Daily Kos has a good roundup of the reviews of yesterday’s Barack Obama speech. First Read also has some good reactions. There are all overtly positive in their appraisal of the speech, but I’ll take on the task of looking at this from another point of view.
The real question here is whether the American people want to talk about race, or any other real problem, in stark, specific terms that involve work. Since before Reagan politics has been an abstract art, promising vague good things in exchange for one little vote from you, the citizen. Barack Obama is taking a much different approach, an unprecedented approach for a frontrunner.
The question raised by critics is that his speech will not win over the white, working class voters who have been skeptical about Obama all this time. The speech will cause them to continue seeing him as a racial candidate, critics say, and make them uncomfortable about him. This is valid criticism. I live in a place much like the rural areas of Pennsylvania or Ohio, the places described as “Clinton Country” on the cable news. Several parts of the Iron Range tilted slightly for Clinton in a state that went 3-1 for Obama. So I think I understand the mindset of some of these voters. The problem isn’t that these people are racist, it’s that they just don’t want to talk about race. Obama is forcing the question. That’s what we need a president to do, but it’s not necessarily what voters reward.
The million dollar question: Is this extraordinary, but risky, speech going to expand Obama’s support because of his courage and honesty, or shrink his support because of the uncomfortable conversations it will spur around the country?
I’m a catholic liberal white chick from the Cities. And I’ve had the opportunity to join my friends at some local “urban black churches”, and I think Obama has a point, but I don’t know how he can make it without creating more chaos.
Sometimes to be inspiring, you have to go overboard, and the spirit of lots of our local churches tends to cross the line in hopes that the faithful will at least approach the line.
It’s about progress and hope.
I don’t follow at least 50% of the dogma that comes from my Catholic church. My best friends are gay. I had sex before marriage and I liked it. I’ve used birth control and appreciated it. I don’t believe that aborted fetuses go to hell because they haven’t been baptised. But I do wholeheartedly believe in the larger message of my faith–love for my neighbor, faith in a better future, forgiveness…
If we judge any candidate for their religion, we’re bound to find skeletons in that religion’s closet. I would have a helluva time being elected as a DFL candidate around here as a catholic. That gives me pause.
Some of us believe that we take what we need from our church. And some of us are what we take from our church. I believe Obama is the former…what do you think?
Afew years ago, David Gergen, advisor to four U.S. presidents turned professor at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, was in Minnesota to deliver a keynote speech to a group of state legislators. His theme was leadership and his take-home message was that character was the single most important assest of a good leader. He said that character, combined with candor, consistency and competence form trust in a leader.
To answer your million dollar question – Yesterday morning I was sitting on the democratic fence, leaning towards Clinton. I remain strong in my belief that our country benefits each time we creep closer to gender parity in the political sphere. But through his speech, Obama validated for me that he is a leader of courage, honesty and character. His base has been expanded by at least one.
Thanks to both of you for your thoughtful remarks. I agree, Obama raised the tone with that speech, but I still think he’s got a long way to go before certain groups are reassured that he is what he says he is. In that regard, Obama is lucky this is March and not October.
I think the best religions are the same as the best political organizations …. people helping themselves BY helping others.
Thanks again,
AB