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Originally Posted by Bigfella
Sorry folks, but the relationships between Reagan & Falwell in particular go well beyond mere 'endorsements'. For me the tactical nature of the relationships I described actually makes them even more appalling.
There is also another way to view the Obama issue. By my reckoning he came to the church in question in his mid-20s. It has formed an important part of his life. Not a convenient political relationship, but a longstanding personal & spiritual one. We all have friends with views we don't like. Sometimes views that offend. I don't know about the rest of you, but my friendships have a broader basis that just a person's political views.
Obama has, however, made clear that he disagrees with a lot of things that pastor Wright says. It would be the easiest thing in the world for Obama to simply dump Wright & end the relationship. I hope he doesn't. Someone who would drop a longtime friend simply because some of his views are politically inconvenient strikes me as pretty pathetic.
What is worse, someone who has a friend with offensive views but disagrees with them, or someone who actively courts those with offensive views for political gain?
Don't bother replying, we've already established that Republicans are incapable of error. I don't think Obama is, I'm just sick of the hysterical manner in which he is being judged.
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Bigfella,
There is a difference in the views being expressed between Wright and Falwell et.al. Falwell, and Robertson may have held morally repugnant views in the 1980s, and even today, but they never displayed the sort of "hate America" rehtoric that Wright has. That is a big difference, we are electing the President of the United States, not the leader of the NAACP. We have had bigoted and racist, and sexist presidents before (Truman was notable for his bigotry), and it is sad that is the case. However we cannot have a person ascend the office of the Presidency who holds or associates with the "blame America" crowd.
It's about loyalty and trustworthiness. I don't know if Obama "hates America" or not, but he is associating with some people who imply that they do or have in the past (including his wife). I'm not talking about flag waving jingoism here, but a candidate should have a decent level of love, respect, and admiration for the country that he wants to lead. Obama has created enough doubt about his views that he needs to clarify them stronger than Reagan or Bush would have had to explain Falwell's or Robertson's support