Obama's Pastor
Since I've already slammed John McCain for his choices in spiritual leaders, I figured I should say something about Obama's pastor, who has said some less than unifying things over the years.
I don't find Obama's actions here as despicable as McCain's for at least three reasons.
One: It is more than possible to attend a church for several years without actually agreeing or conforming with the church leaders' beliefs. How many Catholics use birth control, as a for instance?
Two: Obama isn't out holding press conferences standing next to the guy saying how honoured he is to have his support and/or pandering the more extreme views held by his spiritual guide of choice.
And Three: Wright's views, while hardly the milk of brotherly love, are far, far less extreme than those espoused by Hagee or Parsley.
All that said, I agree with what Polimom says here:
I firmly believe that Barack Obama’s feelings and views about race are precisely as he’s presented them — both on the campaign trail and in his books. However, I also think Obama’s going to have to draw very strong, clear distinctions between himself and Jeremiah Wright for the citizens of this country — much more than he’s thus far done.
And he needs to do it soon.
