Before Wright Firestorm, Obama Called for Imus Firing
Barack Obama had been a presidential candidate for more than a year before he outright repudiated his long-time pastor for racially charged, anti-U.S. sermons. But when talk show host Don Imus was in hot water 11 months ago for racially insensitive comments, Obama was the first candidate to call for his firing.
When asked about the different responses to his pastor and to Imus, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor questioned the premise of the comparison and defended Obama’s response in each case.
“He spoke out both times, so it’s entirely consistent,” he told FOXNews.com Tuesday.
Click here to see the original ABC News interview with Obama.
Click here to see Obama discuss the Imus fallout on MSNBC.
Obama — who in a major speech Tuesday decried controversial remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. dating back to 2001 — called for Imus to be fired just one week after Imus made the remarks in April 2007, two months after Obama had announced his candidacy.
“There’s nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude,” Obama told ABC News in an April 11 interview.
Imus ignited public outcry for calling members of the women’s basketball team at Rutgers University “nappy-headed hos” on his popular morning talk show.
The controversy dogged Imus, even after he issued an apology to the team and met with the players personally seeking forgiveness.
The public atonement wasn’t enough to save his job. He was fired by CBS Radio and by MSNBC, which produced the TV simulcast, but since then he has returned to radio with a show on WABC-AM in New York that started in December.
Obama said in the 2007 ABC interview he would never appear again on Imus’ show.
“He didn’t just cross the line,” Obama said. “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America.”
In the case of Wright, Obama denies ever personally hearing his pastor give sermons that blamed the U.S. government for HIV and cast the country as institutionally racist. But Obama has had a 20-year relationship with Wright, and on Tuesday he said he knew Wright had made controversial remarks.
When some of Wright’s remarks were publicized last year, Obama rescinded an invitation for Wright to speak at his Feb. 10, 2007, presidential announcement.
Obama didn’t outright condemn Wright’s views until last Friday, but Vietor said Obama had started putting the issue to rest long before now.
“He denounced specific comments months ago and he gave a thoughtful speech today,” Vietor said Tuesday.
Comment by todd
March 19th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
How is it that CNN, MSNBC, etc., refuse to report on this. The rest of the media has annointed Obama and refuse to even investigate his statements or contrast and compare them. However, McCain and Clinton are constantly attacked by those media outlets. Fox must keep doing the hard work and real reporting. Don’t let the people be blindly lead by feel good speeches that provide double standards!
By the way, does anyone know who the “rich white people” are who are holding down the 8,000 parishoners at Obama’s church? Let’s start analyzing Rev. Wright’s words…and ask Obama to explain the meaning…words do have meaning!
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I totally agree Todd. Well said.
In response to GIMMABREAK - No, you give me a break! Are you serious that not one black person from Wright’s congregation thought that his diatribe about “GD America” and “The USofKKKA” is wrong and that it divides us, not brings us together like a reverand should? All your diatribe proves is that because Wright is black and you are black, you automatically believe in what he says. I know it is futile to even try to dissuade you from Wright’s hateful and divisive rhetoric, so I won’t bother to go on further. It’s just too bad you can’t think for yourself!
1. Rob, White people were slaves long before blacks even got here.
2. Black people hit other blacks over the head and tied them up and sold yes SOLD there own people as Slaves. Black people did this not white people.
3. Ask the Irish people how hard it was to get jobs when they came to America. chiinese,russians,Germans,hispanic etc. as they all went through the same racial tensions.
4. Why does obama seem to only acknowledge that he is a black man instead of a malano like the rest of mixed peoples acknowledgeing his white side. not just by mentioning his white mother and grandmother once or twice.
5. Obama has proven that he is a liar,bigot,racest, therefore America does not need a man of this nature in the white house of this Unitied States Of America.
6. Just listen to Obama’s wife speak and you would think she hates America as she does.
7. Just think what Obama and his wife are teaching there kids at there church since they were born.
I’m from Gary Indiana and I can tell you from personal experience that when I was growing up a basketball court full of white boys would let a black boy play basketball with us but I never saw a basketball court full of black boys ever letting a white boy play with them without calling us names or starting fights just because we were white. and better at basketball.
If your going to speak of truth’s then speak of the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
I have always wondered why in this great country of ours a man who is born of a white mother and a black father is automatically labeled “black.” His genetic makeup is half white, so why is it that he cannot officially identify with that half of his family? Why do we white Americans complain when Obama identifies with the black community in racial issues? We have let him know from his youngest years that he’s black. How confusing it must be to a little boy growing up to have a white family love, nurture and raise him and tell him you are not one of us–you are black.
Although I have no plans to vote for Senator Obama based on what I see as a lack of concrete policy, I am not surprised to see racial tensions surface around his campaign. I agree with the Senator that we can use this election year to move forward to a place where we are no more labeled either black, white or brown, but simply Americans.
The more I find out about Barrack Obama, the scarder I get.
Jan Kennedy
Fort Worth, Texas
First, please take a moment to read articles from news sources other than Fox. Second, controversial Pastors exist ALL OVER AMERICA. The Pat Robertson’s of the world are always saying inappropriate things, example:
“Well, I totally concur.” –Pat Robertson to Jerry Falwell following the Sept. 11 attacks, after Falwell said, “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say: “You helped this happen.”
That doesn’t mean the millions of people who listened to Pat or Jerry are not loving, good hearted people, or even that they necessarily believe or agree with everything he said. Same goes for Obama’s Pastor. At least he goes to church… alot of people can’t even say that!
Take a moment to listen to Obama’s speech yesterday. Whether you like him or not, he makes good points about why whites and blacks have so much animosity towards one another. Some of you are just looking for a reason to hate him, and to each his own. But I think he’s taking this issue head on, which is more than you can say for any other candidate in recent memory. At least give the guy credit for trying. He wants a stronger, more united country, a noble purpose if you ask me.
I BELIEVE OBAMA HAS DONE ENOUGH. HE HAS CONDEMNED HIS PASTOR REMARKS. I HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE MADE COMMENTS THAT I DIDN’T LIKE. I TOLD THEM WHERE I DISAGREE. BUT I DIDN’T DISOWN THEM. I FEEL ALL OF US SHOULD LOOK AT OUR OWN SITUATION IN LIFE, BEFORE WE PASS JUDGEMENT. AND AS FAR AS IMUS. I BELIEVE IMUS CAN SAY WHATEVER HE WANTS IN PRIVATE SETTING . HOWEVER, HE WAS ON PUBLIC T.V. AND RADIO. THERE IS WHERE A LINE SHOULD BE DRAWN. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, AND OTHERS HAVE A RIGHT TO DIFFER. THATS WHAT MAKES THIS COUNTRY GREAT.
And Obama will be the next president of the United States of America so learn how to deal with it now or the next eight years of your life will be filled with hatred and racism but oh well see all you chumps at Obama’s inaugaration
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White conservatives and Hispanics together will be the majority and will vote against Obama in a general election.
No Obama. Hillary or McCain for president!
Comment by elbow
March 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Here’s a thought:
How many more “churches” like Racist Wright’s are there?
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That’s a really scary thought. Just listen to all the black commentors on the news programs agreeing with the thoughts and actions of the Rev.
IT isn’t a matter of race rather a matter of judgement–or lack of in Obamas case–To think that Rev. Wright was/is Obama’s mentor/family is SCARY. Obama’s judgement was & is seriously lacking!! I hope America wakes up & realizes this before it is to late!!