I understand why the media and politicos try to make hay out of the "kerfluffle" but I'm not sure why regular people can't see through it. I have friends, relatives, and acquaintances who have religious, political, moral, and ethical stances with which I disapprove and/or disagree. Doesn't everyone? I still love them but do not allow their world views to affect or control my behavior.
Don't let reality get in the way! I'll add, however, that running for President is quite different from living a "regular life." When you have the microscope on you, it doesn't matter how things are in the "real world." You are placed on a different standard. Not a better standard, not a fairer standard, but a standard that only applies to presidential candidates and, to a lesser extent, their running mates. Sometimes I'm guilty of this myself, but when looking at presidential politics, viewing events through the lens of your everyday life is a big mistake. There is nothing ordinary or "Joe Public" about taking the plunge. You get hammered for the most trivial things, and can get a pass on the most grevious actions, if you have a good campaign staff. Witness Bush in 2004. The man had no business winning. He was (and remains) a failure as President, IMO. Didn't matter. The dude still won. All those who get bent out of shape at how these preachers/priests/whatevers (I'm agnostic) are joined at the hip to Obama by the media should just get over it. Fair or not, it is a reality in this election cycle. The GOP was going to look for something, anything to attack Barack with. This is tailor made for using to rally their base and contort into assaults against the fellow who, short of WWIII, is going to be the Democratic nominee. If anyone thinks this'll go away before November, I'll bet you $20 bucks for the Tip Jar that it doesn't. And I wish I could lose that bet. I don't believe I can. Impeach Bush.
I still don't know precisely why Gore and Kerry lost. Rove maybe, but they were what Bush was not... Politics is a weird and unpredictable affair.
they lost, because they, and the democratic party in general, misunderestimated the mood of the electorate.
you said abopve that it's a legitimate campaign issue. and as we've already seen with mccain's age, and any number of secondary issues with W, this type of stuff is not limited to one party. that said, a candidate's life experiences should be relevant to who she/he is, and how he/she may perform in office. we should know as much about them as we possibly can, so we can make an informed decision.
This is certainly true, but if you believe this, why would you take maybe 20 minutes of Rev. Wright's speeches and, not only make uninformed judgements about Wright, but also transfer them to Obama? I ask again, of his approximately 1000 sermons, how many have you heard?
it's pretty simple really. he stayed and listened for 20 years. show me a white politician in our times who would do the same.
The Republican party has laid out the welcome mat for a number of hate-filled right wing christian evangelists for 30 years - maybe you should argue out of a position less embarrassing for you.
ah... But they didn't say goddamamerica. They said god dam the faggots, jews,catholics and democrats! BIG DIFFERENCE!
Again, answer the question - of his 1000+ sermons, how many have you heard? If he made his only controversial sermon in his 19th year, for example, then did Obama really stay and listen to the hate for 20 years? Unless you know of hate beyond what has been posted on YouTube, your entire point is irrelevant. You have no idea how long he listened to hate. You have no idea how many times or how much hate. You have no idea how much good he listened to. Basically, you're just making stuff up and talking out of your ass.
Because you've supported people who fall under all those banners, and have done damage to our nation and all the causes they claim to support.
Ah yes the quaint claim that basso's not a republican. It would be funny, if it were funny. Anyway if anybody should be able to recognize the elements of guilt by association, it's you in this thread. Guilty guilty guilty.
