J.B. Wright: "Reverend Wright Is Not The Primary Problem Confronting Barack Obama, But He's Enough"

Asserts the black moderate-conservative Republican blogger: "Democrats, black and white, are desperately trying to convince themselves that this Reverend Wright situation is manageable. It is not. Last night, I happened upon a bit of Hardball with Chris Matthews (rarely watch the show) and it was clear to me that he is finally starting to see the obvious on this Reverend Wright situation. Which leads to the obvious question: what are Democrats going to do about it? I'll tell you what they're going to do, they are going to try and fake the funk (as Dave [Winer] unsuccessfully tried to do) but it is simply not going to work...unless John McCain is goaded into making a series of colossal political mistakes. I don't think that's going to happen."

He continues his commentary: "It won't happen, primarily, because of at least two unique and nonracial problems facing Barack Obama: [1] The Reverend Wright problem is not, per se, about race nor even black liberation theology. What is the unique and nonracial problem with the good Rev? It is religious. I've been in many black churches, and (believe it or not) am African American myself. In none of those mainstream churches -- NONE -- could you say 'God Damn _________' from the pulpit. None of them. On any subject. And anyone who tells you otherwise is lying (for partisan purposes, no doubt), be they black, white, Christian, Atheist or otherwise. Multiply that out among the vast majority of other churches, white churches, in this country. That's a humongous nonracial problem that is being glossed over on television but not in American homes. Many white Democrats are making excuses on this point, I seriously doubt if Reagan Democrats are buying it -- or ever will. Republicans surely won't. [2] Here's the primary unique and nonracial Barack Obama problem: when he has to match-up with John McCain in the general election, and Obama's 'uniter' theme is put to the test by itemizing how he will reach across the political aisle, what will be the deal? Especially when McCain is able to do so by legitimately listing areas where he has already been publicly willing -- in the Senate, on the record -- to defy the leadership of his own party and enable himself to reach across the political aisle? Areas such as (1) immigration, (2) campaign finance, (3) tax cuts, and (4) the so-called 'torture' that caused so many to wail in anguish. Well, guess what? The nation is going to turn to Barack and wait for him to list...what, exactly? Where has he done any of that across-the-aisle, 'unite us' activity in any meaningful way?"

More from Mr. Wright, about the liberal Democrat: "Finally, I think many Democrats haven't figured out (yet) that Barack Obama is running to be Commander-in-Chief. And that is every bit as important as leader of the Executive branch of government to the swing voters -- the Reagan Democrats, so to speak, and the all-over-the-place independents -- who are going to elect the next President. Had they not chased Joe Lieberman out of the party, if they had a manly understanding of national defense, maybe they'd have a chance. As it is, I'm stuck with that unforgettable image of Barack Obama attempting to roll his bowling ball down the lane and failing to do so. Most troubling for me from that scene wasn't him rolling the gutter ball. No. It was the image of him striding down the lane, skinny as hell and flicking that wrist... just...so."