Obama Attempts Damage Control, Fallout Over Pastor’s Sermons Unclear
Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting Saturday in Plainfield, Ind., where he addressed controversial sermons by his former pastor. (AP Photo)
The presidential contenders have all had their share of supporters whose insensitive remarks forced the campaigns to issue disavowals. This week, it was Barack Obama’s turn.
After a series of recorded sermons by Obama’s longtime pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. sparked controversy over Wright’s fiery views on race, America and the Sept. 11 attacks, Obama responded Friday by firmly repudiating Wrights’ views in lengthy written statement and a round of cable news interviews.
On Saturday at a town hall meeting in Plainfield, Ind., Obama broached the matter with the public, saying they’ve probably heard comments “that were incendiary and that I completely reject.”
The question now is whether Obama’s response worked, and whether his connection to Wright will haunt the Democratic senator’s campaign and dampen his presidential hopes.
Rival Hillary Clinton has not yet drawn political attention to the sermons, and deflected questions Saturday.
“Ask the Obama campaign,” she said to inquiries about Wright.
Pollster Doug Schoen said it’s unlikely the Wright issue will play big in the primary, but that it poses trouble down the road.
“In a Democratic primary this issue has limited viability and utility,” he said. “In a general election, however … I think this could be a real serious problem for Barack Obama.”
Obama tried to put Wright’s sermons in perspective Saturday, saying: “It reminds me that we’ve got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country … But what I continue to believe in is this country wants to move beyond these kinds of divisions.”
In an interview Friday with FOX News, Obama said he personally never had heard the pastor’s controversial comments, though he joined his Trinity United Church of Christ nearly 20 years ago. He said the sermons now sparking controversy didn’t resemble the ones he remembers from Wright, which, Obama said, stuck to messages of faith, values and helping people in the community.
But Obama’s pastor long has been a lightning rod for controversy. For starters, Wright’s relationship with Louis Farrakhan, once described by Obama as a “close” relationship, has been of concern to many in the Jewish community.
And once Wright’s remarks were publicized last year, Obama backed out of plans to have Wright speak at his Feb. 10, 2007, presidential announcement.
Author Larry Elder said he doesn’t buy Obama’s new, firmer denunciation of Wright.
“How can Barack Obama dis-invite him … and now claim he had no idea that Jeremiah Wright made all these incendiary comments? It doesn’t work,” Elder told FOX News.
There’s too many variables on the campaign trail to measure the direct impact on his poll numbers, but pollster Scott Rasmussen pointed out that Saturday’s Rasmussen daily tracking poll showed Obama nearly tied with Hillary Clinton.
“That’s a big drop from Obama’s 8-point lead a day before,” Rasmussen said.
Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for President Bush, suggested that the controversy and the timing of Obama’s disavowal show him to be little more than a shrewd politician.
“I think there’s a reason Republicans I talk to are increasingly looking forward to running against Barack Obama,” Fleischer said.
Wright, who presided over Trinity’s congregation until his retirement earlier this year, officiated Obama’s wedding to Michelle and baptized their two daughters. In Obama’s first book, “Dreams From My Father” from 1995, he writes the pastor had great influence over him in the early 1990s. And it was Wright who delivered a sermon “The Audacity of Hope,” which had such an impact on Obama that he made it the title of his second book, published in 2006. The theme of hope continues to be central to Obama’s surging campaign.
His repudiation of Wright has gradually risen to a crescendo.
Three weeks ago, Obama spoke to the Cleveland Jewish Community Leaders group and was asked about Wright. Obama noted the pastor occasionally was known to “say controversial things,” adding most of those controversial statements were “directed at the African American community.”
Obama assured the Ohio Jewish leaders he never heard anything anti-Semitic, and said “he is like an old uncle who sometimes will say things that I don’t agree with.”
Obama’s camp released a somewhat stronger statement Thursday after FOX News had reported more on Wright’s sermons — in one, he repeatedly said “God damn America,” while in others he blamed the United States for the spread of HIV and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and highlighted what he saw as a racial divide between Obama and Hillary Clinton.
“Senator Obama has said before that he profoundly disagrees with some of the statements and positions of Rev. Wright, who has preached his last sermon as pastor at the church,” Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said. “Senator Obama deplores divisive statements whether they come from his supporters, the supporters of his opponent, talk radio, or anywhere else.”
Then Friday, Obama issued the written statement calling what he’s heard from Wright “inflammatory and appalling.”
Later Friday, Obama told FOX News that he could no longer lay low as he heard more of Wright’s remarks.
“Once I saw them I had to be very clear about the fact that these are not statements that I am comfortable with,” Obama said. “I reject them completely - they are not ones that reflect my values or my ideals or Michelle’s.”
Democratic strategist Tanya Acker said Friday that Obama has nothing to be sorry for, and his campaign is in the clear.
“There’s no basis for attributing those statements to Barack Obama,” she told FOX News. “We don’t play guilt by association here, and it’s not fair.”
Throughout the campaign, candidates seemingly on a weekly basis have had to respond to, denounce and sometimes fire supporters who made offensive comments. Obama’s foreign policy adviser Samantha Power left the campaign after calling Clinton a “monster” in an interview with a Scottish newspaper. Clinton fundraiser Geraldine Ferraro left the campaign’s finance committee after saying much of the attention being paid to Obama’s campaign was because he is black.
And earlier this month, Republican candidate John McCain distanced himself from Iowa Rep. Steve King after King said terrorists would be “dancing in the streets” if Obama were elected.
Obama said Friday the pastor has never been active in his campaign and that he is no longer on his African American Religious Leadership Committee. The campaign said Wright left that unpaid post Friday, without elaborating.
Obama said Friday that with Wright retiring from the pulpit, he doesn’t see an issue with his family remaining in the congregation. Wright delivered his final sermon last month and retired as leader of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
FOX News’ Jeff Goldblatt and Bonney Kapp contributed to this report.
It’s to late for damage control. Obama should have bailed out of this Racist Church years ago. But, he didn’t because it is my opinion, and that of many Americans. that he agrees with the treasonous statements against America and hate towards whites.
Obama is a racist hatemonger
This now a mere attempt to destroy OBAMA. OBAMA has consistently maintained that he does not share some views of Minister Wright and Hilary Clinton Campaign with the aid of the media wants the issue to remain in the public domain. People now see OBAMA as a victim and voters will rally around OBAMA. OBAMA is honest, transparent, and trustworthy; he has the character to be president and the Clinton Machine, the media, and the Right Wingers want to stop him. OBAMA will prevail since he is anointed by GOD.
The media continues to be timid in asking and demanding that Sen. Clinton release her tax returns, White House Records, List of Contributors to the Clinton Presidential Library, and her earmark requests since she became a senator.
Bringit on
It’s hard to believe that the “pastor ” had no affect. You need to find someone who can show Obama present in the congregation during a rampage…..
I agree - there is no way that Obama didn;t know that Wright held these beliefs. Does he think we are that gullible?
He had a twenty year relationship - he was his mentor. Michelle Obama’s comments about her lack of pride in USA is a lot more understandable now!
NO ONE Stays at a church that does not agree with their pastors beliefs.
Good luck to you if you vote for Obama.
The terrible comments that Obama’s pastor has made about the United States is atrocious. Obama had to be fully aware of these treasonis comments as he has been associated with the pastor for over 20 years. No one else in any of the other campaigns have made horrible remarks about their own country. Obama also does not put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, does not wear a US flag lapel pin, and his wife was never proud of the US until now. When are the Democrats (Kennedy, Kerry, Poloci, Daschle, and others who are supporting Obama) going to see Obama for what he really is and stop supporting him. He carries a lot of baggage that would harm the Democrats chances in November.
Looks like The Audacity of hate birthed The Audacity of Hope.
Someone is not being truthful to the American people.
It just doesn’t add up. The truth has a way of sneking out.
Obama’s Campaign is about change. It is about change because he wants to improve many of the dynamics in this country, including the racial divide. Many African Americans hold similar views to Wright but many African Americans have also moved past these divisions. Obviously these views are inflammatory and can be considered divisive but every racial group in this country has some feelings of division. Sen. Obama hopes to serve as a bridge to help change these discordant views and bring the country into being a more unified entity. Barack Obama is half black and half white. Certainly having been raised by his white mother from Kansas and growing up in America being viewed as a black man, Sen. Obama has had the opportunity to view intently the highs and lows of race in America. Obama has made it clear that he loves this country and does not subscribe to anyone black, white, or brown disparaging America. He has seen these divisions and hopes to move on from them. As every standing contestant in this presidential race knows it is difficult to condemn and denounce any of your supporters and friends for inflammatory statements. Despite this, Senator Barack Obama has elevated himself from these divisions and made it clear that in the America he believes in, there is no place for disunion.
I HOPE PEOPLE WAKE UP AND SEE THIS “CHANGE” THAT BARACK IS TALKING
ABOUT. AS A BLACK FEMALE I DONT EVEN WANT TO VOTE FOR BARACK, I THINK
HE IS TWO FACED AND CATERS TO WHOEVER HE IS SPEAKING TO AT THAT TIME.
BLACK PEOPLE BETTER WAKE UP AND GET A CLUE IF THEY THINK THAT BY
VOTING BARACK IN, THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BE ALL BLACK AND THEN THEY CAN
HOLD THEIR BLACK MILLION MAN MARCH BLAH BLAH BLAH. BLACKS ARE NOT THE
ONLY RACE IN AMERICA. BARACK SPEAKS ON ALL THIS CHANGE BUT CAN
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME “WHAT THIS CHANGE CONSISTS OF?” PEOPLE BETTER
START DRILLING HIM ON TRUE ANSWERS. HE’S RIDING OFF IN THE SUNSET
WITH THIS “CHANGE” SLOGAN AND THEN PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN LATER WHEN
THE ACTUAL CHANGE TAKES PLACE. YOU BETTER FIND OUT WHERE HE PLANS ON
GETTING ALL THIS MONEY TO FIX THE DEFICIT AND BRING THE TROOPS HOME,
AND CREATE JOBS AND FIX THE ECONOMY AND HEALTH CARE BEFORE YOU JUST
RELY ON THIS “CHANGE”. ONCE HE TAKES AWAYS PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED AND
CREATES MORE TAXES TO ACCOMPLISH “THIS CHANGE” I THINK PEOPLE WILL
FEEL STUPID. HILARY HAS MORE DEFINITE PLANS, SHE HAS MORE EXPERIENCE,
SHE’S BLUNT AND TO THE POINT INSTEAD OF CRAZY PROMISES. PLEASE WAKE UP
PEOPLE.
WHERES AL SHARPTON AND THE NAACP NOW TO RALLY AGAINST THESE HORRIBLE
STATEMENTS MADE BY WRIGHT?? ITS FUNNY HOW THESE BLACK LEADERS PLAY GHOST
ONCE THEY RUN OFF AT THE MOUTH AND OFFEND PEOPLE BUT IF ANYONE OF A
DIFFERENT RACE MAKES STATEMENTS THEY WANT AN APOLOGY AND WANT THEM
CRUCIFIED. I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD WANT WRIGHTS CHURCH TO BE SHUT
DOWN. AND I AM BLACK MYSELF AND HIS COMMENTS SOUNDED CRAZY.
I saw the interview. The only thing I can say is Obama is not telling the truth. he lies again.
“Whatever a man believes, that is how he will behave.”
Senator Barak Hussein Obama is a deceiver and it is so sad that so many “American’s” are falling for his eloquent speeches. He is not a true American, He is not a true Christian and he is definitely NOT and will NOT be our Commander-in-Chief.
I pray the truth be known more and more as the days go by.
Robert Britt
Sparks, NV.
USA
Fox News and others with the exposure of what goes on in the church Barack Obama has attended for 20 years provided a glimpse into what seems to be a culture of hatred and racism. There may have been reasons for such behavior a hundred or more years ago, but I and people living today are not responsible for slavery.
Everyone has ancestors who have had it rough, and many whites have ancestors who opposed slavery. There’s no excuse for the vile anti-American sermons we saw preached by “Rev” Wright. And preached in a supposedly “Christian” church that you’d expect would emphasize the “love thy neighbor as theyself” teachings of Jesus Christ rather than the incendiary racist notions of some extremist writers.
Is that what’s happening in most predominantly Black churches today? (I don’t know, I’ve never attended one.)
Though he denies ever hearing such sermons, Barack Obama continues to provide financial support and continues to be a member of the church where those “GD America” sermons took place and were excitedly received by the congregation, Obama’s friends and associates.
Is that hateful racist culture the “change” Obama plans to impose on America?
Or is the “change” Obama refers to the 20 cents back in inefficient bureaucratic handout services we’d get for each additional dollar the Democrats and IRS force us to give to the government?
Obama has been exposed for what he supports. I think it’s time for him to stop working the crowds and swooning the ladies, he has nothing of value to offer America other than entertainment.
Meanwhile, remember 9/1/1 and 3,000 innocents dead on our shores. We’re a nation at war, fighting a ruthless bloodthirsty enemy.
It’s time to get serious about who answers that 3 a.m. telephone call in the White House…
Obama is a liar. What does he think we are ? stupid ! What a lousy excuse.
The Dems should demand that Obama drop out of this race. It was already a three ring circus and now the truth of Obama and the things that influence his life has surfaced.
Wright has spewed Racism and Treason from his Pulpit for years and anyone who has continued to attend that Church year after year can only agree with what they’ve heard. Why else would you continue to attend? It’s certainly to hear the Word of God!!
A Christian Man of God is supposed to be a Disciple of Jesus. I don’t remember seein any “Red Letters” where Jesus preached anything but the Law. And I don’t remember Mathew or Mark making any reference to Jesus “dry humping” anything while he spewed hate referencing that his Race had been “screwed.”
Barack Hussein Obama causes an immediate threat to the United States even as a candidate. He is a charlatan hack politician about whom a good movie could be made. His wife only adds to the incredible chutzpah prevelant in this country today.
All of the candidates ought to appear on the TV show #THE BIG LIE” The one who is found to be the teller of the biggest lie is the winner and spend a night with Silda Spitzer at the Motel 6
of their dhoice.
I find it beyond belief that Barrack Obama could possibly not have had knowledge of his pastor’s horrible comments not only about our country but also our fellow citizens. For a man of his education and political savvy to claim innocence now that the “cat is out of the bag” is over the top. He really must think the American people are fools and one would have to be in order to buy what he is selling. The mainstream media is on his side as they have been during this entire campaign much to their disgrace and shame.
There is a big big difference between Geraldine Ferraro and Rev. Wright. Ferraro has dedicated her life to equal rights for all colors and genders, and she was making an observation of our times. Wright preaches hate, divisiveness and comtempt for anyone not black. Big difference here. Obama is not going to convince me that he didn’t know what this man preached, he’s been doing it for 20 years. You don’t go to the same church for 20 years unless you agree with the man and his message. You find another church.
I guess Obama’s true character, or lack thereof, is finally surfacing. How could such a bright man attend the same church for twenty years and not be aware of his minister’s theology and philosphy? That’s truly absurd!
No posts allowed anymore?
Some of the Rev’s comments were certainly inappropriate for sure. On the other hand, some of the comments were right on the money, with a poor “delivery”. Some of you are to young to remember the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s. Busses from all over the country carried people of all ethnicities, known as “freedom riders” to the deep south to march with MLK. Some of Rev Wright’s comments are reflective of that time. He’s right that Hillary doesn’t understand or know how hard life can be for someone of color growing up in inner cities with great poverty. The chickens comming home to roost is a true statement and I think we all know it!
Back in the day, it was also hard for poor white people to survive and get ahead. Obama can lift people up, provide a positive role model, and lead us all to a better place in life and spirit. Hillary doesn’t begin to understand what has motivated Rev Wright to make comments like these. Obama does!
One day Obama says Wright is his mentor and spiritial advisor and has been for over 20 years and also that out of all the churches availble in Chicago, he and his wife sought out this church…add to that Obama has said Wright was his inspiration for his change message…Now all of the sudden he tries to distance himself ??? Obama has tried to convince us how important his relationship to his church and Pastor has been to “out Christian” other candidates and now this. How stupid does Obama think we are. How disingenuous and deceitful. This should provide some great insights into the true back round and character of this man and what his true thoughts are and demonstrate how he would act in the future.
How can Obama say he never heard any remarks or racial slurs from his pastor, after telling the Jewish community that he was like an old Uncle who said things he didn’t always agree with? Obama has been close to his pastor for over 20 years. The guy married him and his wife and baptised his children. Its bull. Obama is full of hot air … he is a game player like most other politician….he claims to be transparent….but, his transparency is becoming obvious…he is as human and bias as the rest of us and the other candidates….but, I see him as naive, and inexperienced….besides not being ready nor competent to be president, nor a nominee for the presidency….the change Obama talks about is that he can give us a line of bull, that mostly young Americans believe and then be just as hypocritical as the average politician.
VOTE FOR HILLARY. WE NEED A REAL PRESIDENT.
In 2004 Jerry Falwell endorsed President Bush. He had insulted gays, jews, muslims, woman and anyone not of his definition of an American Christian. I receive constant republican emails for McCain from racist; depicting african americans in a negative manor. So white racist comments toward blacks are as obvious and dividing in this campaign as the twist you are trying to make of Rev. Wrights sermons. Stop giving all the racist the attention they want. Help bring this country together with news that embraces and educates us on the importance of being UNITED…….
For over 20 years attending to the church, Obama never attended any sermons similar to what we’ve seen? Think about it, 20 solid years! A spiritual mentor who married Obamas, baptized their children, who guided him along the way. Obama took his words as the title of his second book in 2006 - Audacity of hope. What is in this “hope”? From the sermons he delivered, one should not have problem figuring it out. Now Obama injects this kind of “hope” into our minds, do we need this hope? We always had hope, hadn’t we? With Obama here, it seems that America never had hope till he came. How ironic it sounds!
20 years of hearing his pastors sermons and now after it made “some” of mainstream media he rejects it…? A little to late!
Obama should dropout! He could NEVER win against McCain now!
Remain in the congregation? What for? Does B Obama go to please family members? Go for show? Or, go because he is a believer and follower of Jeremiah Wright’s spiritual hateful messages and teachings?
So, the final question is, “Is Obama a hypocrite within his church or out in his political life?
Much ado about nothing, because seperation and anti-Americanism is clearly not the message of Obama. However, the anti-Obama people are going to have a field day with this. One lesson learned, watch who you rub shoulders with. It could come back to haunt you. It also proves why Obama would be a fool to rub shoulders with the Clintons by either appointing them as Vice President or even becoming a Vice President to them. It could end up in something even worse than this — JAIL TIME.
“In an interview Friday with FOX News, Obama said he personally never had heard the pastor’s controversial comments, though he joined his Trinity United Church of Christ nearly 20 years ago. He said the sermons now sparking controversy didn’t resemble the ones he remembers from Wright, which, Obama said, stuck to messages of faith, values and helping people in the community.”
I find this hard to believe.
I’m sorry but just how many times was Obama in his church in the last 20 years and he never heard a sermon like these? I’ve got to tell you, what we heard from the pulpit in the videos about how horrible white people are is exactly what Michelle Obama was putting forth in her thesis: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/JC04Aa01.html (funny we had to find this in a foreign paper-who owns the media?) How many of this pastor’s sermons did she sit in on and how has that influenced and perpetuated the hate in her heart? And one other question, we are supposed to believe that this man did not voice his opinions about “White America” and everything else when he was mentoring Obama? Yeah. Right.
Mr. Obama said if he had heard Rev. Wright’s radial oritory and agenda, he would have quit the church. He has heard them now, has he quit?
Rev. Wright, his mentor, and Mr. Obama have been a close friends for years; yet Mr. Obama says he was not aware of Rev. Wrights radical agenda. Just an uncle.
What would Rev. Jesse Jackson say if a candidate for office said that he attended KKK meetings for years and was a personal friend of the grand wizard but did not know they had a racist agenda? Just a uncle.
Please.
The person who interviewed Obama for Fox News was a true embarrassment to your organization. He acted like a lawyer taking Obama’s deposition. It was dreadful. Have him watch Andersen Cooper to see how it should be done. This guy, Major whatever, should be fired.
Did the audacity of hate birth the Audacity of Hope?
How can twenty years of hateful counselling not have a impact on the counselee.
Those tapes from Mr. Jeremiah Wright are sickening.
We need to hear the truth.
I’ve seen the video of this pastor. I didn’t think churches were allowed to say the things he was saying for example about Hillary Clinton. I always thought churches lost their tax exemption if they did/said things like that. I’ve been shocked this entire political season at how so many candidates literally take over the podium at some of these churches. There’s been a lot of religious craziness this time around. Huckabee crossed the line to the largest extent.
I was telling my Grandmother last week, that more and more would surface about Obama’s ties with anti-Americans. I don’t agree with Iowa Rep. Steve King on everything, but I do think that he may be right about the terrorists “dancing in the streets” and I wonder if Obama wouldn’t be dancing with them.
You cannot be a member of a church for almost 20 years and not know what is going on or what is being said from the pulpit. To ask Americans to believe that he NEVER personally heard such disgusting remarks is simply asking Americans to step forward and purchase swamp land. And, it certainly confirms his lack of judgment. I have never been so embarrassed to hear what was being preached from the pulpit and to have anyone in God’s house say God Damn America is so low that anyone remotely associated with this type of hatred has lost the right to represent Americans as President. Frankly, Mr. Obama needs to step down, apologize and then work harder as Senator to regain respect. As for me, while I firmly believe we as a society are more than ready to accept a minority or female as President, I firmly believe Mr. Obama is NOT the right minority at this time.
Must be easy news pickings. How can Obama or any other church member control what Wright says. A non news story. Compared to the real sleaze of another Clinton presidency, At least Obama will bring new ideas, staff, policy makers, advisers, trust & ethics we know the Clintons don’t have. They just want the power.
I think Obama is a Joke nobody knows anything about this man accept he is a smooth talker. I think his preacher is going to hurt him in the long run I don’t buy what Obama said that he has never heard a sermon like this from this pastor in the 21 years he has gone to that church. If I had a pastor that was preaching like this I would of got up and left the church right then. I think there is a verse in the Bible that says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. I think that is how it goes I do not think Jesus Christ told us to hate one another this preacher is teaching Hate. So I think Obama does not have a chance if he wins the democratic nominee if he faces McCain in the election like they said in the eights were is the beef….
does anybody in their mind think that “the new pastor” (Wright (maybe wrong) is pastor emeritus and still controls)
will preach anything different??? Wright has been preaching this same garbage for over l5 years. B.O. says this is the first time he heard it????!!!!!!!!1
Tom
No matter how you slice it, those are Pastor Wright’s words not those of Barack Obama.
It is interesting how people are yapping as if the United States has done absolutely no wrong in the world and this global anti-American sentiment comes from out of freak’n nowhere. The American pulse KNOWS it has a world community perception & deed problem.
Here’s some controversial teachings from a pulpit:
___No sex before marriage
___Marriage is until death do you part
___No second marriages, while your first “spouse” still lives
Christians violate these WELL KNOWN teachings on a daily basis, but they don’t stop going to church just because they disagree with those aspects of Christian teachings.
No one else has sat on their own church pew and heard something controversial coming from the pulpit? I find this odd.
Most religious leaders do indeed take the liberty of defying political correctness, even if the members in the congregation do not …whether it’s Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, John Haggie, or Jeremiah Wright.
Thank you and Brian Ross at ABC News for bringing this information to the American people. Sen. Obama has been given a free ride by the news media. The TV reporters and newspaper/magazine writers should apologize to all Americans for failing to earlier investigate Sen. Obama’s past. We know very little about him.
Sen. Obama must explain why he and his wife have listened to this pastor for 20 years. Jeremiah Wright preaches hatred and racism. His attitude is that America is to blame for everything.
I would never listen to a pastor like Jeremiah Wright. Certainly not for 20 years. I would not be married by this pastor or let my children be indoctrinated with such hatred or name my book after one of his sermons. Sen. Obama says he doesn’t have the experience but that he has the judgment to make correct decisions. Please explain to me how having a 20 year relationship with a pastor who preaches racist and anti-America hatred is good judgment?
Black people in the United States over a certain age all live with a specific kind of pain. All find different ways to deal with it. Some ways look prettier than this, and some look worse. To all of the commenters here, ask yourself: how much do you really know about this? Really? How much do you really care to know? That pain is part of America’s history. Standing back and calling Wright’s recorded remarks ‘hate-filled’ is lazy. It’s lazy not because it is incorrect (it isn’t; some of the remarks ARE hate-filled); it’s lazy because it is incomplete. Obama’s statement that he strongly condemns Wright’s comments - but will not repudiate the man himself and the totality of his life’s work - is the honorable path. It is also the path that, as is usually the case with Obama, takes the risk of actually trusting the American people to be understanding instead of trying to corral them into believing some particular thing.
There was never any getting around the fact that, to consider Obama for president, America as a whole was going to have to have this encounter, at least peripherally, with the anger that is a real part of the black American experience. Obama, being a man of character, will not attempt to extirpate that aspect of the black experience from reality, because it is reality, and a bigger part of it than many care to admit . There is no ‘transcending race’ without first understanding the real history of race and its social fallout, just as there can be no real hope without a firm grip on reality. Obama has told us clearly, in detailed terms and in great specificity, what he believes. The way America comes to grips with the Pastor Wrights of this country during the course of the campaign will say a lot, but it will say more about America than about Obama.
I recall some pretty infamatory remarks recently by Michele Obama who has never been proud of America until her husband was running for president? She was echoing Wright! I don’t buy the Barack comments about not knowing Wright is an America hating preacher. He has been on TV over the past sevral years and the Obama’s have been around him for twenty years? I recall Barack calling him a great spirtual influence? Did Wright preach two different sermons each Sunday? I don’t buy the Obama reasoning on this. Barack the truth will set you free!
Either Barack is lying about his personal knowledge of Wright and is trying to distance himself for his presidential run or Barack is out of touch with with reality. I do not believe he could have been around such a caustic jerk and not know what he preaches or belives. Either way I would never vote for Barack or any other person running for president that hang with America hating KOOKS!
I bet OAAMA WILL GO AND SIT RITGH BY PASTOR WRIGHT ON EASTER SUNDAY!! OBAMA IS A FAKE AND HE LOVES THAT CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama should be held responsible, If McCain had been sitting up listening to someone speak the same about blacks and the country, or listening to a white racist (and that is all this pastor is) it would show content of charcter of the person hearing it. AND I WOULD WANT TO KNOW!
Wright obviously hates America and there is no doubt in my mind that he and Obama are on a “Black Power” kick, All of this remins me of the 1960’s when the name of the game was Black
Power. We now have the same thing, only on a much larger scale. I remember when National Guard Armories, Army armories, R.O.T.C facilities, etc,. were looted and weapons galore stolen. Some of thos weapons were crew served and I wonder where they have been stashed all of these years. Are the Black Power advocates waiting for that big day when they see Obama
sworn in as president. Wake up America - we are confronted with a very serious and dangerous situation. As for Wright….and God Damn America. How about a bucket of tar and a load of feathers.
It is a shame that someone of the church is filled with so much hate. He preaches hate toward the U.S. and White people (”European Americans”). If my church/preacher had substituted the work Black with White then there would be an outcry from the media, but if you are Black(african-American), then all is forgiven for fear of the all powerful race card and the constant “poor-us…we are so oppressed. I grew up and went to school in a 50/50 Black/white community and black& white had the SAME opportunities. I find it astonishing when being black…you can have black colleges, Black entertainment television, black history month, a quota system for jobs etc…when if there were White entertainment television or White colleges or European American college funds…it would be racist. Wake up America!! It would be nice if we could all be Americans again without the division of where our ancestors originated prior to coming to the U.S. Get a job based on merit and not the color of your skin. Back to Obamas’ preacher…it is apparent he has European blood mixed with his African ancestors, so why does he hate White people? If you are White then you cant voice your opinion….Black is the way to be in society today…I am white and I wish I could clain to be black as Obama does…even though he is 50% white or “European American”
Obama finally got caught with his hand in the cookie jar , He is not the little quire boy everybody thought he was . You are not goung to tell me that in 20 years Obama did not hear any of those anti-american or racial remarks that the rev. said. I bet if if somebody did some research they would find out that he did hear some of the remarks.
MARION IN KAMUELA HAWAII
No gilt by association, really? Isn’t that what the Dems and the media did to Rommney? I have been to many Mormam meeting and have never heard such hateful words coming from any of their leaders mouths.
Oh, please,
“If Obama is lying and covering NOW, is it only going to get WORSE after he’s President?
This is the same tactics that President Bush pulled, and is pulling as we speak.
I don’t see CHANGE, I See a REPEAT…even MORE Cunning and DANGEROUS than Bush, as Obama is a CHARMER.
I Hope the Young voting Americans Wake up soon from this trance and SMELL THE COFFEE.” guy from the Internet wrote this, but I agree with him!
T. Barr
Scottsdale, AZ
Scary to think he has been closely associated with this hate-monger for 20 years. There is no way that mainstream America will vote for Obama. Before we didn’t know much about him but now we are starting to.
If this pastor is so against the US…why doesn’t he leave, get out, and go somewhere that he thinks the government isn’t so against him!!!???
I know these aren’t Obama’s thoughts, but they are effecting the way I view him!
HATS OFF TO HILLARY. SHE FINALLY DID IT AND WILL NOW PROBABLY GET HER WISH TO BE PRESIDENT. I AM ASKING ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAN’T STAND THE CLINTONS AND WERE OBAMA SUPPORTERS TO NOW VOTE FOR MCCAIN. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DESERVES THIS, ESPECIALLY THE CLINTONS. ALL INDEPENDENTS SHOULD NOW CONSIDER MCCAIN.
No matter what is said from Obama’s side - with the pastor being such a close friend, and having attended the church for 20 years it’s scary if he has not had the ability to perceive who this man really is and what he believes!
Is that the kind of insight we want for president? Besides, maybe he has been mentored so deeply by Wright that he doesn’t know unless someone points it out what is wrong.
Obama wants us to believe he did not know such retoric was being preached by his preacher. Either he is lying or he had no idea what was going on in his own church. His fellow church members said on TV that they did not see anything wrong with the pastor’s controversial sermons. Apparently it is the mindset of the church membership that such comments are valid, but Obama wants us to believe he is different. The American public is smarter than this and will be increasingly appalled when the real Obama is revealed, little by little.
He shifted his position from lauding Wright and saying his book was an inspiration from one of Wright’s sermons to now denouncing Wright and his sermons/
I do not believe Mr. Obama. He did not tell the truth about NAFTA and the Canada incident-He is not telling the truth about really denouncing Wright.
A lot of candidates have gone to churches to speak, but never have I heard such bad language and distain for America than as from these inflaming speeches given by a so called “Rev” .
Now Mr. Obama’s wife’s comments about just now being proud to be an American makes sence.
Mr. Obama not respecting the National Anthem makes sence. His not wearing a flag lapel pin makes sence. But—-all of a sudden he makes a comment on the air sitting next to an American flag. Does he think that the American people are so stupid? We are not! America did not become a great country with stupid people.. Let us all go to the polls wise and discerning before we elect a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It is hard to believe that Obama has never heard those types of talks before, by his pastor.
I would be concerned about using a church service for political talks. Church services is for the worship of God.
vote republican
Does that mean that Republicans are going to be more conflicted now on which Democrat to vote for in the upcoming primaries to try to scew the election so that they run against the most beatable opponent?
I am imagining, since this is Fox’s web site, we’re going to get a pretty conservative (somewhat anti-black) response. I was a little shocked with the tone of the Major who interviewed Obama yesterday - I think even Obama was startled a little with the court-room like tone of the interview.
he hasn’t done anything wrong, and these are a few sermons that were chosen. If you’ll notice, the audience was applauding - apparently they thought there were some good points. The point is that there are different points of view on this stuff, and while I don’t agree with everything said of course, you don’t just take a statement, like “God Damn America” and just say the guy’s not an American. he was a marine and has done a lot for this country, and we all get frustrated with things.
Spreading smallpox to Native Americans - God Damn America.
Slavery for over 200 years, Tuskeegee Experiments on syphilis - God Damn America.
Ku Klux Klan - God Damn America.
If you come from a disenfranchised, chronically screwed over group like African Americans, once in a while you might say that when reflecting on how messed up things have gotten at times, and that doesn’t mean you hate this country or aren’t Christian, like some holier than thou critics have been stating on tv. You don’t know where these people are coming from and the frustrations that have fed into some of those lines… He was imploring America to be better, in my mind, which we need to be.
But I’m not here to totally defend Dr. Wright… Just for those white people out there, because that’s who this stuff is targetting, just have some perspective - no one’s out to get you, you’ll be ok, and yes, some African Americans from time to time are angry or frustrated.
I would end with a call to judge Obama by his own words and actions. I don’t agree with a lot of the things some right wing spiritual leaders say. They get away with it because I guess a majority of Republican evangelicals give them encouragement, but they’ve often offended me too. It goes both ways! And relationships are complex; this pastor 99% may have preached the Gospel, and he got on a little tangent a few times - don’t just judge him or others. I hate when people do that.
A very, very interesting summary from an Obama supporter:
Obama’s judgment: Wright or Wrong.
Can you even imagine the press and Democrat apoplectic response to a news report that any Republican attends a church for 20 YEARS, donating to it, idolizing the leadership, and the pastor was the equivalent to the second in command of the KKK or some neo-Nazi group? Heads would be exploding on both coasts daily. What Obama is doing now by simply ‘repudiating’ these statements is not saavy politics. If he was really that sharp he would have seen this train wreck 19+ years ago and left this haven of racist. I am being consistently amazed at the lack of judgment and discernment regarding even seemingly simple subjects, both domestic and international. Clearly, Obama is not qualified to run this great nation. He is not an empty shirt after all. He does stand for something. His money, time, and support proves it. He has fed on this vitriol for years, and the truth of ‘you are what you eat’ is starting to come out.
God Bless America!
Forrest Hobbs of Florida
Looks like Barry is nothing but a shady politician. he was backpeddaling about his ridiculous pastor-saying he didnt know..total BS. WHO BELIEVES THAT??? He’s going down people. The weatherman dude-this Farrakon-inspired mouslim-hiding out in public behind a cross? This is really going to hurt Obama. he already has lost his messaih like star power over the last few days-without that he has nothing. Hillary has an opening now.
Obama was member for 20 year’s you can’t tell me he never heard that type of slander against America or the White Race before in all that time?.. Come On Obama Does America look that dumb to you? … you have now shown you are willing to turn your back on anyone that does not help in your run for the White House.. what will you do to America when thing’s get tough around the world? He’s now having to pay the price for being active member in that so called Church.. it’s time for him to Step Down and let the Best person for the Presidency.. Hillary Clinton move this country forward
none of us can control what other people say or think. however, we can try to play politics with it. i think abc, nbc and other networks are correct in not highlighting this Rev’s comments over and over. i think FNC has an agenda against Sen Obama. give it a rest already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or go after the Rev…………………..
How can this man possibly think he could be a good president, when he cannot follow the teachings of God Almighty and of our founding fathers? What an idiot.
You can’t tell me that in the 23 years as a member he never heard Pastor Wright’s sermons of hate. I assume he’s still a member of that church and why is he…..
We must have more vetting!
This is a very serious situation.
Our country could really take a hard fall over this.
Can’t believe anyone anymore!!!!
There is no way to put this to rest. Anyone that has listened to someone like that for 20 years should never be president of the US.
I am still watching Fox News and Major Garret’s interview with Barrack Obama. Why is no one asking why the congregation wasn’t in shock at Preacher Wright’s comments? I saw a lot of rejoicing and encouragement going on in the church. How can Mr. obama expect us to believe he only preached in this manner when Obama was not in attendance. I have commented before, this is not news to most of us in the mainstream of America. We have known about the message of this church and preacher for quite some months. I wish someone would ask the HARD questions.
I find it very interesting how the Obama supporters see him as a decent man and do not want white Americans to see him as a black. However, his spiritual mentor endorses racial statements against non-blacks and America at large.
Obama was squirming in his interview with Major on Fox. He is quickly “dancing”
HOW COULD YOU GO TO A CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS AND NOT KNOW HIS RACIAL RADICALISM,
ALSO IF ANY WHITE PERSON HAD USED THE PASTORS WORDS WE WOULD BE REMOVED FROM
EVERYTHING.
I do not believe that a person can go to a church and befriend the Pastor and mentor for 20 years without knowing of his views . Obama is not distancing himself from his former pastor and friend. Obama had to know that the pastor was a raving white hating, antiamerican, raving idiot. Obama gets no pass on this one except for the biased media. I know that I can rely on Fox to be fair and balance and the others to be unbalanced.
Sen. Obama’s “rejection” of “Uncle/Pastor Write Jr.’s” Anti-American statements comes too late. Like the thief’s repentance after he has been caught. He isn’t sorry he was associated with a n Anti-American Hate Monger, but he sure is sorry to be exposed. Is this why Luis Farrakhan was so quick to endorse Brother Obama?
If Obama really felt these statements did not reflect his values, he would have quit the Pastor and his brainwashed church that followed him and hung on his every Anti-American sermon. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?
Obama now plans to continue his association with the same Anti-American church whose leaders and congregants are still clapping, dancing and repeating the same indoctrination with the same Anti-American philosophy.
Ho wonder Michell openly stated recently that “Until recently I didn’t know what it felt like to be an American”. And all this negativity coming from a well educated, woman of privilege leading the good life. Spoiled Michell should tell this face–to-face to a poor white, American, woman struggling to survive in Appalachia Who has always been proud to be an American.
It is my position as a Proud Mexican American who has served his country, that America and American Families are to precious to be entrusted to a man who surrounds himself with American haters. And he has no knowledge of their hateful attitudes? He has very poor awareness and poor judgment.
Obama should quit this race and return to his Anti-American Friends.
yes I do believe that Rev. Jeremiah Wright will hurt Senator Obama chances in the white house run. Wouldnt Rev. Wright want to help Obama instead of hurting him? It makes you rethink the whole process.
Wow, I, like many other Americans, are dumb-founded that this big information did not hit public knowledge sooner. I cannot believe that someone would stay in a church for 2 decades, listening to the sermons given by the same p