Obama Complains That Pastor Was ‘Boiled Down’ to Sound Clips
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over anti-American remarks by his former pastor, saying people are paying too much attention to a small number of “stupid” comments.
Obama gave a sweeping speech on race last week in which he condemned incendiary remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but the words of the former pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago continue to dog the candidate. Reflecting the campaign’s concern about the fallout, Obama used a question about religion at a town hall forum as an opportunity to address the issue.
“This is somebody that was preaching three sermons at least a week for 30 years and it got boiled down … into a half-minute sound clip and just played it over and over and over again, partly because it spoke to some of the racial divisions we have in this country,” Obama told an audience in this central North Carolina city.
“There are misunderstandings on both sides,” the Illinois senator said. “We cannot solve the problems of America if every time somebody somewhere does something stupid, that everybody gets up in arms and forgets about the war in Iraq and we forget about the economy.”
On Tuesday, Obama’s rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, weighed in directly, saying: “I think that given all we have heard and seen, he would not have been my pastor.”
The controversy began earlier this month when videos of Wright’s sermons surfaced, including one in which the pastor shouts “God damn America” for its treatment of minorities.
Wright has said the U.S. government invented AIDS to destroy “people of color” and also has suggested that U.S. policies in the Middle East and elsewhere were partly responsible for the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.
In the speech last week, Obama sharply condemned Wright’s remarks and the preacher’s refusal to acknowledge progress in race relations. But he refused to repudiate his longtime spiritual mentor, saying he could no more disown Wright than he could disown his white grandmother.
Wright has canceled some planned public appearances this week. Obama said Wednesday he has spoken with the pastor.
“I have talked to him. I have not asked him to do anything,” the Illinois senator told reporters.
What was said in unmistakable and unforgiveable. Sound and video clips mean a lot when there content is visous. This was very visous. You are not getting out of this with smooth talk.
Enough with the preacher! It does not matter if one agrees or disagrees with this preacher. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF HIM FOR AWHILE.
Obama’s still defending a black separatist, anti-American racist. Same old tune, same old double standard. He is anything but a uniter. That so-called “church” to which he is a member needs to have its 501c3 status removed. It’s nothing more than a political machine, a stewing cauldron of hate and propaganda that isn’t so very much different than those in the Middle East that spew their venom. Shame on the mainstream media for not reporting on all of this months ago - ah, but theirs is a double standared too.
Senator Obama, your pastor preaches hate and ugliness — he should not be your mentor or
spiritual advisor. You said your grandmother’s sterotype statements sometimes made you
cringe — Rev. Wright’s statements make me want to throw up!
Obama complains? Perhaps Obama needs to step down so the party can unite, Obama is no uniter but a divider. Obama lies, he has been caught lying with Rezko and Wright and Nafta. Its about time people learn Obama is a Fraud.
Keep on defending him Obama. It will just make the job easier come the fall.
I dont know why mr Obama thinks they where a few stupid remarks,the point is they have been said and whether mr Obama likes it or not!! his pastors comments show just what he thinks of America and some of its people.
Obama clearly is not listening…..I would never vote for him over this issue as he continues to support this man. If this was Mccain or Clinton he would be asked to step aside. This is all a about the white person fearing of being called a racist…Amazing when acually this pastor is a Racist and very offensive, but what do I know Im just a “typical white woman” as Obama puts it!!!!
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. It is what it is. Wright is a horrible person and Obama is still defending him. We do not need Obama in the White House. It would be the beginning of the US as we know it. By the time his four years were up, you wouldn’t recognize our America. He will destroy it. Wake up America.
Funny…the media is talking up Clinton’s remembering Bosnia trip….folks are calling her a LIAR. Yet Obama just misspeaks.
1. Rezko 2nd Debate: “I only worked on ONE case as an associate attorney for Rezko…that was the extent of my relationship.”
Not lying I guess when you OMIT: 17 year relationship with Slum Lord; Buying House same time as REZKO buys property; Sending Campaign Staffer to be at Rezko trial; and not willing to throw Rezko under the bus.
2. Then when he is CAUGHT: “Rezko held ONE fundraiser and raised 50K or 60K for my State Senate Campaign.”
Not lying I guess when you OMIT: Rezko on Obama’s 2004 US Senate Finance Committee. When the 50 or 60K becomes 150K…and finally $250K. Send out the truth piecemeal so folks can accept it, I guess.
3. “I never supported or gave favors to Rezko.” OPPPSSS…then the letter shows up that Obama supported a building project “Just outside of my district as State Senator.”
Not lying I guess when he fails to mention 11 of the 22 Rezko projects were IN HIS DISTRICT! Out of the 11, only 4 are operational. The Other 8? Well…they were foreclosed on and/or boarded up. Think a State Senator might want to check on the buildings BEFORE he wrote a letter supporting Rezko? Hmmm guess not, after all, he was too busy running for US Senate.
4. “The meeting with Canadians NEVER happened.”
Not lying I guess when Monday, AFTER the AP released the notes of the meeting, Obama admits it did happen!
5. Obama shows OUTRAGE over Bill Clinton’s Remarks and BRANDS him a RACIST.
Hmm…but he does not stoop to dirty tactics….sounds like a lie to me…
6. Obama shows OUTRAGE over Ferraro’s comments and DEMANDS her resignation. Then tells everyone Clinton must not be sorry. (Oh yes…no dirty tactics here)
7. Obama’s Advisor calls Clinton a Monster…and says Obama will not follow his OWN Plan in Iraq. Then calls Clinton playing “Gutter” Politics when she Challenges him on it. (Yup…certainly he is sticking to the higher ground)
8. Tapes of Obama’s Rev. Wright come out….Obama says he NEVER heard those types of remarks in Church. Hmmm….not a lie I guess, although most of Church goin’ folk don’t believe him!
9. Obama THEN gives a speech about Race that is wonderful. As it should be, he is a brilliant Orator. But he NEVER answers the question of why he chose to stay directly…only gives a History of Oppression that many of us ALREADY know, sympathize and UNDERSTAND. (Although I personally believe my Parents are responsible for my childhood, but I AM RESPONSIBLE for myself TODAY) Then he says HE has heard offensive remarks. Guess that isn’t a lie because only two days separate the remarks….
10. “Clinton is willing to do or say anything to get elected.” Hmmm….guess Mr. Obama ISN’T?
11. “Clinton runs a very divisive campaign”. Hmmm….guess Obama DOES’T?
12. “I was raised by a single mom,” Hmmm…forgetting about your step dad? Forgetting about your Grandparents that sent you to an ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOL?
13. “Clinton is a liar and untrustworthy.” Hmmm…certainly that IS the Politics of change, and ISN’T GUTTER TACTICS!
OK….BOTH OF YOU KISS AND MAKE UP Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama You BOTH CERTAINLY COULD KILL MCCAIN TOGETHER!