Pastor Creates ‘Guilt by Association’ Problem for Obama
File: Barack Obama with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor emeritus of Obama's congregation, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. (AP Photo)
Surrogates for Barack Obama on Sunday downplayed the significance of Obama’s relationship to a controversial pastor and suggested the discussion is a diverson from bigger issues in the Democrat presidential race.
“The fact of the matter is people would like to move on to other things,” said Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, characterizing remarks by Obama pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright as “outrageous,” but saying they are not relevant to Obama’s candidacy.
“He’s rejected it. He said no– he doesn’t have any association with it. He finds these comments outrageous,” Dodd, an Obama supporter and former presidential candidate, told “FOX News Sunday.” He added that “guilt by association is not typically American.”
But some political analysts say that comments by Wright could pose a major obstacle for Obama because unlike average Americans, politicians suffer from “guilt by association.”
“This is a man who he chose to be associated with. It’s not a family member. He chose to be associated with Reverend Wright and saw advantage in it. And that’s why he exploited it up to a point when he realized, especially when he was announcing, that he couldn’t have Wright by his side for the announcement in Springfield and now seeks to somehow distance himself. But it speaks to his character, and it speaks to the judgment which is the basis on which Barack Obama has been running his campaign. So I think it could be a big problem,” said National Public Radio national correspondent and FOX News contributor Juan Williams.
It also could suggest an insincerity by Obama, said conservative syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer.
“This, I think, is a huge story because it contradicts the whole persona and appeal of Obama as a man who transcends race,” Krauthammer said. “I think it ought to be explored a lot more deeply.”
Out on the campaign trail on Saturday, Obama was dogged by questions about comments made by his spiritual leader of 20 years, whose quotes have been sprayed over the news in the last several days.
At a town-hall meeting in Indiana, Obama said he was not in the pews when Wright said, for example, the U.S. is run by “rich, white people” or that the U.S. created the AIDS virus to kill African Americans. The Illinois senator said he “completely rejects” the preacher’s controversial sermons, including one in which he said the United States was asking for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks because it had supported “state-sponsored terrorism” against black South Africans and Palestinians.
“Although I knew him and know him as somebody in my church that talked to me about Jesus and family and friendships but clearly, if all I knew were those statements I saw on television, I would be shocked,” Obama said.
Obama who is new to disavowing himself from the remarks, told his audience that people should speak up forcefully against comments like Wright’s.
On Sunday, the United Church of Christ defended Wright’s character.
“The Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.’s character is being assassinated in the public sphere because he has preached a social gospel on behalf of oppressed women, children, and men in America and around the globe,” wrote Rev. John H. Thomas, the church’s General Minister President in a press release.
Meanwhile, Clinton supporters are refusing to jump on the opportunity to attack Obama for his slow response. “I mean, as you know, I prefer Senator Clinton for a whole lot of reasons, but I don’t cast aspersions on Senator Obama for what somebody else said,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Voters should “accept what Obama has said and move on,” said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y.
The Clinton campaign may be following a well-known operating principle of politics, which is when an opponent is shooting himself in the foot, stand back and let him. According to the results of a new, four-day Rasmussen tracking poll out Sunday morning, Obama’s national lead has narrowed to just 3 points over Clinton.
“The Clinton campaign won’t touch this with a 10-foot poll, but they don’t have to. … It will dribble, dribble out for at least a few more days and in this Internet era there’s no limit to what you can” dredge up, said Democratic strategist Susan Estrich.
Estrich said plenty of more information will come up in the weeks leading up to the Pennsylvania and North Carolina primaries.
“I don’t know, this guy didn’t give just two bad sermons, nobody … does the wrong thing just twice,” she said. “We all have to fill space for six weeks, this is how we’ll fill it.”
According to pollster, Scott Rasmussen, the recent controversy and prolonged fight between the Democrats is also turning out to be a gift for presumptive Republican presidential nominee and Arizona Sen. John McCain, whose numbers are up. That’s a fear Democrats are hoping won’t be realized as the discussion over race and sex issues distract from their overall message of defeating McCain.
“I think we have to lift ourselves out of all of that. Look, we’re talking about running for president of the United States. We’re talking about the leader of the free world. We’re talking about the hopes, the aspirations of the American people being placed — and not like any other job in the world, placed on this person. And I think people are much more interested on the ideas, the vision, the judgment, the plans that people have. And that’s why people are drawn to both of these candidates,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking on ABC’s “This Week.” Pelosi has not yet stated her preference for the top of the party ticket.
I was greatly alarmed by Obama’s pastor’s hate tapes and I understand there are hours of them and that Obama’s church is so proud of them they are for sale on their website.
It seems to me that this is legitamate issue for discussion that a candidate for President has such a long-standing and close personal relationship with such a person, so close a relationship that it can’t be dismissed as merely guilt by association.
It is my understanding these tapes were known by the press for quite a while.
My question is why is so much attention given to minor little things surrogates say…like “fairy tale”,, mentioning Jesse Jackson had done well in a state, “lucky”, “monster”,..all of these are real reaches to find any real fault in them…and so very little was mentioned about what is HUGE in my opinion…a possible future president of our country being extremely close to a pastor for 20 years who is obviously radically predjudiced and full of hate and a member of that church.
ANY candidate that wasn’t black with that sort of association with similar but opposite radically hateful rhetoric would be fried by the media. Whenever Obama’s pastor’s radical comments ARE covered by the broadcast media it is tied with the very minor comment by ferraro as if both are of equal importance.
Why the double standard?
Larry B
San Antonio, Texas
I was greatly alarmed by Obama’s pastor’s hate tapes and I understand there are hours of them and that Obama’s church is so proud of them they are for sale on their website.
It seems to me that this is legitamate issue for discussion that a candidate for President has such a long-standing and close personal relationship with such a person, so close a relationship that it can’t be dismissed as merely guilt by association.
It is my understanding these tapes were known by the press for quite a while.
My question is why is so much attention given to minor little things surrogates say…like “fairy tale”,, mentioning Jesse Jackson had done well in a state, “lucky”, “monster”,..all of these are real reaches to find any real fault in them…and so very little was mentioned about what is HUGE in my opinion…a possible future president of our country being extremely close to a pastor for 20 years who is obviously radically predjudiced and full of hate and a member of that church.
ANY candidate that wasn’t black with that sort of association with similar but opposite radically hateful rhetoric would be fried by the media. Whenever Obama’s pastor’s radical comments ARE covered by the broadcast media it is tied with the very minor comment by ferraro as if both are of equal importance.
Why the double standard?
If you think Susan Etheridge is tired of all this election coverage, imagine the average American citizen. The whole thing is a media event and has nothing to do with selecting the most qualified person in the country. Imagine this is the best the country can provide as our President. Sad
Hate speech goes both ways obama has not really dissavowed this man or farracom. If you hear hate enough it is part of you. I am sick and tired of hearing about Hillary’s people saying things and Obama gets away with anything his supporters say. He is an empty shell repeating change for change sake
The media should verify if Obama’s statements were true regarding never hearing of those racist and outrageous comments by Pastor Wright. Also, should verify the fact that Obama never attended the church during those stupid comments were made.
If Obama was unaware of the venom spread by that racist anti-Semite over all these years, he’s too dumb to be President. If he was aware and did nothing, he endorses the clown’s vile views and guess what that makes him…
I saw senators dodd and shumer attesting to obama’s charachter on the morning talk shows. That carries almost as much weight as a cindy sheehan critique of our armed forces!
Regarding Obama and his pastor, has anyone ever heard the expression, “You are who your friends are”?
Stay on this story. It’s very important that this story get out to all of the American public. Mr. Obama should not even be a candidate for the presidency since he and his wife obviously hate America. They have also been training their daughters to be America-haters since they take them to Wright’s sermons.
sitting in the pew listening to hate speach is one thing . did he still contribute to the church after the hate speach. if you ask him and he says yes then he is guilty of the same , suporting hatred and racism NOT FIT FOR PRESIDENCY!!
Many people are missing the point! There is a tremedous difference between an “endorsement” from a religious leader and the pastor of a church you have VOLUNTARILY attended for 20 years, not to mention an “uncle” like figure. This man is encouraging separatism and anyone who attends that church is well aware of that fact!
You all really need to work giving both sides of this arguement equal time!!
We should invesigate Obama thoroughly. His denunciation of Rev Wright is 20 years too late. He can’t tell the public he did not know about these speeches. Wrights defenders have said words were taken out of context???? Tell me what context could possibly explain his statements.
I certainly hope this squabble over Rev. Wright’s comments will not die down. We are engaged in the election of the most powerful office in the world. If we are not certain of the person who is elevated upon our shoulders we will rue the day when we decided to live in denial of evidence that was once right in front of us. He is not (Rev. Wright) within the same order to Sen. O’Bama as Rev. Hagey to Sen. McCain. Sen. McCain never claimed to embrace Rev. Hagey as his spiritual advisor, mentor and close personal friend. We are parsing this relationship in order to keep our hopes afloat that Sen. O’Bama really is a man at the right time in the right place-as Geraldine Ferraro so aptly pointed out. The Republicans will and should make an issue of this and other indicators that Sen. O’Bama needs to be srutinized further and not given a pat on the back and a free pass. l
To think that obama was so close to this reverand for 20 years and did not know his strong views in disengenious. This reverand seems so strong in his views, I cannot imagine him not discussing these views in private conversation with his close friend obama.
I believe that this ruins any chance obama had of winning the general election.
I understand why the Democrat leaders are trying to keep this out of the news as it is a liability for the Democrats in general. As to Obama, based on my readings , Mr Wright has been a firebrand preach Black lLiberation theology for years. That Mr. Obama has never heard that type of rhetoric over a 20 year period is not believable. If I attended a church where my minister and “mentor” preached in this way, I would have to be one of his disciples or I would have to leave the church for disagreeing with him.
A member of his campaign and his long-time spiritual advisor makes a hate speach against whites and makes anti-American comments in a church and people say his views should have nothing to do with Obama???
Talk about your chickens coming home to roost….
To think that obama was so close to this reverand for 20 years and did not know his strong views in disengenious. This reverand seems so strong in his views, I cannot imagine him not discussing these views in private conversation with his close friend obama.
I believe that this ruins any chance obama had of winning the general election.
I think this poses a major problem for Obama. I would like to ask Obama “Is the preachers comments about 9/11 the reason, you (Obama) voted against the war?”
I think that the comments made by Obama’s pastor screams louder to the public the kind of man Obama really is, than anything anyone else says about him. He (Obama) sat listening to this anti-american, anti-white hate spew from this man’s mouth for 20 yrs. and NOW and only NOW does he disagree with him? And NOW he has become Obama’s FORMER pastor? Come on give us (the american people) a break!
So Barack Obama wants us to believe that he wasn’t in church when Rev. Wright made those comments all those times? That he and his family weren’t in church on 9/16/01, the Sunday after 8/11, when churches around the country were filled to overflowing with those of all faiths praying for our country and the 9/11 victims? So either he was there hearing the hate or he wasn’t there and didn’t care about what happened to his fellow Americans? Which way does he want it? What did he know and when did he know it? I would wager that church attendance records and donation records would show he and his wife were there. After all, don’t you think that Rev. Wright’s rhetoric influenced some of the controversial statements from Michelle Obama and influenced Barack Obama’s view of the war and the world?
In 20 years of being a member of this church, obama never heard the kind of sermons we are hearing on the news, PLEASE! He’s a little late on speaking about it now. His affiliation with this man will be very damaging to his bid for the highest office in this country. Between his wife and her remarks and now the pastor. I think it’s time for everyone to wake up and realize he is not what he wants us to think he is.
Oh this poses a problem.
I now know where obama gets his inspiration. I also know why he voted against the war in Iraq, given all the information about weapons of mass destruction, His vote was naive.
You cannot be close spiritually to someone for 20 years and not vicariously pick up on their thoughts and ideas. To minimize this situation would be very dangerous.
Nancy worried in Colorado
We are not responsible for what other people say, but when you and
your family attend a church and hav a close relationship with the
Minister who shouts racism, hatred and anti-American slurs. Obama
DENIES hearing any of his Minister rhetoric, I question Obama’s,
HONESTY, character, his beliefs and JUDGEMENT. Ironic coming from
Obama who says WORDS COUNT.
VOTE HILLARY - The right kind of change with experience to get
solutions America needs. A true Patriot!!!
Its over for Obama, he will not be able to explain away the 20 years of hate sermons
I can’t believe that Obama could belong to that church for almost 20 years and not know what his paster is saying and stands for. I believe that he just lied about his knowledge about this very bad statemants that his paster is saying. I also believe that his paster does have much control over what Obama stands for. I would like for Obama to just step down from this run for the president. Thank you very much.
Pelosi is an Obama supporter, you can tell it by everything she says. Well here is the news, this will not just go away. Yes, people are interested in the issues. This is a BIG ISSUE. This man and his church are racist and hate White America. I would vote for McCain before I will vote for this unknown.
1) This is not the case of one regiouse group oposing another, Wright is anti-American- coneming America.
2)This is not the first time and Anti-American figure has shown up in Obama’s circle of Family and Friends
3) His friend Willaim Ayers
4) In Obama’s accounting of his own mother in his book “Dreams from My Father” stats that she was Anti American
5) He was found to be a Liar in reguard to Resko, Canada, and now he will be found out in reguard to Wright
6) Time lines and information in both of his book pose many contridictions
7)We really should be calling for him to withdraw his Campaign how many more lies is he allowed and how many Anti-American advisers serve currently and how many would appear in his Cabinet
9) It will be to late for the press to do there Job if they wait for him to be elected
I believe Omaba and His wife have been setting in Wright’s church when his pastor said the words I heard on TV. I would like to know what this pastor was in the MARINES? That I really want to know. Because, MY HUSBAND WAS THERE.
Mary WIEHE
I LOVE AMERICA AND
PROUD OF IT ALL OF MY LIFE
FROM THE STATE OF KANSAS
Surrogates of Obama are trying to compare Rev. Hagee and John Mc Cain to Rev Wright and Obama. These are totally different in that John McCain never attended or supported Rev. Hagee for 20 years as did Obama with his membership and financial support for Rev. Wright.
While Pastor Wright’s strong and hateful sermons were shocking, what was equally worrisome was Obama’s claim of ignorance? I find that insulting to my intelligence and frightening for the country.
1) This is not the case of one religious group oposing another, Wright is anti-American- condemning America.
2)This is not the first time and Anti-American figure has shown up in Obama’s circle of Family and Friends
3) His friend Willaim Ayers
4) In Obama’s accounting of his own mother in his book “Dreams from My Father” stats that she was Anti American
5) He was found to be a Liar in regard to Resko, Canada, and now he will be found out in regard to Wright
6) Time lines and information in both of his book pose many contradictions
7)We really should be calling for him to withdraw his Campaign how many more lies is he allowed and how many Anti-American advisers serve currently and how many would appear in his Cabinet
9) It will be to late for the press to do there Job if they wait for him to be elected
It is quite unfortunate for everyone that even today these racial biases exist. As a white Christian I am appalled at the hatred spewed at the pulpit in the name of God by this very angry man. As a Christian all I can do is pray for him and his congregation to be freed from it as I know there can be no peace in their hearts until then. As far as Obama is concerned, I find it very hard to believe that he didn’t know about these comments until now. That is quite disingenuious and quite an insult to anyones’ intelligence. I mean, really, give me a break. He would be better served to say that he has struggled with these comments over the last 20 years rather than to say he never heard it.
If our country can’t get united soon, we are doomed, I fear.
I can no believe my ears. If this is how black churches preaches no wonder alot of black americANS can not get past the past.
When you look at history, the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and Jihad prove to the intelligent that political leaders almost always follow thier religious leaders and millions of people end up paying the price. If we don’t learn from history we are bound to repeat it. I’m afraid he has lost my vote because I no longer trust him to follow the voice of the people instead of the voice of an obviously very racist religious “mentor.”
Claire, Portland Or
The fact that Obama himself did not make these comments is not the the point. His character and veracity is called into question by his decades long association with a man who espouses such views. Senator Obama needs to explain how he was able to attend Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years, feel close enough to him that he allows him to baptize his children, preside over his wedding ceremony, and base the title his book on a speech Wright made, and yet remain complelely unaware of his hate filled, anti-American, racist views.
Now we know where Michelle Obama’s comments about just now being proud of America comes from. Having been in Rev. Wright’s church one can understand why she would be ashamed of America.
If Obama loses the primary it will be because of his pastor’s teachings. The only thing that can change this now is if something really big comes out on Hillary , if not I think she will beat Obama.
The crime committed by someone else shouldn’t hurt the innocent one even if you were one time a friend or association to that fellow. If you watched the background of that controversial video, you found out that it wasn’t all members that praise Pastor Wright (majority of the member didn’t clap for that unwelcomed comment) during this comments. For me, I am tired of someone be discriminated against because of race or be a Racist. I told my children all the time anywhere you observe people discussing race issues, just walk away because, it is time to restore what UNITED STATE OF AMERICA stand in the rest of the world. Obama is the only one I believe can restore America at this critical time. If it possible to charge Pastor Wright with any crime, I will personally welcome that.
Emmanuel
From Florida
It is ridiculous how the liberal Demos, e.g. Senator Dodd, Rep Lowey and other “luminaries” of that party, believe that Americans do not care about what Wright, a close a longtime friend and mentor of Obama, has to say about the US. For their information we care a lot, in effect more than would like, because a long term close association (20 years) with an individual like Wright shows the bad judgment and inexperience of Obama, the same guy that wants to seat as the US President with our enemies to have a love feast.
The speeches, videos declarations of Wright and the declarations of support by Obama (until very recently) are not the result of a conspiracy by the right, it is just a good demonstration of the kind of candidates that the Demo party is embracing. What would be next, Chairman Dean invites Osama to run for VP?
I’m sorry, I heard someone say just because Mr. Obama may or may not of been in church that day, does it really create a problem for his campain, that’s equal to John McCain and Hillary being members of the KKK for 20yrs. were they at the meetings every Sunday, would it matter. I can’t believe in this day and age black folk still raise their children to think like that, I’ve raised my kids to not look at color, maybe I should have taught them differently.
For the first time in quite some time I have been following the democratic primaries closely, I thought perhaps we(this country) might be making history, but I am now seeing history repeat itself. And you wonder why people are so negative about America. Does anyone remember what has taken place in the past, does anyone realize the impact that has on peoples lives, maybe pastor Wright is speaking from his life experiences, forgive and forget is easier said than done. I am a Obama supporter, I believe in what he wants to try to accomplish as president. He is a strong man and he cannot be broken down easily, this reminds me of the things that were said about Martin Luther King.
I think Obama wants us to think he represents a different sort of politics, and yet he and his campaign worked hard to stir up the Ferraro incident into something bigger than it was, and insisted Clinton denounce and separate herself from it. Now he has the problem with Wright and he obviously wants to minimize it, and act like it is America’s problem with racial issues. This is clearly a double standard. He is saying the Ferraro incident was directed against him and he is a victim. With Wright, it is America’s problem with racial issues and he is a victim again. What a hypocrite. Why is the media so wimpy? What about the extra 100 grand from Rezco. Why is Tim Russert and CNN in his back pocket? I am beginning to have real problems with credibility not only from Obama, but also CNN and MSNBC. I think Fox and ABC may be the more legitimate news sources.
It does not surprise me that all the Democrats want to move on to other things or to stick to the issues.That Obama should not be assumed guilty by association for what his pastor’s remarks have being said.We have not known who Barrak Obama is up until now.I am an American of a Mexican dissent.We have a saying,”SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS,AND I’LL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE.”This should talk aloud as to who Obama is.This is the issue! Johnny Gamboa Plainview TX.
Obamas pastor story should not be over just because he now denounces him. Pastor Wright is a racist and spews hate just like the Jihad terrosits do. The Islam mosques and madrads spew the same hate against America. You learn what you are taught. If Obama has been listening and learning this hate Wright and Farrakhan spew he and his wife have the same racist attitudes. Why else do you think they have no respect for our flag or our country. This is a man who had an atheist mother, muslim father and went to a church tht spewed hate not Christianity. He should never have been elected as a U.S. Senator never mind President. He definitely won’t get my vote.
Georgia Junction City, Ks.
Now I know why Mrs Obama raised her hand in a fist, demonstrating Black Power. I was shocked when this was seen on television about a month ago. Now knowing their affiliation Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Facts:
1) He did not salute the flag when 7 other people did standing on a same platform.
2) His wife said “she is proud be american for the first time in her adult life” (because voters voted for her husband.)
3) He refused to wear a pin like almost every other senators/congressmen do.
4) He has close association with Wright for 20 YEARS who preaches “Hate” and “Division” while he tells American “Hope” and “Change” for less than one year.
5) He changed stories everytime when the news reveal more. “I don’t think my church is controversial”, “I did not hear that kind of language in my church”, “I heard this for the first time when I began to run for president”………
My conclusion about Senator OB, an agent of change:
- He is stupid, a bad judement of characters, a naive thinker, or
- He is a lier, lied through his teeth just to get elected, or
- He is an evil, believing in evil and saying the grace. He is so good in preaching “words” and creating a movement of the young and ignorant. Two persons in recent history have this kind of tributes: Hitler and Mao Zhe Dong (Cultural revolution in China).
May God Bless America. ………
Obama is no different then a person who keeps rabid pit bulls in his home. He feeds them, nutures them… Then when the dogs get loose he won’t take responsibility for their carnage.
We are slowly finding out who Obama is really is!
I don’t think this story is or should be over. It is pretty unbelievable that Obama didn’t know his pastors of 20 yrs. and mentors views. This along with his previous mistatements regarding Resko make one question his honesty. Obamas has said he isn’t influenced in politically by his pastor, but his convention address was based on one of Wrights sermons, and Wright is the one who encouraged Obama to run for pres. Are we supposed to believe that his spiritual advisor, a man he has placed in his campaign, a close friend and someone he has been listening to for 20 years has not had an influence on Obamas views. Just how much do we know about this man? Please continue this discussion and investigate.
You have got to be kidding me. Obama sits on CNN and says he didn’t know what this man was about? Obama had the potential to listen to 1040 sermons by Wright over 20 years-Wright was on his spiritual commitee for his campaign. I don’t believe Obama for a minute. I feel like I am in a Twilight Zone episode. This country is in denial-they are desperate for some kind of hero to save them and this is the person they are choosing? A man who doesn’t do his senate job, a man who sits in a racist church that hates America for 20 years? This is very eerie……
I don’t believe Mr. Obama, in his rebuttal, that he hasn’t heard the terrible racist comments spewed by his long time Pastor(I use the term loosely), friend, and mentor. The pastor did not start this type behavior and attitude in the last 2 months. As and example look at his wifes comments about now being proud of America for the FIRST time….
I believe Mr. Obama will, like every other politician, say anything to be elected to the highest office in the land. Based on his attitude of transcending race, he isn’t ready to be the president and I truly believe he has a hidden agenda (he is prejudiced)…… He needs to be looked at by ALL THE MEDIA in a truly neutral light………
I don’t think this story is or should be over. It is pretty unbelievable that Obama didn’t know his pastors of 20 yrs. and mentors views. This along with his previous mistatements regarding Resko make one question his honesty. Obamas has said he isn’t influenced in politically by his pastor, but his convention address was based on one of Wrights sermons, and Wright is the one who encouraged Obama to run for pres. Are we supposed to believe that his spiritual advisor, a man he has placed in his campaign, a close friend and someone he has been listening to for 20 years has not had an influence on Obamas views. Just how much do we know about this man? Please continue this discussion and investigate.
I’m just wondering. Are we supposed to actually believe that the senator didn’t know that he and his family’s pastor of 20 years, his inspiration for a book, his teacher, mentor, advisor and confidant, has been and apparently still is an unrepentant biggot ?
Absolutely delicious! And tragic, as well. It is about time that the critical focus is now centered on BHO; the candidate who says he is grateful to live in the greatest country in the world, but wants to “change” it. Most right-thinking Americans still adhere to the adage, “You are known by the company you keep”. The tragedy is that it seems now that way too many Americans of the secular progressive persuasion are inclined to both sympathize with “The Good Reverend” and support Barack’s candidacy anyway.
I commend and thank Fox News for airing this story. Please for the sake of America, keep pursuing the story. The other news outlets are barely touching on it.
I am very affended by the sermens that Obama has listened to and endered for years. Please don’t try to make me think he is not a party to all that has gone on in that church. I think he is not only a raceest but also hates America and is determined to destroy it. I feel that people such as Obama and his wife and his precher should leave this country and to go Africa where they feel happier and more in control of thier way of life. We don’t need anyone in any type of power in this country who hates our people and wants to bomb our friends and talk with our enemys. He is a disgrace and I am so ashamed of our country to even entertain the idea of such a person being in concideration for such a job as the leader of our great country.
Thank you
Evelyn
It is very hard for me to believe that a person could be a member of a Church for twenty years under the same paster and say that they were not impacted by the messages that were preached.
How can we trust the judgment of Senator Obama when he cannot discern the coruptness of a friend like Mr. Rezco. How can we trust his judgment to appoint Justices to the Supreme Court and cabinet posts, if he cannot discern and know about the hate-mongering of his personal pastor of 20 years. I for one do not believe Mr. Obama when he says he really did not know about the level and extent of the inflamatory remarks of Rev. Wright. This is not guilt by association, this about the judgment and mind set of someone wh wishes to be our present. As a veteran if my Priest had said from the pulpit “God damn America”, I would not give up my Christina faith but I woul leave that parish, and I certainly would not try to defend or put a spin on his inflamatory statements.
The Democrats jumped on Obama’s bandwagon way too quickly without doing the research. Hillary was the safest bet (as well as the best candidate) as everything has already been out there about her. The Republicans have been deliberately crossing over for Obama in all the Republican states to boost him to be the nominee because they had done the research on him and know that he had terrible things in his past and present which they could capitalize on in the general election. All the democratic insiders who are supporting Obama now have egg on their face. Some candidate you’ve picked without looking before you leaped. I suggest you support Hillary Clinton; she’s our only chance in the general election and would be an outstanding President.
Ibama and Wright connection. If a person becomes a member of a church they surely would not do so not knowing what is preached in the pulpit. You would not remain a member if you did not agree with the tenet of that church. How could Obama even suggest that he was unaware of Rev Wright’s rantings with a 20 year membership in that place? Obama is trying to tell the american people what every christian knows is immpossible, you cannot separate yourself from your faith. The connection between Obama and Wright is totally different than just receiving an endorsement from a pastor so the democrats should not even go there.
WHEN WILL FOX AIR THE REMAINING HOURS OF SEN. OBAMA’S PASTURE AND ADVISER REV. WRIGHT.TO ENABLE VOTERS TO SEE THAT THIS WAS MORE THAN A COUPLE OF THOUGHTLESS COMMENTS.
I think politicians have an immensely diificult task in remaining faithful as Chrstians and doing their political work. Personally, I have been disapointed with a lot of them recently. I think they are failing miserably. For example Elliot Spitzer resigning as Governor. Their task is certainly difficult; we all have to admit. But if that’s their calling from God, then they have to struggle to remain faithful to God and not give up.
Senantors’ McCain and Obama have a hard time separating their spiritual leaders views from their own personal beliefs. It can be a problem but it shouldn’t stop them from pursuing their goals.
Remember when Jerry Falwell asserted that America was being punished for its sins. I am not saying he was wrong in every case; I am just saying that in general he’s not right. So I think we have to apply the same to JM and BO when their spiritual guides say obvioulsy ludicrous statements . Most of the time these preachers are just tring to make the sermon more interesting or exciting.
thanks
Well I DO believe it makes a difference. How can Barack Hussein Obama not have heard this minister make those remarks. Twenty years of attending this church give me a break! It scares me to think this is how people think. If so this country has not moved beyond race and never will.
It amazes me in that Obama has no memory of ever having heard any of these vicious, degrading, un-American comments. How can he, if he is the faithful member of this church, for over 20 years, state that he has never heard any of these inflamatory comments? I guess that he was conveniently absent on the Sundays when these were being made? Perhaps the Reverend Wright suggested that he not attend church on those Sundays?
There is much, much more of Obama that is not being seen by the public. This man seems to have much about him that is not presently known. Why doesn’t the News media dig into him, and enlighten the public? Seems that Fox Network is the only one staying on the topic. Good for Fox.
But, lets get the news on Obama out here for the public to see. He is basically, the ‘pig in the poke’ or the ‘bride behind the veil’.
I don’t believe Obama’s claims that he did not know about Rev. Wright’s anti-American comments. You do not have a close association for 20 years with someone like this, go to their church every week, have them perform your marriage ceremony, bless your house and baptize your daughters without knowing that they are racist and hateful.
I Feel that the Country needs to move forward on important issues that is more
important to the people.We need a CHANGE, there are a lots of people of all races
say the wrong things or statements in one way or another.
I also say that America must get their act together to be strong Leader.There
is a lot of things that America must correct before they can tell anyone in the world what they must do. Please move on to something else and the news media
quit being Bias.
Here’s the problem: I have no doubt that Barak Obama is no racist. In fact, he seems on television like the nicest, most decent politician to come along in years. So, I take him at his word when he says that although he attended this church for twenty years, was married by Wright, had his kids baptised by Wright, and put him on his campaign, he had NO idea Wright was giving these sermons. Yes, I believe him, completely.
Which raises serious questions about Obama’s judgement. If I attended a church with a pastor who was friends with David Duke and occasionally gave vitriolic, hateful, rage-filled sermons, I would pick up on it right away. Even if I happened to miss the days when he gave those sermons, I would sense the TEXTURE of this man very, very quickly. Then, I would either speak up in the middle of a sermon and shout him down, or I would leave the church and never come back.
Barak Obama has many character strengths. He is nice, articulate, intelligent, VERY trusting, VERY optimistic, believes that ultimately all people- including Afghani jihadists who set of bombs in circuses filled with small children- can get along if we simply sit down and talk.
And this naivete is his downfall, the one quality which will get him the November vote in Vermont and California and Massachusetts, but cause him to lose every conservative state, most swing states, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and perhaps even Jersey.
For it is okay to have a NICE GUY as president, but a president also has to be shrewd, crafty, and a phenomenal judge of character. The American people know this and will vote accordingly in November. I am another Democrat who will be voting for McCain if Hillary loses, and there are many, many out there like me. We don’t attend rallies, don’t stand on streetcorners with signs, don’t go door to door handing out campaign information, don’t show up in the national or state polls. But we take ourselves down to the ballot box every November, and we vote.
Please continue to delve into this matter.
All Americans need to know that Mr. Obama associates with a racist pastor and church.
Your religious convictions, practices, and close associations clearly define a person.
Obama is not who he says he is.
if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, birds of a feather flock together, then it must be a two headed duck with forked tongue
I honestly can’t believe Barack Obama did not know his pastor in his church he attended
was ranting hate speech for the last 20 years. I’m shocked by what I heard Jeremiah Wright
say. I can’t believe he would try to make all those people in the church believe the government is out to get them as African Americans. What year is this anyway, he’s living in the past. I hope all the similar churches do not pass along the same messages, that is
what causes racism and hatred. Maybe Barack should convert and hang with people who
believe all men are equal and to love one another.
I believe the senator. I also believe Hillary didn’t know that her husband was lying to and cheating on her. In both situations they either knew and lied or were really dumb. In both cases we have either character or intelligence issues. How wonder dumb they think we are?
If irrelevant FOX NEWS is going to tell over 300m US citizens who does not qualify to be a president because of what a long time friend beliefs or says, then we have a problem. I’m sure that most of Fox news rightwing employees have heard their father or a family member say hateful things about BLACKS & JEWS OR GAYS. You people are nothing but bunch of HYPOCRITES to judge anyone . You are the most racist news network in America. It is hard to see anyone that does not believe that fox news is full of BIGOTS. SO, SHUT UP FOX NEWS. Obama will continue. Worry about MCBUSH.
Clinton does not have to touch this, the american public are not going to let it rest untill it is proved that he was or was not there. We don’t believe that he could know this man for 20 years and never hear this kind of talk in or out of the pulpit. We believe he is a liar and some one is going to have to prove us wrong, before we elect him to OUR president
Stupid, deaf, unconscious, or a liar, anyone who says he doesn’t know the character of his mentor, pastor, spiritual guide, etc. is no person for president.
If you are going to be fair and balance then you must also do a story on Hillary Clinton’s Pastor and her church. Fox News has raised its ugly racist head in the past week. Filthy, slimy, dirty, nasty, race-baiting reporting only divides this country, not uniting it When the News Media becomes the story it leaves the American People uninformed. Fox News has become the story.
It’s hard to believe I can actually agree with Fox but……… This is so weird and surprising. I’m white & retired and had planned to vote for Obama. Not now. It’s one thing to get endorsements from people who turn out to be a bit off in some way. It’s another thing to sit in a pew for 20 years under a hate-monger. Did it bother Obama that this white-hating targeted half his own bloodline? If I had ever been in a church where this kind of hatred was spewed forth on any group of people, I would have walked out to make a point and I would certainly not remain a member, be married by the preacher and have my little daughters baptised by this man. How do these people reconcile bringing their children into to church to hear g-d :America, s..t, white-bashing and more? Equally as bad is to look at the videos of this preacher and see the congregation applauding, slapping him on the back and cheering. Is this what blacks really think about whites? As for me, I’m done with them and I never felt like this before. Hello Hillary or McCain or Nader.
do the math– even @ one service per week x 52 weeks per year x 20 years , thats over ONE THOUSAND sermons !!! i will never believe Mr. Obama was not present for more than one or two services! WAKE UP America ; I am not that naive and I do not believe you are either . Our sons and daughters, including two of my sons and one daughter in law, who honorably serve voluntarily in our military deserve our diligence and absolute best effort to elect a person of integrity and honor to be their commander in chief. follow tour own heart and mind and not the spin of the media as YOU make this important decision, Please!
Mr. Wright is probably right about some of what he says. Hillary has probably not experienced racism in the way Barack has. I’m not sure, but I doubt if she has ever been called a n$%^-er. She probably has never tried to hail a cab only to be turned down because she is black. I guess you should ask the cab union about that. I don’t know, but a lot of cabbies I’ve seen are black. In turn, neither Mr. Wright nor Barack have ever had to fear walking down the streets alone (in almost any city) wondering if they will be the victim of kidnapping or rape - at least not in the same numbers as women of all races. Just like a white man in the wrong neighborhood, there are places they might not be comfortable. Neither have had to fear being a victim of crime in their own home, at least in the same numbers, as women of all races. Statistically, it is more dangerous for a female in her own home because of domestic violence than it is on the streets. What a freak that preacher is. I guess Barack just hasn’t noticed the hatred this man has spewed from the pulpit. Man of God? Do black American’s really feel this way? It looked like some people were uncomfortable with what he said. But, he did get a lot of support for this kind of talk against our country. I’m hurt really. As it turns out, I’m white and a woman. Dang. I’m not sure if Hillary will be a great president. I’m not voting for her because she’s a woman. I have followed her politically for years. I wish Hillary would take the note off her website that states “help us make history.” I don’t give a crap about her being the first woman. Someone will, maybe not her. Bill did a great job. I think she will too. I think people haven’t given her a chance, because they want a black man to win and because they have something to kick her butt with, namely Bill’s indiscretions. I don’t like it either thought process. I think Barack’s campaign acknowledges his appeal to the black community and I think Bill shouldn’t have done what he did. And, Regan shouldn’t have left his family. Hello! Don’t be a hypocrite. I don’t think Hillary is where she is because she is an articulate white woman anymore than I think John McCain is where he is because he was a POW. Oops. Maybe those are reasons. All of this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We had better learn how to bring this country back together. I am feeling a little like Humpty Dumpty. I don’t have a lot of faith in the Democratic Party anymore. Heck. I’m a Fox friend now. I really do like these guys.
debra