How Wrong Were the Pundits on Obama's 'Race' Speech?

Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 10:19:22 pm PDT

Now that Barack Obama has tossed his pastor and church of 20 years under the bus, let’s revisit the ridiculous over-the-top article by New York Times op-ed columnist Bob Herbert that followed Obama’s first attempt to snow his way out of the mess, the speech in which he said he could no more disavow Rev. Wright than he could disavow his own grandmother: With a Powerful Speech, Obama Offers a Challenge - New York Times.

The speech, which has gotten wonderful reviews, should be required reading in classrooms across the country — and in as many other venues as possible. With a worldview that embraces both justice and healing, Senator Obama is better on these issues than any American leader since King.

Unfortunately, what is more likely to happen is that the essence of the speech will be lost in the din that inevitably erupts whenever there is a racial controversy in the United States.

The fundamental message that Senator Obama is trying to get across is that the racial madness that has perverted so many elections needs to stop — and stop now. Time and again, that madness has been employed to undermine efforts to create what the senator characterizes as “a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America.”

Racial prejudice, ignorance, hostility — whatever — has caused millions of Americans to vote against their own economic interests, and for policies that have damaged the country.

“It’s hard to address big issues,” Mr. Obama told me, “if we’re easily diverted or distracted by racial antagonism.”

And this was only two months ago. Is Herbert embarrassed by this ludicrously wrong assessment now? I’m guessing not.