Reactions to Obama speech
By Ami Eden on Mar 19, 2008 in Barack Obama, Featured, Presidential Race |
My analysis on the speech is up. The basic point: Obama’s empathy is probably what America needs on race. But that same trait is likely to worry some pro-Israel activists when it comes to foreign policy.
Here are some other reactions…
Andrew Silow-Carroll of the New Jersey Jewish News looks at Jeremiah Wright and sees … Avi Weiss.
Mike Huckabee says cut Obama and his pastor some slack.
As far as I can tell, the only one over at the National Review Online with a kind word to say about the speech was “Bell Curve” co-author Charles Murray.
The ZOA still wants Obama to quit his church.
Shmuel Rosner of Ha’aretz says Obama was at his oratorical best, but the saga is still not over.
Rabbi Marc Schneier rejects that there is any major discord within the African American-Jewish relationship.
Edwin Black says that while most in America are worried about playing a race card, Obama has shown he is still carrying around a full deck.
Calev Ben-David thinks Obama needs to make a trip to Israel.
Lanny Davis still has two questions for Obama.
Jim Besser tackles the Hagee-Wright comparison.
A writer explains how a veteran of the Forward lined him up to write a positive piece about the speech for the New York Post.
A daughter of the south and the Gentile mother of a son whose father is Jewish says she feels Obama’s dichotomies.
One rabbis says that Obama is a great neighbor but says his pastor is not so friendly.
A radio show host rips the speech and says Jews must say no to Obama.
The pro-Hillary past president of Meretz USA loved the speech:
Friends,
I was sent a link to Barack Obama’s extraordinary speech. I had not heard it in its entirety. And, as I’ve made clear, I support Hillary Clinton.
However, I took the time to listen, and I urge you to make the time, for it is inspirational and substantive, and worthy of today NYTimes editorial caption, it is “Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage.”
Whatever happens in the next few months as Hillary and Obama make their way through the rest of the states, at the end, we will all have to come together, we will have to choose, we will all have to understand each other’s point of view, and Obama’s speech goes a long way to making this possible. …
Lilly Rivlin
His speech was inspirational. I truely believe as a Jewish American and a staunch supporter of Israel that an Obama presidency can only help not hinder the state of Israel. We are voting for him not for his pastor. There is a true double standard in this country concerning religion. The hate mongering of white Ministers supporting McCain are much worse than anything this man ever said albeit hateful. I would hope that especially the Jewish community given our knowledge of anti-semitism would rise above the news medias wish to instill fear in us. We need not fear Obama. He is a true leader. He is what the world needs now.
marlene tauber | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
It is one thing to write and deliver an inspiring speech on a topic that is as sensitive as race continues to be, and altogether another to conflate that same rhetoric with Obama’s embrace of rhetoric that is not so mellifluous - that of his pastor, the Rev. Wright.
No, we really require no more words about race than those already spoken by moreeloquent speakers like Frederick Douglass, Dubois, King. We do not need to be lectured about why people rant, full of hatred. Certainly those who came before have suffered more and were more limited by this society. What we need are actions that assure all Americans that opportunities exist if they are taken. All can share in America’s bounty. And most of all that there is a dual responsibility where race is concerned. It is not simply the burden of ‘whites’ to understand. It is the burden of all people to see humanity in one another. It is not an excuse for a person of a different hue to be violent, angry, irresponsible for the offspring he/she bears. No, I am not buying Obama’s diversion. Yes, racism is painful. A lot of things in life are. The point is what choices do we make in pain. Constructive ones or those choices that abdicate all responsibility for our circumstances? Why did Barack hide this side of his pastor for as long as he could. Something told him that his pastor was wrong, but he needed the clout that this man could provide him. Well, now he will be forever bound to a man whose anger and hatred to ‘white’ America cannot be cut off like an unfortunate manacle. It is his to wear.
Maxine Almanza | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
McCain understands the reality of the Middle East-Obama is niave-black or white
al dav is | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
show me who your friends are. Actions speak louder than words.
DR Becky | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
To me, Rev. Wright’s most outrageous statements were that the US government was infecting black people with HIV and selling them drugs. These are outright lies. I would not stay in a synagogue where a rabbi repeated lies that blacks were bringing HIV and drugs into the community. Rev. Wright is preaching hate, and that aspect of his ministry is inexcusable.
Laura Goldmeier | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Obama’s speech sidesteps the fact of his commitment to Rev, Wright. Obama has listened to that hate speech for 20 years and can only be pretending not to have been indoctrinated. His wife’s comments show how much the Reverend’s views have affected her–she’s just not as skillful as her husband in hiding it. Add Obama’s anti-Israel advisers and supporters (ex. MoveOn.org) and it’s obvious the real Obama is standing behind a mask.
David B. Goldenson | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for posting my article, though it would be nice if you could post it under my name and not just “a writer.”
Thanks!
Andrew Patner — Chicago
Andrew Patner | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
I think the Catholic Church is quoted as declaring: “Give me the child and I will give you the man !
Going to Minister Wright’s church for 20 years………….What would the result be?
Abraham Dattner | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply