Reader comments: Obama speech fails to show he's moving forward
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Robert | 1:51 a.m. March 23, 2008
Mr. Krauthammer should listen to Wright's sermon delivered 5 days after 9/11. Wright was quoting Edward Peck, a U.S. diplomat, about chickens coming home to roost. Wright did not express satisfaction, moral or otherwise, at the death of 3,000 innocents. The sermon is available on the internet. I would think that a columnist would listen to the entire sermon before condemning the preacher.
mamapapaluv | 7:17 a.m. March 23, 2008
It's a silly, picky columm. Someone poking holes in the air with his finger, looking for something right-wing to write about. I loved the speech. I've read it several times. And, I honor what Frank Rich wrote in today's New York Times:
"Mr. Obama’s speech is the most remarkable utterance on the subject (of race) by a public figure in modern memory."
Amen.
"Mr. Obama’s speech is the most remarkable utterance on the subject (of race) by a public figure in modern memory."
Amen.
Comments continue below
steve | 8:03 a.m. March 23, 2008
Dear Chuck, On the subject of great speeches did you catch "w" on the fifth anniversary of Iraq. Was it feedoms on the march? Or was it mission accomplished? There have been so many I forget!
DeLaval... | 8:08 a.m. March 23, 2008
So your hatred of President Bush means you're willing to accept racist remarks from a pastor, and a President that doesn't see any problem in associating with a racist?
It's a pretty big leap to inject Bush into this column. We're not looking for Obama to become a republican, just to be the honest man that he puts himself out to be.
It's a pretty big leap to inject Bush into this column. We're not looking for Obama to become a republican, just to be the honest man that he puts himself out to be.
Ct Yankee | 8:30 a.m. March 23, 2008
The answer to the final question posed by Mr. Krauthammer is this: Obama is racist.
By his own words about his grandmother, who he said "is a typical white person," we see that he stereotypes white people.
For 20 years, Obama has been listening to Wright's racist preaching, and we see the result: Obama's racism.
By his own words about his grandmother, who he said "is a typical white person," we see that he stereotypes white people.
For 20 years, Obama has been listening to Wright's racist preaching, and we see the result: Obama's racism.
Lionheart | 8:38 a.m. March 23, 2008
You might as well give it up, Mr. Kruthammer, this is the third rail in this political season. Maybe no one will move forward, it's just to satisfying to many to hate.
Gus Talwynd | 9:34 a.m. March 23, 2008
The writer did the job he is paid to do. He found a way to trash Barack Obama and did just that. It is obvious that Charles Krauthammer primary objective is not to rationally discuss an issue but to further an agenda and find a way to restate talking points and confuse the reader.
I'm sure he heard the same speech I did, but he was obviously looking for specific items to criticize rather than listen to the speech and note it momentous impact. With his imagined targets written down, Krauthammer then proceeded to write his diatribe and muddy the power and sensitivity inherent in Obama's speech. This is the trash talking that Republicans love.
I'm sure he heard the same speech I did, but he was obviously looking for specific items to criticize rather than listen to the speech and note it momentous impact. With his imagined targets written down, Krauthammer then proceeded to write his diatribe and muddy the power and sensitivity inherent in Obama's speech. This is the trash talking that Republicans love.
fred | 11:57 a.m. March 23, 2008
Obama apologists get a grip... your candidate is a racist.
russ | 12:00 p.m. March 23, 2008
If, and I do mean IF, Obama is a racist how come white folks are working for him, at the highest levels in his campaign team? Because he fooled them? Why did Richardson come out for him and not for the Clintons, who he is friends with.
Nice try on the racist label.
Now, when you cut those pills in half you will notice that Obama gave a courageous, to the point speech about racisim in America. He said what no one else had the courage to say. Gracious, it was good to have someone clear the air.
Obama just might make it to the white house, and I expect the racists out there to go bananas, while the rest of us help him build a better America. I hope the gop gets on board. The smart ones will.
Nice try on the racist label.
Now, when you cut those pills in half you will notice that Obama gave a courageous, to the point speech about racisim in America. He said what no one else had the courage to say. Gracious, it was good to have someone clear the air.
Obama just might make it to the white house, and I expect the racists out there to go bananas, while the rest of us help him build a better America. I hope the gop gets on board. The smart ones will.
Sue | 2:28 p.m. March 23, 2008
Those who support Obama and Wright's racist remarks certainly would sing a different song if a white conservative made similar remarks against another race and well should they. Since one of their own is preaching hate they seem to endorse it. An Obama presidency would be disaster to America. The foolish ones will support such a devicive candidate because of their anitimosty to a man who freed 50,000,000 people, and has protected our homeland.
wrz | 8:48 p.m. March 23, 2008
>>Dear Chuck, On the subject of great speeches did you catch "w" on the fifth anniversary of Iraq. Was it feedoms on the march? Or was it mission accomplished? There have been so many I forget!<<
"[Those] who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs who should be arrested, exiled or hanged." – A. Lincoln
"[Those] who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs who should be arrested, exiled or hanged." – A. Lincoln
rqw | 8:54 p.m. March 23, 2008
"I'm sure he heard the same speech I did, but he was obviously looking for specific items to criticize rather than listen to the speech and note it momentous impact."
Obama's speech showed the racism behind the mask. Krauth merely put it in simple terms.
Obama's speech showed the racism behind the mask. Krauth merely put it in simple terms.
Fred | 8:56 p.m. March 23, 2008
>>So your hatred of President Bush means you're willing to accept racist remarks from a pastor, and a President that doesn't see any problem in associating with a racist?<<
Hatred causes the brain to short-circuit.
Hatred causes the brain to short-circuit.
Susan | 8:59 p.m. March 23, 2008
"Why did Richardson come out for him and not for the Clintons, who he is friends with." - russ
Perhaps Richardson is racist as well. He certainly seems to prefer Hispanics. As he is wont to, since he is (by his appearance and profession) Hispanic.
Perhaps Richardson is racist as well. He certainly seems to prefer Hispanics. As he is wont to, since he is (by his appearance and profession) Hispanic.
lionheart | 11:58 p.m. March 23, 2008
Dear Susan: I heartfultly wish to believe that Governor Richardson is a humanitarian American who wishes the best for our country and can put aside his tribal dna ethnic origins and do what is best for our country and has made a sound decision to support Obama. If it is just an rejection of a grand ideal of the Constition only because it is an Aryan Caucasion origin, then let them reject it at their own peril. I have always liked and admired Richardson, but if he has sold out, to an anti-American theme, Lord, save him, we reap the whirlwind.
Joe | 4:20 a.m. March 24, 2008
The single best observation from Krauthhammer's column is the one concerning Obama's children. Why would you let your children sit and listen to hate speech week after week, especially if you wanted to get past the racial divides of the past?
Wouldn't you want to expose your children (and yourself) to such Christian messages as loving your enemy, praying for them that spitefully use you?
Wouldn't you want to expose your children (and yourself) to such Christian messages as loving your enemy, praying for them that spitefully use you?
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I'm not sure what you were looking for in his speech except some sort of epiphany where he turns into a republican.
But, he did string sentences together coherently, without new words.
We are looking at progress, chuck.