To your point about Obama's eventual parting of ways with Wright, that was an uncomfortable situation that I agree looked bad for Barack. Immediately after the YouTube frenzy over the big bad sermon, Barack tried to downplay the whole thing by comparing Wright to the sort of crazy uncle that every family has. And indeed, when he later made the break complete, it seemed like the politics of convenience because it was.Wright was an important person in Obama's circle, but he was also an embarrassment, so there was really no way that could ever have ended well. It seems to me that Obama put off an uncomfortable situation until it was no longer avoidable. (a trait it could be argued he still displays) I don't know what a perfect handling of this situation would have looked like. If I ever run for office, which will never happen, there are people in my circle who might make me look bad by association - I know a handful of radicals who mean business, at least one of whom is in jail - we're all linked to some highly interesting people. Heck, look at this very community we are having this conversation in right now!
