You might want to quote Obama’s spokeswoman correctly too. Nowhere does it say that Obama finds the statue “provocative”, that he has an opinion about it, or that he has even seen it. Here’s what she said:

“While we respect First Amendment rights and don’t think the artist was trying to be offensive, Senator Obama, as a rule, isn’t a fan of art that offends religious sensibilities,” said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

That’s a very diplomatic thing to say about someone who’s just made an unflattering statue of your boss.

So what’s this “absolve” thing that’s supposed to be so profound as to warrant the AP’s attentions? “Absolve” means “to pronounce clear of guilt or blame or to relieve of a requirement or obligation.”

http://www.bartleby.com/61/75/A0027500.html

Is that what Obama is about? Is that his voting record? No. He voted against the Military Commissions Act and supports the Geneva convention. Those are the positions of someone who wants America to stand up for its obligation to freedom and justice, not someone who is looking for excuses for continued unacceptable behavior.

This story makes about as much political sense as the stories about his middle name. Probably came from the same place too.