Hitchens on why Obama joined Wright’s church: Cherchez la femme
posted at 3:12 pm on May 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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A fine theory, reaction to which is split among commenters in the Headlines item. The missus does seem to be the more aggrieved of the two and thus a more natural fit for Wright’s truthiness-to-power take on the gospels, but if she’s the driving force behind their attendance at Trinity then the Messiah’s suspected sympathies with Wright’s worldview are that much more unlikely. Why does Hitch even care, you ask? Because he’s a righteous Clinton-hater who fears we might have another co-presidency foisted upon us if Obama’s elected, in which case we’d better know where Mrs. O stands as well:
If there is a reason why the potential nominee has been keeping what he himself now admits to be very bad company—and if the rest of his character seems to make this improbable—then either he is hiding something and/or it is legitimate to ask him about his partner.
I direct your attention to Mrs. Obama’s 1985 thesis at Princeton University. Its title (rather limited in scope, given the author and the campus) is “Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community.” To describe it as hard to read would be a mistake; the thesis cannot be “read” at all, in the strict sense of the verb. This is because it wasn’t written in any known language. Anyway, at quite an early stage in the text, Michelle Obama announces that she’s much influenced by the definition of black “separationism” offered by Stokely Carmichael and Charles Hamilton in their 1967 screed Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America… I have the distinct feeling that the Obama campaign can’t go on much longer without an answer to the question: “Are we getting two for one?” And don’t be giving me any grief about asking this. Black Americans used to think that the Clinton twosome was their best friend, too. This time we should find out before it’s too late to ask.
Problem one: As I’ve said before, I think it’s lame to take anyone’s college thesis too seriously. Problem two: There’s reason to believe that Trinity appealed uniquely to Obama among Chicago’s black churches. No need to look for the lady. Problem three: Don’t we have a timeline issue here? According to Newsweek, the Obamas met in 1989; according to CSM, he was attending services at Trinity in 1988 (although evidently he didn’t join formally until 1992). If she’s responsible for making him a regular, she didn’t have to push too hard.
Since we’re on the subject, a tangential exit question: Is the boss right to doubt Oprah’s (alleged) reasons for leaving Trinity? Given the hit she’s taken for supporting Obama and her obvious interest in minimizing that damage by not also being tied to Wright, I’m guessing yes.
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I find it much more strange that he would start attending that church in the first place…
Seeing as how he’s white and all.
Spc Steve on May 5, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I’m currently enrolled in an introductory Sociology class at my local college. The instructor is a seething, raving, screeching far-left nut who openly admonishes students to join the anti-war protest movement, boycott Wal-Mart and shows Michael Moore films in class. It’s scary how much Michelle Obama reminded me of my prof. when I first heard her speak.
Hannibal Smith on May 5, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Michelle/Oprah.
Kind of a post modern Jeckyll and Hyde.
The same, yet somehow different?
Hening on May 5, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Why is Obama still a member of that church?
bnelson44 on May 5, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Taking a college thesis to seriously would be wrong, if there was substance later that proved the thesis is no longer a view held…however, I see nothing that shows she has changed her views. She thought then that blacks were denied fair treatment, she feels that now. She herself has never felt “good” about being an American, and other obnoxious statements that only support her “thesis”.
In this case, her thesis only laid the groundwork for her more “mature” thoughts, none which contradict her college thesis.
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Why is it “lame” to take a college thesis seriously? Michelle Obama has provided ample evidence that she has not grown intellectually in the last twenty-five years. Black victimhood is her continuing motif.
However, I agree that Barack is a hard leftist in his own right. No need to look at what he married on the score.
Kalapana on May 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Obama was predisposed to marry a Michelle type aggreived personality. He so badly wanted to be authentic instead of developing his identity as an individual. He wanted to be a “real” black man hence his attraction to the left and distancing himslef from to “mainstream.
Theworldisnotenough on May 5, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Obama’s a likeable guy. Michelle scares the crap out of me. Regardless of which one signed on to Pastor Wright’s hate-train first, neither of them felt compelled to correct to good Reverend on his factual errors and implicitly condoned his message. They need to go back to Illinois and spare us all the side show.
HotJavaJack on May 5, 2008 at 3:25 PM
The guy’s a wimp. Pure and simple.
Daddy ran off and he was raised by momma and grandma and he’s spent his whole adult life chasing after the dream of being worthy of his black socialist Daddy who kicked him to the curb.
Along comes Michelle and grabs him by one huge floppy ear and drags him into the liberation theology of Uncle Jerry, who interestingly, after a lifetime of ranting about whitey now has decided to retire with him and who seems to think that whomever “made me this color” is his enemy.
Forget everything else. Barry can’t win because Barry’s a wimp. He can’t grow himself a pair between now and November. And it’s got nothing to do with race. Just go back and look at him primly cutting his waffle with a knife.
He’s a wimp. No doubt whatever has happened in his life since he met her she’s the progenitor of, because, well, he’s a wimp.
Did I mention that he’s a wimp?
We don’t elect wimps in this country. I just hope he wins in NC tomorrow but I’m getting a bad, bad feeling. From far and wide pundits are saying that Hillary must win Indiana and “come close” in NC. That’s the bar.
If she wins, well, she may be a lot of things, but she isn’t a wimp.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 3:29 PM
I dont want to be mean-spirited, but that video of Michelle Obama telling Meredith whats-her-name that the discussion over “Rev” Wright isnt helping HER kids was the worst thing of all. This woman is the most narcistic, elitist, snobbish and unintelligent first-lady-wannabe of all time.
And considering Teresa Heinz and Hillary…that is saying something.
Think about it. Her entire adult life, she has not been proud of the United States of America until Obama started doing well in the primary. What a statement for a first lady to make. I know people have talked about it a lot but if some other first-lady-wannabe had said that….it would be time for toast.
Roger Waters on May 5, 2008 at 3:29 PM
If you really want to be close to power, it is not through the President but through his wife.
RobCon on May 5, 2008 at 3:31 PM
it reminds me of that episode of That 70’s Show where Eric tries to argue with his mom about going to church and cites the fact that his dad doesn’t go either.
Growing up my mother was always the one making us go to church. I guess I just always assumed men aren’t as fanciful about such things (and doing yardwork all weekend doesn’t make us want to get up early Sundays.)
cameo on May 5, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Oprah doesn’t care about anything but dollar bills. If supporting Wright helps her, she’s going to be with him. If Wright hurts Oprah, she’s going to distance herself from him.
Oprah doesn’t really care personally. But she is using this as an opportunity to get free press. I wouldn’t be talking about her if it weren’t for her Wright relationship on this post. That’s what she cares about.
If she’s in the same room as Wright, I guarantee she’ll be all cuddly up with Wright instead of distance. ‘there’s my pastor!’ indeed.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Wright married the Obamas. Like you said:
amerpundit on May 5, 2008 at 3:33 PM
I’ve read her thesis, and I think I’m going to side with you on this one, AP. It looks at characteristics that can be described as “separationist” on one side and “integrationist” on the other, for the “pre-Princeton to Princeton” period of the black alumni, and compares those results with the “Princeton to post-Princeton” Period. She wants to find out what the contributing factors are for black Princeton graduates to “forget” about the “black community”. She tries to find relationships among attitudes of blacks towards the black community by factoring in “Time” either spent with blacks or whites, and “secondary school education” in urban environments prior to Princeton, just to name two. Around page thirty five her data gets away from her; this renders her theory inconclusive, and she admits it. She really doesn’t advocate anything, which is why it would be a mistake to try to peg her, and by extension Barack, to anything. Hitchens is right about one thing however, it is not an easy read. She is very very very repetitive, and constantly undermines the possibility of any conclusion to her paper by the very data she uses. Each bit of info in one sentence is contradicted by the next bit of info in the following sentence without any attempt at a synthesis.
Weight of Glory on May 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Let me point out the obvious. You don’t wrap both arms around a pastor and give him a bid wet kiss when you don’t care for his message. When you’re attending only to keep the wife off your back you don’t join his family, take him as a mentor title your book after one of his sermons, or invite his to speak at your announcement.
TheBigOldDog on May 5, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Dang. Your comment actually cost me a spark of sympathy–for Obama.
RushBaby on May 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
I should also say, in fairness to Mrs. Obama, that all the papers I’ve written were in the field of Theology, and there was a certain “style” that had to be followed. This might be why her paper made me feel like a fish out of water. It may very well be written perfectly for the kind of audience her school associates with. If that is the case, then I will stand corrected about the “readability” of the paper.
Weight of Glory on May 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Actually, momma shipped him back to grandma at age 10.
bnelson44 on May 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
You’re forgetting about Jimmy.
a capella on May 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Pay no attention to that man behind the pulpit.
bloggless on May 5, 2008 at 3:47 PM
They joined in 1988. Wright went to visit Kaddafi in what, 1985? With Louie Farrakhan? That’s about all I need to know. (”Farrakhan” passes the Word spellchecker, BTW).
Akzed on May 5, 2008 at 3:48 PM
I expect Michelle and Barry both learned their anger at Wright’s feet and before. The relevance of Michelle’s thesis is the very high degree to which it seems to fit her current attitude and the attitudes of people she is surrounded by. You don’t tolerate people like Wright unless you share something important with them.
Contrary to the media picture of Barry O’s “program” if elected as being very fuzzy, I think he has made it abundantly clear through his associations, evasions and non-work (”here” votes) where he wants the country to go, and he intends to lead it there.
Harry Schell on May 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Ha! I said the same thing a couple of days ago here at HotAir. Does that make Hitchens and me sexist atheist conservatives?
thuja on May 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Yep.
baldilocks on May 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
And yet, despite the fact that her senior thesis was poorly written and made little sense, she still somehow managed to graduate with honors from Princeton.
What’s wrong with this picture?
AZCoyote on May 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Hold on a minute! Mrs. Obama is FROM Chicago! This “church” is FAMOUS in Chicago, and large! The Obamas met at the same law firm, sure, but that doesn’t mean she was not one of the THOUSANDS of parishioners before they met.
This church was/is a magnet for upwardly mobile black professionals. Mrs. Obama was not exactly cleaning dishes before she met Barack.
Agrippa2k on May 5, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Just as we shouldn’t take anyone’s college thesis too seriously, we shouldn’t take Obama’s reason for joining as his reason for staying. It’s ancient history also. Since I think we can make strong case for Obama not being president without Wright or Ayers, we can be honest. I feel safe in saying that Wright’s ideology does not fit with Obama’s sales pitch and I don’t think Obama is overly dishonest. So we do have to consider what forces may prompted him to stay at Trinity. Obama seems much less the true religious believer than his wife. Usually, the person in a couple with stronger feelings makes the decision.
thuja on May 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Was there ever a doubt who wears the pants in that family? She spews pretty much the same garbage as Wright about America but in a less bombastic manner.
libhater on May 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
The leitmotif of Obama’s adult life has been his effort to distance himself from his earlier life as a comfortable middle class kid, raised by older white parents, in which his grandmother was a bank VP and he attended an elite prep school.
It is hard to imagine two more dissimilar upbringings than upper middle class Hawaii and urban south Chicago, unless you can imagine being raised in an igloo or by wolves.
In the case of Obama, this presents a bit of a dilemma if you’re politically ambitious. What part of Obama’s personal narrative or history could he use to build his constituency? The obvious answer is his race.
While he appears not to have much street cred, by attending Trinity he had de facto standing among the disenfranchised.
Moreover, simply reading the nonsense of the scribing squibs Ayers and Dohrn, their embrace of everything black and radical is apparent. In their case, perhaps they indeed never did go back.
Obama’s presence as an emerging political figure made him a natural comrade in the struggle against the man. After all, it is worthwhile noting that both Dohrn and Ayers suffered from a similar sort of cognitive dissonence in that they were also the highly educated and wealthy offspring of “the man.” You can find an easy intellectual work around if you embrace identity politics.
As much as I admire Hitchen’s scalpel, I think we can simply take Obama at his word and know that he sought out the more radical fringe as a way of re-establishing his identity from Barry to Barack.
moxie_neanderthal on May 5, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Why is everyone dancing around the real issue? Oprah left because she knew her money, and power , was coming from a mainly white audience. If word got out that she was hanging around with loony Rev. Wright,her career would have ended before it even started.
She had a choice between money and power, and Rev. Wright. She choose the former.
RMR on May 5, 2008 at 4:10 PM
[Agrippa2k on May 5, 2008 at 3:58 PM]
Nice point. I hadn’t thought about that. Is Barack’s putting out the meme that he first met her at the office that’s really a cover for his seeing her too infrequently at the church to get her to notice him so he finagles a job at her office just so he would a have betamale-like reason to see her often enough that he could pester her into dating him?
Dusty on May 5, 2008 at 4:22 PM
I guess I read some other thesis…you know the one that wondered if every white was looking at her blackness first, typical victim mentality that has not changed.
I guess if you treat her kind of “blacks” with respect, they get upset, and when you ignore them they get upset, seems like nothing is ever in balance. I guess Oprah is the only one that is accepted…
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 4:23 PM
And regarding the above quote, that is what affirmative action creates…always the sub plot, are they here or there because they deserve it,or because we are forced to have them. Welcome to the liberal world you help create.
right2bright on May 5, 2008 at 4:24 PM
AP,
Thanks for the PW link as always. Here’s another one, where Rev. Wright claims Oprah left because she didn’t want to tithe.
Karl on May 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM
I don’t think it is lame at all to consider Michelle’s college thesis, in fact I think the opposite.
It shows exactly what was forefront on her mind then and my belief is on her mind now. I know I can be wrong in prejudging looks, but she looks like a black militant–yes, how racist of me. But I do feel she carrries a lot of weight in that family and do believe Obama followed her there and possibly elsewhere looking for racism.
Conservatives R Us on May 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM
It doesn’t matter how or why he joined. It only matters that he attended twenty years.
dogsoldier on May 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Well, I was trying to, anyway. But even when he ran he wasn’t nearly as wimpy as Obama is. He was in the navy and nuclear submarines and all. Didn’t seem like he’d wind up being scared of rabbits till later.
Typhoon on May 5, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Hm, true enough in my case. But her thesis was one of a subjective, experience-based topic…I think it can be given more weight subsequently then a random intellectual exercise.
Aye.
Yep. I think Hitch is in error as to cause and effect, but I suggest if we don’t think of it linearly, but rather as a compilation, it makes me wonder his mentor (or whatever titled he is religated to by BO now) and his spouse, chosen, agree on aggrievement, it’s a difficult hurdle to jump to conclude he is of a completely different mind himself.
Spirit of 1776 on May 5, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Well said. He needed to establish street cred among the disenfranchised. Yeah, that’s leading real change.
HotJavaJack on May 5, 2008 at 4:47 PM
The thought of this hag representing the United States of American makes me sick.
EJDolbow on May 5, 2008 at 4:48 PM
I’ve thought that all along and appreciate the substantiation. It would be simple enough to get a parody shot of Michelle featuring the do anything for money and public exposure Omarosa. Setting the domestic aside momentarily, take note of Obama’s ties with the FARC in Columbia.
Check out Gateway Pundit: “Interpol Confirms Authenticity Of Raul Reyes’s Computer Files”
and follow Gateway Pundit’s link to
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A FARC Fan’s Notes
March 25, 2008; Page A22
THIS news did NOT come from Hillary, but from the INTERPOL.
maverick muse on May 5, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Typhoon, how I wish that was true. Seems that Congress is full to the brim with wimps.
kirkill on May 5, 2008 at 5:06 PM
When news first hit regarding Michelle’s treatise, a portion was quoted regarding her scientific survey (not scientific, just being sarcastic) of alumni. She sent out several hundred return postage copies of her survey to black Princeton graduates. Only a small fraction of those black graduates responded. Rather than making her conclusions about those who responded, she incorrectly applied her assumptions to ALL BLACK PRINCETON ALUMNI, her assumptions were not based upon anything more factual than her own prejudicial manipulation of data for her desired result to seem feasibly founded on science. She’s a hack.
She also stated that if BHO wins, she will NOT inhabit the “White House” but will remain with her daughters in Chicago. BHO professes his absolute reliance upon Michelle. Another CHANGE to expect will be a “second presidential home” for BHO and Michelle in Chicago?
maverick muse on May 5, 2008 at 5:09 PM
If Bama Boy is elected POTUS, how long after he’s out of office do you think that Michelle will imitate Billy Jeff’s wife? Huh?
ich dien on May 5, 2008 at 5:09 PM
I like Hitchens, and not just because he’s a fellow atheist and ex-pat Brit. But I have to disagree with him here. Hitch seems convinced that Obama can’t possibly agree with Wright’s ravings. Why? Because Obama flashes his smiles and makes his pretty, sugary speeches? I’m disappointed with Hitch, who is usually more cynical and street-wise than this. Even he has allowed himself to be seduced by that old Obamagic.
Was Michelle also responsible for her husband’s association with William Ayers? And one must also wonder why Obama chose Michelle (my belle) as his wife in the first place. Was it a shotgun marriage? I don’t think so.
Her views mirror those of Wright, and she has obviously held these views for her entire adult life, during which time she was never proud of America… until this year.
infidel65 on May 5, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I’m still waiting on either one of the Obama’s to denounce THAT CHURCH and vow never to return. Still waiting…waiting…*crickets*
SouthernGent on May 5, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Sounds like Hitch believed in the “rapture,” so now he blames Michelle when his dreams are dashed. Barack is simply a far better actor (and calculating cynic) who knew exactly what he was doing 20 years ago. Michelle and Wright are just playing themselves in this political drama.
I would have expected Hitch not to be pulled in by the hype. Is he in need of a secular savior?
Nichevo on May 5, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Better yet let’s refresh:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZtBBgn0I34E
My son was in a kiddle bowling league at four-years-old and broke a hundred a couple times and averaged in the sixties without bumpers. He was one of the better kids but certainly not the best. A bit above average.
So it is absolutely cringe making to see a grown
mangirly man roll a 38 on national television. And if you’re such a wuss at bowling — and running for freakin’ president — why subject yourself to the humiliation?I mean, talk about poor judgement.
miles on May 5, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Dang, that sounds just like Barry’s attempts to explain away his crazy uncle Jeremiah, his relationship with Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorhn, and Bittergate.
Buy Danish on May 5, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Racist.
The Race Card on May 5, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Heh. True dat!
Weight of Glory on May 5, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Barry was pimping for “cred” and an avenue to power.
Trinity provided both.
Michelle is just the extra whip.
And I don’t mean Cool.
profitsbeard on May 5, 2008 at 8:15 PM
I had a dream!
B. Obama will step down, quit his candidacy, before Denver. It will have to do with Michelle Obama. Don’t know exactly why yet, but she will be the driving force for him to step away from this election. She can not handle all of this ‘meanness’ and her kids cant handle it…etc.
She simply can NOT understand, nor can Barry, that 70% of the country doesn’t think like they do. They were/are shocked.
After 2 decades of being surrounded by lefty loon moonbats, they truly thought we ALL thought that way, the Wright way. Ayers, Rezko, Wright…more to come
Watch.
shooter on May 5, 2008 at 10:11 PM
He’s gonna lose because of her…..she’ll dump him after the election and he’ll take up with one of these white chick dem “consultants” that keep praising him on the news shows.
Hee Hee
LtE126 on May 6, 2008 at 7:19 AM
Forgive me, please. Someone called Obama a wimp up above, and it triggered a memory of a song lyric:
“He’s a wimp,
She’s a shrew.”
One of the most offensive, non-politically correct songs from the past master of offense, Frank Zappa. The song is about a black man pretending to be white, called “You Are What You Is” and it is quite funny.
Doug on May 6, 2008 at 12:07 PM
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