Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper

« Previous | Main | Next »

Team Clinton Hits Obama on Wright

March 20, 2008 9:11 AM

Writing on the Huffington Post website, high-profile Hillary Clinton surrogate Lanny Davis calls Barack Obama's speech on race "brilliant" and then pushes the Rev, Wright story.

"I personally regarded many of Rev. Wright's sermons as filled with hate words and bigoted generalizations base on race (in this case, all Whites)," Davis writes. "One could even call them racist. His remarks post-9/11 were nothing short of reckless and unforgiveable." (sic)

Then the push:

"But many people, including Obama supporters, may still have two questions that Senator Obama's speech did not sufficiently answer, at least in my opinion. And, for any Democrat whose priority is to win back the White House in 2008, they need to be answered now -- because, if Senator Obama ends up the party's nominee (I am a supporter of Senator Clinton's) -- for sure Senator McCain will insist they be answered in the fall."

Davis says the questions are the following:

"1. If a white minister preached sermons to his congregation and had used the 'N' word and used rhetoric and words similar to members of the KKK, would you support a Democratic presidential candidate who decided to continue to be a member of that congregation?

"2. Would you support that candidate if, after knowing of or hearing those sermons, he or she still appointed that minister to serve on his or her 'Religious Advisory Committee' of his or her presidential campaign?"

Davis then pushes reporters to press Obama on these questions.

Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson told The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder that Davis's op-ed was not officially sanctioned by the campaign.

I agree that the race speech didn't settle some of these questions, but I don't know that Rev. Wright using the N word is equivalent to a member of the Ku Klux Klan using it.

What do you think?

- jpt

March 20, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (378)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

People, please get over it. If we are going to judge him by the words of a man he can no more control than you or I, then we all stand judged. The comments on this blog are a prime example that racism is alive and well in America. America finally has an opportunity to elect a man that could bring this country together and we like the typical "white americans" we are, will do everything in our power to make sure it does not happen. A year from now, if the Clinton administration with the help of people like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News steal this nomination and Mccain wins the election - when you look in your pockets and see that you are unable to pay your mortgage, put a decent meal on your table or have to choose between heating fuel or gas - thank yourself for being responsible. We are a racist society and our hatred of others is not only directed at blacks, its directed at any one that is not white. Shame on all of you that continues to keep such hatred alive and well. Unlike Michelle Obama, I for one and not proud of America - I for one think that we have a long way to go. The mere fact that we now do in the dark what was once done in the light does not make us any less racist. The best thing the media can do for us all is to replay Obama's speech from the beginning - maybe something will in it will open your eyes and make you admit the truth. But wait, we (white)americans cannot handle the truth.

Posted by: Gloria | Mar 20, 2008 9:23:16 PM

What people are forgetting is that Obama is a Bi-racial candiate and he is for ALL AMERICANS. You can not pinpoint his pastor comments as being guided to " whites" only. His pastor was basically saying that our " Goverment" sucks not "whites". If you actually listen and stop comprehending ignorance and pieces of the sermons then you will fully comprehend the message well. So do your home-work first and then judge Barack as our future president not like it came out of HIS mouth. Also, let Fox come out with some comments about America under the democrat presidency made by Pastor Wright and show it on Fox. I triple-dog dare. Find some older comments like past 8yrs ago. Its not Obama idiots.ITS GEORGE W. BUSH screwed up Adminstration.

Posted by: May god Bless the USA | Mar 20, 2008 9:20:02 PM

I am a white woman who is not afraid when I meet a black man on the street. I am afraid of gangs of men or woman of any color when I am alone on the street. I don't understand why Obama has turned his back on his white grandmother and is desperately trying to fit in with the likes of Wright. Obama's wife is a racist and Obama, himself, is starting to show his true colors...that he is a racist too. So sad... and scarey if he ever becomes president.

Posted by: B.B. | Mar 20, 2008 9:16:38 PM

Obama, my grandma use to say,
"show me your company, and they tell who you are"
I am 25 years old and ready to vote but not for you, because you keep bad company like The Hater Pastor Wright.
How can you and your wife subject your two little girls to such hateful comments. It's like allowing them to indulge in drug. SHAME on You!!!

Posted by: samada NY | Mar 20, 2008 8:59:19 PM

questions for mr. obama -

flip flops on nafta - "just words?"

retract re: pulling out troops from iraq - "just words?"

dedicating the title to your book to the preacher you now refer to as something like your imbecile uncle - "just words?"

agreeing to a revote in MI and Fla - then, refusing to put up your end of money and allowing for revote, disenfranchising both states of millions of voters and tehn, smiling as you blame hillary for wanting to fight for voter's rights - "just words?"

YOUR KENYAN GRANDMA, during a 2007 press interview, stated she was a practicing muslim. 2/-3/2008, she states she is a practicing christian. - "just words?" (you must have put the screws to her too)

your wife not publicly commenting on anything since she dissed america's history - "just words?"

calling for hillary to release her 16 thousand page schedule for her 8 years in white house as first lady and not providing one iota of background into your tenure as a chicago state senator, claiming there isn't any documentation - "just words?"

calling for hillary to release her 2007 tax documents - where are yours? - "more words"

finding one person who can support your clim of working on behalf of low income and otherwise needy people when you were a "community organizer?" - "just words?"

claiming to have worked on committees in u.s senate when you did not hold or attend one meeting - "just words?"

claiming you did not support the iraq war, but unlike your supporter, ted kennedy - you voted in favor of every bill that has cost us trillions of dollars. your stated opposition to the war? - "just words".

replying to debate question re iraq: bo says that if we pulled out of iraq and that an insurrectin began as a result (down the line) - and, it appeared that this was going to infringe on america's rights - what would he do:
"go to war".

everytime bo has had a chance to actually do something, he hides. choosing instead, to use the words of statesmen and national heroes, as if he were in their league, as if his life work reflected on the courage of their lives or, they reflected on his - it just is not true - he uses kennedy and MLK - he uses their "words" and, he makes them small in his mouth, ...
how many people know if MLK would have enjoyed the chicago preacher sermons? wake up america, black and white alike- obama is just "words" - he is screwing with you.

all this talk about war and peace and uniting our country and peace and love and so on - they are just words. his blind ambition leading the blind faith of a public so hungry for "right action" that they are willing to be bamboozled by a flim flam, scam man.

as a person, i feel sorry for him. he clearly has no identity of his own. which, is sad because he is smart. but the ego of a man is not the man and the heroism of other men cannot be stolen from other men. or, reshaped in order to fill his hollow. and, a country cannot be lost or a democracy foiled, in order to satisfy a childhood yearning of a lost boy.

re: mr. obama,
there is a word for you: "no" - time to grow up. take responsibility for your choices and quit blaming your preacher and your grandma for your sorry story. can you imagine MLK or Kennedy blaming their mom or dad or grandma for poor judgement? geez o pete. BO can't be president. he just can't. Can you imagine MLK signing up with the black panthers and preaching love and unity? COME ON! MLK WAS A MAN. HE WAS THE MAN. AS WERE JOHN AND BOBBY KENNEDY... REAL MEN! THEY LIVED THE LIFE. WALKED THE TALK. WAKE UP, PEOPLE!!!! BO may belong on Oprah, but he sure does not belong in the white house, as our commander and chief.

Posted by: raven reports 55 | Mar 20, 2008 8:52:15 PM

Senator Obama says that he wants to be the President who transcends bigotry and hatred, yet he continues to belong to an organization that gave a lifetime achievement award to a man (Louis Farrakhan) who openly and publicly refers to Jews as "bloodsuckers." Apparently, Mr. Obama has no problem honoring people who hate Jews. I voted for Mr. Obama in the California primary. Now that I see who he really is, I wish I could take my vote back.

Posted by: Tom Davis | Mar 20, 2008 8:38:30 PM

Obama wants to be judged for his superior judgment since he has no record of accomplishment.

Just look at the company he keeps and you will conclude that his judgment is seriously flawed. To sit in the pew for 20 years listening to a pastor who has nothing but hate for America and still not sever that relationship is troubling. To make matters worse, I bet Obama kids were in church when these sermons of hate were being spewed.

Obama is halfway fessing up now because he was exposed big time by his pastors greed to make money by selling his videos.

The other bombshell yet to come is his relationship with Tony Rezko. Rezko created and bankrolled Obama as a politician. He is dripping out lies everyday as they are pointed out by others. Obama is in trouble and he knows it. He would save the Democrats grief if he drops out now.

Posted by: Sam | Mar 20, 2008 8:28:02 PM

I don't see anything remarkable about Obama's speech. He uses pedestrian language, insipid storyline, and is utterly unable to raise himself above his own racism. Obama "cringed" when he heard his grandmother use "racial slurs", he never said he "cringed" while istening to Wright for 20 years. Obama did not "cringe" when he put a racial slur blacks use for whites, like "crackers", in his own book. Yes, Obama is a black racist and a bigot, and yes he does share the views of a man he considers to be his personal advisor. Obama is not a man for all people. He is a false prophet, and all those who sing him praises are bend-overs.

Posted by: lana rinsky | Mar 20, 2008 8:03:54 PM

This story is very dumb. Why is Obama being held responsible for what every person he has ever been around has said? If that was the case then we could not be friends with anyone. I do not know anyone that share every view that I have and agree with everything I believe. Second, Obama could possibly have helped Wright not be racist.

Again people have managed not to focus on the real issues but focus on something that has nothing to do with anything.

Posted by: Sonya | Mar 20, 2008 7:44:56 PM

I just heard a clip of Obama on a radio sports show today. He said of his grandmother "She's a typical white person who is afraid when she meets a black man on the street." Following that one of his relatives called in to comment about the family's reactions to his Presidency. Don't think it's going to be a very Happy Thanksgiving after throwing grandma under the bus! Shame on you, Barack Obama!

Posted by: think | Mar 20, 2008 7:27:50 PM

I just heard a clip of Obama on a radio sports show today. He said of his grandmother "She's a typical white person who is afraid when she meets a black man on the street." Following that one of his relatives called in to comment about the family's reactions to his Presidency. Don't think it's going to be a very Happy Thanksgiving after throwing grandma under the bus! Shame on you, Barack Obama!

Posted by: think | Mar 20, 2008 7:27:07 PM

I just heard a clip of Obama on a radio sports show today. He said of his grandmother "She's a typical white person who is afraid when she meets a black man on the street." Following that one of his relatives called in to comment about the family's reactions to his Presidency. Don't think it's going to be a very Happy Thanksgiving after throwing grandma under the bus! Shame on you, Barack Obama!

Posted by: think | Mar 20, 2008 7:27:02 PM

You can argue political points all day but the fact are Obama is a raciest and that should scare the heck out of every American in the United States. Whats worst is the blacks think this is great.Wake up America

Posted by: Christopher | Mar 20, 2008 7:16:24 PM

The sad fact is that Obama finds himself in this predicament because he was forced to ''choose'' a race. Would Obama have had a political future if he had not planted grass roots in the black community? I suspect not. He could have walked out of Rev. Wright's racist sermons, he could have chose a different path, a different church. He, more than most, knew a fuller truth. But in America, biracials are forced to choose sides. Their world can be a lonely place if they fail to do so. And that truth is no different for one so blessed and talented as Barack Obama.

Posted by: Crabby | Mar 20, 2008 7:15:55 PM

I can’t believe people are still blind sighted by Obama after he finally came clean that he has witnessed some of these outrageous sermons and still protects their relationship. Did we forget that he initially claimed that he wasn’t aware of any of his racist pastor’s/mentor’s outrageous sermons. We call these people LIARS. He has been a member of this church for nearly 20 yrs, married by this man, and his children baptized by him. Not to mention that he used to listen to his tapes when he was in college. Are we to believe that he is not highly influenced or brain-washed by this man? He may know the difference but what about his kids listening to these lies?

At first I questioned Obama’s integrity when he tried to distance himself from this man that he holds a lot of respect for. He is after all his Mentor. Why not stand up for yourself. Then when he came clean and still protected his relationship with this bigot, I said - finally he’s revealing his true colors. Wake up! All this will cost him the election and we’ll end up with McCain! Is that what we really want? If Obama really loves this country, he will just step down. All he’s doing is hurting our only chance of changing this country around and that’s not with McCain.

Let’s remind ourselves that Obama is running for The President of The United States of America. Our President should unite our country and not divide us. I think it is naive if we ignore this because we want change so much. Non-African Americans should also think twice if they believe that Obama doesn’t have a hidden agenda or doesn’t have an obligation to his race. The pressure he will receive when he’s in office will be endless and they will call him a sell-out if he doesn’t comply. I’m sorry to say this but our country is not yet ready to have an African-American be in the oval office. Not because we’re racist, but Obama is not our guy and will never and should not be our President.

Posted by: Tran | Mar 20, 2008 6:51:41 PM

LuLu

can You do that for Hillary
1 The fellowship
2 Peter Paul
3 Flip Flop Nafta
4 Monica
5 Vince Foster
6 Whitewater
7 Rose Law Firm

you want me to continue...this is just the start

Posted by: Hillary go Home | Mar 20, 2008 6:29:46 PM

Obama says he never heard minister Wright say any hateful sermons, my question is, do we want a president that will never take responsability because he never knew? also he claims he couldn't do anything as a senator because of Washington poletics, what makes him think that washington poletics are going to be different
just because he is president?

Posted by: carolina | Mar 20, 2008 6:23:03 PM

it is all about JUDGEMENT. not words but actions.Obama showed bringing his family to a church like this is a disgrace his judgement is gone.If he can't disown Wright then he must respect & like him.While Wright Hates America,our governemnt & white people. Says "Hillary will never know what's it's like to be a black man Obama does". He went to Harvard,PLEASE-& you do not have to be black to help black people! Obama's OWN granny wouldn't feel comfortable in that church so he dissed her. Oprah left that church in the 90's & Obama stayed.
THIS IS about JUDGEMENT & ACTIONS.
I am sorry but it's over.

Hillary make us proud as a white women.oh can I say that. YES I AM PROUD a women finally in the drivers sit & behind the wheel. She has WORKED HARD through school& in her life!. NOTHING was giving to her women know we must fight harder, but if we are too strong we are a bit**, If we speak up we sound whinny.
GET OVER IT. HILLARY take it on home.
I'd love to see you push the boyz club aside this is once in a lifetime.& have a black women as VP.
I think that's empowering!

Please make it mine''''GO HILLARY woman power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm Proud

Posted by: Lulu | Mar 20, 2008 6:09:23 PM

Hey Jerry,

I'm LMAO... you read the Bible!!!! That book doesn't have pictures!

Posted by: Kevin | Mar 20, 2008 5:54:58 PM

Well Jerry,

did you ask your grandfather yet?
and how many...?
Are you proud of that?

Posted by: Hillary go Home | Mar 20, 2008 5:51:48 PM

Post a comment





 

POLITICAL VIDEOS