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.
1) 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.”
REPLY: “tragic history when it comes to race in this country” what does he mean by tragic. Slavery was then and it is not now. Neither Obama or Rev. Wright were or are slaves and the “white” people here in the United States have never been their “Masters” or brought any harm to them. Yet, Obama has aligned himself with this man “Rev” for the past twenty years. The way the Rev misuses the pulpit is not a new thing and it is so much a part of him that why would we believe that if he can’t even control his hatefulness and pity party while at the pulpit in church that he would refrain in other arenas. Of course Obama wants to make a general statement like “But what I continue to believe in is this country wants to move beyond these kinds of divisions.”
His statements are not believable and he uses them to divert attention from him.
2) 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.”
REPLY: Interesting that “he (the Rev.) is like an old uncle” and we are to believe that they are not close?
3) 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.
REPLY: If you look at the poles and see the number of African Americans that are and have voted for Barack you would agree that Geraldine Ferraro’s statement is correct. Well over 70% percent of African Americans for Obama, just look at the facts. If you remember the statement Obama said in question 1 above “But what I continue to believe in is this country wants to move beyond these kinds of divisions.” If his words are to be believed then why did he or his campaign make a fuss about the truth? Nothing derogatory was said, no personal slam about him, just the facts.
4) 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.
REPLY: How can this statement be believed: “the pastor has never been active in his campaign and that he is no longer on his African American Religious Leadership Committee?” If anyone is on a committee they are an active part of the campaign. Obviously Obama is close to this man and values his input or he would have never been put in this position. Just merely being his pastor does not automatically put someone on a committee. Think about people who go to church and only see their pastor Sunday (and probably don’t even talk to the pastor), this is typical of church goers. This is true especially in a church the size of his.
5) 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.
REPLY: The damage has been done. How can you believe that 20 years of that environment would not sink in?
OTHER COMMENTS:
O’Reily’s guests Hermene Hartman who said “white media don’t understand the Black Church” and Jasmyne Cannick stating that there was nothing wrong with the Rev’s comments. They need to step into 2008. They want to act as if they personally have been slaves and that we “all others” owe them something besides decency and non racist behavior. Obviously that is not enough for them.
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.
REPLY: It was interesting how little air time Larry Elder got. He said his statement and then was gone. WHY?
Conclusion:
Obama’s movement reminds me of “Jimmy Jones” and feeding his rhetoric to the masses. Look what happened to them in the end. There is something off about Obama. If the Rev hateful rhetoric about America is not an influence to Barack and Michelle Obama, why would she make a statement like “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” Sounds to me like they have been influenced by the Radical Rev., what do you think?
JUST A LITTLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
I am an Italian Portuguese Woman, married to a Norwegian man. One of our children is of Spanish / Mexican decent. Our son in law is African American and German. His mother is African American. I was born in Japan, and we have many Asian friends as well as other nationalities. We are not a racist family, but “Obama” needs to stop playing the race card. It is not Hillary or McCain. They are bringing the attention to the media to say that “anything” is racist” to take us off of the real issues.
I hope and pray that Obama gets out of the Presidential Race. I will vote for anyone but him. He does not appear to be honest and his words are not credible. If is obvious to me that the Rev’s hateful movement is catapulting his campaign. Why else would he have been on his African American Religious Leadership Committee.
*************************The videos of the congregation to Obama’s Pastor, are all one needs to see that the church members do indeed feel the same as they have been feeling for years. Obama has been a member for 20 years. How much does Obama have to deny to anyone, that his feelings do not resemble the ministers? Well, I am behind my minister or I wouldln’t be in my church. Need anyone say more on this subject? Of course Obama will wiggle and try to get out of this mess. So would I if I were in his shoes, but the truth is, it is his Minister and it is his teachings that Obama has been taught for 20 years. The REALITY IS IN THE VIDEOS. WHAT CHURCH THINKS SOME OF THE THINGS ON THESE VIDEOS IS RELIGION AND SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SUCH A NASTY, NEGATIVE WAY? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS, THE MINISTER? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS FOR REAL? HE SURE ISN’T REPRESENTING WHAT IS IN THE BIBLE THAT I READ!!!**************************
I no longer trust you Barrack Obama - He needs to quit this election and stop trying to “change” American to his “Black American” Shame on you for lying to the American public.
Why should Sen. Oboma be trying to distance himself from Rev Wright’s comments, after being a member, of Trinity United Church of Christ, for two decades? Are we expected to believe that Rev. Wright sanitized his sermons when Oboma was present? Anyone really believe that? Not this Texan.
Frank
I am a female, over 60 years old, white, fundamentalist Christian Republican possessing most all of the Republican views; however, I am disgusted with the way different Fox News hosts have conducted their interviews concerning Obama’s pastor’s comments, views and sermons. First, let me state that this last year Shepherd Smith and Bill O’Riley were the first to make me switch the channel during their programs due to their unfair pounding of guests. Now, the pounding is being done on Obama because of his pastor’s most terrible comments and sermons has gone over the top. I find myself switching over to MNBC or CNN where, while they are pounding away at the same subject, it is at least fair and balanced like FOX use to be. I have belonged to the same large church for many years and I know, for a fact, that while being a member of a large fellowship church that the members of that congregation do not always agree with what is being said or done. Within the membership of any church are those with their own ministry, not just the people who show up when its Christmas, Easter and when the towers came down. These faithful servants of the Lord do not just walk out when things go wrong. They stay and provide damage control so that others do not falls into the hands of bad or evil. I believe that Obama is one of those people whose ministry it is to cast a net. I believe him to be an outstanding American and Christian while not of my party or race, I respect him for his wisdom which transcends the mockery of others. I could say much much more; but will stop here saying, Fox News needs to ge back to being the best fair and balanced act on the television.
Obama, With draw. Sorry
Obama’s book and his mentor’s sermon should be titled “The Hypocrecy of Hope”. Blacks in America are no more oppressed than Latinos and other minorities. Black America continues to fight a one-sided war- a war of profound resentment for events that occurred in the distant past, involving an entirely different generation of White and Black Americans. I am ashamed, as most Americans, for the actions of our forefathers, and do not condone slavery and segregation! However, my generation is no more to blame for those dark periods in our Nation’s history, than for the Holocaust- where 6 million Jews perished. Today, Jews enjoy success and prosperity against impossible odds and Nazi genocide, while many Blacks live in poverty.
Predictably, Pastor Wright blames the “white” Government for Black struggles, but should be honest if he considers himself a leader, theologist, and a pilar of the Black community. Black America has the same opportunities and challenges of many minorities. Latinos, Jews, and others have prospered while Black communities see crime and poverty rising, and economic growth faltering. Blaming White America is a common practice among Black leaders that ignore the root cause: the total disintegration of the black family structure. As a Latino, growing up in white and black ghettos, I saw this issue first-hand. Off course, there are other variables to account for this, but the Pastor, and his congregation should re-examine their conscience for an answers before they blame others.
Now we are asked by Obama to believe that has never, in 20 years, heard or shared any of Wirght’s blatenly anti-American and racist views. If a white candidate like Clinton, attended a church for 20 years, with very close personal ties to it’s racist White Pastor, Black and White America alike, would demand her to step down and resign as Senator. If the same is demanded of Obama, the Media and White America is labeled racist, and riots would ensue! Arguably, there is more distrust towards Whites in Black communities, as is evident by Polls that indicate Blacks support Obama 90%. The White vote is roughly split between Obama and Clinton, proving White America is not as racist as Wright’s sermons and views would indicate. However, there is plenty of racism in this Country, and sadly that will never go away!
Obama now condemns the views and sermons of his mentor and close family friend for political gain. A year ago he distanced himself from Pastor Wright by removing him from his Committe on Religion, knowing it would not benefit his political career. If sound judgement, integrety, and change are the hallmarks of Obama campaign, how can anyone in good conscience, overlook this issue is more significant than Wright’s message.
I am not an Obama supporter, not because I think he is a poor candidate or is a poor leader, rather because I firmly believe his Presidency will ultimately polarize our Nation across racial lines- even more. Critics on both sides will scrutenize his views and policies from a more racial standpoint. For example, if Obama supports a Bill that specifically benefits low-income Blacks on wellfare, he may be labeled Pro-Black. On the other hand, if the opposite occurs, he may be labeled a Sell-Out or Uncle Tom by the Black Community. More significant, is the fact we know very little about Obama and how he has been influenced by mentors like Pastor Wright.
Obama is telling us what we want to hear, but it takes more than words to make a Fairy Tale come true.
Of course he’s trying to do damage control now that the truth is finally starting to come out on him. Remember America, “the truth will set you free”, and he’s not telling the truth. Wake up and smell the coffee. Obama doesn’t want his records out anymore than he wants Rezco, his pastor, earmarks, or anything else to come out for that matter. Doesn’t he know by now if, it’s negative information, all he has to do is look sweet and repute, denounce or deny it and the media won’t bring it up again. What a plague on all of us, the mainstream media. FOX is turning out to be more fair in this election than nearly all the rest. Come on media, OB’s not on the level on the Rev. Wright issue or anything else it now seems. He only speaks the truth when he gets caught in a lie or half truth. How much more is lingering out there for Republicans to mo-up the floor with him if, and that’s a big “IF”, he gets the nomination. God help us if he does! Our country needs “US” to stand-up for her now. Our future lingers in the balance of the impending primaries & general election. We need a President to restore our standing at home and abroad. We need Hillary, not inexperience and a very questionable past, and certainly not Senator more of the same, McCain.
Obama’s only trying to distance himself from Wright now because Wright has become politically inconvenient. Not because Obama actually dislikes anything Wright has to say.
this email and name showed up on my pc ..its not mine …hey fox where is the privacy ?