Writing in Slate, liberal/conservative/libertarian/leftist Christopher Hitchens takes a stab at explaining the long-time Sen. Obama connection with Rev. Wright.
It is hardly the most critical issue of the campaign, but it is an interesting insight into what makes Sen. Obama tick. Obama seems pretty genuine in his desire to transcend the politics of race, and he has done a rather impressive job of convincing Americans that he means it. So why would a guy like Obama be hanging out for so many years with someone of Rev. Wright's views?
The Hitchens explanation? It's Michelle Obama who has the thing for black liberation theology and who has a soft spot for sympathizers of Minister Farrakhan. Who knows? -- it's more believable than than the theory that Sen. Obama himself holds these views.
And if it's true, then it might just make Sen. Obama just one of countless American men who go to church at the place where their wives prefer to attend. He might just land the working-class white male vote, after all.
As always, Hitchens engages in his provocative speculations in a way that only Hitchens can.
