Obama and the race issue

Obama’s greatest challenge so far is undoubtedly his association with Rev. Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ. It is very hard to believe that he has been a member of the church for 20 years without being aware of the radical statements made by Wright. I’m not worried that Obama is really a closet extremist and that he might secretly share Wright’s views. However, it does make me uneasy about his sense of judgment.

How could he feel such a strong connection with this pastor and this church? No doubt there is more to Wright than the sound bites we now hear in the media, but the pastor’s style and opinions seem at odds with Obama’s sensible, bridge-building approach. Perhaps the church provided a way for him to become connected with the black community, a natural desire for him but something that’s hard for white voters to understand.

The biggest risk for Obama is to be seen as “a black candidate,” which for white voters would mean someone who is disproportionately concerned with the interests of black voters. So far that hasn’t happened, but his association with Wright could potentially tip the boat in that direction. His Philadelphia speech today was meant to do damage control and soothe the fears of white voters, without alienating blacks. Did he manage to adequately address these concerns?

Yes, I think he pulled it off. He came across, once again, as very intelligent and levelheaded, as well as inspirational. Race is an incredibly sensitive issue in this country, and it is something that we need to confront and discuss. In his speech, Obama acknowledges that there is a racial divide, and he shows that he is able to understand the viewpoints on both sides. We need somebody who is able to bridge that divide, and Obama is uniquely positioned to so that with his biracial background and his family ties to both white and black culture.

Did he do well enough to ease the discomfort of mainstream white voters? It’s too early to tell. But it’s a good thing for Obama that the Pennsylvania primary is still more than a month away. It will give the whole thing some time to settle down and other issues will come into focus. And, by the way, it speaks to Clinton’s credit that she hasn’t tried to capitalize on the Wright controversy. Perhaps she realizes that doing so would make her equally vulnerable to inappropriate comments made by her supporters.

(For Danish coverage of Obama's speech, see here)