Jeremiah Wright is back in the news again.

The former pastor of President Obama made headlines back in 2008, when inflammatory remarks he'd made in his sermons about racism and September 11th were uncovered by the media. Mr. Obama already had distanced himself from Rev. Wright at that point, but some worried that the pastor's topics had influenced the future president's outlook.

Despite those concerns, Barack Obama won the presidency and Jeremiah Wright faded back into the woodwork.

Until now.

The New York Times has revealed a $10 million Republican proposal to launch a series of attack ads reminding voters of the Obama-Wright connection.

And so this week, we're asking our political bloggers this question: Does Jeremiah Wright matter in the upcoming election?

They'll be giving us their answers all week long. In the meantime, though, what do you think?

I don’t recall a presidential announcement to proclaim support of straight marriage. I don’t recall waking up one morning declaring I am straight. Why are we still talking of marriage equality in 2012? Please don’t talk to me about the sanctity of marriage. The likes of John Edwards, Larry Craig, Mark Sanford, Mark Souder, and Tim Mahoney have already made a mockery of marriage vows. Don't talk to me about homosexuality being a sin. I have seen firsthand the worst iteration of this mentality. Have we not yet determined that all citizens of the United States deserve the same rights? Keep in mind that I am in an interracial marriage, one that my state did not see as legal until 1976 when the Supreme Court forced it to. As a North Carolinian, the gay marriage wound is raw for me. It shall be interesting to see how Obama's recent support of gay marriage turns the election in my state, one that he narrowly won in 2008.

Gay marriage is a hot button issue this 2012 election year ... or is it?  An ABC News poll in March of 2011 showed a majority of Americans support gay marriage. But when asked in a political context, as they were after President Barack Obama's recent announcement in support of same-sex marriage, Americans appear to divide up along party lines -- as if they think their party expects a certain answer from them.

I'm in favor of marriage equality, which might not be the answer my party expects. For many reasons, but mostly because of my general aversion to bedroom politics. I'm also concerned about the inherent discrimination a ban on gay marriage represents.

Last week, Vice President Joe Biden accidentally moved up the timeline for Obama to address the gay marriage issue by publicly declaring his personal support of it. “Open mouth, insert foot,” seems to be Biden’s M.O., so it’s a wonder the White House ever lets him go off script.  

The milk being spilt, President Obama decided to make known his opinion on gay marriage. The day after North Carolinians voted in favor of Amendment One to define marriage in the state constitution as a union between one man and one woman, Obama said that he personally supports gay marriage. Then he repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

Just kidding.

President Obama's announcement in support of marriage equality last week was a brave and courageous one. One that demonstrated the President's support for gay and lesbian Americans who unfortunately aren't guaranteed the same fundamental rights that the rest of their American neighbors are entitled to.  

But even though President Obama’s support of same-sex marriage was a step in the right direction towards marriage equality, I don’t think his announcement will help him win or lose the election this November. Although marriage equality is an important issue, the segment of the population that considers this issue a game changer would have never voted for Romney anyway. Issues that will decide this election include those that relate to the economy, health care, and immigration.

Not gay rights.  

Last week, President Obama conveniently "evolved" enough to come out for gay marriage, after a trial balloon was floated by Vice President Biden. President Obama was quick to cash in on his "evolution," immediately sending out a campaign mailer that said he was "asked a direct question and gave a direct answer." In reality, the only question he answered was if he was willing to use people as a fundraising scheme and the answer was a resounding "aww, hell yes."

President Obama does have a "laser-like focus" on one job -- his own.

If the current student loan interest rate is allowed to expire, interest rates on student loans will double to more than 6 percent. I feel the same way about this issue that I do about the payroll tax. Something needs to be done but maybe not with the 2012 election right around the corner!

Both sides need to be aware of how pinched the middle class feels right now and wary because middle class moderates could define these elections.

Back in the days before children, my husband and I squabbled occasionally on whether or not we should help our kids pay for college. I thought it tremendously important that we do so, him not so much. It’s one of those bridges we agreed to cross when we came to it.

Then we had a kid, looked at our schooling options, and decided to enroll her in private school, despite the economic toll it takes on our family. It’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make for our children, and they’re getting a better education than they would at the local public school.