Politics Extra: Damon Lynch Jr. on Obama's pastor

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Damon Lynch Jr. on Obama's pastor

Howard Wilkinson reports:

Some of those in Cincinnati who know the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the recently retired pastor of Barack Obama's Chicago church, say those offended by video clips of his preaching misunderstand both the man and his message.

And, they say, it is wrong to blame Obama for what his pastor had to say about America.

"When you stand in a pulpit in front of a thousand people every Sunday, as I do and as Rev. Wright does, you are going to say things that many in the pews will not agree with,'' said the Rev. Damon Lynch Jr., pastor for 38 years at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Hartwell.

Read the full story here

62 Comments:

at 11:28 AM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

When you try to tell me I misunderstand the man and the message, you insult my intelligence. I have never heard my pastor say anything derogatory about the USA nor the black population. That rhetoric divides.
You are bending the truth to save Obama's hide.
Hillary is smiling; she lies too.

at 11:43 AM, March 19, 2008

usefullidiot said...

"When you stand in a pulpit in front of a thousand people every Sunday, as I do and as Rev. Wright does, you are going to say things that many in the pews will not agree with,''

I have the option of getting up and leaving, and not to contribute my hard-earned money to this cause.

I can do the same with a government that I don't agree with, but under the risk of denial of liberty.

at 11:44 AM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of expectedly left-liberal dissembling from Howard.

No one "blames" Kabaka Obama for what Wright said; KO is being criticized for sitting through it.

No one "denies" racism exists in America.

No one expects KO to "repudiate" Wright.

How about specifics, Howard: Does Lynch agree that HIV was invented by the Feds to kill Blacks?

Does Lynch agree that God should damn America?

Does Lynch agree that Louis Farrakhan should receive a Lifetime Achievement Award?

Does Lynch agree that killing 3,000 people is an appropriate and understandable response to America's Middle East policy?

I'm guessing Howard was to enthralled to have any audience with Rev. Lynch to have actually done his job as a journalist and ask tough questions.

at 11:46 AM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

its so much easier to cut and edit a 30 second soundbite and play it over and over to illustrate your personal belief that a person who was the target of years of racism hates america than it is to use your intelligence to understand how far the country has to go to move past the racial issues that divide the country.

sometimes its painful to hear the truth.

at 11:48 AM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Attendance at the church suggests an agreement with the message of the leader. I don't doubt that members disagree from time to time with statements made by the pastor but when they were apparently so frequent and so outrageous, you bear some responsibility for choosing to associating yourself with that person.

at 12:05 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is just the latest sordid example of Repugnicant hypocrisy and politics of personal destruction. The criminal enterprise masquerading as a political party started an illegal war and are well on their way to destroying our American economy from within. They have already shredded the Constitution and have no respect for anything other than making them selves and their cronies obscenely wealthier. That's all that matters to them. The Repugs have leant ther personal-attack-PR-machine to the Clinton's in an unholy alliance to take down the only candidate out there who can turn this country around and restore some sense of hope, opportunity, and dignity for the other 99%.

Remember Willie Horton? This is just the latest in the long line of Repugnicant race-baiting tactics. They are smearing a good and honorable man of the cloth who diagrees with their political views. This is the same Gang Of Pedophiles who have been courting "Christian" ministers whose self-righteousness would gag a maggot. Remember Jerry Falwell? That's the official Repug ideal of what a so-called "Man of God" should do and say. He blamed 9/11 on another religion, remember that?

The Rev. Wright is just the latest victim of the Repugs' smear machine all in an attempt to warp Senator Obama as someone he is not. You watch, the next time Senator Obama gets ahead in the polls, they will find someone linked to him to destroy as well. Who could it be? His 3rd-grade teacher? His high school soccer coach? The neighbor lady who used to baby-sit him?

Being a Repugnicant means smearing your opponents' personal lives because you know that the American people wholehertedly disapprove your war-starting, job-destroying, privatizing, home-foreclosing, child-starving agenda.

Are we going to let the party of Jerry Falwell tell us whose church we can worship at?

Are we going to let the party of Lee Atwater tell us who is a uniter and who is a divider?

Are we going to let the party of Bob Taft, Tom Noe, and Bob Ney lecture us on morals, ethic, or responsibility?

Are we going to let the party of Mark Foley lecture us on how to treat children?

That's all they have is the politics of personal destruction. Just remember who their "spiritual leaders" are.

at 12:11 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Everything else aside, why would Hussein sit there and let someone talk about his mother like that? She is the color his pastor dislikes, after all.

at 12:44 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately the tone of these anonymous comments (“kabaka obama,” “Hussein,” etc.) is having as its hypocritical effect the criticism of a pastor’s comments with additional divisive comments. We are inverting narrow thinking rather than transcending it. This is emblematic of the nature of political and racial discourse today . . . a divisive vicious cycle.

In his speech, Obama towards the end called for a new way of dialogue about these issues. He strongly repudiated his former pastor's comments, but at the same time validated some of the anger. He also called for accountability all around (among whites and blacks), and made, I think, an effective case for ending the kind of unproductive, distrustful discussions that we are having today.

Please, if you have the time, listen to Obama’s speech (link below). I think Obama is addressing the pastor's comments and the larger issues of race in America in a very frank and honest manner. You don’t have to want to vote for him to appreciate his trying to address an incredibly painful and sensitive issue head on. I hate to think we would digress when presented with the rare opportunity for honest and potentially healing dialogue.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords

at 12:51 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

These words were spoken by Rev. Wright, not Senator Obama. Obama is running for President, not Rev. Wright. So Obama is supposed to throw a man who has been like a father to him under the bus because white America does not agree with words spoken by someone OTHER THAN OBAMA. Give me a break. What is sad is that this story seems to be more newsworthy than the real issues...the economy, the war and health care. What a shame.

at 1:12 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

It took him two decades to "strongly repudiate" someone who dislikes his mother's entire race?

at 1:15 PM, March 19, 2008

usefullidiot said...

All of you Obama lovers sure had your day when Bush spoke at Bob Jones U., didn't you???

And all of you anons that scream about an illegal war..where the hell were you when Clinton ordered, in direct conflict to the Constitution of the United States, our troops to wear BLUE Berets in Serbia!!!!

PATHETIC HYPOCRITE MORONS!!

at 1:20 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

While this is a pseudo story, I don't understand why Republicans are criticized for the company they keep, yet for Democrats, many people say it's no big deal.

at 1:25 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

12:05...man...you must've drunk Kool-Aid laced with LSD...you be trippin' dude with your rant...
Hey! Check out Hillary's "black pastor in Harlem" who's endorsing her...he's a piece o'work,too...Rev JD Manning:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU&feature=re

at 1:30 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

It's funny how white people don't get the fact that they are seen as a controlling factor. We say we "get it" but we don't.
These white people who think they "get it" still comment if they walk into a bar and there are more than 5 black people there, "I didn't know this was a black bar!"
Go to a movie with more than three black actors, "I didn't know this was a black movie."
These are the same white people who freak out then they see a thugged out black guy walking there way down the street, but don't blink an eye at some white gutter punk drinking a 40oz in Clifton.

I'm white, I know that I don't rule the world, but I do understand why people perceive it that way.

People will say that "if my white Minster said that, it's be racist!" Well, I think if a white Minister said that they'd just get a lot of confused looks.

at 2:39 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Hussein would be happier worshiping among minarets anyway.

at 3:32 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

It's time for the race pimps like Obama's preacher and Al Sharpton to retire. It's not 1960 and we're not living in Selma, Alabama.

It's time for the black community to clean up its own backyard. Stop blaming Whitey for the black illegitimacy rate, black-on-black violence, and the fact that only 50% of CPS students actually graduate from high school. Personal responsibility is the solution for those courageous enough to embrace it.

at 3:41 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Hey Damon,

Your job is to preach the gospel, not politics and social commentary. Your failure (and Wrights) is a big factor in todays' problems. Let's get back to Jesus and the Bible (at the church) and put aside your hatred, riots, and promotion of social dysfunction. God Bless America.

at 3:57 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

J. Wright's sound bites were totally ridiculous. The "adults" sitting in that church have been too corrupted to question the message conveyed.
It's the children I feel sorry for. How much respect do you think they'll have for America and/or White Americans after that drivel?
If J. Wright is retiring, I'm sure he'll want to spend his retirement in some other country that will more closely represent his views.

at 4:01 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

How come an NAACP and no NAAWP?

How come a Ms. Black America Beauty contest?

How come a Negro College Fund?

Maybe, there's racism from blacks too?

at 4:06 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

I hear blacks defend Obama and the preacher saying those comments build black pride.
It seems to me that blaming everyone else tells black children to set their goals low. If you aim at a low goal, you'll probably succeed.

at 4:24 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Nobody has ever preached as vile anti-American hate speach as the 'religeous right' does. Falwell, Dobson and now John McSame's preacher, who hates catholics.

at 4:36 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

I'd love to know how many posters here actually listened to the whole speech - eloguent, brutally honest for both sides in the race war, and validating the secret shame many of us feel - black and white - for lingering feelings of racism and hostility.

I think what he was really saying, simply, was that we are all human and vulnerable to simple, human responses to a difficult situation presented by our own historical legacy.

Preachers are just people, they are not God, or even men of God, they are mere men trying to do a human impossiblity - God's work - they falter and fail because no matter their intentions - they are still just men.

I ask this, as a Catholic, why are the pews at church so full when so much more than mere words have damaged our children? I don't believe any Catholic can turn a deaf ear to the message from Obama without incurring known sin when kneeling at the temple of deviance the church has offered - yet, we kneel, we tith, we give penance and then, do it over and over again

at 5:43 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Do every single one of you my fellow Catholics agree with our Church on birth control, abortion, women priests, gay marraige, etc? I jnow that i do not, nor do many of my friends and family, but we still go to our Churches regardless. Our Churches are like a memner of our families; we might not agree all the time but we are still family.

at 5:53 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Would we give McCain a pass if it turned out he were freinds with a Klansman for 20 years, but is now shocked - shocked! - to find it out just when he's running for President? Didn't think so.

at 6:34 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Haven't these people (the Lynches) done enough to destroy this fine city? Go away already.

at 7:37 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Old Man McSame gets pass after pass. He just got another one, after he couldn't identify or tell the difference between the warring factions in Iraq-THREE TIMES! It was so embarressing, Joe Lieberman even had to step in and correct McSame.

at 7:40 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

As a Democrat-leaning regularly-attending Massgoing Catholic, I thought at first the anons had a good point. Then I thought how ridiculous I would sound if I were runing for office if I had:

claimed not to be aware the Church felt that way on gay marriage

claimed I didn't hear my pastor say any of the stuff he's said on the subject (though for the record mine hasn't said much)

claimed not to be aware that my pastor blamed 9/11 on gays if he had done so publicly

blamed non-catholics for the problems faced by Catholics, especially in a speech allegedly about unity

heck, I wouldn't cart my pastor around with me because I know there would be a media firestorm about the separation of church and state the first time anyone saw him out

No, once again the Obama-worshippers want us to treat him different because he wants us to see him as some sort of transcendent figure.

Today is the first day I have seriously considered voting for McCain.

at 9:57 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Troll at 7:40 is not "Democrat-leaning", he is a right wing concern troll.

at 10:00 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Don't you think it's kinda funny that this got "leaked" now that Hillary is in trouble.
Kind of a Karl Rove thing to do...

Also, look into the religous endorsments of McCain and Hillary, they aren't pretty.
Guess it's easyer for white people to get freaked out over the "white" issue, than the stealing and other stuff.
Funny how that works.

at 10:53 PM, March 19, 2008

Anonymous said...

Had this been reversed - some old white boy in flowing robes yelling racist remarks about the blacks, the white candidate would be pressured at all points. Explaining it all away wouldn't cut the cake. The blacks would be demanding the white face step out of the race.

Obama's weak excuses aren't convincing one bit. He will not be bestowed with my vote in November.

As for old Lynch's remarks, I've had enough of that family, their supporters & their racial incendiary remarks in this town. They have ruined this city. Not surprising that the old reverend would have a kind spin for the Chicago racial reverend. Birds of feather...

at 12:17 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Just the past three days, I had to get push started in order to "pop the clutch" in my car. Just yesterday, in the driving rain on Duck Creek at the end of Dana Ave. exit a guy got out of his vehicle after observing me pushing my small, 4 cylinder car to the wherever I could get it out of the way. Did I say it was driving rain?

In both cases, one guy who was reluctant and one who went way out of his way I got help. I thank them both, both black men who helped out this white guy with the pitiful performing car. I keep wondering why others haven't experienced in their lives what I've experience twice in the last three days. Is hate and worry about it worth it? Reasonable?

at 12:28 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Some of the very best people I know are Catholic but I remain baffled >> how do they continue.

5:43 shed some light on that - "we are family" and that's a good thing but at some point....

at 7:55 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Those who are shocked by White's preaching don't understand the white experience in this country or the white church, Lynch said.

"On any given Sunday in a white church, you are going to get that kind of fire from the pulpit."

"His sermons have always inspired me to look at things from a different perspective,'' Donald said. "People have to remember - it is a white church, and he seeks to empower white people. I see absolutely no shame in that."

This is from the full story link on the interview with Damon Lynch. All I did was change black for white. Looks pretty racist that way, doesn't it?

BTW, I can't imagine anyone defining their church as "White", or talking about White empowerment or the need for White people to talk smack about Black people for self-esteem reasons. Anyone who did would be run out of town on a rail.

at 8:50 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

great to see the white liberals weighing in here finding an equivalent to the hate screeds of jerry wright to jerry falwell and pat robertson...it's times like this that I'm embarrassed to be a white man...

at 9:13 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is anon 7:40 again.

You are so wrong about me, it isn't even funny.

And BTW, I am a woman. You had a 50-50 chance and blew it.

at 9:50 AM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Just think what kind of crisis there would be if John McCain went to a church with a KKK conspiracy-theorist for a minister, and we learned that McCain:

had gone there for 10 years;

had this minister baptize one of his daughters;

gave $10,000 to the church; and

called this man a mentor and advisor.

For all that, McCain wouldn't be in with such a terrible person half as much as Obama is with this "Rev." Wright.

at 12:01 PM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Greg Harris should stop campaigning via blog comments.

Greg: Do you agree that HIV was invented by the Feds to kill Blacks?

Do you agree that God should damn America?

Do you agree that Louis Farrakhan should receive a Lifetime Achievement Award?

Do you agree that killing 3,000 people is an appropriate and understandable response to America's Middle East policy?

at 2:57 PM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

Jerry Falwell and Pat Robinson said the god damned America, and payed us back for our 'wicked ways' with the 911 attacks.

"God gave is what we deserve"-Jerry Falwell.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A28620-2001Sep14

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/87/story_8770_1.html

Of course when right wingers say things like that, they get a free pass, don't they?

at 4:04 PM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

He had my vote till this all came up. I did listen to his (Senator Obama's) speech, in it's entirety, thinking maybe he would still redeem himself. The question of judgement keeps coming to mind. I kept thinking initially, he's got to be lying about not knowing this man's belief's, well it turns out he was lying. You can't convince me now that he does not share those views, and in learning the statements his wife has made...pay closer attention folks, he's an eloquent speaker, no doubt, but he now appears to me to be a con artist..very disappointing to someone who was on board before the Rev Wright shined his light on the political scene.

at 5:13 PM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

4:04 is the same right wong troll who posted at 12:01, 9:50 and 7:40.

at 9:28 PM, March 20, 2008

Anonymous said...

4:04 is the same right wong troll who posted at 12:01, 9:50 and 7:40.

Who cares? The "troll" could post every hour on the hour, but the 4:04 post rings with a lot of truth & common sense.

The only thing I disagree with is the poster said Obama is an "eloquent speaker". That shyster speaks with a forked tongue. He's smooth & very slippery.

I've listened to Obama's speech & picked up the rest of the racial Rev Wright's tripe & the rest of America would do themselves a favor by getting tuned in & making practical choices in November. Obama will not be getting my vote.

at 8:09 AM, March 21, 2008

Anonymous said...

Wright is a divisive a**hole. Lynch is a divisive a**hole. Why would it surpirse anyone that Lynch sticks up for Wright? Lynch only wishes he owned a presidential candidate like Wright does, so he could cause problems on a national level instead of just screwing up Cincinnati.

at 9:29 AM, March 21, 2008

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter bloggers. Isn't free speech great?? God bless America. And God Bless the Christian religion.

at 11:48 AM, March 21, 2008

usefullidiot said...

Another great quantum leap in Obama judgment!!!!!!!!

RICHARDSON IN THE OBAMA CAMP!!

This is the same Richardson that gave us the "UN-controlled" burn at Los Alamos, evacuated the personnel (except a few Chinese scientists)and the hard-drives disappeared!!!!

BOY,I FEEL SAFER NOW!!!!

PATHETIC!!!

at 12:59 PM, March 21, 2008

Hope Lives!! said...

Annonymous 4:401pm 3/19

The NAACP was formed to combat the vicious injustices of segregation of Jim Crow the Jim Crow South.

The Miss Black American Pagent was started because young black women were denied access to enter the Miss America Pagent.

The United negro College Fund was started to help give some children who would not otherwise have an opportunity to go to college a chance. They fund the HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), because once upon a time those schools were the only places capable and willing young black minds could be taught.

The NAACP, the Miss Black America Pagent, nor the UNCF, teaches hate or spews venom at any other race.
Don't confuse organizations begot in an effort to lift a race of people with racism. Educate yourself.

at 2:42 PM, March 21, 2008

Anonymous said...

Dear anon 12:01 PM,

I'm not "campaigning." Unlike you, I have the courage to put my name behind my opinions. To answer your question, no, I, like Sen. Obama, do not agree with these specific opinions. I also do not agree with the opinions of many religious right icons who conservative politicians go out of their way to court rather than denounce.

Do you, like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, agree that 9-11 was our fault? Yet McCain spoke at Liberty University. And he spoke at Bob Jones, despite the university's sorry racial views.

Turn off Limbaugh for a few minutes and listen to Obama's speech. It's is frank and honest and incredibly balanced assessment of race in America--how we perceive race, how we dialogue about it, etc.

at 11:22 PM, March 21, 2008

Anonymous said...

New secret uncovered---Hate is being born every Sunday within the churches of god..

at 11:14 AM, March 22, 2008

Anonymous said...

What ever happened to separation of church and state? Pastor Wright had ever right in this country under the constitution to say what he said and Sen. Obama had ever right to sit that church and listen to it.
Period.

at 2:55 PM, March 22, 2008

Anonymous said...

The problem Rev. is that the entire congregation was cheering and praising the remarks! Watch the videos. Some of the clips even show the other pastors patting him on the back! It is very sad -- Obama can no longer claim to have moral clarity when talking about reconciliation. Yes he might be able to be a member without linking the remarks to himself, but he went beyond just being a member. Rev. Wright married him and his wife, baptised his daughters, and was given a position on his campaign!

at 7:15 AM, March 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

We are talking about a Preacher who, like any other has to rally and inspire if not outright smack folks across the face so they will inspired/curious enough to come back next week.
Second, we are talking about a Politician(Obama). In order to stay in Washington for more than a day,he must be able to compete with those he says he dislikes all the while embracing them to get what he wants. He truly is no different than the others, just a little more appealing because of his age, a little more appealing because he hasn't been around long enough to develope foot-n-mouth and has kept a somewhat low profile. If you vote for him, make sure its who you want, not who your "party bosses" have told you your going to vote for.

at 4:47 PM, March 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

What Greg Harris and other Obama apologists don't get is that Bush, McCain, etc. aren't members of Falwell, Roberstson, or Jones' church. There's a huge difference between being endorsed by a specific person, and attending their church for 20 years + claiming its pastor is your spiritual guru.

Recently Obama said his white grandma was a "typical white person". What's a typical white person? If McCain referred to someone as a "typical black person" what would be the response?

at 10:44 PM, March 23, 2008

Anonymous said...

Greg,

Falwell is dead. McCain did not speak at Bob Jones. Pat Robertson, has not been a mentor to any GOP candidate for President or other major office since he said those things. Equating "the religious right" with Falwell and Robertson is like equating all African-American ministers with Rev. Wright. Is that what you're trying to do here, lumping all Christian conservatives together while claiming the candidate you support should not be lumped in with his own minister?

Sheesh no wonder you can have the resume you have and get your tail kicked by Chabot twice and finish in 15th place on your THIRD run for office.

at 7:42 AM, March 24, 2008

Anonymous said...

Separation of church and state also means church should not interfere with state. If someone wants to be political in the pulpit, that church no longer deserves a tax exemption. Federal law prohibits churches from endorsing or opposing candidates. That means both "Bush Bad" and "Obama Good" are both statements that, however phrased, can cost a church a tax exemption, if the law is applied correctly.

at 12:18 PM, March 24, 2008

Anonymous said...

Actually, Greg, Obama specifically failed to repudiate those statements.

Even at the height of the AIDS epidemic, gays weren't so stupid or paranoid as to think the government invented HIV to kill us. And if I hear one more hoary reference to "Tuskegee" I'm going to puke.

I Can't wait for Obama to be asked about reparations. You think folks are bailing on him now? The Paleosocialist in him won't be able to hide any longer behind "great speeches" that make Guilty White Social Liberals swoon like teenage girls at a Jonas Brothers concert.

at 12:55 PM, March 24, 2008

Anonymous said...

To the religious right wingnut at 10:44, So what if Falwell is dead? The fact is that McCain still went and kissed his ring right before he died. Just as a refresher, let’s not forget that less than eight years ago, McCain (accurately) described Falwell as an “agent of intolerance” who had a “corrupting influence” on politics in America. A day later, McCain said Falwell had an “evil influence” over the Republican Party.

Fast forward to eight years later and McSame has radically changed course and reached out to clowns like Falwell, Dobson and Robertson, leading to his address at Liberty University. It’s an offencive move for McSame to have lent Falwell credibility by appearing alongside him publicly.

You were correct in saying that McSame never spoke at Bob Jones University; it was George W. Bush who spoke there. At the time, McCain said of Bush's visit to BJU that he "does not mind going any place where people have views that I find hateful”, "but when I go there, I’m going to tell them exactly what I think of them.” He added that he would have told the Bob Jones audience that “they ought to get out of the 16th century and into the 21st century.”
BJU is exactly the same as Liberty, as hate is hate, and when the new McSame spoke at Liberty last year he did not tell Falwell and his followers “exactly what he thinks of them”. He kissed their *sses instead.

Second, it’s also worth remembering that Falwell was not only a nut, but he was an anti-American demagogue who has said, among other things, that the United States “deserved the 9/11 attacks". Yes, McCain should have had far better judgement than to speak at Falwell’s school, but the far bigger outrage is when McCain told a national television audience that he no longer believes Falwell is an agent of intolerance.

McSame's shameless transformation from centrist “maverick” to right-wing ideologue is astonishing. The wheels have definitely fallen off of The Double Talk Express.

at 2:17 PM, March 24, 2008

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:44 PM, March 23, 2008 -

Oh my, my, I stand corrected. The religious right has had very little influence on Republican presidential candidates and Republican politics in general. Silly me! If only I had known this when I ran against Chabot! (Speaking of Chabot, how many elections did he lose before he won? What about Qualls? Governor Strickland?)

Listen you anonymous coward, learn to have the courage of your convictions and get your head out of your ass. Obama has a long history with a man who has over the years said some controversial comments that Obama forcefully repudiated. He also helped Obama find his faith. All of us who are willing to be honest (unlike you apparently) have had friends and loved ones who have expressed matters about race, religion, politics that may repulse us. You can either act holier than thou and erase these contacts, or accept people for the totality of who they are. Or, like the Republican Party, you can define your platforms and election strategies around the biddings of agents of intolerance.

at 1:09 PM, March 26, 2008

Anonymous said...

Greg: did Obama "accept [Wright] for who he is" when he disinvited him from his candidacy announcement?

According to Wikipedia, The Cincinnati Beacon's authority on such matters:

Chabot and Qualls each lost twice before winning Council seats.

Strickland lost three times. So, you guys tie. It won't matter when you're appointed to replace Crowley as a reward for dropping out of the Commissioner's race so Todd Portune wouldn't have to campaign for his job like, you know, happens in a democracy.

Absolutely nothing cowardly about that, "Greg."

at 6:43 PM, March 26, 2008

Anonymous said...

Anon 109pm -

And Chabot actually lost three elections total, incl. his first race for congress. And Qualls lost three elections total, incl. her race for congress. And Strickland lost at least four elections. As have many other incumbents who don't have wealthy networks or famous last names.
So Harris is in pretty good company, and I really hope he does run again. 07 was a weird year - 9 incumbents running for re-election plus serveral former incumbents. If Harris ran in a typical year, he either would've won or been right on the bubble.

If Crowley appoints Harris, which most insiders say he will, it would probably have more to do with Harris helping Crowley in his first campaigns, his consdierable service to the Party (it's not like anyone was stepping up to challenge Chabot in 02 AND 04) and that he shares Crowley's values. No "reward" there. Just common sense.

Finally, thanks Greg for the link to the Obama speech. I share your sentiments, and I'm sorry that anonymous COWARDS have taken cheap shops at you when you were simply trying to elevate the discussion.

at 6:47 AM, March 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

So Greg lost as many times as Qualls and Chabot.

Other endorsed Dems have performend better/lost by less than Greg, but you're suggesting party loyalty is a qualification to hold office? Wow- what a communist.

But: please explain how "Crowley's values" have made Cincinnati better during his time on Council, so we may count on similar successes should Harris be appointed/elected?

at 12:14 PM, March 30, 2008

Anonymous said...

Actually Crowley can't appoint a successor. Each Council member must designate one or more colleagues to fill their vacancy should they leave in the middle of their term. It is that person(s) who make the selection.

at 7:19 AM, March 31, 2008

Anonymous said...

anon 1214 is right.

also, to 6:47, Harris is known in public policy circles nationally for his public policy mind. His 70-hour a week day job advising leaders makes it hard for him to be a candidate, but we know he'll succeed once elected and believe him to be a special person who will go far. Get used to him, as we have plans for him.

at 12:20 PM, March 31, 2008

Anonymous said...

No one wrote that Crowley would appoint his successor; only that his presumptive successor would be Greg even though other Dems got more votes.

If Crowley has "the courage to do what's right" he'll lobby for Scott Seidewitz who a) was robbed of an appointment in favor of Party Boss-supported Cranley when Todd went County, and b) keeps getting Crowley elected with his marketing.

But ask Tarbell how little of a role he played in his successor's naming.

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