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Wright Back

April 27, 2008 12:34 PM

Another passage from Rev. Jeremiah Wright's April 13, 2003, sermon "Confusing God and Government" -- perhaps better known as the "God d---- America" speech; watch it HERE -- is making the rounds.

Wright says in the sermon, of the Iraq war, "we say that God will bless the shock and awe as we take over unilaterally another country, calling it a coalition because we’ve got three guys from Australia, going against the United Nations, going against the majority of Christians, Muslims and Jews throughout the world, making a pre-emptive strike in the name of God. We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing that al-Qaeda is doing under a different color flag -– calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem.”

Writes conservative commentator Jim Geraghty at National Review, in a preview of Republican (or Hillary Clinton) talking points to come, "Permit me to propose a new rule: If your mentor of 20 years has ever declared the United States to be ‘the same as al-Qaeda, under a different color flag, calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem!’ you are ineligible for the presidency."

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was asked about Wright's resurgence in the public today on "Fox News Sunday."

Quoting Wright on PBS Friday, saying the media treatment of him was unfair, unjust and untrue, anchor Chris Wallace asked Obama if he thinks that Wright is just the victim in this controversy.

"No," Obama said. "I think that people were legitimately offended by some of the comments that he had made in the past.  The fact he's my former pastor, I think, makes it a legitimate political issue.  So, I understand that. I think that it is also true that to run a snippet of 30-second sound bites, selecting out of a 30-year career, simplified and caricatured him and caricatured the church. And I think that was done in a fairly deliberate way, and that is unfortunate, because as I've said before, I have strongly denounced those comments that were the subject of so much attention.  I wasn't in church when he made them. But I also know that, you know, I go to church not to worship the pastor, to worship God.  And that ministry, the church family that's been built there, does outstanding work, has been, I think, applauded for its outreach to the poor. He built that ministry, and I think that, you know, people need to take a look at the whole church and the whole man in making these assessments."

Obama said he did not talk to Wright about his decision to make a series of public appearances, but he earlier had said to him, "Look, we have very strong differences.  I do not agree with the comments that you made.  On the other hand, I regret that you have drawn so much attention."

Obama said, "it's understandable that somebody, after an entire career of service, would want to defend themselves."

Asked by Wallace for specific examples of controversial remarks he recalls hearing from Wright's pulpit, Obama said Wright "has oftentimes talked about some of the problems in the black community in very controversial ways.  I mean, I think -- or in sharp ways, in ways that are provocative. You know, he will talk about the failure of fathers to look after their children in ways that, sometimes, people might be taken aback by. He can use street vernacular in his sermons in ways that people wouldn't expect to hear in church ... he has certainly preached in the past when I was there about the history of race in this country in very blunt terms, talking about slavery, talking about Jim Crow. The problem -- and I pointed this out in my speech in Philadelphia -- where oftentimes he would err, I think, is in only cataloging the bad of America and not doing enough to lift up the good. And that's probably where he and I have the biggest difference."

Wright will speak at the National Press Club Monday morning.

- jpt

April 27, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (76)

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Wright is back because the add of Repubs in NC is starting to run on Monday.

On Friday, in the NPR (among others) interview, Mrs. Daves said that even McCain couldn't stop it.

Posted by: magda | Apr 27, 2008 7:09:05 PM

Leanza - Obama has specifically stated Wright is NOT his mentor. If you took the time to read Obama's books, you'd realize that he isn't just making that statement now.

As for the Moyer interview, at leat there's still one real journalist still living in the United States. There don't seem to be any in the mainstream media.

What the media did to and with Rev. Wright is far more troubling that anything Rev. Wright said or did.

Posted by: C Watson | Apr 27, 2008 7:01:30 PM

Timothy McVeigh was in the Army and from what I read, a very good soldier.

At sometime in his life he began to hate this country. Being a marine doesn't guarantee that Wright still loves this country.

How could he preach such horrible things about America and spread that idea to young people in a church, and still profess to be patriotic?

He and Obama got caught and now they both want us to forget what we saw and heard. The Rev.Wright issue will follow Obama throughout his career.

Posted by: cindy in nc | Apr 27, 2008 6:34:08 PM

Every 10 minutes there is footage on CNN of Rev. Wright. the media barage us with inflamatory clips all designed to insight a reaction.

Obama. Obama is not radical. He is not inflammatory. He is decent and our best shot.

Time to get this nomination done so we can get to the general election.

Hillary Clinton now comes on and I wince. I have to mute to audio now just like the hideous grating HEAD ON commercials.

Posted by: Jeanie | Apr 27, 2008 6:32:09 PM

I have read what Rev. Wright has said, and shockingly, much of what he says makes sence. Especially coming from a black minister in a black congregation in Chicago. People don't like to admit it but we have done very little to assimilate in this country. This is a blunt exposure of an issue we all must face. We live in a country that had slavery as a way of life for over 245 years. We need to address the issues. I think this campaign is taking us a long way on a badly needed journey. Barack Obama has denounced the negative words against the US, that's good enough for me. Get over it.

Posted by: Jeanie | Apr 27, 2008 6:23:34 PM

After watching long clips from his two controversial sermons on the Moyers show, I have to say Rev. Wright appears to be right on target. Broadcast of the over-the-top sound bites is deceiving, and is only intended to stir up hate.

I have not witnessed every sermon Wright has given, and perhaps there are objectionable passages, but based on what I've seen, he appears to be an insightful and brave man.

Posted by: scott | Apr 27, 2008 6:16:52 PM

Obama, did not say these things. Rev. Wright said them. How often did Obama actually sit in the pews in church? Possibly not that often. The church is the key church if you are doing community work in Chicago. It is world reknown. People are taking the bait. If you are democrats, don't be distracted by these side issues. The election is more important than that. It's all Clinton has and that is why you are hearing it so much. Hillary on the other hand DID say some things, Bosnia, NAFTA, how about recklessly threatening to bomb Iran and "obliterate" them. Hillary is playing politics in the worst way now and if you buy it then you lose. It's time to come together and nominate Obama.

Posted by: Jeanie | Apr 27, 2008 6:13:29 PM

Wish Moyers had asked Wright why he lives in a multi-million dollar home in a white neighborhood.
But that was just a little snippet ranting about rich white folks. He didn't really mean it.
Sorry, but many Americans aren't going to forget the image of Wright mocking America, cursing America--with the congregation laughing and patting him on the back. It may be a snippet but it is powerful.
And then Obama insults our good sense by saying he didn't know about the sermons,DVD's, newsletters.
A win for Obama is a win for Rev.Wright.

Posted by: cindy in nc | Apr 27, 2008 6:03:49 PM

Did I hear that Rev wright was a Marine?
Laid down his life for this country? Wore the uniform ?
If so,me thinks most of the nincompoops who have been posting should take a deep breath , look in to themselves and THINK for one second.I also challenge any of them to declare their service status: presently or in the past ..before they start blabbering....

Posted by: dave | Apr 27, 2008 6:00:28 PM

Better Obama than a baloney and bull sales woman and former young Republican , corporate lawyer and Walmart board member .

Posted by: Ray | Apr 27, 2008 5:57:10 PM

Obama should debate Hillary and explain why a terrorist is on his website as a supporter and friend of Michelle Obama - as reported by FrontPage:
Terrorist Fundraisers for Obama
By Patrick Poole
FrontPageMagazine.com | Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Two years ago, Hatem El-Hady was the chairman of the Toledo, Ohio-based Islamic charity, Kindhearts, which was closed by the US government in February 2006 for terrorist fundraising and all its assets frozen. Today, El-Hady has redirected his fundraising efforts for his newest cause - Barack Obama for President.

El-Hady has his own dedicated page on Barack Obama's official website, chronicling his fundraising on behalf of the Democratic Party presidential candidate (his Obama profile established on February 19, 2008 - two years to the day after Kindhearts was raided by the feds). Not only that, but he has none other than Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, listed as one of his friends (one of her 224 listed friends).

But his leadership of Kindhearts is not the only thing that has brought him scrutiny by federal law enforcement officials. Last summer, El-Hady was questioned by the FBI concerning his knowledge of possible conspirators in a UK-based terror plot.

Posted by: JTomorrow | Apr 27, 2008 5:49:13 PM

Did you see the unrelated piece

“They don’t trust you because they think you are unreliable and might break, since you don’t have God to rely on,” Specialist Hall said of those who proselytize in the military. “The message is, ‘It’s a Christian nation, and you need to recognize that.’ ” And heaven help those who actually criticize the country's direction.

Bill Moyer's Journal with Jeremiah Wright, first seen last Friday, will be rebroadcast tonight, Sunday April 27 at 7:00 PM EST. So the ones who saw it are thinking McCain is out of touch...or didn't watch. Or doesn't care. And they'll be joined by those who missed the first broadcast, and will also get to see the truly insane and inane media, Clintons and Republicans need to keep Wright a juggernaught for sales, ratings and racists. This interview lets people see how the media is manipulating this entire election cycle. It needs Wright like a junkie needs a fix. And if Wright is no longer the angry black boogeyman, the media has nothing to survive on except the next rip and read.

Posted by: kravitz | Apr 27, 2008 5:46:45 PM

Unfortunately lots of my democrats friends will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee. The current democratic party is being hi-jacked by left-wing activists, who choose to impose their activists' views upon ordinary democrats.

Posted by: demC | Apr 27, 2008 5:44:52 PM

The fact of the matter is that we as Americans are not ready yet for a debate about the repercussions about our government's foreign policies. We are blinded by our desire to be patriotic, which has become a double edged sword. Patriotism brings us all together to accomplish anything we set our minds to; reaching for the moon and stars (JFK), uncovering the human genome, engineering and technology achievements, etc. But Patriotism is also preventing us for asking some cold hard questions. Rev Wright may or may not be correct in what he is suggesting, but he is posing some important questions, and I notice that he is not the only one. Are we ready to look at these difficult questions? 9/11, racism, government transparency, or refocusing of foreign policy? I think not, because each of these quickly leads to emotional and not rational responses, all because of misuse of our heartfelt desire to show our love for America. Unfortunately, in the game of politics, some groups are using this emotional rawness to their own strategic ends. When will we be ready for a real debate and a real change?

Posted by: Jack | Apr 27, 2008 5:18:21 PM

Jackson said: Why won't Obama agree to a debate without a moderator? They have only debated 4 times, not 21 as stated by Obama. They have been in collective debates with other candidates, but not just these two! Obama needs to get his stories straight...

He's winning so he doesn't need to.

Posted by: Dennis in Orlando, FL | Apr 27, 2008 4:35:17 PM

I think I get it!

Rev. Wright is going so far outside the realm of decency to his former parishioner that everyone is going to say that he is either certifiable or a part of the Clinton campaign. And therefore Senator Obama will not have to disavow his mentor, only point out that he could not have listened to someone who is clearly nuts!

But Rev. Sharpton says he is legit so who am I to argue?

Posted by: Tom Mariner | Apr 27, 2008 4:29:18 PM

It's clear the leftists have hi-jacked the Democratic Party. If they put Obama up in November -us centrist soon to be ex-Democrats will dance in the streets when Obama's political career goes down in flames. LANDSLIDE baby.

Posted by: geevill | Apr 27, 2008 4:23:45 PM

Obama's other mentor, Joe Lieberman, is a pro-Israel hawk who wants to bomb Iran. Notice how his relationship to Lieberman is getting zero media attention. Why is that? Is it because it doesn't stir up the outrage of "socially conservative" whites?

Posted by: Bambi | Apr 27, 2008 4:01:56 PM

Does she have anything else to say besides Debate? didn't think so, otherwise she would say it.

Debate is fine, but she is looking for gotcha. That does not help American people.

She is lost primary. If she thinks she's that good then she should feel free to run as an independent.

Posted by: My America | Apr 27, 2008 3:54:02 PM

Al-Qaeda has a goal of imposing Sharia law upon all people. Even countries with a majority non-muslim population. An extremely strict, conservative form of Sharia familiar from the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The U.S. has a goal of imposing representative democracy, with rule of law and minority rights.
To equate them morally is in itself a moral choice.
To consider a man who espouses this equality a "spiritual mentor" for 20 years is a big warning sign of the character of Obama.

Posted by: jj | Apr 27, 2008 3:51:21 PM

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