, you all. There is a higher standard, you all. We know that and we are stretching to reach that standard. I believe a change is going to come because many of us are committed to changing how we see others who are different."

[ATL Kid]

Just as an aside, here is a question for Derrick: Do you think Rev. Wright is purposefully trying to derail Sen. Obama's chances at getting the nomination?

There has been some talk on other blogs and talk radio ...

[Rod Mc]

OTIS: You are absolutely right and I totally missed that. I will update, thanks!

[elg]

Obama did not throw Rev. Jeremiah Wright under the bus. Obama made a point to repudiate some of Rev. Wright's more incendiary statements but was careful not to reject the good Reverend.

Obama said, in his famous race speech, that he could no more disown Rev. Wright then he could disown the black community (or words to that effect).

Rev. Wright, however, seems to THINK that Obama threw him under the bus and so here we are. Wright also appears to think that his "reputation" is more important than Obama's campaign for president.

[Duwayne]

ELG: Rev. Wright is right, the reputation of his church and the good works it does IS very important and is in a whole different category because it has to do with faith in God and the good works done in Jesus name. It is clear to me he is not concerned about whether Obama wins or not, why should he be? He is a man of God not a politician.

[tyler grey]

Duwayne, you make a solid point. True, true. This is about Rev. Wright and his church. Obama's candidacy is not his primary concern and to be honest, it should not. Wright is a pastor, Obama is a politician.

[tyler grey]

ELG, I like your point about "Wright idea but the Wrong time." Also, it does not help Hillary Clinton for this to blow up. The ongoing problems with Rev. Wright are starting to affect Democrats in other states and the entire party will be branded as the latte sipping, hate America crowd. And we would still lose.

This doesn't really help anyone and the more he preens before the camera, and, the more the media gives him airtime, it's worse for the entire black community.

I love you Rev. Wright, but please, take a little vacay, m'kay?

[Duwayne]

Tyler: I disagree, it is NOT bad for the black community for Rev. Wright to be speaking about this. More and more black churches (and progressive churches in general) are having an open discussion and I think this is healthy for all parties involved. As a person who is from a Methodist tradition and currently goes to a diverse Methodist church, I am glad the dialog is continuing. At a meeting last week, we brought up Rev. Wright and had a very spirited, yet respectful discussion. The overwhelming majority (including the Pastor) felt that what Rev. Wright was saying needed to be heard by a larger Christian audience.

[Jim]

I am hoping that with all this media exposure, Rev. Wright will garner the support of enough of the super-delegates to win the nomination.

Gee. I could end up voting “D” this November after all...

[absoluteregi]

America can either continue to be fooled by the politics of distraction or take a big girl pill and grow the hell up. That same politics of distraction gave us 8yrs of Bush, 3.50+ gas and a recession. When these same idiotic people cant afford gas or food and are living on the streets while the government continues to dump money in Iraq. They can continue to debate how devisive and unpatriotic Rev Wrights comments are. They can continue to talk about flag pens and other nonsense while the republicans continue to make policy for the rich.

[apres_moi]

As much as I enjoy the dialog and fully respect Rev Wright, I really just want him to STFU until after Election Day. I want a Democrat to win the election. I'd rather it be Obama than Hillary. The damage that Wright is creating is not only going to affect Obama but any black that tries to run for president again. Hell, it's going to affect any politician, regardless of race, who is associated with Wright. He's positioning himself next to Farrakhan faster than he realizes. I'm sure Pastor Manning from Harlem's jealous that Wright's getting more press coverage ruining Obama's campaign than he wants to have.

This is yet another example of how religion and politics should never ever mix and the importance of separation between church and state.

[malik m.l. williams]

I find it interesting, and a bit sad, that we are so eager to see "the first black man with a real shot at the presidency" get in office, that we're willing to bend the rules a bit to make sure it happens. (And, yes, i am including myself in that "we.") In spite of how much i LOVE me some Jeremiah Wright and have for more than 20 years, i wanted this whole thing to just go away. But that's not how Presidential Politics works. Barack Obama has to deal with his history just like everybody else. The difference, of course, is the space the environment affords these candidates based on wealth, race, gender, etc.

This is where we get to see what Barack Obama and the rest of this country are made of. If Obama's campaign tanks because of this, i certainly will know what i need to know about just how "black" one can be in this country. Like, "It's okay to talk about race, but couldn't you be nice to white people while you're doing it?" Or "We've moved past all that racially divisive stuff; why do you have to keep bringing it up?"

The truth is, if the people of this country will not elect Barack Obama because his pastor told them things about themselves they didn't want to hear, then they were looking for reasons not to elect Obama anyway. We are – all of us – uncomfortable when confronted with things that challenge our world views. Some of us are able to step back, put things in perspective and move on. Others go to extremes to warp the evidence of their own eyes and ears to confirm what they already believe and make themselves "right" no matter what.

I'm curious to see which kind of people there are more of in this country.

[timothy r]

This is simpl;y a trainwreck. When the Rev. Wright story first broke, I was convinced Obama could weather this and it would be an issue. I still hope thart he can, but it's very obvious the train has left the station and the Republicans and media will ride it as long as they can.

Also, I'd like to give an apology to Rod, "CA" and "Ryan." I argued very heated with Rod and seevral commenters in two separate threads, because I was convinced this was a minor issue and Obama's speech put this matter to rest. Obviously, I was wrong and am apologizing for the tone that was used.

[Rod Mc]

Malik: Perhaps that sentence came out wrong. Most regular readers knows that I've criticized many black politicians, bloggers, the media, etc for bending rules and using a double standard for Obama. Many people reading this blog, and fellow black bloggers and writers, have criticized me for that honesty. But this is entirely Obama's fault.

Just as an fyi, on Friday, I specifically argued (again) that Wright's media tour would be a bad idea and would become a complete distraction to Obama's campaign. There were dozens of comments and many disagreed, suggesting Wright should speak out as much as he wanted. Okay ...

[Me]

ATL Kid posed a valid question and I think the answer is yes, he is trying to derail his campaign. All of this is reprisal for Obama backing away from him and nobody can tell me anything different. Wright is a seasoned public figure and said himself we live in a soundbite culture - in which case, he went into this whole blitz knowing damn well he was gonna be labeled an unapologetic zealot, and that's precisely what has happened. I totally think this is being done on purpose. And while I am not an Obama supporter, I think it's wrong.

[Samuel I]

Rod, let me cosign what Timothy said earlier. Although you have defended Rev. Wright, I was one of the ones who came down on you in several other posts when you criticized Obama's convoluted handliong of this matter.