Obama, today we must be convinced so that we know for sure, not just words, but know for sure, that Rev. Wright does not speak for you.

On September 12, 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy addressed the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in Houston, Texas, and made one of his most important speeches on his way to becoming president. He noted:

But because I am a Catholic, and no Catholic has ever been elected President, the real issues in this campaign have been obscured -- perhaps deliberately, in some quarters less responsible than this. So it is apparently necessary for me to state once again -- not what kind of church I believe in, for that should be important only to me -- but what kind of America I believe in.

I do not speak for my church on public matters; and the church does not speak for me.

President Kennedy's remarks were a success and carried the day.

Today the burden is on Obama.

If he is to be our president, it is incumbent on him to show us what kind of America he believes in, and yes, what kind of America Michelle Obama believes in if somehow in her adult life she truly has never been proud of her country until her husband's recent successes.

And we must know for sure, not just words, but for sure, that his view of America differs from that of Rev. Wright and that Rev. Wright does not speak for Obama and Michelle Obama.

For if this is not the case, then despite all of his considerable political talents and accomplishments, Obama does not deserve my continued support, the support of the American people, and to be president of the United States.
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This post was noted in a 3-18-08 post in the AJC's Political Insider.