Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

The Long, Slow Breakup of Wright-Obama

Why the coolly focused candidate fumbled his toughest test

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2008 10:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama has a very long fuse, the New York Times notes, and so his break-up with his pastor and surrogate father has been playing out in slow motion, since even before the day he launched his presidential campaign. It took Jeremiah Wright's direct assault on Obama's credibility in his speech Monday to make the candidate finally snap, Michael Powell observes in a look at why a man so focused and formidable has fumbled in handling the biggest crisis of his campaign. 

Powell describes the "cascade of perceived slights" from Obama that led Wright to go on offense. "He made no secret of whom he blamed: Mr. Obama’s political adviser, David Axelrod, a white Chicago political operative." Even after Obama began to distance himself from Wright's most incendiary statements, the two remained in touch, speaking after Obama's landmark speech on race in Philadelphia. Now, his campaign must worry whether Wright will keep his peace or keep speaking out.

Trinity United Church of Christ, the church frequented by Barack Obama, is seen on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Chicago.
Trinity United Church of Christ, the church frequented by Barack Obama, is seen on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Barack Obama folds his notes after speaking at news conference in Winston-Salem, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 2008, about the latest assertion by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Barack Obama folds his notes after speaking at news conference in Winston-Salem, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 2008, about the latest assertion by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ and former pastor of Barack Obama.
Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ and former pastor of Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Obama Only Marked Black on Census—Unfortunately

Palin Rips Michelle Obama Over 'Rants Against Whites'

Axelrod: I'll Leave Next Year to Work on Obama 2012

Obama: I'm Not Caving on Tax Cuts

Dems to Obama: Gut Your Team


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne