Poll: Majority of Voters Approve of Obama’s Handling of Wright
WASHINGTON — Most voters think Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has done a good job handling the controversy surrounding his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, according to a poll released Sunday.
In a CBS News/New York Times poll, 60 percent of voters — and 68 percent of Democratic primary voters — said they approved of the way Obama handled the situation.
At a press conference in Washington last Monday, Wright praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and reiterated his beliefs that that the U.S. government may have developed the AIDS virus to infect the black community and that it had invited the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Obama denounced the remarks the next day.
Three-quarters of voters polled said Wright’s statements had not changed their opinion of Obama.
And a majority of those polled — 56 percent — said the news media have spent too much time covering the controversy.
The poll was conducted among a random sample of 671 adults, including 283 Democratic primary voters, from May 1-3. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 4 percentage points for the whole group, plus or minus 5 percentage points for the Democrats.
The rants of Obama’s pastor will not affect my vote for Obama. Obama cannot be held accountable for things Wright says. It is a shame that Wright CHOSE to use such awful rants with the only intention of bringing Obama down! Our country is in desperate need of change , and in need of being united again. I think Barack Obama can do this, and will do this if nominated and elected. Obama has handled the situation with Wright superbly, and should be commendedf or it. Obama ‘08!!!
O’Bama may have said the right things on Tuesday, but as Rev. Wright has already pointed out, O’Bama is just saying what a politician needs to say to get elected.
It is impossible for someone to spend 20 years in an anti-American hate cult and not be affected by its teachings in some way. The comments made by O’Bama’s wife mirror that anti-American sentiment, and O’Bama himself seems to look down on people of faith.
I fear for this country if we are so willing to dismiss the significance of a presidential candidate’s involvement in a cult while turning out Mitt Romney because of his faith.
Why is it not reported that the response by Obama was not liked by 40% of voters, because at this late stage in the nomination process, that is pretty significant. The other point is that only 56% of the respondants said that too much time was spent on the saga when it has been all over the news. I think the way this story is slanted is not the correct analysis of the results of the effect of Rev. Wright’s on Obama’s campaign. I think it has turned many Independents and moderate Democrates & Republicans away from Obama’s bandwagon. I am one of those that look at Obama through different eyes and I don’t think I am alone.
With so few people interviewed I don’t think this poll means much. The Wright affair has been on the minds of most of the people I talked to. The issue goes to who Obama associates with and would listen to, if he were to become President. Another thing which should be fully explored by the media is Obama’s comments concerning Clintons “obliteration” statement on Iran should they decide for a nuclear attack on Israel. The only thing the thugs in Teheran understand or respect is strength. Obama sounds like another Jimmy Carter sending mixed signals to the enemy, then wondering why they did what they said they would do. Folks I just don’t think would can afford a pseudo Carter. Obama is a threat to our national security.
I was watching a group of students being interviewed about who is the better candidate, to handle what most of the people are not thinking about. IRAN. 50% said Mccain was best between him and obama. The other 50% said they will vote for obama in “HOPES” he can handle it.It boggles my mind how these students think that we have time for “HOPE”. Im sorry but im educated and know this country has no time for lets “HOPE”obama can, or any time to train the un-experienced.This “RACE” to the white house is not about “RACE”.Its about the dangerous issues that are overdue to be handled. We should be voting on the strongest and most experienced person to help us clean up this mess. Perhaps in 4 years well have time to sit back and say ” Lets hope”.
How in the world do people no longer believe that the person who holds the most powerful
office on the planet does not need to be trustworthy or have outstanding character.
I guess this is what we can expect in America post Monica.
I find this hard to believe. Everyone I know is switching their vote to Hillary - even me!
HILLARY 08′
I wonder how Obama could have aligned himself (and his family) with a church with such misguided views…I guess in that respect I question his judgement.
There’s no way in Hell the majority can’t think he did this because he is losing the popular vote. Come on, why didn’t he denounce this Nut the first time and only when the polls were showing that everyone was giving him and his ideas for this country a second look. Sometimes I think these polls are fake.
In what way did Obama handle the Wright situation correctly? First he stated that he would as soon turn his back on his own grandmother than to turn his back on Wright then he turns his back on Wright. Obama cannot be TRUSTED. I cannot believe that he has the American people so manipulated! Why can we not see him for what he is….. a frustrated, two faced, maniplative man that will say anything to get anywhere. He is afterall just another politician pretending his is not……and were falling for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!