Less Than Ideal

Senator Barack Obama inspired millions with his accomplished oratory skills during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, but his recent actions speak louder than his elegant words, threatening to undermine the potent message of change. Mr. Obama is demonstrating strong political survival skills, but it is not meant as a complement.

The first clue was during the controversy over Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory sermons at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Senator Obama claimed he was not aware of Reverend Wright’s controversial sermons.

Mr. Obama’s claim is disingenuous. Not attending the church during the sermons is a plausible excuse, but a fellow parishioner would have immediately informed Mr. Obama of the incendiary sermons, at least in the context of, “Did you hear what Reverend Wright said on Sunday?”

When asked about Senator Obama’s comments about his sermons, Reverend Wright said Mr. Obama was acting like a politician. Mr. Wright displayed amazing insight.

Recently, Mr. Obama decided to forego public financing system for the general election in November. Granted, Senator Obama said he would participate in the public financing system if the Republican presidential candidate also agreed to use public financing.

Early in the Democratic presidential campaign, Senator Obama answered a questionnaire. “If I’m the Democratic nominee,” wrote Mr. Obama, “I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.”[i]

According to the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign, “there were never any real negotiations.”[ii]

The pledge was made months before Senator Obama realized he could potentially raise the unimagined sum of 200 to 300 million dollars for the presidential campaign.[iii]

Under the public financing system, Senator Obama would have received “84 million dollars … from federal taxpayers.”[iv]

Flush with cash and relinquishing public financing will allow Senator Obama to campaign in 50 states, an advantage no other Democratic presidential candidate ever had.

During a campaign rally in Michigan, Senator Obama’s staff made a campaign faux pas when two Muslim women were removed from their seats behind Mr. Obama “because they were wearing head scarves and campaign volunteers did not want them to appear with him in news photographs or live television coverage.”[v]

In the era of Islamophobia, Senator Obama has been fighting the perception he is a Muslim. Having two Muslim women in the background during a campaign rally could ignite further speculation.

What makes this incident disappointing is Senator Obama’s constant admonition to ignore Republican smears tactics designed to instill fear in Americans. The mere mention of his middle name, Hussein, is used as a smear tactic.

The Obama campaign caved in to fear. Although he did not make the decision to remove the Muslim women, I was disappointed Mr. Obama did not demonstrate leadership and allowed the Muslim women to sit in the background. Mr. Obama’s staff acted politically, not with integrity.

In addition, Senator Obama sounds and acts like current President Bush when the latter ran for president in 2000.

Mr. Obama claims he is able to work with Republicans, using his experience in the Illinois State Senate as a reference. Governor Bush said he was a uniter, not a divider and he was able to work Democrats in the Texas legislature.

Senator Obama delegates responsibilities to his campaign staff. President Bush also delegates responsibilities. Vice President Cheney has taken advantage President Bush’s lack of initiative.

Issues do not matter in a political campaign. Universal health care has been a campaign issue since the Truman administration.

Equal pay for women has been a campaign issue since the Kennedy Administration.

Overturning Roe V Wade has been a campaign issue since the Reagan administration.

The names change every four to eight years, but the same issues remain constant. Issues do not matter. Character matters.

Senator Clinton displayed some disturbing character flaws during the Democratic presidential campaign. It was enough for this page to endorse Senator Obama.

Senator Obama has the luxury of running against an unappealing Republican candidate. However being disingenuous, reneging on a campaign pledge, and allowing fear to impact judgment raises character issues.

Mr. Obama’s argues he wants to transform politics. It appears politics is transforming Mr. Obama and that would be unfortunate.


[i] Michael Luo and Jeff Zeleny, “Obama in Shift, Says He’ll Reject Public Financing,” New York Times, June 20, 2008.
[ii] Michael Luo and Jeff Zeleny, “Obama in Shift, Says He’ll Reject Public Financing,” New York Times, June 20, 2008.
[iii] Michael Luo and Jeff Zeleny, “Obama in Shift, Says He’ll Reject Public Financing,” New York Times, June 20, 2008.
[iv] Michael Luo and Jeff Zeleny, “Obama in Shift, Says He’ll Reject Public Financing,” New York Times, June 20, 2008.
[v] Jim Rutenberg and Jeff Zeleny, “Obama’s Campaign Tightens Control of Image and Access,” New York Times, June 19, 2008.