Obama resigns from Trinity (updated)

Barack Obama has resigned his membership in Trinity United Church of Christ in the wake of the Father Michael Pfleger sermon flap.

It's a smart move. Obama needed to demonstrate to America that he understands his candidacy is bigger than this church - bigger than any church. Aside from the silly hijinks we've seen played on YouTube, the characterization of the church and Obama's efforts to explain his relationship to it framed him. It boxed him in. Now he has an opportunity to define himself more broadly and, as a result, to broaden his appeal.

It also shows he will make a cold, political calculations that put the well-being of the cause above the feelings of friends, and I think that broadens his appeal as well.