Obama Condemns Pastor’s ‘Incendiary Language’ But Explains and Defends Continued Relationship
Tuesday: Barack Obama gives a speech in Philadelphia on race, politics and national unity. (AP Photo)
Barack Obama roundly condemned the remarks of his controversial pastor on Tuesday but also took several steps to explain why the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.’s incendiary rhetoric is still valid.
Going to great lengths and several times repeating his reason for his continued association to Wright and his membership at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Obama said the pastor introduced him to his Christian faith and continues to perform God’s work on Earth.
“As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. … I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother,” Obama told an audience at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Hoping to thread a tough needle, Obama is seeking to return his campaign to the place it was until about a week ago, before his image was tarnished by the details of his relationship to Wright, who has been Obama’s spiritual adviser for 20 years.
Obama has tried to mold himself as a transcendent American political figure not viewed uniquely as an African-American running for the presidency but rather a candidate who is African-American and uniting the country behind him.
In a speech billed as one on race, politics and unifying America, Obama described his interracial background — a white American mother and black African father — as well as his wife’s ancestral history of slavery. He credited the United States for allowing the freedom that enabled him to enjoy such a mix.
“I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents. And for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible. … It is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts — that out of many, we are truly one,” he said.
Defining the freedoms that this nation’s inhabitants enjoy, Obama said he did not excuse some of the anti-American statements made by the pastor, though he acknowledged that he knew Wright to be a fierce and vocal critic of U.S. policy.
“Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed,” he said.
He also defended some of Wright’s remarks in a historical context, saying to ignore them might be politically expedient but it would be the same as ignoring this nation’s history of prejudice and racial struggle.
“We can dismiss Reverend Wright as a crank or a demagogue … but race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America: to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.
“The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through — a part of our union that we have yet to perfect,” he said. “And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.”
Obama described Wright as a product of the segregation and disparities “passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.”
He said segregated schools and “legalized discrimination” of 50 years ago in housing, education and the workforce have perpetuated “the wealth and income gap between black and white.” The Illinois senator also blamed lack of basic services for the urban blight and denigration of the black family.
“For the men and women of Reverend Wright’s generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years. That anger may not get expressed in public, in front of white co-workers or white friends. But it does find voice in the barbershop or around the kitchen table. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politicians own failings.
“And occasionally it finds voice in the church on Sunday morning, in the pulpit and in the pews. The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright’s sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning,” he said.
Obama said that anger may be counterproductive, but it is real.
“To simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races,” he said, adding that the anger is one that also transcends race and exists among middle and low-income white workers who “don’t feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race.”
Blaming politicians and conservative talk show hosts for a racially infused cycle of hate, Obama said fear has been bred in whites who have seen affirmative action programs take jobs and educational opportunities away. Obama said those fears have been “routinely exploited” but rather than focusing on the “real culprits,” a “racial stalemate” has resulted, in part from Washington corruption.
“Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism,” he said. “Just as black anger often proved counterproductive, so have these white resentments distracted attention from the real culprits of the middle class squeeze — a corporate culture rife with inside-dealing, questionable accounting practices and short-term greed; a Washington dominated by lobbyists and special interests; economic policies that favor the few over the many.”
He said that if he heard Wright only in the context of the “endless loop on the television and YouTube,” then he too may have reacted in the same way.
“But the truth is, that isn’t all that I know of the man,” he said, adding that Americans of all stripes would benefit by following the conservative philosophy of self-help found in Wright’s sermons. However, he lamented that Wright’s language shows the preacher is stuck in the same pattern that has trapped many Americans.
“The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made. … But what we know — what we have seen — is that America can change.”
Obama urged Americans to follow the Scripture and “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” He pleaded with his audience to ignore comments like Wright’s that continue to see division and conflict as inescapable.
“We can play Reverend Wright’s sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. … We can do that. But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we’ll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change. That is one option.
“Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, ‘Not this time,’ ” he said.
“This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generatio — the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.”
Obama said Rev. Wright was a good man because he took care of the poor and the needy in his community. Although these are admirable deeds they do not make someone a good man. Al Capone, John Gotti, Hamas, Hizbullah all take care of the poor and the needy. We need to be a little smarter then that and look at the motivations of leaders and their organizations. As well as their core beliefs and Jeremiah wrights beliefs are clear. Regardless of what Obama says now he is a member of this church and supports its core views.
You are judged by the company you keep. The situation doesn’t sound inclusive to the rest of us. Slavery or not we all must get up and help ourselves. We all have had setbacks in life for many reasons, including various types of discrimination. Blacks focus way to much time on being BLACK and not Americans! If being African-American is so important rather than just being American go to Africa and help your people. Most blacks no nothing about black history and that their own tribal leaders sold them as slave. So much for black unity. Get over it and off the I’m Black and you owe me something and maybe we can get together. Quit rubbing it in everyone elses face. Its getting way to old!!!
Obama needs to give it up!!!!
Senator Obama is the only candidate that is able to unite our country. With his judgement and experience he is ready on day one to lead our nation.
He can’t have it both ways - either embrace the “Reverend” or disown him. Yes, those who attend church (or any religious gathering) have heard religious leaders say things that they’ve disagreed with - but this guy is over-the-top. With a church leader this racist and mean-spirited, any sensible (or honest) person would have left this church years ago and found another one. But No-Bama didn’t, instead he chose to stay and affiliate himself with this church, this minister and this rhetoric.
Nobama can’t have it both ways.
Can we be certain that O.J. didn’t do it?
This makes me nervous! Does Obama need to “protect” his pastor? I wonder how many black churches and ministers are just like Rev. J. Wright? It scares me that they are being pumped up week after week “anti-American”. Are they hiding behind church doors to “keep things stirred up?” We should be practicing forgiveness here. I am not anti-black, but take huge offense when they feel the need to keep things stirred up and are anti-American, anti-white! I do not want a member of that kind of rhetoric leading our country? I feel Obama should have strongly denounced anyone who is anti-American, anti-white, just as we are encouraged to denounce anyone who is anti-black!! Seems like he “excused” him!!! We have such a long way to go, but prayerfully not under Obama’s leadership! The fact that he is pulling in our youth makes me have more concern as they are more easily “lead astray” by a charasmatic personality! God help us! Forgive! Move ahead! Unite for a cause that will lead our great country into the great nation we’ve fought for for years!!!
Its amazing that we as nation are so media driven we fail to see the real issues. He has not condemed this individual enough> bottom line if a white man said this type of there would be calls for his head period! Why are we so afraid to speak the truth? I have no guilt for my nations hitory and slavey. That was the past, all nationallties can claim victimization of some kind. we need to move forward. The man plays the media angle very well, I am not fooled.
absolutely stunning and unique speech by Obama, touching sensitive issues about race that most politicians wouldn’t touch. I am now supporting this man, undecided no more. he’s the person we need.
Obama pulls a Howard Dean….
This is what the end of a career and campain look like.
You cannot unit WHILE you are divided.
Goodbye Obama..is was fun while it lasted
Birds of a feather flock together.
Obama was a member of this man’s flock for 20 years.
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Obama kept this relation for 20 years.
The enigma of Obaman has been solved.
I heard Barack’s speech and conclude he is ultimately giving “excuses” for the Reverand’s hate
speeches by bringing up perceived inquities in our society toward blacks. He spent a great deal of time sympathizing with how blacks are not treated fairly. WHEN WILL IT END??? They have just as many opportunities as the rest of America and if the jails are filled with more blacks then whites it’s because THEY are committing the crimes. There is no excuse for the Reverand’s comments and Barrack whether he is willing to admit it or not, thinks along the same lines or he would not have brought up his defense of why the reveral thinks that way!
Wright is a racist, there is no way around that. Those statements were hate-filled against the white race, and for Obama to continue to be closely assosciated with him is the opposite of being “post-racial”. Making another speech is not going to cut it.
I am amazed with your organization’s chronic tendency to print a headline that is completely irreflective of the truth of the matter and ignores the entire story. I guess you need to do that because your readers are not intelligent enough to read the whole story and decide for themselves what the message of Obama’s speech was. You are doing a great disservice to a large portion of your audience, who could stand to benefit from the economic and social policies advocated by Senator Obama.
I had planned to vote for Obama but due to his close association with a minister who spews such racist comments I cannot find it in my heart to do so. Actions speak louder than words and Obama’s 20 years of closeness to this individual cannot be explained away in a speech. How very, very sad to come so close to the day where Americans were undivided by race and to see it snatched away.
I is amazing how I watched the same speech, but you would not know it by reading your tabloid headline. The point of the speech is that one man does not define another. Almost all of the founding fathers owned slaves and dealt in incest, turned the cheek while slaves were raped, broke up families, fathered children against a womans will, and yet I do not see Fox News repudiating them. Get a grip, the issue is and has always been the economy.
he is nothing better than a liberal senator who supports jeremiah wright but managed to insult john mccane.
Barack Obama said he had never heard the Rev Wright say all of those negative things in the past and now in his speech he says he has. He has lied to the American people.
He may be a great (black leader ), but he is not a leader for all people!
How come Obama previously claimed to have never physically heard any of the revern’s inflammatory views, but in his latest speech he seems to have confessed to hearing them at times, but disagrees with them. Which is it? Have we caught Obama in some “double-speak?”
Greg
Miami, FL
This just tells me that Obama still doesn’t get it. This speech will mean nothing and to compare this racist Rev. Wright to disowning his white grandparents?! Rev. Wright is not family nor does he represent the black community. This is such B.S. Obama is really in trouble now. I hope he realizes that.
Whatever the “Black experience” Obama’s 20 year relationship with Rev. Wright is inexcusable. If Obama wants change he has to be that change, not simply buy into the rage of the “Black experience” for political expedience. He is the same stuff, different day.
Don’t you think that Barack has accepted and assimilated Rev. Wright’s into his own personality? I know that if I had a minister with which I repeatedly disagreed, it wouldn’t take me 20 years to speak out about it.
Just heard Obama’s speech. He absolutely nailed it. I am crossing over from Republican since 1969 to vote for the only candidate talking about bringing americans together instead of sererating everyone into classes as Hillary does , or calling Americans names when they disagree with you like McCain does. I think his answer about the racist Rev. was honest, open and Truthfull.
Obama has spent most of his life being influenced by this “hate-monger” pastor and to say it has had no effect on him personnaly is an outright lie. If confronted by anti-america, anti-any race, and pure hatred type talk from my pastor; I would be looking for a new church and pastor. Why did it take Obama so long to renounce his pastor’s view’s??
How can Obama even think he is not two-sided? Read between the lines…his truth has prevailed! I am also saddened that people in such roles can live with themselves while altering the Words from GOD as they have.
Sorry Mr. Obama, I’m not buying into you speach nor your theories about how poorly the blacks have been treated all of these past years. I have lived among both the black and white races all of my life, I have seen how they bend rules etc. to get programs and benefits to work in there favor. Over the years I have had many Black friends and have talked about a lot of the issuse’s you presented in your speech, all of which where weak.
To little to late, and Mr. Mcains health has nothing to do with my vote.
Very well said. I think he hit the nail right on the head. He seems to have covered all the bases. We can only move forward if we come together.
Good speech, but didn’t answer the question. Can’t help but believe that Obama holds racist, radical views. Blames the past for the present. Wants to become President, so that he can provide pay-back for the oppression done in the past. Bad news.
I don’t believe one work of Barack. I think he would make a poor president.
I fell asleep at my desk while reading the transcript, if that means anything.
Conservative spin machine aside, this is a man who is convinced people’s minds can be changed by shining light on the fact that the way we’ve been debating and doing things is screwed up. Not many people, particularly politicians, seem willing to take such perspective. My support for him is unshaken.
graceful, smooth, but, he lied when asked if he ever heard the minister speak of condeming
my country. Now, are we to believe him now? I think not. He needs to step down because
he himself has set the black race back 100 years. I will not vote for him!!!
Obama, why didn’t you denounce Rev. Wright as an advocate of Louis Farakan? Were you afraid you’d hurt the feelings of Omar Khadafi?
I was very hopeful about Mr. Obama before, but now so disappointed. If he goes to a racist church, which Trinity clearly is racist, then my conclusion is that he is a racist also, otherwise why would he be there for 20 years? This coupled with the comments of his wife, which I find highly offensive and disgusting, lead me to conclude that these people do not really love this country and that now we are seeing nothing more than Mr. Obama saying what ever he thinks is necessary to get out of trouble. Make no mistake, he is in trouble.
I have never felt so let down by a politician as by Mr. Obama. If he is telling the truth about his view of Pastor Wright’s comments, which I doubt he is, then I’m left wondering how his judgement could be so poor as to be associated with this man. I can no longer support Mr. Obama and he will not receive my vote this fall.
Gary
He simply goes around the real issue. He leaves me to believe that he holds the same beliefs as does Pastor Wright againt the white population. You can not belong to a church for 20 years and not know the beliefs of your pastor and congregation and not condone those same beliefs or a person would distance themselves from that church because of their beliefs and attend a church that preaches God, salvation, and heaven. Barak is just not honest about this.
I watched Obama’s speech on Fox, immediatly after the speech Brit Hume said Obama made it clear that his agenda was the black agenda. Mr Hume must have listened to a different speech, because the overwhelming message that Obama delivered is that we need to come together. The agenda that i derieved from the speech is the American agenda that will improve all Americans lives. I hope all Americans say “NOT THIS TIME’. I am from the south and am a white woman, I know from personal experiece with blacks in Alabama that they were not and still in some cases are not treated fairly. Every American no matter thier color or gender is going to be affected in a negetive way if we buy into the devisive thinking that has grown in the last 30 years.
Unbelievable! So because Rev. Wright grew up in an era of segregation he can spew whatever hatred he feels towards the “white man ” and thats okay? I remember Tent Lott and many others being labeled a “racist” just for praising a man who grew up in the same era as Rev Wright. Racism is racism…it doesn’t matter which way the wind blows. Rev Wright should be ashamed of his remarks and held to the same standard as others. This speech was no more than another well-spoken tirade with not much substance. Hillary is just sitting back and letting Obamab implode.
It sounds like he is blaming white america and defending the America hatred that his minister spews out.
If my Pastor had preached a sermon as this Wright has, I would leave that church in a heart beat. He needs to readand abide by the bible!
Put a fork in Obama, he’s done. Too many red flags around him. Just take Obama Girl and go.
Obama is just like every other politician - he is backpeddling to keep from losing votes. I don’t know why anyone would think that this speech changes anything - he’s saying what people want to hear. I would not vote for him if he were the last candidate on earth. He’s a liar just like all the rest of the people who work in Washington.
So Fox from your title that’s all you got from the speech…WOW…
Barack Obama just got himself a free campaign speech. This issue is NOT about his race. HE is the only person mentioning race. The issue is his Anti-American ties. He could be purple for all we care, as long as he is a TRUE American. If I was in the company of anyone..relative, minister, politician..who spouted such Un-American trash, I wouldn’t be in their company for long. I surely wouldn’t listen to them for 20 years. It’s those ties..the ties with Rev. Wright, the ties with muslim cousin Odinga…that are in question. NOT his race.
I no way believe that he never had a conversation with….. Wright ever saying anything about White people…That is too hard to believe.
Shrewd and very calulating….he most certainly will not get my vote
This did not help him.
I though Obama was different. Now I see that he is not….
For Obama to stand up there and justify what his pastor said because he remembers the past and how bad it was for blacks is ludicrous. As a pastor he should know that forgiveness is paramount to the Christian faith. He also should be more concerned with preaching the Gospel of Christ instead of his anit-American hate speech. Obama did nothing to separate himself from such a person and has hurt his testimony.
So Obama is given a pass or praise for not abandoning his church and outrageous pastor ….BUT… Romney was criticized for NOT abandoning his faith (mormon church)?
I’ve never heard a mormon say God Damn America; I’ve never heard one say anything derogatory about the USA.
Interesting how the media hounded Romney about being a mormon, but them by and large gives Obama a pass.
(What is really interesting about Obama’s speech….look at the transcript….is that he now acknowledges HE HAS HEARD pastor Wright say some of those types of ridiculous things AND REMAINED a member of that particular congregation.)
It bothers me that Obama and your contributors keep refering to his church as a “black church”. Is that b/c no other ethnicity is welcomed to attend? Can you imagine if Hillary or McCain referred to their churches as “white churches”?
I am unimpressed with his primise, if I found myself in the same situation, within a Church, I would have left and found somewhere to worship where I agreed with the views espoused. I would not feel comfortable or welcome in an environment that I could not defend.
I think Obama Spoke his mind and just told the truth about this nation. People do not like to here the truth about this nations past and present.
I have listened to Obama time after time say WORDS DO MATTER, yet now he wants us to dismiss the hate filled words of his pastor. He played the biggest race card of all with this speech. Rev. Wright not only expressed his racist hate for white people but also his hate for our great country. His speech didn’t work for me and I’m sure not for many other americans. If he is the democratic candidate then I’m sure we’ll be saying HAIL TO THE CHIEF - JOHN MCCAIN after the general election.
What I find stunning is that Fox News continue’s to carry this in a negative light. I think the fact that the first comment you would read on air is a divisive one, show’s that.. Shame on you all for contnuing to bring this in a negative light. This election is not about his pastor it is about Barack Obama. To me Fox News represents exactly the what Senator Obama talks about in terms of keeping the country divided. I think Obama hit a homerun and represents what is good in America. He was honest,candid and right. It is a generational thing. I am 36 years old and I am ready to move forward. Race is no longer an issue for me I want whats best for America. Please Fox News cover the issues.
Barack Obama was wrong when he asserted that we’ve all heard our pastors and priests state things to which we disagree. I’m Catholic, and priests almost always discuss the gospel message in their readings, or they attempt to educate on a current human condition, i.e. abortion. NEVER have I heard hate spewed from a Catholic pulpit, NEVER; I’m 52 years old and attend Mass every Sunday and holy day and some weekdays. Senator Obama was wrong to have tolerated such an abuse from his pastor.
Great speech. I think his honesty about the whole issue is refreshing. I am leaning towards Obama for November.
It is our responsibility to call wrong wrong and if Obama sat through sermon’s of hate and anger just because it was preached in his church, how can we trust him to be a leader and know when to protect our country from such hate….if Obama allowed his children and wife to be exposed to such hate and be baptized by this hate-monger what will he allow for us as a leader of our country. I hope all the party loyal voters will not let this be swept under the carpet and vote for this country and not who the Democrats are pushing.
Where have I seen this before? Oh yes! It was The Wizard of Oz. “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! I am the great and powerful Oz!”
This speech is perhaps the greatest description of where our nation has been and where we stand today regarding race relations. Only a hopeless ideolog could not understand Obama’s relation to his pastor, his church, his community, and his country, after reading this speech. I am sure there are many out there, but, as far as I am concerned, it is Obama in 2008.
I just watched the speech and totally agree with the Miami guy who emailed about Americans not being stupid. But my question is why hasn’t anyone said anything about the picture that is circulating where all of the candidates are standing on a stage all with their hands to their chest during the National Anthem all execept for Obama. That is unbelievable that americans would vote in a president than can’t and will not observe our National Anthem!
More of the same from Obama…………Why doesn’t anyone ask or address the issue of the race based vote? Obama has the “audacity” to bring up the possibility of white voters supporting McCain regardless of the issues in the general election. Yet, he obviously has no problem with receiving the overwhelming percentage of black vote in the primaries; I guess pretending that it is based on policy differences with Hillary.(of course)
As usual, Mr. Obama has not said what his position is on this issue. I left the Espiscopal Church due to the appointment of homosexual bishops…In my heart this was against my principals. Mr. Obama must agree with his pastor or he would make the same standb if he doesn’t agree with the church’s position on this issue.
Obama is innocent. Why should he disown the Pastor? We might condemn George Bush fighting in Iraq, but can we disown the fact that he is the President? Therefore, Obama should not disown the Pastor. The family based relationship should continue at his own risk.
After strong analysis of Pastor’s comments. The question should not be what he said, but why he said it. He spoke in that manner, because he has a first hand experience of the racial abuse he underwent during his early age.
So America, wake up and join hands in solidarity for a united states of America and not US of KKK A. Senetor Obama is the right answer for U.S.A. Do not get carried away by treachery.
I thought his speech was excellent, but….he claims that wrights views are not his, however, but remember he will not wear the american flag pin. He so clearly points out , that he will not wear “THAT PIN”. He has said, thata he does not like that the American Flag has come to represent “American Patriotism”. If you notice, his stage was massed with several American Flags. I say, it is not what a person says, but what a person does, and his words and refusal to wear the american flag speaks louder no matter what his words do.
I believe that his feelings about our American Flag support that he does share feelings that his pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Barack Obama was absolutely correct in condemning pastor Wright and not disowning him. Why should he, it is evident that he is not nor has he been anti-white nor anti-american. The ironic point is things that pastor Wright (your snipets) was saying, especially from his vantage point are true.
America has a history of racism against blacks; when he served his country during WWII and came back to America he was just another N@@@er that was consider less than human, he was not able to eat with whites, ride on the bus with whites and could not vote without fear of being arrested or retaliation. The list could go on - but why.
I personally feel that this is a ploy to make race a factor in the political climate and pit Obama against Hilary Clinton and many, many people who support him and not just black people, when you look at states like Iowa, Wyoming, Vermont, states where blacks and people of color make up less than 1% of the population, there is a want and a need for Change in America and people know that Obama change bring it about.
So the effort to destroy or draw attention away from issues such as the economy, the war in Iraq (to include the Pentagon finding that there were no WMD nor a connection between Al Qadea and Iraq) is not going to work. This is just making Obama and stronger candidate than he was prior to this race baiting.
Remeber, you must be careful what you put out - because it may come back but not as you anticipate. So now Fox News deal with the issues of the country that affect Americans, regardless of their race, creed or ethnicity.
Also watch out for whom McCain has associate himself with from the clergy and their views (Parson is the last name I believe) McCain handedly accepted his endorsement and what a controversial figure he is.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to voice my opinion.
Senator Obama’s comments were eloquent, well thought out and predictable. It was a typical campaign speech, with all the flair and pagentry we’ve come to expect from the senator. He made a feeble attempt to distance himself from his ‘pastor’but failed to do so with any degree of success. He did not adequately voice his disagreement with those terribly racist remarks from the pastor, nor did he comment on the ‘God damn America’ comments. As someone who hopes to lead this nation, shame on the senator for his refusal to stand up for America and condemn his spiritual leader.
Sen. Obama just made himself the “black candidate”.
Dear Sirs,
Tell O’Reilly that the spin starts here. I don’t buy his retoric for a minute.
Dan Domme
The mere fact that Obama has made a conscious and public choice to continue the relationship with the pastor and failed to walk away from ,only strengthens the doubt and disapproval of the public concerning his candidacy.
This speech will have no impact on damage that has not only destroyed the good faith in voters but their belief in true unity of our nation through him !
Boy, what a soft shoe side step this is, and evoking his white grandmother??? Please! The truth be known, the man is a rabid racist and in the true history of the american media, the black man gets a pass. Replace Rev wright with John McCain’s pastor and you have a candidate forced to withdraw from the campaign. Here, Obama does not renounce the man, only his comments (?) how does that make sense? You are known by the company you keep; I’m sure that obama has heard this rhetoric many times over the past 20 years; so much for racial unity.
I think that we have a clearer picture of Rev. Wright and his ideas. He expresses himself
in manner in which was enculturated in.
In all things get an understanding… My mother taught me that getting understanding is the best policy in the world!!!
Senator Obama did a great job explaining “WRIGHT”S statements.
Obama danced around the real issue! His association with this racist so called “man of GOD”, Reverend Wright, who is anti-American (based soley on his words alone). This will have a lasting damaging effect on his future and for that matter on race as a whole!
Why aren’t any charges against Reverend Wright being brought out for Hate Speech and even treason ?? Obama would be a force to reckon with if he was not attached to such a hater!! Obama…………what were you thinking ahhhh… for how long………..oh yeah….20 years???????
It was a great speech however it did not reassure me that Barack and Mechelle Obama has not been effected by these fiery sermons ofter a 20 period. If you listen to the some things Mechelle controversially in the past make more sense.
News flash — it’s about the anti-American rants of Rev. Wright and not about the races — the problem regarding Barack Obama’s former pastor was not addressed to my complete satisfaction. Basically, what Obama spoke about was race. All about race. He did not address his former pastor’s views about being anti-American and his hate for this country.
listening to politicians try to explain things is more and more like listening to a six year old try to convince me of that they don’t like chocolate cake and they did not eat all the chocalate cake when they stand before you with cake all over their face. Please don’t insult my intelligence. I don’t watch tv shows I don’t agree with,I don’t listen to music I don’t like after hearing it several times and knowing clearly there is nothing there I agree with or like or stimulates me in a way that is pleasant or worth while. I could not disagree more with the statement that we have all heard our pastors say something we disagree with. I would never continue to be spirtually guided by someone for 20 years who’s veiws were so clearly racist unless I also thought that the bible supported that kind of advice. I could not tolerate such talk on a weekly basis for twenty years. To hear it once was enough, actually once was once too many.
FINALLY - a politician who is courageous enough to speak his truth, to address the divisive issue of race and to take a balanced view of his pastor’s comments. Keep it up Fox, you seem determined to continue flaming this issue to what end?
There’s an old saying: “When there’s a mist in the pulpit, there’s a fog in the pew.” What then if there is a “fog in the pulpit”?
I watched today’s comments by Barack Obama. I was a supporter and even changed my Republican status so that I can vote in the next few weeks in the primary for Mr. Obama. I was hoping he would separate himself from the inflammatory comments made by his Pastor; however, he said, “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community”. He also referred to him as family. He has followed this man for 20 years, he has praised him in his books. I do know this, if Hilary Clinton was in this position today, she would be called on to drop out of the Presidential race, especially if she refused to separate herself completely from racist, anti-American remarks. I believe Mr. Obama has lost his chance at a nomination because of his remarks today. He refused to separate himself from this man and in this country, that should not be acceptable. Racism in any form is unacceptable and it seems that today, in America, it is more than acceptable to bash white America. I am so disappointed. I was very excited about Barack Obama and now I am changing my vote. I hope more Americans do the same. We need to unite and not divide and Mr. Obama clearly divided America today. I would have supported him still had he CLEARLY and without any question separated himself from the Pastor today, but his inability to do so does speak volumes to me.
I think Obama explained his position so that any intellgent person of any color/nationality can understand that although race is evident in this election - It is not the main issue and that geting past this issue is most imporatant if we are going to have a different life. It was a speech for inclusion and change.
I just don’t think a college drop out like Sean Hannity will understand any of ehat was said.
There would be no way I would belong to a church if someone preached like that. Although I may know where my Pastor political views are he wouldn’t preach it, and I’m shocked that any American sitting in the pews would stay. What he is preaching is not God’s news, it’s “the pastor’s news”. Shame on Obama.
OBama was eloquent in his speech, however, I still question: “If he wants unity between the races so badly why not attend a mixed ethnicity church. There are many out there that do not look at skin color. Attending a “Black” church only adds to the segregation he deplores.
Yawn…
Obama’s speech reminds me a scene from the Wizard of OZ “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”
Obama’s speech may actually divide the races even more than they have been. I believe he is also admitting that he was in some of the services when Rev. Wright gave the inflamatory speechs. My husband has been the victim of reverse discrimination over and over yet he has never had the hatred for blacks or his country that Obama is speaking of. All he has ever wanted was to be treated equally and have the black man treated equally. When a black man gets laid off in my husband’s union, the black goes to the head of the line. My husband cannot get a job until the black man gets a job. This is reverse discrimination so I don’t see where the blacks have a beef. They have every opportunity and sometimes more than a white man has. If my church ever put down anyone based on their race, I would leave the church.
hmmm He sounds like a politician. Wait! He is a politician. His speech proves a thief is a thief and a liar is a liar whether you are a republican candidate or a democratic candidate. Each one has their own agenda. Sickening to think about.
Let’s call it like it is.
Obama had been a clean slate until he started to receive a bit more scrutiny from the press and from the American people.
Upon such scrutiny- it is painfully apparent that he is a bold-faced liar. He lied about Rezko. He lied about NAFTA. He just now, during the speech I am watching at this moment, admitted that he knew of Wright’s bigotry and hatred for American’s- white Americans, when yesterday and the day before he claimed to be unaware of this spew. He is a liar who only admits anything after he is caught red-handed,. And here he is, giving