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Obama Comments on the Rev. Wright and Rezko
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ShareMarch 14, 2008 9:12 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: During an interview with MSNBC's Keith Olberman, Sen. Barack Obama confirmed that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is no longer on the Obama campaign spiritual advisory committee.
When asked if the decision came from the campaign or from Wright, Obama was short on specifics, saying only, "I think there was a recognition that he’s on the verge of retirement, he’s taking a sabbatical and that it was important for him to step out of the spotlight in this situation."
Obama said that the did not know the extent of Wright's controversial comments until recently. He confirmed that he was not in the church when Wright made the comments that were reported this week.
"I wasn't in church during the time that these statement were made," Obama said. "I did not hear such incendiary language myself, personally. Either in conversations with him or when I was in the pew, he always preached the social gospel."
Obama reiterated his condemnation of Wright's remarks, saying it is something he strongly objects to. But Obama stopped short at repudiating the man, Jeremiah Wright, saying he was like an uncle to him.
"I would not repudiate the man," Obama said. "It's like a member of your family that says something that you really disagree with: You don't stop being a member of the family but you have to speak out forcefully on the issue."
He said Wright represents the older generation of African Americas "that came of age in the '60s -- an African American man who because of his life experience continues to have anger and frustration," and that Obama's own generation is different, the generation that benefits from Wright's generation's struggle.
Obama said he knows that this will be used as a political tool into the future -- and hopes the American people will trust his own values.
Obama was pressed further in a subsequent Fox News interview. Obama admitted that he would have quit his church had he witnessed and heard Wright's statements firsthand.
"If I had heard them repeated, I would have quit," he said. "If I thought that was the repeated tenor of the church, then I wouldn’t feel comfortable there."
But in a third interview with CNN, Obama said he will not quit the church now.
"As he's about to retire, I have no intention of leaving the church itself," Obama said.
He argued that the frequency of the statements matter, saying that Wright's most controversial statements were strung together and complied in the media out of hundreds of sermons over the course of his lifetime.
Obama said that he knew of one of two of the controversial statements before this week -- and that he didn't know it was as "problematic" as it has been revealed in the last few days. But what he knew before was not enough to distance himself from the church or Wright at the time.
"I didn't know about all these statements," he said. "I knew about one or two of these statements that had been made. One or two statements would not lead me to distance myself from either my church or my pastor. ... If I had thought that was the tenor or tone on an ongoing basis, then yes, I don't think it would have been reflective of my values."
"My belief was this was something out of the ordinary, and obviously these statements indicate this was happening with more frequency," he added.
On another story swirling this evening, Obama on MSNBC addressed his interview with the Chicago Tribune this afternoon in which the newspaper reported that Tony Rezko played a larger fundraising role for Obama than previously known. The Tribune reported that Rezko has raised as much as $250,000 for Obama.
Obama debunked the "newness" of the information and said, "We talked about the fundraising he has done for my two state races, congressional race as well as a U.S. Senate race. The total amount is the figure they put forward, and is not particularly new or different."
March 14, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (775)
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He has been a member of Rev. Wright's congregation for 20 years. Is this why he won't wear the American Flag pin on his lapel or hold his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played?
Posted by: Marvin Keggs | Mar 14, 2008 10:11:24 PM
If Obama claims to not know anything about a man who's been his close personal advisor and spiritual leader for 20 years is saying and doing with the $20,000 a year he gives him, how can Obama be trusted to run a governement???
Posted by: s.b. | Mar 14, 2008 10:12:47 PM
TOTAL DENIAL MR. OBAMA....WAY TO GO ON YOUR CHANGE AND HOPE...
Posted by: MARINE4EVER | Mar 14, 2008 10:14:30 PM
And that it folks. Its all out there and it is nothing. Obama comes clean on all of his bad associations and there we are. This is good politics on his behalf. Try to keep this in the news if you want, but it will be gone soon. Wright kills the Muslim thing, Obama denounces Wright and reveals all of the Rezko association in a single day. So what else have you got Mrs. Clinton? And sorry John, for blowing so soon, but its gone now.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 14, 2008 10:15:16 PM
Obama stated that he did not know this was going on in his church....please. I will never vote for him. I will stay at home and switch party before I vote for him.
Posted by: whitedd | Mar 14, 2008 10:15:50 PM
Why are Americans so scared of opposing views? They are a nation filled with historical hatred and they want to propogate their views to the rest of the world.
I don't think, if American school curriculum contain an iota of other great civilisations. Just see how racist they are, the white are calling obama to be black, while he's half white. folks use your common sense.
Posted by: nash | Mar 14, 2008 10:16:04 PM
Personally, Senator Barack Obama is more honorable a man because of the comments he made. Some of you may be willing to throw your family to the wolves, but to Senator Obama, his relationships are more important to him, and that is how he treats people, he doesn't just throw them out with the bath water. Barack is a man of honor and principles. It is just too bad you cannot see that.
Posted by: Dana T. | Mar 14, 2008 10:16:08 PM
The article states:
"Obama said that the did not know the extent of Wright's controversial comments until recently. He confirmed that he was not in the church when Wright made the comments that were reported this week."
The article states:
"Obama said he never personally heard Wright preach the statements at the center of the controversy, but he first learned of them when he launched his presidential campaign."
Riiight. In the 20 years Obama was a member of this "church," the only things he heard preached were fellowship and goodwill. These Farrakhan-esque remarks were nothing more than an aberration, an isolated episode wherein the good reverend lost his train of thoughts. That's all. Merely an unfortunate misunderstanding. Riiight.
Really now. I'm sure that after announcing the "condemnation" of the remarks uttered by his old pastor and dear friend, Obama then got on the phone to his old pastor and dear friend and privately expressed his unwavering loyalty. It was likely another "I wouldn't worry about it too much" moment, just like with the Canadians and the NAFTA statements.
Posted by: Johnny Q | Mar 14, 2008 10:16:56 PM
Obama has been forced to Spin SPin SPIN
SEE IT, HEAR IT, NOW SMELL IT
IT STINKS
Posted by: anita | Mar 14, 2008 10:17:14 PM
Obama continues to prove he has class and perception. I am very hopeful for his success in leading the US out of the current morass of problems.
Posted by: vmcgreen | Mar 14, 2008 10:17:20 PM
Ok...Let's all sing together..."Turn out the lights...the party's over" .....
Posted by: Dave Crandall | Mar 14, 2008 10:17:32 PM
How stupid does he think we are?
Posted by: mamatuffy | Mar 14, 2008 10:17:59 PM
Whoops, the second quote I accidentally pasted from an article on a different news organization's website. Ain't multiple browser windows wonderful! Sorry for the mix-up.
Posted by: Johnny Q | Mar 14, 2008 10:19:27 PM
Geez, Obama has been going to this church for 20 years and it took a news organization to purchase tapes of the speeches to open his eyes to the teachings of his pastor. Yah, that seems logical to me.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 14, 2008 10:19:52 PM
How stupid is this Rev. Wright? Any one who knows anything about scripture, knows this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. It is people like this who keep the racial problems active, instead of trying to overcome and heal with the power of GOD!
I agree with most of the others when they see Obama trying to shift gears every time a problem arise. He will say anything to avoid it. Isn't it interesting how the Rev. Wright is no longer on the Obama team?
Posted by: Kim | Mar 14, 2008 10:20:37 PM
Does Obama every speak to people in his church? Even if I missed a few weeks of my church and the pastor was saying such hateful things I would hear about it through the grapevine. I don't buy his explanation for one minute.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 14, 2008 10:25:05 PM
Obama has been forced to Spin SPin SPIN
SEE IT, HEAR IT, NOW SMELL IT
IT STINKS
Posted by: anita | Mar 14, 2008 10:25:25 PM
Of course he knew the nature of the good reverend's preachings and hate speech. How stupid does he think we are? Pretty stupid, I guess. When it comes the the Obamatomatons, stupid is as stupid does; they would doubtless still support him if evidence came out that he was in league with Bin Laden.
Really, this "pastor" and close friend and advisor, of whom Obama has been a parishioner for 20 years, is pretty much a Louis Farrakhan carbon-copy, and Obama is a card-carrying member of his "flock." Disgusting hate-inducing scumbag, calling himself a "reverend."
Bigotry, hatred, and insanity are alive and well and thriving in Obama's church.
Posted by: Johnny Q | Mar 14, 2008 10:25:35 PM
I am so sad. Rev Wright's words were said in a house of God. Even if just once, that was too much. But it was multiple occasions. I don't care about the hours and hours of sermons of love and Jesus and God. And the congregation was cheering! They were cheeting at hateful words in a house of God. This is much bigger than whether BO wins the nomination. This just hurled out country back decades. Was I really so naive - truly, I could not in my wildest dreams imagined any pastor in any church preaching such divisive and hateful thoughts.
Posted by: KayKayBee | Mar 14, 2008 10:26:15 PM
It is well for Senator Obama and his handlers to finally distance the campaign - and the Senator - from Reverend Wright. The Reverend's lifelong racist rantings would absolutely have sunk the Obama campaign.
I believe Senator Obama has properly and adequately dealt with this issue. The story should now cover the bottom of voters' bird cages.
Let's move on, hold the Clinton campaign accountable for their misrepresentations of her alleged "experience" and "accomplishments" over the past 35 years. I supported Senator Clinton until I watched her chameleon-like performances. Senator Obama is certainly not the answer for 2008 and beyond.
And, don't get me started on the concept of Senator McCain as president of our country. What a disaster that would be, domestically and globally!
Posted by: saftgek | Mar 14, 2008 10:27:18 PM
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