Although it was well written, brilliantly delivered, Obama’s speech today on race and his 20 year association with an individual he called a member of his “family, ” the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose anti-American invective he condemned, but did not “disown” was outrageously disingenuous.

Why?  Because the senator lied to the American people.

Obama’s initial statement when this issue surfaced was, “The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation.”

Today he said, “Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy?  Of course I did.  Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.  Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.”

While Obama did the best to extricate himself from his delemma, it is clear that he did not join the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for any other reason than to support its philosophy of black nationalism and to get the black vote.

He knew what he was doing and was dishonest with the people with his intent.

His attempt to stem the tide of this criticism was a good one, but one that will not past the litmus test of the sophisticated voter.

Obama tried valiantly to surround his message in the history of race in this country, pointing out how we must address it in order to move forward.

He also cited his white Grandmother who he said loves him, but how he was not going to disown her any more than the Rev. Wright because she made some comments about blacks that made him “cringe”

But you see Senator Obama you lied to ‘we the people’ when you said you never heard Rev. Wright make such “incendiary language” when you were sitting in the pews, yet today you admitted to hearing such language.  What are we to believe, with respect to your past comments, your present comments or your future comments?

What is it that we are to believe with respect to Iraq, the economy, healthcare, taxes, immigration, foreign policy, and all the other problems the common people have to deal with when you can not be truthful with us as to the 20-year relationship you have had with the Trinity Church and your pastor Rev. Wright, yet deny — then admit — that you have heard these anti-American invectives?

What are we to believe when your wife Michelle, says she has never been proud to be an American until now, because you are running for President of the United States?

Is this the influence of black nationalism fostered by the pastor that helped you to find Christ, married you and baptized your children?

If you truly do not believe in these philosophies, why didn’t you disassociate yourself with the Church?

No, this wouldn’t be politically expedient for your campaign — you would have created a disconnect with the black vote.

Today you were handed a bowl of lemons and you tried to make lemonade, but I’m afraid a number of us came away with a sour taste.