May 02, 2008
Hamilton To Douglass: Wright Is A Legit Issue
Lee Hamilton, former congressman and co-chairman of the 9/11 Commission, told National Journal Contributing Editor Linda Douglass today that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright matter is fair game for discussion. Hamilton has endorsed Barack Obama.
Q: You know, of course, that this week has not been his best week. That he has been, at least according to the polls, politically damaged by the controversy over Reverend Wright. Couple questions here -- do you think that the controversy is legitimate, and do you think that it's fair?
Hamilton: Well, I think any issue is legitimate that the American people are interested in, and this is a legitimate issue as far as I can see. Now, I do think a distinction has to be made, and the distinction, really, is between what I would call first tier issues and second or third tier issues. Presidents deal with the big issues, the first tier issues -- war, peace, an economy that is prospering or stagnating, health care for all. And those decisions profoundly impact the ordinary lives of Americans. I put them in a class by themselves. There are a lot of other issues that are important. I don't mean in any way to denigrate them, but I think they are less important than these other issues. I think the Reverend Wright controversy is legitimate, but I certainly don't put it in the tier one level of issues, which I think most Americans will be focusing on.
Q: What is it about the issue that makes it a legitimate issue?
Hamilton: Well, it makes it a legitimate issue because it calls into question Senator Obama's relationship with someone -- his pastor. And his pastor, obviously, has said a lot of things that are offensive to most Americans, so you can legitimately raise the question of judgment about personal relationships. My own personal view is that that aspect has been hugely magnified by people who benefit from raising it, because every single one of us have relationships with people with whom we disagree. It's a very normal thing in human conversations and relationships. So I think it's a legitimate issue. It bothers some people so it should be fully vetted and explored, but I don't put it in the level of the big issues.
Posted at 05:13 PM
Comments
So is
Whitewater
NAFTA
Sniper fire in Bosnia
Interns in the Oval Office
Affiliated superdelegates jumping ship to Obama
Gas Tax poor fix
Unable to bring universal healthcare under Bill' s term.
Go Obama / Edwards 08
Ron | 05.02.08 11:27 PM
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Why schedule primaries in April, May, and june and then say don't have thme because they hurt the party? For the next election why not schedule all primaries on the same date or at least early enough not to get on the nerves of people who are sitting on the side lines doing nothing but complaining about democracy at work. GET REAL! LET EVERY VOICE BE HEARD!!!
VB-FLORIDA | 05.03.08 12:04 PM
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It is hurtful to the Party because of the Republican-like way Hillary has conducted her campaign!
And because after the heat of battle, people need time to heal and unite and forget their bitterness. People will need time for the Healing! Duh!
Angellight | 05.04.08 09:01 AM
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