More now on the news that Barack Obama is leaving Trinity United Church.
In the end, he just had to do it. He had no choice. He was pretty much forced into it. If Jeremiah Wright was the drink that stirred all of this, Father Michael Pfleger was the last straw.
There is no way Obama could have this hanging over him during a general election. And quite frankly, he couldn't have this hanging over him during this next month either as Hillary Clinton tries to make her case to super delegates. I mean think about it. Who was going to speak next from Trinity United Church's pulpit? The Obama campaign had no control over that situation and that is not a good position to be in.
The good news for the Obama campaign is that Obama now can't be accused of STILL supporting some of the controversial speech that comes out of Trinity United Church. The Republican attack machine may lose some of its punch because of this move, but let's remember one thing: if more controversial sermons emerge from the Church between now and November, it's going to be a reminder about how Obama associated with this Church for twenty years. He'll still have to deal with that and the judgment issue.
Unfortunately the sad part of all of this is that Obama just lost his Church home.
Let's put the controversial remarks aside for just a moment. Obama loved the mission of that Church. He cared about the people there. I'm sure this is not only frustrating politically for him. It's probably also emotionally sad for him. Look, he didn't want to leave but he had to. The critics will say he's only leaving because it damages him politically. And you know what? That is true. But Obama has always been a big picture guy and the big picture is this; if he wants to be a "unifying" candidate and bring people together...belonging to Trinity United Church doesn't fit that narrative.
He had no choice.
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