A Possible Rev. Wright Attack Ad

Sen. Barack Obama & Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.
Trinity United Church of Christ 2005. photo Religion News Service

Is Rev. Wright Obama's Willy Horton?
Or should People Stop Hyperventilating and Breathe...?

Imagine this attack ad:

Talking Points Memo

TPM Reader MS foresees this line of attack:

Imagine this 30 second ad, run heavily next October. I think it would be devastating among undecided and swing voters.

"What does Barack Obama really believe in? His spritual teacher for 20 years has been Jeremiah Wright. Wright wedded Obama & his wife. Obama named his book from a sermon of Wright's. [insert video of favorable comment about Wright by Obama]. What has Jeremiah Wright taught Obama? [Insert rabid clip of Wright capped by "God Damn America!! God Damn America!!"] We need a solid patriot to lead our nation. Someone we can trust. Vote John McCain 2008."

Talking Points Memo

TPM Reader JS responds to JB ...

I go to church every Sunday, and frankly, I never received the memo that says you're obligated to agree with everything that a pastor says in a sermon. I thought the idea that you're allowed to actually disagree with him or her is inherently "American". So what's JB's problem, again? Let me get this straight. This guy JB is switching his vote from Obama to Clinton because Obama's pastor, from whom he's publicly disagreed on repeated occasions, made inflammatory remarks during a sermon in a service that Obama never attended. Can we please try to wrap our minds around the stupidity of that notion? If JB loved America as much as he apparently claims, he'd take his vote a hell of a lot more seriously than that.

Late Update: TPM Reader JM:

Agree wholeheartedly with JS, and completely fail to understand the hyperventilation over this issue. I mean, I saw Chris Matthews (Chris Matthews!) on the Today Show this morning saying that everyone knows that this guy doesn't represent Obama's views and that voters understand that you shouldn't necessarily be held accountable for everything and anything any of your associates utters in public. You know you're deep in the weeds when Tweety is your voice of reason.

I think that this drawn-out primary season is starting to drive people nuts.

and TPM Reader MM:

Oh Good Lord,

The problem with we Democrats is that every new issue that comes up gets us running around in circles, flapping our hands and screaming that the sky is falling.

A big part of why I voted for Obama is that he is NOT like that -- he stays cool under pressure, and he plays the long game.

The Wright thing will get worked out. The candidacy will survive. Obama is not John Kerry (he's a much more gifted politician, for one thing, and a better strategist).

Bottom line: we have two strong candidates who are in a real struggle for the nomination. Interest in the election is the highest it's been in years. That's healthy in a democracy. Much healthier than the kind of easy coronation we've gotten used to.

Everybody take a deep breath. The sky is still firmly overhead.

I agree.

Obama's speech on race was brilliant.

While the traditional media will screw up the coverage, we can watch the speech ourselves, and read the intended text.

I do think if Obama is the nominee, we will see 527 ads along the lines suggested above. THEY WILL BACKFIRE.

Obama is demonstrating how to run a campaign which takes the high road, yet fights back. He is not letting others define him. This is clearly landing strongly within the Democratic Party.

The question remains, how is it landing with Independents and potential cross-over Republicans?

The latest numbers I've seen show the Rev. Wright problem has been hurting Obama. Three to four days from now, we'll know if this speech has reversed the damage.

My guess -- yes.

I am moved by Senator Obama's speech. Pure courage. Grace under fire. I am proud he is running for President.

We shall see how it plays out.