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.
It’s about time the rest of the nation begins to finally see the Junior Senator and strawman for what we see in Chicago, a product of Chicago Machine politics.
This is the same empty suit that has traded endorsements and made deals with every slimy politician and power broker in the County of Cook all the way to the Governor’s mansion no matter the investigations, indictments, or convictions.
Local papers here have been asking how Obama can talk about “change from politics-as-usual in Washington,” out of one side of his mouth, while never once distancing himself from the only political culture even more corrupt than our Capitol, that being Chicago…
When you say “words do matter,” and then gladly accept the ‘guilt by association’ branded on John McCain with the perceived failings of President Bush, don’t dare to further slick your way out of being perceived as anything less than embracing of the man you called a “father figure,” “spiritual guide,” and “mentor.” This is the same loon who presided over your wedding, the christening of your children, and the man you credit with the words for the title of your book, “The Audacity of Hope.”
This is the same man Obama credited with converting him to Christianity (though one really wonders what sort of gospel is ‘preached’ by shouting in anger against any particular race). This would be same man who talked him into running for President after stating throughout 2006 that he was “absolutely not” running for President. Obama even made it a point to tell the press when he announced in Springfield that the reason he brought his pastor with him was for the support he has always provided (though it might have been more true to fact to simply say he was pandering and posturing to appear more Christian, since that was part of the winning strategy that helped the Dems retake the Congress in 2006).
Dear Latisha,
Has it not occurred to you that the issue of race has been advanced specifically by the black community? I for one would not have a problem with voting for a black candidate; however, I do not feel as if obama is the one; given the recent disclosures. Is he true to himself, or is he just a very smooth politician, willing to tailor his message to maximise his popularity regardless of the cost? Your posting indicates a very strong ethnic position. Please remember that the elected official of the highest office of the country is obligated to represent the best interests of the WHOLE country, not just those that brought him into power. There are deeds, mandates, processes, protocols, and sublime machinations that need to be managed, coordinated, directed, enforced, determined, and executed with a deft and delicate hand; all day, every day. I apologize to you if I seem to be in some way predjudiced, but given the disclosures of the past few days, I have to ask questions as to whether he has the capability to take all of us into consideration.
*** “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.***
What a moron (Dobbs)! We’re suppose to be electing the next President and Commander-in-Chief (a leader who represents ALL Americans). I’d say this Rev. Jeremiah matter is very “relevant”. “Show me your friends - I’ll show you your future”. NO OBAMA 2008 !
I can’t support anyone who supports racism. Obama chose the church he attended and attended it for 20 years! If he found his pastor’s racist tirades so deplorable then he should have found another church to attend. His pastor’s involvement in his campaignd cements the strength of their relationship. His weak denouncements of his pastor further strengthen how much he believes in and agrees with his racist diatribes.
This is a problem that was settled before any of our time. Our forefathers addressed this issue from the very beginning of the founding of our country, America. THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone today is debating the issue of Obamas pastors statements or sermons then they are robbing this country of political progress. Everyone in our society, politicians included have a right to their chosen faith. And no one should every let politics interfer with religion. Separation? Politics and religion are two totally separate issues. We can always expect others to have different chosen faiths or religion however political and governmental issues remain the same. Thank You very much, Just one dumb American. duh!!
The preaching that Rev Wright preached sounds like it’s out of the 60’s. I don’t sit under that type of preaching but I’m not surprised at what Reverend Wright said. I believe Barack Obama explained Reverend Wright’s position very well. There is bitterness and truth mixed in Wright’s messages. Taking all things into perspective you have to consider Wright’s experience and age as a Black man in America. You also have to be aware of preaching styles and preaching delivery. I love my country but my country has committed atrocities against Blacks and others-Let’s not forget this! Concerning Barack’s association ask yourself now-is he black enough now?
Hilary Clinton will NEVER get my vote. She has many skeletons. She’s trying to hide her financials etc; as long as possible. Ferraro was a disgrace on Good Morning America. She wouldn’t even let Diane Sawyer interview her but overtalked her the entire time. Hilary’s dirty and underhanded and will do anything to win. She continues to put out propaganda on Barack Obama as well. I would vote for any one but Hilary. I happen to like John Hagee as well. He speaks the TRUTH and is one of the premier Pastors on Bible prophecy and Israel. Read his book Jerusalem Countdown. He supports McCain. I am already decided and it will be either Obama 1st or McCain2nd for me. ANYONE BUT HILARY!
Sorry, but I don’t believe this is the end of Obama’s issues. It is only the beginning……luckily, those who were awed by his charismatic and unrealistic ideas on how to “change” Washington and the “establishment”!!! Wake up America………..this is not the kind of change you want…..you are led to believe it is……..but after hearing/seeing what Obama’s “sidekick minister buddy” believes and “preaches”, and Obama has stood by his side for 20 years and listened to…………Give us a break, Obama, we have more sense/brains than you want us to believe we have! The “change” Obama stands for is a change that we as Americans don’t need or want for our country! We will be in deep trouble if Obama gets in office….trouble like we’ve never experienced before. Don’t tell me that his “pastor”hasn’t preached those types of “sermons” in Obama’s presence………..If you believe that, you’ll believe anything! Use your head and follow your gut, my fellow Americans, and don’t let this man get into office. Hillary is the lesser of the two evils, but if you HAVE to vote Democrat, her before Obama…..Our best choice in this whole mess is McCain…….at least he’s a patriot!! I’m neither a Dem or Repub, but vote for the most moral/true Americanized person running…….just so happens, it’s usually a Republican! If you love our Country, don’t vote for Obama!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
i do not believe obama when he says he never heard wrights comments about usa - 20 years
at this church - just turn the camera around and zoom in on audience - it looks like michele
obama in front row during one of wrights anti-usa tapes
Apart from the obvious truth that Sen. Obama is inexperienced and unqualified to be Commander-In-Chief, given the new revelations about Obama’s strong and long standing ties to his separatist church and its racist minister, who is also Obama’s spiritual adviser and friend, I think it is fair to say that despite his delegate lead Obama doesn’t stand a chance in the general election. This speaks to Sen. Obama’s core values. When he writes a book inspired of this man, when his wife says that she has never been proud of our country until now, when he exposes his innocent children to these racially divisive ideals, when he has for 20 years been a willing participant in a church that breeds contempt, it is too compelling to dismiss. I’m just surprised that this hasn’t come to the forefront before now. But again, that would mean that the media had been doing their job and we know with the pro-Obama media that hasn’t been the case.
This is the true Barack and Michelle Obama. Twenty years of participation speaks for itself!
Ann,
Mary,
Bonnie…