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.
REMOVE OBAMA FROM HIS SENATE POSITION. If I’m not mistaken it’s a violation of federal law, Article 14, to discriminate against people based solely on the color of their skin, their religion, etc… Obama does not even uphold the Constitution in his Senate position let alone in other capacities.
Does he give money when the collection plate comes by to Pastor Wright, endorsing his spreading of hate against white people? He can’t even protect me from racism and hatred in his current job – in fact he contributes and spreads it. Get him out of the Senate. He’s a disgrace of the progress he’s pushed so hard for in the last 60 yrs – FREEDOM.
Get him out of office!
Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a HUGE CONCERN for the American People!
I watched this weekend while your anchor people and guests character assassinated Barack Obama and his minister. The country seems to be going to hell in a hand-basket financially, Fox News seemed to only concern with what his minister said in the pull pit. Yes, some of the things he said aren’t true and are inflammatory, but much of what he said is true.
I don’t see you going after Hillary Clinton’s or John McCain’s minister. Why must you always have a double standard when comes to Blacks in this country?
Blacks have served loyal in every war. Yet, received the worst treatment of any people in this country. I never see anything on your network that acknowledges this, or equate Blacks with human beings. That is what gives the Reverend Wright ammunition to say these things about this country.
“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,”
Excuse me? If we’re more interested in his ideas, vision and judgement wouldn’t that then mean we’re interested in what his ideas are based on? Obama wants change? Exactly what type of change is he really looking for? If he has had Wright as his Spiritual Advisor (And until this week-end Wright on his religious committee) doesn’t that make one question just what type of change he’s really referring to? You will never be able to convince me that after knowing this man 20 years, Obama is clueless to Wright’s ideas. And if Obama has been aware of Wright’s rascism, divisiveness and anti-semetism and has continued to follow him, doesn’t that make one wonder what Obama is really all about? The press until this week-end have given him a free pass. Voters have been mesmerized by the pied piper. How many people will blindly follow this man and exactly where will he take us? Wright has set integration back 40 plus years.
The quickest way to get people “turned off” to a USA President is when there is evidence that he lied. The “trust of leadership”, an essential part of followers continuing to follow, must be maintained throughout a term.
Americans like to think that we are a beacon in the world for “Truth, Justice and the American Way”. Leaders that are seen as less than honest tarnish that self-image and bring on the wrath from their own followers.
So, it should come to no surprise that BARACK OBAMA’s popularity is starting to dip in the polls as evidence starts to surface that he’s being “less than honest” (read lied) now about his association with Rev. Wright. According to JIM DAVIS, BARACK OBAMA WAS present at the service when Wright made his most hateful diatribe, contrary to OBAMA’s claim of never having heard such sermons. And this wasn’t written about only recently, it was part of an August, 2007, article based upon a visit JIM DAVIS made to the church that summer.
OPRAH was a former attendee (congregant) to this same church and distanced herself (no longer attends) after hearing these same diatribes - why hasn’t OBAMA done the same - unless, contrary to his statement - he supports those “RACIST” remarks by Rev. Wright?
For the longest time I was unable to determine what is the current accepted definition of what was “racist” and what was the “truth”. It is now becoming much clearer.
DEFINITIONS:
“RACIST” - any comment other than complimentary toward BARACK OBAMA, whether
supported by facts or not
“TRUTH” - any comment by BARACK OBAMA supporters, period.
RULE #1: Any comment by BARACK OBAMA supporters must be accepted and published
as “FACT”, whether consistant with the facts at hand, or not.
RULE #2: Any opinion voiced by BARACH OBAMA supporters must be SHOUTED in inverse
proportion to the amount of facts available to sustain it.
RULE #3: If Rule #2 fails to convince the other party, the other party must be labled a “Racist”
for daring to voice an opinion contrary to the adulation of BARACK OBAMA.
EXCUSE ME!??!!
You know the scary part - this actually seems to be working!!!
If Obama’s wife and he didn’t hear and share those same beliefs as Rev. Wright, then why did Michelle Obama make the racial- anti American remark that she is proud for the first time to be an American because a black man had achieved Barack’s position as a possible presidential candidate. As for Barack, he is ashamed of his mother because she is white. This from his own book where he also speaks of other racisms and his close association and respect with Rev. Wright. This is a black KKK, nothing less. Put him in power and I will fear for the futures of children of all colors!! Germany made the same mistake as Obama’s followers and Hitler came into power.
This is my first comment to Fox News, and I would like to thank Fox News for broadcasting both sides of a story.
This is my comment regarding Obama’s pastor:
While my husband was in the military we visited all types of churches, while trying to find a temporary home church. I remember one particular church in Alabama that we visited about twenty years ago. I recalled an incident where a couple of young African American males came up to the church to be voted in, as the vote was taking place and I noticed most of the elderly (caucasian) people did not raised their hand to vote these young men into their church. At that time my husband and I looked at each other and decided to walk out of that church and never return. The church sermons may have been the usual messages of the Bible, and we never heard any negative racial terms against people of color. However, many people there refused to apply the principles of love.
Then on your news broadcast, I see and hear the church sermons of Obama’s pastor. And ask myself where is the love for your fellowman? As a result many people are speaking out against what was stated, they deny it or minimized it.
Thus, people who step up to high positions… should strive for a higher level of ethical and legal responsibility to the public.
In closing, I would like to say it was refreshing for Juan Williams’s to have the courage and integrity to speak up in spite of the public back lash he will be receiving.
Thank you Mr. William!
I am not an Obama supporter, but the way the WHITE news media, especially fox news and their clammy news reporters seem to pursue with callousness, the destruction of the Blackman, because his pastor made some inflammatory statements. They call it “guilt by association’, these fox news people exaggerate too much on this. Last year my guru raped a young Indian woman, as was alleged. he drugged her and committed the act. My GURU was an intelligent man and the majority of time I seek his spiritual guidance. He was very close to me and he was like an uncle to me. But based on this guilt by association thing, I think, according to these pundits of fox news and everyone else, I am guilty also.
I listened to the remarks, and I feel that although some of them are correct, and some may be uncalled for, it is his opinion and not Obama, so why does he have to condemn the pastor,,, If we look what America has done to the people in Iraq, Millions of them have died in this war they started, millions are running away, there is widespread poverty and destruction. Millions of kids go hungry, as their parents struggle to survive and get food for them. America’s intervention in other people’s affair abroad ahd been had caused corruption in other countries, so much to write about….In my view, why don’t you guys interview Mr Wright and aske him why he said those things.,period. Why blame Obama. It is not his words…..I listened to Keith Olberman and sometimes OReilly, and the majority of times I do not agree with them. However, they have their own beliefs and values, and so does Obama. I think he is a genuine person…as an individual, and for these white conservatives to bring him down, they will have an impossible task.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN NOTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LAST 48 YEARS OF MY LIFE ABOUT ANYONE’S RELIGIOUS WHO IS RUNNUNG FOR ANY OFFICE OR THE U.S.O A. THIS IS SO CRAZY FOR THE MEDIA TO KEEP RUNNING THE SAME OLD FOOTAGE OF BARACK PASTOR .EVEYBODY KNOWS THAT BARACK IS A VERY REIGIOUS MAN,JUST LOOK FROM WHICH HIS HAS CAME,LOOK AT HIS FAMILY.BARACK STANDS FOR FAITH, FAIR , TRUTH, AND MOST OF ALL HOPE.SO FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THROWING THEIR ROCKS AND HIDING THEIR HANDS YOU ARE THE ONES THAT BETTER BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE WHEN YOU DIG ONE DITCH YOU ALL BETTER DIG TWO BECAUSE THE DITCH YOU ALL DIG TAKE MY WORD IT WILL BE FOR YOU. SO BARACK PLEASE KEEP ON KEEPING ON YOU KNOWS WHO ARE THE HEAD OF YOU LIFE.GOD DON’T LIKE ANY OF HIS CHILDRENS BEING MIS USED.MR OBAMA 2008.
Let’s put things in perspective.
I am WHITE. I have traveled and lived in foreign lands and at times identified myself as a Muslim. I was raised in the beautiful state of Hawaii by a single parent and (oh yeah, but mostly by my grand-parents-male and female influence), who sent me to fine schools.
I settled in an American city and became an activist for Unions and poor WHITE kids. I joined a WHITE church. I became very close with my WHITE Pastor RIGHT, who treated me like family, and gave me great spiritual advice.
I ran for political office and beat out the well known RICH BLACK man.
I got a screaming deal on a new home (mansion), by dealing with a crook.
I have two little WHITE children who are not teenagers, but they love to go to teen concerts. I have a WHITE husband who is well educated and is coming around to liking this country.
I think NAFTA should be stopped and we should no longer get ANY oil or other goods from Canada or through the southern border.
I think we should tax the heck out of the BIG CORPORATIONS ( mostly run by those rich BLACK people, who provide thousands of jobs to other BLACK people ). That way…. they will continue to move their business out of America.
I will give MORE AND MORE money out of the treasury to the POOR of the WORLD and young people …. you know…. all the WHITE people who are not contributing to the pot. We’ll get the funds from the RICH BLACK people to support this endevor.
I will financially support my WHITE church and foster OUR point system of
ALLEGIENCE TO Great Britian…. you know…. Everything WHITE first and well the BLACKS….. they are the demons who have tried to keep my people from being RICH and LEADERS and SPECIAL….. the BLACKS are the ones who have filled our WHITE kids with drugs and diseases.
I will be spiritually advised by my REV. RIGHT who DAMN’S this country.
I would have VOTED against the WAR, if I had actually had the authority to VOTE.
I have NO military experience…..I was NOT given ANY inside information before we went to WAR….. BUT…. it doesn’t matter if our courntry is attacked…. I am against war.
I am a WHITE person running for PRESIDENT of the US. I want to be the COMMANDER in CHIEF of the entire country and it’s military forces.
So… all you poor WHITE people vote for me…. I’ll make some changes.
You will not get jobs, because I am going to TAX the corporations to death until they all leave America… but I will get money from the treasury… and just give it to you.
And… all you young WHITE & Black & any color people vote for me…..
I will change your life…. you’ll see. I know you haven’t contributed much to the treasury…. but get out of college, get that job…… then you will see just how much YOU will get to contribute….enjoy the change!
And…all you foreign speaking people…. vote for me, and hurry up on those fruits and veggies, my grass needs cutting and could you watch the kids while my WHITE husband and I tour Great Britian to see if they want any of America’s money.
PLEASE VOTE for me. I have so much giving to do …… I need access to the BIG funds. Oh…. gotta go….. time to write that check to the United WHITE College fund and then I have to meet with a group who promotes the advancement of WHITE people….. oh….. and buy my book….. and
don’t let my WHITE ONLY, rants AND my British-American, title AND my old religion bother you…… I AM ALL ABOUT CHANGE……
I can CHANGE and be whatever you want me to be….. JUST VOTE 4 ME..
I’ll make the REAL changes at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
(Don’t bother checking to see what I have been doing in Washington lately, you know….. the job I get a paycheck for….. cause…. I have been so busy promoting myself….. who has time to work?) You knows how us white folks are.