The Politics of Obama's Speech on Race in America

Posted by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report at 5:06 AM on March 19, 2008.

Following up on my earlier analysis of the address, I've seen a few suggestions this afternoon that the downside of Barack Obama's speech on race today in Philadelphia, which emerged before he even uttered a word, is that Obama was putting race front and center, once again. Instead of moving on to other subjects, the argument goes, and pushing the Rev. Jeremiah Wright off the front page, Obama kept the focus where he doesn't want it. Indeed, watching the address, one got the impression at times that the senator would have preferred if he were talking about something else.

While I understand the argument, I'm still inclined to think the speech served a valuable political purpose, which, barring widespread media malpractice, will ultimately help Obama's chances.

First, I suspect if Obama tried to change the subject without addressing Wright questions in more detail, it wouldn't have worked. The "controversy" still had legs, and the powers that be still wanted to hear Obama answer their questions in more depth. Yes, the speech guaranteed a new round of coverage, but as more a coda than an intro.

Second, as Jonathan Chait noted today, Obama's speech went a long way towards moving past Wright and Ferraro, and preventing the campaign from being "defined by racial tiffs."

Obama did a couple things toward that end. The first was to discuss white and black racial grievance in a sophisticated way. This was the answer to critics who say he thinks he can transcend race, or wipe away the sins of racism merely through becoming president. You can't accuse him of simply trying to float above racial issues.

Secondly, he give himself a pivot to define the racialized discourse as something he wants to rise above. He's willing to discuss race on his terms -- in subtle and sophisticated ways. He refuses to engage in a daily tit-for-tat about Wright, Ferraro, the race card, and all the rest. [...]

That's the message of the speech going forward: I just spoke at length and in depth about race, but from now on my campaign is not going to be about race. That's where I think he's going to go with this.

Agreed. In fact, there are already indications that Obama is ready, to borrow a phrase, turn the page.

This press release hit my inbox about an hour ago:

Chicago, IL- Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, five years after the Iraq war began, Senator Barack Obama will deliver a major speech on the war in Iraq and our national security in Fayetteville, NC. Senator Obama will discuss how ending the war in Iraq is necessary for the United States to meet the national security challenges of the 21st century, and to advance American interests throughout the world.

On Thursday, March 20, 2008, Senator Barack Obama will deliver a major speech on Iraq and the economy in Charleston, West Virginia, where he will address the costs of the war in Iraq on our economy.

Even in this morning's speech, Obama hinted that this shift was coming. He said, "We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism.... but if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.... Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, 'Not this time.'"

In retrospect, Obama almost seemed to be saying, "Yes, this discussion on race is important, and yes, reasonable questions deserve answers. But anyone who thinks I'm going to keep this as the centerpiece of the campaign is crazy."

Post Script: One last thought. Anyone who still believes Obama is a Muslim, after all of this, probably needs some kind of medication.

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Tagged as: religion, race, obama, conservatives, african americans, wright

Steve Benen is a freelance writer/researcher and creator of The Carpetbagger Report. In addition, he is the lead editor of Salon.com's Blog Report, and has been a contributor to Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, Crooks & Liars, The American Prospect, and the Guardian.