Political Punch

Barack Obama is the presidential candidate, not Wright. That is an important distinction to make.

Poster thinks a church that blames whites for HIV has a problem. Did you ever hear of a church (Catholic) that taught its member for hundreds of years that
JEWS CAUSED THE PLAGUE by poisoning the wells.
Obama has the potential to be great.
Lets not blow this election.

I don't understand why so many people want to use Obama's association with Rev. Wright as an excuse to denigrate his candidacy, yet support McCain, who has aligned himself with (after once distancing himself from) white Christian conservatives like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who blamed 9-11 on feminists, homosexuals and liberals. I don't like what Rev. Wright said any more than I like Robertson, Falwell and their ilk; but I'm even more concerned that so many people can blithely condemn the former and embrace the latter (and, by extension, their political associates) without seeing the double standard.

I thought Obama's speech was amazing, disproving those who call him all rhetoric, no substance. The rhetoric of this speech was off-kilter, in fact -- his delivery was sometimes tepid, the cadences were not as rhythmic as we're used to from him, the applause points were off the mark, and the whole thing was a little bit awkward. As it should be! Have you ever had a discussion about race (in mixed company) that WASN'T awkward, uncomfortable, and a little confused? Race is a tangled issue. My (white) father gives his time, money and respect to the local black church yet doesn't hesitate to use the "n-word" and make racially charged jokes and comments. Do I applaud or condemn him? Both and neither. Race in America is difficult, complicated, messy, and sometimes contradictory. Obama knows that. He also knows that it must be talked about, not with overly simplified binary rhetoric, but with intelligence, empathy and knowledge of all the factors involved.

This is more than politics.

Of all the people to ask for reactions, you ask SHELBY STEELE?!?! Please.

In reading these comments, much like Trinity Church has as it's members the best and worst of society. These remarks truly show just how completely ignorant some people are and just how brilliant others show themselves to be. And to be truthful, some of the brilliant remarks come from people with whom I don't agree with in the least, but at least there's intelligence in their response.

You cannot have a good opinion on things listening to 30-second soundbites of anything, and this doesn't even take into consideration the media spin on which 30-seconds you see!

30-secs do not give you context. Summaries do not always reveal intent or implication. And when I see the Obama writes many of his own speeches and Hilary will pretty much let whatever will help her win spill from her mouth... the contradiction and hypocrisy is really disturbing ... I think I'll be4 more apt to have a greater respect for the man (or woman) who has proven themselves true.

Look, I'd love to see a woman president one day. But NOT THIS TIME. NOT THIS WOMAN.

aj... go to the Trinity United site and buy yourself 5 tapes and listen to them if you want to see if they are really racist, any church that states whites concocted HIV and introduced it into the black comunity for purposes of genicide has a problem.

So I note you put the ultra conservative up first. The one that believes that racism and predjudice does not exist and that the issues facign the black community are the government's fault.

Where is Condoleeza Rice?

It's about Obama, his choices, his contradictions, his race baiting, his false messages, his ripped off speeches, his holier than thou behavior that he and a lot of his supporters share.

What you see is what you get. Okay, I see a lying fake.

to beachnan:

Responding to: "Let's not talk about why I sat in a church for over 20 years, that promoted racisim and hatred."

If you truly believe that any modern, sanctioned church of many believers "only promotes racism and hatred" you are much more ignorant than I thought people could be. Or, you are willfully ignorant, in the hopes that your PERSONAL hate can bring down the rest of us. I have NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER that the majority of the members of that church, and the sermons given by Mr Wright, were good and moral and Christian based. That you think 30 seconds of controversial comments define an entire congregation of God shows how truly sad and hateful you are. Were we all to be judged in such a manner, we should all go to hell.

I am sick and tired of people saying who is Barack Obama......Who do you think he is??....Who does he look like? Soung like?.....I get that all time from white people...telling me they don't know who I am.......My response....what you see is what you get.....what more can I say...the real question is if you know yourself....it is easier to know someone else.....I see that most people are totally lost and confused today.....

It was one of the best speeches I have heard in a very long time! -- Obama spoke to us as if we were adults (to borrow a phrase from both Gergen and Stewart) -- I wondered why I felt a part of it until I heard that phrase. Being a 64 year old white woman, growing up during the JFK, RFK & MLK years, I too, heard racial slurs from within my own family and cringed when I heard them -- in understanding himself; he has had to understand and love that which is of the white community as well as that which is of the black community If Obama had repudiated the man rather than the words, then he would have been the slimey politician he says he is not. If he had done what some pundits say it should have he would have been disloyal to himself. I am glad he took the high road, let the Clintons stay in the gutter!

Okay Obama, it was history's fault, no wait, it was grandma's fault, no wait it was the ministers fault but then again that's history's fault. Oh wait, it is the white people's fault too because they don't get it, so they are defensive about being hated because of their ancestors. Again, history's fault. So let's look at history....Could it possibly be your fault Obama, by choosing minister Wright and his church at the beginning of your political career twenty years ago? Where in the speech did Obama take responsibility for himself? No where. He excused himself and provided rationalizations for the short comings of everyone else around him who was not as enlightened as he. Apparently you can only understand such issues in depth if you are of mixed race. Well, I am mixed race and I understand perfectly that Obama used race and created the renewed racial tensions for the twenty first Century. I know that Wright spoke the way people speak when they vent. A lot of times when we vent about others, the last thing we want is for the other person to hear us, we just want to let off steam. Thanks to Obama's high profile in his quest, the minister has been dragged down and Obama did NOTHING to stop it. He made a speech loaded with excuses in his own defense. He spoke to people as though the issue was a needed history lesson. The the pundits came on saying; "Well, he spoke to us like we are adults." What the hell? He spoke to us about history and excuses in a very impressive way; but he spoke to us like we're idiots. The reason he needed to give the speech was to explain his choice of message to listen to vs. his false campaign message. He is the problem not the solution.

I see that many understand Senator Obama’s position, but there are many that still don’t get it… and really are not trying to understand. Of those who have passed negative judgment on Rev. Wright due to the slant of the media, how many have heard one of his sermons in its entirety? Probably very few. Please seek full understanding of the whole man that Obama describes before you judge him. When you seek this, you will find frustration and anger… not hatred and racism. This man isn’t some angry preacher that has been sitting in a church on the south side of Chicago. He is well respected amongst Christian ministers WORLDWIDE. His ministry has reached all parts of the globe learning of social struggles in places you have never heard of much less been to. These Christians are of all colors. He not only learns their cultures, he speaks their languages, studies their histories, and bridges a connection with us here. Be fair to yourself, him, and Barack Obama. Listen to a whole sermon before you pass judgment.

I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for many years before Obama’s candidacy brought it to the forefront. I can honestly say, like Barack, Rev. Wright married my wife and me and he baptized my child also. As a Black American who has worked hard as a professional to build a career and support my family, I have experienced much racism that has been nagging obstacles. I have not used racism as a crutch or gone out here looking for racism … racism has knocked on my door and threatened my American Dream that I have worked VERY hard for. Many White Americans couldn’t imagine what I have experienced. Most experiences are common for many Black Americans. It can be subtle micro-insults by Whites daily or larger occurrences such as a realtor attempting to steer you from a community where services and quality of life are the best because they don’t personally want you there. Even with all of this, we continue to pursue the American Dream with a Christian mindset and without hate. If you listen to Rev. Wrights sermons, you will find sometimes that he rants, like the news has shown over and over, but he offers a Christian solution for us coming together and working together. That is the part they conveniently left out. Many of us Black American men seen others leave the home leaving Black American women to raise our children alone. Not to say that it doesn’t happen in other homes, but it is like the plague in the Black community. One of Rev. Wright’s sermons that stays in my head and keeps me strong is describing the role of the father in the home. Many say he is the ‘head’ of the house like a ruler that everyone in the home should serve. Rev. Wright analyzes the Bible on this subject showing how God says that role is more like the ‘point man’ in an army… the one who goes into battle for the family. The one who is willing to face dangers to protect his family. I have shared this concept with many Black men and I can say it helps galvanize the Black family when so many external forces are working to tear it apart. This is one of the MANY teachings of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. This is what Obama speaks of… Different from the critics, I know FIRST HAND.

Lastly, the background on the United Church of Christ Christian denomination; it is primarily White. Trinity is one of the few Black churches within this denomination, and THE largest due to Rev. Wright’s ministries. I have seen many groups of White visitors to this church over the years. Not only White Christians from American churches, but from all over the world! Rev. Wright has traveled the world sharing his respected theology and openly learning the culture of others. If his teachings were as bad as the sound bites indicate, do you think he would have this much support by Whites? When considering Obama’s relationship with Rev. Wright, Americans, this time can we be smarter than the news media and use our intelligence for this important point in this nation’s history? I fully support Obama and his message that we can move beyond race relations that has been our albatross. Let’s move on to other discussions that are more productive and can help us ALL keep food on our tables.

Like Mr. Obama or loath him what i want to know is: Are any of you ready to discuss the issue that has been raised? Whether you owned slaves or not whether "race" is real or not, it exists in today's america and needs to be dealt with and extinguished. We've had a liar in office for the past 8 years and it hasn't seemed to bother anyone, we're in a recession, men and women are dying so that oil companies have made their biggest profits ever, working people cannot afford health insurance, no one can afford to go to college, katrina victims, jena six victims-i can go on and on. There are real issues here, and for the first time in this election one has been raised by a candidate. I would like to see a debate on what the 3 candidates believe can be done to end discriminitation/racism and indicate with proof what they have done in the past. I don't care about what the people in their camps say or do; those people are not running for president.

His speeches sure are pretty. Unfortunately, this country needs substance, not speeches. His speech was about diversion. Let's talk about race. Let's not talk about why I sat in a church for over 20 years, that promoted racisim and hatred. I am getting so tired of the double standard-call other people racist, but don't address the racism in your own pastor. It shows (as well as other things have shown) a real lack of judgement. He really should step down, for the good of the party... the supposed uniter, has really divided this party.

Mara, what are you talking about? You are correct, I don't know you, which is why I did not make a personal attack.

spock: The GD America speech you refer to happened 3+yrs ago. Obama didn't get Secret Service protection until LAST YEAR!!! Please be factual when you post things to try to make a point. He wouldn't have needed SS protection at the time Wright made the comments he made because he wasn't running for POTUS as a black man at that time.

I will refuse to be taunted.
I will refuse to lose a vision of a nation that believes in the Constitution.
I will refuse to listen to your sexist, racist and white supremist skinhead comments.
I've never read such stilted crap in my life as I've read on these forums at this website - you've accomplished one thing as far as I'm concerned - you can have this public forum all to yourselves from now on.
Oh yeah, you can even say "he refused to listen to the truth" - there won't be anyone here to read it. Morons.

When I was growing up I was taught that hate and discrimination, pigeonholing, stereotyping, being judgmental, had no place in society. I was taught that simply listening to a friend say such things and not speaking up and reminding my friend that such speech is not productive would be just as bad as having said the same words. I was taught to speak up against hatred, because if we are to remain silent then we accept it and we allow it to build up. That was a long time ago, in a different country.

Are American children not taught to speak up against hatred? Was Barack Obama not taught to speak up? Sometimes a child, innocent, not yet having learned wrongness, can teach his parents. Should we not speak up more to people who might listen to us? Don't just cringe, speak up!

God Bless our Troops and let them fully complete their Victory in Iraq!! on this one front on the Terror War on us!!

God Bless our Troops and let them fully complete their Victory in Iraq!!

Tiffany - First when did he say that, he also said he never heard any of the speeches, and then two days later said he was at some but did not pay attention. oh and by the way if Obama was not there at the GD America speech, WHY was the Secret Service there protecting him??

got to wonder!!

Obama has said he desires to bring the country together and change the things that have caused us to suffer economically. He has said he believes if we could work together to form a more unified nation of people and work together to bring about this change, it can be done. I believe he can help us do that as president as he has stated by providing proper medical insurance, improve the educational system, and end the war in Iraq..etc.
AS president ...I believe that he can...
However I heard it said on a Cable TV news station just yesterday and read it on the blog this morning that if Obama wanted to do the right thing, to show his sincerity to the country regarding the Pastor Wright comments, he would change the Pastor Wrights heart, you know; I don’t think that he can do that. I really don't agree with what was said, but and if that needed to be done, I know that Obama is not the one to do that. Obama is not Jesus... Nor God...only Jesus Christ changes the heart of man or did you not know that? This Easter holiday is a good time to take note of that IF YOU DON'T.

I'm confused-what does everyone think he lied about? He said he was not in the church at the time of the G.D. America statement and he has proof. Obama did acknowledge he heard OTHER statements he didn't agree with. I think we need to focus on the real issues. Today is the 5 year anniversary on the war in Iraq and you people are focused on a pastors sermon. What does that tell you about America? Let's get real.

THE OBAMA TIMELINE OF LIES

posted by justme819: Mar. 19, 2008 - 4:17 AM EST

March 18, 2008–Obama stated:

“I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. 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.”

”I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.”

March 14th–Obama stated this:

“uh, none of these statements are ones that I had heard myself personally in the pews. uh, o-one of them I had heard about after I had started running for President & I put out a statement at that time condemning them."

March !8:

Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

March 14:

uh, the other statements were ones that uh I just heard about while we were uh wh-when they started being run on fox and some of the other stations.

March 18:

Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

March 14:

uh, and so they weren’t things that I was familiar with. Once I saw them I had to be very clear about the fact that these are not statements that I am comfortable with. I reject them completely.

March 18:

Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

..

March 14:

Had I been sitting in the church at the time they were spoken, uh, I would have be-been absolutely clear to Rev. Wright that I didn’t find those acceptable uh… and if I had thought that was the tenor or tone on an ongoing basis uh of his sermons then uh yes I don’t think that it would’ve been reflective of my values or uh of my faith experience.

March 18:

Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

March 14:

There-there-there, no no no, uh, wai-wait there I-I-I didn’t know about all these statements. I knew about 1 or 2 statements that ha-had been made. And as a consequence, as I said, if it was just 1 or 2 statements then that’s not something that would lead me to distance myself from either my church or my pastor.

March 18:

Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community."

then it can still validly, etc., be stated that one does not have a a mentor/spiritual advisor for over 20 yrs. without sharing the same views!…Obama`s refusal to ‘disown’ his Pastor strongly suggests that`s the case here!

but perhaps the larger issue here is that while Obama`s preaching togetherness, he goes to a church who`s Pastors preach racial, anti-American garbage...and who preach a separatist, 'Black Only Value System'', which is as divisive as can be...even Obama`s mentor, etc., the Rev. Wright, stated that it`s a separate but = black theology!

and what`s this use of the word ‘disown’…doesn`t Obama know that`s RACIST…but against black people…

and why did Obama compare his white Grandmother to the Rev. Wright?!…i guess he`ll say/do anything to get votes!

just another dirty, lying, scheming, and hypocritical politician…i have one more word for Mr. Obama - BUSTED!!!

The timeleine shows Obama's MO to lie to the American people. Totally unbecoming of a Presidential candidate. Obama can't be trusted. His support is fractured and his numbers are dropping.
Obama is UNELECTABLE.

You can come out the closet now! It’s not a Obama/Jeremiah Wright thing, it’s a race thing. RACE to the White house
I was looking for information on Obama’s speech that I am hearing so much about. I was led to this blog. Though I have never had a reason to do this before, I must add my comment. I was wondering why Obama found it so necessary to make this speech yesterday. I know now that if for no other reason, it was to show us as a people who we are...really who we are and to bring attention to where we have been, where we are now and most assuredly where we are going. Is there really any hope? WE haven't changed, though it is time for change, will we ever? It is obvious that there is still so much work to do in the (heart)s of America. This land of freedom of speech...religion...free to judge...and hate… real hate that come out at times like this where we can freely and openly share our biases. In our closets , on blogs, where no one knows who we really are; what we really feel, only who we pretend to be in our offices (work places) neighborhoods and even yea! at church. This is where you can really feel free to share your true feelings. This is a safe/nice place to be where you can say what you really mean and spew out all the derogatory remarks one after the other, one to another. . No one would know the better. How convenient this is. Think about who or when you have heard or read something someone said about this country; a leader, a particular kind of race; that you didn't agree or did agree with? Be honest was Jeremiah Wright the first? But because of the connection you did not quit your association with them; it could very well have been in your own household. I feel it would do us so much more the better to stop entertaining ourselves with hate, prejudices and destructive rhetoric and get on with the mending of a broken economy etc.
Oh! But as I began this blog, I was wondering about Obama’s speech…now as I have been on this blog, read the many derogatory comments, I understand what Obama was saying? I understand so very well, and I also know that those who are looking out to destroy this candidate by his association with Pastor Wright and others and not judging him on his own merits (that got him to be the Senator in the state of Illinois), was not going to vote for him in the first place and are now have found a legitimate reason to safely and openly vote against him or/and hinder him successfully campaigning for presidency.

The term "anti-American" is usually used by the American establishment to discredit and, not falsely - but shall we say inaccurately - define its critics. Once someone is branded anti-American, the chances are that he or she will be judged before they are heard, and the argument will be lost in the welter of bruised national pride.

But what does the term "anti-American" mean? Does it mean you are anti-jazz? Or that you're opposed to freedom of speech? That you don't delight in Toni Morrison or John Updike? That you have a quarrel with giant sequoias? Does it mean that you don't admire the hundreds of thousands of American citizens who marched against nuclear weapons, or the thousands of war resisters who forced their government to withdraw from Vietnam? Does it mean that you hate all Americans?

But there are many Americans who would be mortified to be associated with their government's policies.

I think Obama should have stopped attending his church a long time ago. I also think that we all should have stopped watching Seinfeld reruns because of Kramer's racist tirade.

It doesn't matter what you would do if you were in his situation, it only matters what he did. Take it or leave it.

When independent- thinking people (and here I do not include the corporate media) begin to rally under flags, when writers, painters, musicians, film makers suspend their judgment and blindly yoke their art to the service of the "Nation," it's time for all of us to sit up and worry.

Arundhati Roy

Obama made another speech.
In his speech he told how his grandmother's (that raised him and was white)racial and ethnical stereotyping made him cringe. Then why was it fine with him when his reverend made racial and ethnical ramarks about white people? And what true American would stay in a church that condemed and hated America, to the extent of saying "God D__ America? He went to that church for 20 nyears?. And this person waants to hold the highest office in the country he has been condoning hate towards.
WAKE UP AMERICA! We are a country of many colors and ethnic backgrounds. We are proud of that. I am American. It doesn't matter the color or race. And to condone MY country being badmouthed is unexceptable.We have freedom of speech but I would walk away and not look back. I sure wouldn't join in become part of and stay with it for 20 years. And then try to use a speech to cober up my true way of thinking. Given a choice even a republican is better than a man only interrested in one group, and worse must in some way agree with his reverend about America or he wouldn't expose his children to the hate sprewing from that reverend.

The pundits were out in full force praising Obama's speech today and it was hilarious when they compared him to Bill Clinton. Someone should verify, Obama didn't piggy back off of one of Clinton's old speeches.

Obamas good friend Oprah says when some one shows you who they are believe them. Obama has lied again, and yet those willing to sacrafice on the altar of Obama still won't believe who he plainly is showing us who he is. A liar with poor judgment, and not at all who he says he is. How can a Pioneer of hope and change be listening to and have as a mentor someone so old school as Pastor Wright? With the same old lets blame everything on the white man speeches of racism and hatered. if Obama really was a Pioneer of hope and Change he would have changed his Pastor to some one with a message that promotes peace and unity and equality all the things that pastor Wright obviously does not. OR is it all just simply political positioning join this popular black church in Chicago where he needed the black votes to be Senator and then when your campainging for president and need the white votes sell your Pastor down the river and distance your self from him. Is it the same political positioning as the Ohio/Nafta/ tell Canadian officials he really doesn't mean it? Or one of his advisors telling another government that he really doesn't mean he'll pull out of Iraq right away.Or when he didn't really mean it when he agreed to piblic funding and has since changed his mind. Or how he really didn't mean to do a dumb thing with his land deal and Rezco. PEOPLE he IS SHOWING YOU WHO HE REALLY IS YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE IT.
P.S. I'm not republican,democrat or independant just neutral and observing this charade

It was a good speach but in the mans own words"I give a good speach".The point was why did Obama sit for 20 years in a church that da*ms America, says that whites concocted HIV as a tool for genicide against blacks. Gives an award to Farakhan,that basiclly gives him a big high five for spreading racism.In the 20 years of being at that church Obama could have used his gift of speaches,vision of unity and changed the congregations anti American views and white hate, he could have brought the unity he says he would bring to america as president.Instead he sat in the pews and said amen.This wasnt about racism in the campaign,if it was he wouldnt be ahead in delegetes.The speach was a way to change the focus away from Wright and Obamas choice to stay in that church.

Maxy Samy - I realize you are an Obama supporter and that is fine. But, you really do need to read his speech again. I don't think trashing everyone who does not share your opinion is exactly what he had in mind. Name-calling and referring to non-Obama supporters as ignorant is just not what he is espousing. If Barack Obama were standing right in front of you, he would tell you that unity does not come from that kind of invective. If you want to support him, do him the honor of listening to his message.

nicole, your analysis of the obama sleight of hand speech is right on target. re the media pundits calling it brilliant, despite its obviously not being so - i think they actually believe their so-far-successful efforts to push this guy will continue to succeed and he will end up in the white house. and i think they are already salivating at the stories and books they will write and the millions they will make off of it. so painting today's speech as akin to king's i have a dream speech is just part of their (fictional) first draft. (and, of course, they also think writing this stuff will help get him elected).

interestingly, i think they'd end up with much better books/stories if they portrayed it accurately - stories of someone's self-destruction tend to sell better.

Is there anyone Senator Obama did not placate in this speech? So everyone should be really happy with it. Except, maybe, for Geraldine Ferraro who was dumped into the same pot as a ranting racist. But she doesn't matter much. She's an old woman. Another old woman who doesn't matter much is Grandma. But she won't complain. This speech was finely-crafted and well delivered. It did exactly what it was intended to do. It was a political masterpiece. Hello Mr. President.

smart people commenting (article title). i'm a smart person too. here's my comment.

obama pulled sleight of hand. he tried to, and probably succeeded in, change the subject from his own association with and support for wright and his anti-american rantings to a general discussion of racial relations and how he's the guy to help us fix them. very good sleight of hand. lots of pretty pretty words. lots of people bought it. i don't.

Okay since were agreeing with Obama to say there is a racial divide and Obama is obviously not denouncing or rejecting Wright. I will say Bill Cosby was right about the African American community. How's that?

Say what you want about them being just words, maybe they weren't sincere, maybe they were, but they were true. Sweeping that under the rug is a travesty. Trying to brush off the issue of race and telling ourselves that everything is rosy and all better is a complete lie.

Shelby Steele: “Barack Obama is what I call a bargainer." .....I think you are right there. Obama does not see things as "black and white," the way most of his critics see them. He believes thas everyone has a point of view and needs to be heard. His persona is a statement of his life, his up bringing, and what he seeks to represent.

"Why does Obama talk so much about what other people say?" "Why doesn't he tell us more about what he's going to do?" "How can he attend that chuch for 20 years and not be affected?"

Ah, so it has all blown right over your head it appears. So many politicians don't have the ability to listen ... They "have all the answers" already wrapped up - there'll be plenty of time for President Obama to act with ethics - he's been listening and developing his platform for uniting the people of this country and restoring international respect and admiration for our country.

I think it's weird that the Obama campaign claimed they were the elite educated ones and pulled off something so, I don't know, dumb? To be so aggressive about pushing race, picking up on any cue as "racism", making deliberate sexist remarks that never received the out cry we knew he was baiting us for and now after letting his pastor take the heat for Obama choosing to use him for political clout among the black community; he tops it off with mentioning his grandma is a racist. I don't care what the minister has said in his church, I care what the guy who wants to be president says and does. His words and actions don’t match up and he let's other people take the rap for his judgment! Then he acts like he cares about the minister by making the political move that all the media pundits said he should make a couple of days before the speech, making him look like such a great person by maintaining his relationship with the minister. Yeah, beautiful....but WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIM twenty years ago huh? Because you injected race twenty years ago, when you BEGAN YOUR POLITICAL CAREER. A very fitting career for a POLITICIAN. Change, PALEEZE!

Just comparing the quality of the different viewpoints of you all there is an ABC evaluation;

1. There are 2 class of bloggers; the informed and the uninformed.

2. What is identical about each category is that each reflects the candidate they support;

informed-SEN. OBAMA

uninformed-Sen hillary c.

The worst side a man can be on is the wrong side of history.

There is something that I have noticed on this board.

1)Most of the critics here HAVE NOT HEARD OR READ OBAMA'S SPEECH. They simply picked up just the sound bites and taking points.

2)They are not rational. They are not supporting barak, have no intention of supporting barak and will never support barack.

3)They are way too ignorant to understand the depth and message in BO's presentation today.

But then the exit polls reflect the quality education of voters that does not usually vote for him. Only this makes me understand why one could have listened to the speech and did not understand the underlying challenge and the goodly, honest soul from which it came. This was far from a political speech.

Today I am proudy American and I would have voted a thousand times for the man name Barack Hussein Obama.

J.

Once again the sheep is feeding to get fat for the slaughter.

Obama said, "I have heard controversial statements of the Rev." he did not say that he heard those sound clips that have you have been feed as a sheep.

Shelby Steele:
“I thought in the end he did not take responsibility for being in someone's church for 20 years, being close to that person -- I thought he evaded that."
Shelby Steele is right on target. In fact first Obama claimed he had never heard the Reverend Wright's hateful preaching until recently. Today he said he knew what Reverend Wright had preached and tried to explain it away. The media must stop applauding anything and everything Obama says regardless of the truth. The media is obligated to report what is true and not work on behalf of any candidate.

Allison,
You get it.

Someone once said “United we Stand: Divided we FALL”

A house divided:

The Roman Empire:

Yes, Obama laid the cards on the table, and the insecure (sheep) of this nation cannot stand it. Maybe knowing, or NOT, that they are on their way to the (sheep) slaughterhouse as was Rome (history does not have to repeat itself).

No matter how much hate you have and want to stir the RACE card in your heart and words, true AMERICANS need a leader that will promote UNITY AND TRUTH

Oh my gosh, I just read how Obama's grandmother is still alive and the Obama campaign has prevented anyone from doing an interview. How could he talk about her like that? I assumed she had passed on the way he was talking. I wonder if she appreciates what he said. Guess we will never find out what she has to say about it. Anything to get elected I guess; he's just as power hungry as Hillary and will do anything to get elected. They are both tearing up the democratic party to get elected, better to choose who has the best chance to get elected vs. McCain.

Hillary '08 or bust!

Judgment should be questioned!

If a campaign is based on a speech and judgment, judgment should be questioned when a candidate deeply (20 years) associated with a pastor who preaches hatreds of his own country, government and people.

No, D.S., that is not a correct statement.

Barak Obama did not call anyone racist. Axelrod would have never allowed that.

What Barak Obama did was to try to shift the focus away from his association with the hatred and racism of his pastor and mentor of 20 years.

The electorate majority (and, now, the superdelegates) will not allow rejection of the statement and acceptance of the man.

Just listened to Obama's speech in its entirety. Maybe I'm tired, but I didn't get a clear call to action. I have this sense that he wants me to vote for him, but no clear sense of how that would change anything unless I believe that he is uniquely situated to effect change. That would be a leap of faith, particularly since he did not demonstrate any ability to eliminate racial hatred within his own congregation. So why is everyone so excited about this guy? I just don't get it. I mean, if he were my pator, I would think that this was a nice sermon, but my President----no way!

Okay, it was a good, maybe a great speech, but as others have pointed out you can't run the country with speeches. I don't think the biggest problem with the country right now is race or that should be the main focus. And if it was the focus, Obama should have been more universal in his comments. Black aren't the only minorities in this country. Population wise there are just as many Hispanics, there are many Asians and so on. And what about the prejudice against gays, women, etc.? "Human rights" like Hillary has mentioned. It really bothered me how he tried to make a comparison with the comments of Ferraro and Wright.

I think Obama would be great for running a University or a business or following a lead like Gore with the environment. But I don't trust him at this point to be president (face it, he's lied about what he knows about Rezko and Wright, and is only giving a speech because of the pressures and necessity of the campaign). I'd like to see him do a lot more (say over the next 4 or 8 years), and provide some accomplishments to show that he is worthy to be president of the U.S.

In the end, as far as the election goes, sorry to say, but he doesn't stand a chance, not even a small one if he makes it to the general election. Hillary '08 or bust!

Some folks on this board (Ken) stated that Barack Obama has called others racist. They have also stated that he blames Whites and White racism. Are we talking about the same person and the same speech he gave today. He pointed out the well-founded resentments of Whites and Blacks. I think we should really have an open discussion and understanding on race as he said by understanding everyone's views and concerns. In the end we live together or we die together but we are together.

Barak Obama had the opportunity to confront the issue of the overwhelming hatred spewing from the very soul of Jeremiah Wright.

Instead, Obama chose to try to shift the focus and the blame of the controversy to the premise of racism in white America.

In addition, Obama had the opportunity to separate himself from the division of the hateful message of Jeremiah Wright.

Instead, Obama offered various excuses for the type of narrow minded and bigoted behavior for which there can be no excuse.

Today, Barak Obama had the opportunity to set the tone for the remainder of his campaign to get to the White House.

Instead, Obama chose to succumb to the racism, hatred, division, and defeat of the Wright House.

How can a man who accuses everyone around his opponent of being racists ever get the idea that he could have any role in transcending race relations?
He's forfeited any claim to being transcendent through his twenty year relationship with a bigot and his knee jerk use of the race card.
We need someone with better judgment than Obama possessess.

Nancy and All of the Fearful,

Is your nose so long that you can't see past it?

A person’s character is judged by his words and his actions. Not by another mans words or action.

Here Obama has given a speech that would unit the nation by admitting the problem that we have as people in this nation.

But as you lose your job, as you lose your home, as you lose the food on your table, as you will have to walk to your children’s school PTA, as you loose your dignity... You would rather stay on course with the same old game of deceit of the press, which wants more polarization.

I like the way the press treats everything Obama does as if they are judges and Obama is a contestant on "American Idol".
Did Obama "Wow" the judges?
Well then, it's on to the next round!

Now, please do not try to blame Hillary for obamas woes. It is unfortunate enough-no not try to cancel out both of the democratic canidates-we need some one to face mccain in the general election. hillary had nothing to do with this and please do not try to drag her into this. Stay on the issues. Dean and his group are the cause of the Dems problem with michigan and fla, not the canidates.
stay on the issues. obamas woes are not hillary' fault.

Nicole
WOW! Great message.

Tomorrow morning Senator Clinton heads to Michigan to accuse Senator Obama of obstructing the re-vote in Michigan.

Go in for the kill Senator Clinton. Time to put Obama's campaign out of it's
humiliating misery.

Obama abided racial invective from his own reverand for 20 years and did not condemn it until there was a media firestorm. He did not step up and lead his congregation to move beyond this racial invective, how can we expect him to lead the nation to transcend race? The man gives a good speech, but that is not enough. I for one am not convinced that he knows how to translate words into action. He did not even begin to address how specifically he would bridge the racial divide in this country. Rather, he seemed to suggest that a vote for him was all that was requred for America to secure redemption. Somehow that seems very cynical.... Overall, a very disappointing performance.

why are people on this board afraid of the truth?

there is not enough space available to correct all the falsehoods

to the person who falsely discusses his grandmother's residence -
Obama has two grandmother's
One who lives in Kenya - is the mother of his father. She chooses to live in her village where she has lived her entire life

The other grandmother lives in Hawaii - that is the grandmother he refers to in today's speech is 84 years old and she is just fine
This is the mother of his mother.

Where are you getting your news - NewsMax?
Didn't the fact the Bill Kristol had to retract his article from yesterdays NYT for inaccurate information from Newsmax teach you to trust your sources?

amazing drivel