What Obama must do now

This Rev. Wright debacle could very well turn into a catastrophic moment for the Obama campaign if Obama doesn't take the reigns quickly. There's a lot riding on how Obama is perceived to pull through this episode.
In my opinion, this has been a slippery slope for Obama from the outset. Obama is smart enough to know 3 principals that are constants in politics and in the Black community: (1) At the end of the day, all you have is your word; (2) people don't forget the favors you do for them, or; (3) the promises you break with them. Atonement for any transgressions will always be paid. Period. With these aphorisms as the backdrop, I submit that the timing is right for Obama to swiftly, deliberately, and completely cut the ties publicly AND privately with Wright. Here's why:

When the media snatched up this opportunity to discredit Obama by questioning his relationship with Wright, Obama had to tread very lightly for fear of backlash from the Black community - which has overwhelmingly proved has his back. I mean, we've all seen the symbolic lynchmob pursuit the conservative media has displayed as it has chased down OUR champions (albeit mortal, imperfect champions). Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Cosby, Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Malcolm X, etc. Obama could not "disown" Wright because Wright was clearly caught off-guard, taken out of context, and being "strung up for the world to see." If Obama turned his back on Wright at that point, this race would have been over already.
Instead, Obama did the right thing, and elevated the focus to a more noble, unifying theme that used Wright's rhetoric as the fodder for a much more serious discussion on race. This approach on March 18th, along with his eloquence, resonated well and discredited those who still held the position that Obama and Wright were philosophically yoked. It was risky, but calculated. The speech hit the mark. Some critics (who don't know how this Black culture works) said that his words weren't strong enough in denouncing Wright, but Black America could discern where Obama stood. Middle America also gave him the benefit of the doubt.

But now, Wright has taken an inconceivable position of suggesting the true target of the attacks from the media were not him but the "Black Church." What is he thinking? First of all, the media has proven over and over again that they don't understand, really don't care, and place little value on the "Black Church." All they've got to go on is a very boisterous, politically-charged, and obviously charismatic preacher who happens to be "the man sittin' next to the man (Obama)." Without Obama, Wright and Trinity Church are meaningless on the national stage. However, Wright became a huge, ugly, hairy, and discolored pimple on the tip of the nose of the otherwise fresh-faced and endearing Obama who has a message of uplifting change and unlocking all that America holds in promise for its people.
Furthermore, this self-assigned martyrdom of Wright for the "Black Church" brings the discussion dangerously close to a discourse on race, and by acclimation makes Obama the Black Candidate. Talking about race definitely needs to occur in America, just not before your most famous parishioner is about to get the Democratic nod. Is Wright's media blitz over these last few days more about self-serving publicity before the media bandwagon totally dis-engages this story? After all, it was almost completely out of the headlines. Until now.

What Obama needs to do now is show some emotion - get angry, get passionate, and show some teeth. There is a critical mass of voters across America (in upcoming primaries and the general election) who will use this moment as their gauge of his fortitude. He can't punk out now. He must come out with a final, clear, harsh, definitive, and absolute statement of total disavowal. It's clear that Wright has no regard for the bigger picture of Obama's candidacy, and his defense of the honor of the Black Church falls flat in juxtaposition to the biggest potential moment in the history of Africans in the western hemisphere. Wright's suggestion that Obama's earlier words of dissociation are disingenuous and politically motivated should be the final straw. Moreover, Obama needs to assemble a coalition of highly respected clergy (multi-racial would be best), who will co-sign the disavowal and go on record that the Black Church stands on it's own, across multiple denominations with no single representative except the Christ.

Then, Obama needs to stop entertaining questions about Wright once and for all. He should clearly spell out that he doesn't have any more ties to Wright, and questions about the relationship have no place in his platform. Reprimand the press on this until they get the message.

And finally, all private ties to Wright must be cut. Because in actuality, there is no more privacy for Obama. If the media gets wind of contact between the two, Obama will definitely be painted as two-faced and dishonest. And you can bet they'll be watching.

Obama has to show the world that he can be clear, decisive, strong, and bold when he needs to be. Turning the other cheek when the Clinton campaign slings mud is one thing, but this whole Wright episode is the real gut check.

Just one man's opinion......