archives

It looks like Obama has learned from the missteps of Al Gore and John Kerry, who ignored Republican-manufactured smears until it was too late.

On Friday, Obama met with the Chicago Tribune for a 92-minute Q&A session about his relationship with now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko. The Tribune concluded:

When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him.

Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict.

[...] Barack Obama now has spoken about his ties to Tony Rezko in uncommon detail. That's a standard for candor by which other presidential candidates facing serious inquiries now can be judged.

Also on Friday, Obama said he "reject[ed] outright" and "strongly condemn[ed]" imflammatory statements made by the pastor of his church (Huffington Post):

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue. [...]

Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.