Let me just start by saying that I believe in the Obama campaign.  I think that he can bring people in to this process who would never have been interested before - I have seen it happen.  I am a law student, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin.  Many individuals I know from college, people who I NEVER thought would care about politics or a specific campaign have surprised me.  They have taken a stake in Barack Obama campaign, donated, volunteered, canvassed and voted.  
    I think that we are facing an issue that could derail all of this.  The Rev. Wright sermons scare me for two reasons.  First, if this is a narrative with legs, if it is one that cannot be adequately addressed, I think there will be serious problems for the candidate that many of us here believe in.  Wright's sermons are the essence of what turns off white Americans from a black politician - resentment.  No matter how true it may be that racism is alive, that race is the defining factor of one's life, the fact is white Americans in general do NOT want to hear it.  They want to believe that the country has made progress - that race is fading, that Americans are good people in their souls.  This is part of what makes Obama a special politician - he makes us feel that way.  And in doing so, he actually helps racism become a thing of the past - believing that we can move on from racism seems, to me, to be the first step towards actually doing so.
    The words of Rev. Wright blow that all away; they drip of resentment and, sadly, buy in to a lot of the foolish talk that lies below the surface in many minority communities.  The idea that the US Government invented and disseminated HIV/AIDS is patently ridiculous - I find it scary that Wright, who seems to have such standing in his community, would believe and preach this.  The idea that America "had it coming" on 9/11 is repugnant.  No matter what foreign policy evils America may have committed, we have still been a force for good in the world (until, ugh, W.), and I believe that the next administration will help us return to being a positive force.  If Obama is connected to these virulent notions, his campaign will sink under white distaste for black resentment.  
    The second reason this scares me is that it forces me to be concerned about Obama's judgment.  I find it hard to believe that Barack did not have a clue, at least, about the general tenor and tone of his long time pastor's sermons.  He should have seen this issue coming, and he should have dealt with it more effectively earlier in the campaign.  I find it worrying that he did not address it as he should, that he still had Wright on his campaign.  This, coupled with Michelle Obama's comments over the campaign, make it worryingly easy to build a "black resentment" narrative around the Obama.  I hope and pray that Wright and Rezko are the only landmines along the Senator's path to the White House - but now I am certainly frightened that there are more.  

So, what do we do to fix this?

    What I would like to believe, what I really need to believe to continue supporting Obama, is that he never accepted these types of comments - that he treated them as an unfortunate side of a man who he respected in other areas.  I think we all have friends or relatives who we love, and agree with on many things, but who hold bizarre viewpoints.  We don't divorce them from our lives, or stop associating with them.  We disagree, and we look to issues where we believe the same thing.  I would like to believe that such a relationship existed between Wright and Sen. Obama.  
    Now I don't know if that is an answer that the Senator can give now.  He has stated that he was not aware of the comments his Pastor has made, and he cannot very well recant that.  So, this is what I need to hear.  In order for me to keep believing in Barack, believing that he is good for this country and can win in November, I need more than what he has given so far.  I need him to take the SPECIFIC statements of Rev. Wright and make clear WHY they are wrong.  I need to hear that the idea that HIV/AIDS was spread by the government is patently ridiculous - that it is hurtful and counterproductive to believe such things.  That it is flat out silly.  I need to hear that the murder of 2,974 civilians was not "chickens coming home to roost" - it was a disgusting act of terrorism.  I need to hear Obama say that, while he agrees with Rev. Wright on spiritual issues, believes in the power of the Church and his faith, the political ideology of Wright is anathema to him.  

If I, and America, hear these words I think Obama can tackle this issue and continue on his path to the White House.  Generally "denouncements" and "repudiations" are not going to cut it.  I need arguments about WHY Wright is wrong.  I think that is what it takes to believe Barack.  If he does not handle this properly I think we should thank our lucky stars that we have a back up candidate, despite any animosity or distaste for Hillary.  I hope that we can move on from this, I hope Obama passes this test.  I know that if he does, there is nothing that can stop us in November.