Obama's Grandmother and Pastor

I missed The Speech today. I don't really need to be convinced of his good faith on race, or once again convinced of his superb ability to deliver a message through oratory. He had to put some political distance between himself and his preacher, Rev. Wright, who had excalimed "God damn America!" in a sermon being used to discredit Obama.

The key point was when he said the following: “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother,” who showed Barack all the love, but expressed her fear of Negroes (and other somewhat racialist sentiments) to him on some occasions when he was growing up--which confused him immensely.

Some were looking for a stronger denunciation of his pastor (not just those sentiments he expressed which showed bitterness and racialist anger), but didn't get it. I don't need it. Some think that Obama's unique personal history will provide fodder for Republican attacks. I say, "Bring it on!" It's extremely well documented (the superb "Dreams from my Father") , entirely consistent with his persona, and totally defensible. Anyone who tries to attack it will end up losing ground.