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Watching and reading Barack Obama’s comments on Rev. Wright today really makes me sad. But at the same time, it brings me, like all things about Barack Obama bring me…hope.

Rev. Wright, as I’ve written, is a great American.  He is turning himself, as Barack says, into a caricature.

I’m outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw yesterday. I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992 and have known Jeremiah Wright for almost 22 years. The person I saw yesterday was not the person I met 20 years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but they also give comfort to those that prey on hate and I believe they do not accurately portray the perspective of the black church. They certainly do not accurately portray my values and beliefs. If Reverend Wright thinks that is political posturing on my part, he does not know me very well.

 Whether it is out of anger over the fact that he’s been demonized, or some other motive, I don’t really care.  Rev. Wright deserves to be angry about this.

However, Rev. Wright has handled this very badly in the last 72 hours, and in declining quality.  His first appearance on Bill Moyers was inspiring, but nerve-wracking.  His speech in Detroit rocked, but was on the edge.  His appearance at the National Press Club on Monday was a performance and a sad caricature, and appears to have enraged Barack.  Sometimes, when you’re in what feels like a friendly room, you go over the top.  That’s what Rev. Wright did at the Press Club.

It does make me sad that this has to happen, though, and I am quite certain that any black man this close to the presidency would have to go through this.  Not a single white candidate for president has ever had to go through this, and never will.  

But with Barack Obama, it is clear that he is the right person to run this gauntlet.  

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