The big problem w/the Rev story isn't that Obama was once close to him. The big problem is he didn't denounce him soon enough, and now is being forced to denounce him defensively.

And that there are so many issues the Repubs can use from the Rev Wright's very public record, to sow doubt in the minds of general election voters.

People should understand, the Republicans are now betting that Obama is the presumptive nominee for the Democrats. They wouldn't have pulled this stuff out of the closet yet, unless their polling numbers and focus groups told them Obama has the nomination in his pocket.

They waited until the Obama bombs would do the most damage and divide the Dem party down the middle (which it already is along the race and gender lines). This 'news' has the potential to splinter the Dem party enough where they will be in disarray for the general election.

Also, I believe the Republicans behind this smearing going on now aren't McCain's people. This has the stuff of the Republican National Committee written all over it, and the relations between McCain and a lot of the Repub establishment is still kind of shaky. Now McCain probably knew they were gonna drop these Obama bombs. But I really doubt the dirt came from inside his camp.