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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 2, 2008

Focus on real issues, not the Rev. Wright

As the Democratic presidential campaign nears its climactic finale, it's time to focus on the critical issues and sweep away the distractions.

The first distraction to go should be the controversy over comments by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

His most recent comments — racially charged, ill-informed and vitriolic — were an exercise in self-promotion that did little to advance a real discussion of race or an understanding of black churches in America.

That was left to his former parishioner, Barack Obama, who did so last month in a thoughtful speech in Philadelphia. Then, Obama was conciliatory; now, he has rightly denounced Wright and severed their relationship.

No doubt he wants voters to recognize that his public positions and record have little in common with Wright's extreme views.

Besides, there are more important issues to consider:

  • Soaring gas prices: John McCain and Hillary Clinton support suspending the 18.4-cent federal gas tax for three months during the summer season. Obama calls it a campaign gimmick, saving individuals a half-tank of gas while diverting billions of dollars from road and bridge repairs.

  • The healthcare crisis: McCain wants to provide families with a $5,000 tax credit so they could buy health insurance on the open market. Clinton and Obama would use government mandates to expand employer-based plans and launch a public program.

  • The war on terror: Clinton and Obama would pull out of Iraq to concentrate on al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where it is gaining strength. McCain sees no reason to leave Iraq, which is costing $12 billion a month.

    The candidates are also dueling on the mortgage crisis, energy policies, free-trade agreements, and yes, the racial divide in America. All of which are more relevant than the pointless Wright/Obama furor. It's time to move on.