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« Clinton Dodges Questions About Rezko | Main | Obama Wins in Iowa -- Again »
Obama, in Indiana, Denounces 'Forces of Division'
March 15, 2008 4:51 PM
During a town hall in Plainfield, Ind., Barack Obama brought up controversial statements made by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, weaving the storyline into the history of race in America, perhaps another attempt at distancing himself from his pastor’s commentary.
“You heard some statements from my former pastor that were incendiary and that I completely reject, although I knew him and know him as somebody in my church who talked to me about Jesus and family and friendships,” Obama said.
“If all I knew was those statements that I saw on television, I would be shocked," he said. "And it just, it reminds me that, you know, we've got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country.”
He used the comments as an example of the divisions that are still present in society.
“The forces of division have started to raise their ugly heads again, and I’m not here to cast blame or point fingers because everybody senses the shift,” he said, referencing recent reporting and commentary by supporters of different candidates.
Obama, who said he has “little pieces of America” in him, said there is still a lot of pent-up anger, bitterness and misunderstanding, but that if the country wants something different they’ve got to move beyond divisions.
He then summoned words from Bobby Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, upon receiving news of Martin Luther King’s assassination.
“When people say things like my former pastor said, you have to speak out forcefully against them," Obama said. "But what you have to also do though is remember what Bobby Kennedy said, that it is within our power to join together to truly make a United States of America.”
Obama's town hall in highly Republican Plainfield followed a night of cable appearances by the senator explaining the extent of his relationship with Wright and repudiating the preacher's controversial comments that moved into the media spotlight this week.
March 15, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (610)
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Sure, let's bury our own trash and expose everyone else's. What an empty suit!
Posted by: Surelock Homes | Mar 15, 2008 5:04:46 PM
Do those forces of division include Reverend Jeremiah Wright who sat on OBAMA's CAMPAIGN. Obama is attempting to use the CRAZY UNCLE defense, but why did he sit the guy on his campaign if he knew that the guy was like a CRAZY UNCLE?
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 15, 2008 5:08:30 PM
He's so full of cow manure he stinks. If that kind of energy were recited to me as if it were a mantra for 20 years it would be etched forever in my soul. Seems to me Mr. Obama has too many associates that he keeps having to move away from. You are the company you keep.
Posted by: mgck59 | Mar 15, 2008 5:08:31 PM
He is never going to talk his way out of this. Known the man 20 years, had him marry him, baptise his children, is his spiritual mentor, advisor, loves him like an uncle and never knew this guy hates the USA, hates whites and probably hates just about everyting except himself. Sorry Barack, I just don't believe you.
Posted by: lola | Mar 15, 2008 5:09:50 PM
Those who denounce those who denounce divisiveness are divisive.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 5:20:08 PM
Janice
The forefathers of America were over two hundred years ago, Wright and Obama are TODAY.
Posted by: JR | Mar 15, 2008 5:21:05 PM
Can I get some answers to my question please? Why are you all outraged at Obama, but have spent 20, 30, 40 years bragging about how proud you are of your country that was founded on racism?? You've never once denounced its founders, nor apologized for slavery or counting blacks as 3/4th of a human. What is more demeaning and criminal than this, yet you have no problem shouting your outrages about how hypocritical Obama is. Should we not hold ourselves to the same HIGH standards that we hold others?
Posted by: Janice | Mar 15, 2008 5:22:23 PM
Mainline news media make me SICK for not scrutinizing him in the beginning of the campaign. I was not a Mitt Romney supporter; but the media trashed him in regard to his religion and let Obama skate....WOW! Racism is its worse form and the media sat by and continually deceived the voters.....now it is coming out that Obama lied in regard to contributions received by Rezko, too....this guy is a total sham and i hope that we can count on our media, this time, to report what is really going on with Obama....no free pass this time, media, WE WANT TO KNOW, WHAT THE PERSON RUNNING FOR THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN OUR LAND IS REALLY ABOUT, and i think we found out with little assistance from the mainline media...thank the talk jocks for this one.Obama is definitely racist
Posted by: Margie | Mar 15, 2008 5:27:02 PM
JANICE,
You have to understand that a good % of the American population are from immigrants that moved here after slavery was ended. So how can you blame people like us, who make up the majority of Americans, for slavery??? A bit ridiculous, don't you think?
And this is not OUR country, it's YOURS too. We cannot go back and change the attitudes of our founding fathers - obviously they were deeply wrong in many respects. But they were also deeply right on other respects which our country has tried to maintain (religious freedom, etc.).
Posted by: J | Mar 15, 2008 5:27:54 PM
Let's see how the forces of division work in Iowa this weekend. 30% of the delegates are up for grabs (previously Edwards delegates) and there may be some shifting of the ones projected for Obama and Clinton. As grandma used to say "well butter my butt and call me a biscuit". I hope the precent delegates have been keeping up with the campaign news!
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 15, 2008 5:29:35 PM
MSNBC and CNN crucified Bill Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro for their comments about Obama.
Where is the same indignation reflected in their reporting and press releases for Obama's pastor blatant racism and anti-American rhetoric? They tried to ignore and bury the story until it broke nationally and ONLY then had no choice but to do their jobs.
Posted by: hlewis | Mar 15, 2008 5:31:32 PM
wow! All of the Hillary supporters have completely devolved into republicans.
Posted by: leviathan1 | Mar 15, 2008 5:32:20 PM
Real_Talk,
Nice try, but those are all non-issues. The people are smarter than that. They are hungry for a genuine, hopeful president who will help them with their everyday issues and help restore some credibility for America. There is a reason Bush's approval levels are the lowest of any president in recent history!
McCain does not have the judgment and patience to lead America. He is an ill-informed, myopic, close-minded man who is easily swayed by the bigoted religious right. Check out the result of his BRILLIANT support of the "Surge", not to mention the fatally wrong idea to go to war with Iraq in the first place, and not actually go after the 9/11 terrorists. Check this link out:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge
Posted by: miles1967 | Mar 15, 2008 5:32:33 PM
That minister is NOT running for president. BARACK OBAMA IS. Do you honestly believe that the child of a Caucasian mother and an African father, raised by his mother, an Indonesian stepfather, and Caucasian grandparents (in Hawaii) hates Caucasians?
Posted by: isaac | Mar 15, 2008 5:33:23 PM
Words cannot describe the utter disgust I have for Obama's attempt to lay blame on others for his lack of judgment and the judgment of his pastor.
Holw dare he. How dare he.
Posted by: Chris | Mar 15, 2008 5:34:31 PM
How come all the people accusing Barack of being a racist cannot come up with the words that Wright said that they are somehow attaching to Barack that are racist? What is it that Wright said that is racist? Give me a quote so I can understand.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 5:37:01 PM
This guy just keep digging himself into a deeper hole. No apology, no taking responsibility - instead he "senses a shift" referring to the other candidates. There you have it - It's all Hillary's fault! He could have just said that and saved himself a lot of time.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 15, 2008 5:37:16 PM
Obama went to the church for TWENTY years. He was very close to this man.
The democratic party is in DENIAL if it thinks it can 'damage control' this and Obama can be the nominee.
The republican media will SHOW THE VIDEOS . They will show MICHELLE OBAMA ranting.
They will FIND OUT that he WAS there for some of the rantings.
The american voter will NOT put someone in power who is this FAR LEFT out of control anti white anti american.
Nobody believes Obama would STAY in that church if he hated what the guy was saying.
Let him damage control it all he wants.
He is damaged goods now. He is not electable. There is no way you can get rid of this.
Posted by: tomdavie | Mar 15, 2008 5:37:24 PM
He was a member of the church for 20 years. He went to libya with Wright and Farrakhan. He says he did not know that Wright or Farrakhan given "incendiary" speeches against the White devils. His wife never saw anything good in USA till now. He did not know Rezko was a crook, and his decision to take money from a crook and ask for property was a "bonehead" decision. 20 years!! And now the Obamacan-mites want to close their ears and their eyes to any simple test that shows the man is being nixonian. He is not a Kennedy but a Nixon.
He is destroying the Democratic Party and this guy is going to bring the nation together? Give me a break!!
Posted by: A. Kafir | Mar 15, 2008 5:38:01 PM
Hillary will be attending church (not Trinity) tomorrow, and thanking God that Obama turned down the idea of a dual ticket.
Posted by: daryl | Mar 15, 2008 5:38:23 PM
Still waiting for someone to state the racist comments Wright made...
Posted by: Janice | Mar 15, 2008 5:38:52 PM
If Obama's pastor himself, isn't a huge source of division, I don't know what is. Why is Obama trying to blame everyone else, for the obvious screw-up he made by embracing Rev Wright? It's the media's fault? Clinton's? BS......he has no one else to blame for this, except himself.
Posted by: KDH55 | Mar 15, 2008 5:38:56 PM
I forgot to say that i am a former Obama supporter...he should have told us that his church, and obviously as a supporter of this pastor for 20 years; that he believed we deserved 9-1-1 in this country....too late to denounce Wright now; he has been close to him for 20 years....did you see the congregation clapping for this pastor and his racist remarks...Obama is telling us that he does not like nasty politics and his pastor is at the pulpit saying what he did about Bill and Hillary Clinton..Bill riding Monica..did that really have any place in a church sermon....Obama almost fooled all of us.....patriotism is what this country is about....he now scares me...he is going to remain a member of this congregation who clapped and roared over what their pastor was saying..Wow!!
Posted by: Margie | Mar 15, 2008 5:39:43 PM
Rev wright called america the U S (KKK) of A.
I have seen the video 100 times now.
Whoever says this guy ISNT racist would have to be utterly racist themselves.
Posted by: tomdavie | Mar 15, 2008 5:40:29 PM
I'm voting for Hillary
Posted by: J.Murphy, CA. | Mar 15, 2008 5:40:55 PM
Who cares what this preacher says? Is he representative of his entire religion? Of course not. This is silly.
Posted by: Jerry | Mar 15, 2008 5:41:00 PM
Did the good reverend go bad overnight? I don't think so. Did Obama just join this church and begin his association with this reverend? Of course not. What does that leave us with? I am troubled greatly that this association has lasted many years. I am even more troubled that the Office of the President of the United States of America may be taken too lightly during this election year.
Posted by: benvictor | Mar 15, 2008 5:41:16 PM
You have seen it 100 times but you still cannot tell me what he said that was racist. Just give me one quote. Just one. You saw it 100 times and you cannot tell me. What is the problem?
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 5:42:15 PM
Are there really any words that can be said I think it is pretty hopeless in this country.
Posted by: Bishop | Mar 15, 2008 5:43:11 PM
Barak Obama must not just distance himself from Rev. Wright, but leave this church for me to vote for him. Go and look at Rev. Wright's past sermons- you don't need Sean Hannity to do this- the man is a racist, antisemite, anti-Catholic, and a prounounced sexist (Hillary Clinton may not have ever been called "the n-word," but how about the b-word, and "monster")! I don't buy Obama's "not knowing" what Wright has been preaching for over 35 years- he knew. The new pastor at his church was hand picked by Wright and is cut from the same cloth. I remember Wright's generation of black activist very clearly, they believed a woman's place in the civil rights movement was "prone." Further, I will not vote for any candidate that dies not make a very clear distinction between church & state. Have we not had enough of religion in government & politics from Bush? Obama is not the candidate I believed him to be (which is sad). And I did not form this opinion from just what the press has presented about Rev. Wright & Obama- I did my own research. If Obama is the Democratic nominee, I will write-in a candidate for president. I don't want to void my entire ballot, so I will do this and vote for the other candidates I support for other offices.
Posted by: sgmdemocrat | Mar 15, 2008 5:44:05 PM
Obama can denounce all he wants. HIS ACTIONS speak louder...This Pastor was Obama's spiritual ADVISOR, his mentor, for 20 years...WAKE UP AMERICA before it's too late...THERE is NO excuse that can justify this dispicable support!!!I can assure you more is to come!!!
AMERICAN'S should be outraged
Posted by: chris | Mar 15, 2008 5:44:32 PM
Come on you guys. Cannot one of you come up with one statement? Just one. You all seem to know so much about this. What did he say? I am waiting. Let me know.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 5:45:12 PM
I get a kick out of this guy. At first his pastor's statements were "provocative". Then when he knew he was losing votes, they became "incendiary". Now that he is losing more votes, he "denounces and rejects" this pastor, who he has stated his respect for and closeness to in his own book and on other occasions. Let's here some straight talk Obama, your church is filled with race baiting bigots who hate white America, yet you send your wife and children there weekly. Now you expect us to believe that your pastor's views and statements are all new to you and you have thrown him under the bus. No serious political person would align himself with this type of deplorable garbage. Most would run from it as fast as they could.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 15, 2008 5:45:29 PM
Reject forces of division?Sure, he should have rejected his pastor,WHOSE CHURCH HE HAS ATTENDED FOR 20YEARS,FRIEND/UNCLE,SPIRTUAL ADVISOR,MENTOR,WHO MARRIED HIM,BAPTIZED HIM,WAS A SPIRITUAL ADVISOR FOR HIS CAMPAIGN UNTIL A DAY AGO.To claim that you knew nothing about his inflammatory speeches and never sat through any of them is simply blatant lies.Does he view the American voter as totally stupid?Barack,I thought you as a fantastic VP nominee for Hillary,the very next leader and President,but, you have let me and all other independents who plan to vote D this time down by associating with this radical priest.Now you have convinced me to vote McCain,thumbing my nose and oppose Hillary if she ever selects you as her running mate.
Posted by: VPNathan3 | Mar 15, 2008 5:46:20 PM
The Obama followers are in shock right now. They think they can 'spin' this away. They think the media will bury it for him. They think that Obama can tap dance it away.
Think about this. 2 weeks from now. 2 months from now.
There is no 'worming' out of it. Obama went to the church for TWENTY YEARS.
He never resigned. He never did anything to distance himeself from this until it might HURT him politically.
Its total MISTRUST. You cant wish it away. There is no way in a general election people can vote for this guy outside the far left .
He is finished.
Posted by: tomdavie | Mar 15, 2008 5:47:12 PM
Normally, I would agree with Obama (I am not fan of Obama)about the coverage, but in this case, all I can say is that if you lie with dogs with fleas, you get fleas. He could have denounced what his pastor said and leave it at that; there would not have been a need to respond with "forces of division." That just shreds even more credabiity from this man.
Posted by: Adam Smith | Mar 15, 2008 5:47:23 PM
This is BHO's uncle by choice not by blood. Choice is the direct result of judgment - the suit he claimed to have been born in and far superior to any other remaining candidates'.
Posted by: esvida | Mar 15, 2008 5:47:40 PM
Obama's true colors are coming out, and the color is not about "black". It is the color of "green". He is too green. He claims that he is the one who can bring people together, yet, his own people take every opportunity to charge their opponents with playing the race card. There is vile, hate, sexism, and distortion at every turn to label their opponents. When they cannot win on the issues, they avidly look for any little wedge to gain sympathy. Now the wheel has turned for more people to see the hatred and racism on Obama's side. Geraldine Ferraro was not racist, because she was giving an historical analogy of this campaign. The Clintons were not racist in the South Carolina primary. He wants to have it both ways. This preacher episode just further reveals his lack of experience, lack of judgement, and lack of honesty. Whether it is Rezko, Patrick's "words" speech, NAFTA, or his 20-year minister and friend, he is a complete double-talker.
Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice (or thrice, or fouth, etc.), shame on me!
Posted by: georgia | Mar 15, 2008 5:48:53 PM
I don't believe Obama. As someone said above, actions speak louder than words. Twenty years of action
Posted by: dissertator08 | Mar 15, 2008 5:49:08 PM
You obama folks have NOT looked at all the video. There is HOURS of it.
Going back to 9/11. This is no 'speech or two' . Its on and on and on........
Give your head a shake.
Obama is unelectable.
Posted by: tomdavie | Mar 15, 2008 5:49:13 PM
I don't think any of you posters ever supported Obama in the first place. If you did, you would know that he IS all about uniting people. He's the real deal and he's shown it in everything he's ever said or done. I also thinkit is a SIN to just show Wright's "crazy" clips when he's so mcuh more than they represent.
Posted by: Marilyn | Mar 15, 2008 5:49:28 PM
I think it is about time to put away our differences and move toward the common good. I'm tired of the hatred , tired of the me first syndrome.Pulling apart never will bring this country to the level our founding fathers and many other who have given the ultimate sacrifice vision for this great nation.
Posted by: Frank | Mar 15, 2008 5:52:15 PM
Not everyone is born black or white and that is a fact. Every color have their own problems and that is another fact.
Not everyone is born poor or with a lot of money either so no matter what anybody might say doesn't mean you believe what they say or how they say it. I don't use anything against Obama over what this man said he used Obama as a whipping boy of which is not fair at all.
Besides this man is very high yeller if you didn't know better you would sware he is white but he is not it almost like he is angry that he is so white in color but that is the way I feel.
At the very least I think he should just stay low for right now because he not helping Obama at all he just is not.
Color should not play a rule in this election at all but unfortunetly it does.
MAY GOD BLESS THE ENTIRE OBAMA FAMILY ESTPECIALLY HIS CHILDREN NOW AND FOREVER AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!
Posted by: Carol | Mar 15, 2008 5:52:56 PM
people u need to open you eye and see, Obama is the opportunity for America to raise above racial division line and heal.
Posted by: leo | Mar 15, 2008 5:53:39 PM
Janice,
Obama probably wasn't at that sermon....but I bet he visited the webpage of his church, which reads:
a pledge of allegiance to “all black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System.”
This is RACIST PURE AND SIMPLE. Why only "black leadership"??? Why not "white leadership" who might espouse "BLACK VALUE SYSTEM."
GET REAL PEOPLE.
Posted by: J | Mar 15, 2008 5:54:07 PM
miles1967,
Non-issues? When your campaign is structured SOLELY around your sound "judgment", I would say those are some pretty crappy examples of sound judgment.
You don't have a 7 point drop in the polls overnight for no reason (Rasmussen). He's pretty much dead in the water. Even if this gets swept under the rug, the independent GOP groups are taking notes.
You will see all these chickens coming home to roost soon.
Better politicians have gone for less.
His new politics sure do look and feel like the politics of old.
BTW, you expect me to get political insight from Rolling Stone magazine.
HAHAHAHAHAHA........zzzzZZZZzzzZzzZzzZz
Posted by: Real_Talk | Mar 15, 2008 5:54:43 PM
This is a classic reason why I Support Obama. If something bothers "The People", it bothers him. His Preacher and Rezko were issues that several people wanted answers on. He responded openly and honestly. He has nothing to hide. He openly discussed his Earmark requests revealing the projects and funds. What about Hillary? What about her Tax Returns, Blocking the Release of White House Documents, Her Relationship to Spitzer, or for that matter her relationship to Rezko? This is just skimming the surface folks. Are Women the masters of deception now? Is dishonesty the most admirable trait among Women? Seriously I'd like to know. OBAMA '08
Posted by: Ken | Mar 15, 2008 5:55:31 PM
Have you seen the UN report that came out this week that condemns the US for highly disproportionate number of minorities in prison? The US imprisons a much greater percentage of Blacks than other ethnic groups, even when you account for the type of crime. The US executes many more Blacks than Whites for the same crimes. After the US invaded Afghanistan the amount of heroin in this country has increased and it goes disproportionately to the Black community. These are not racist remarks. They are born up by the facts.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 5:56:50 PM
Shame on you Mr. Obama! Shame on you! You Don't think we are All Idiots? We can See Right Through You... Your Very Transparent! Drop Out So we Can Have a Democratic President! We Will Pray For You! Pray not Rant!
Posted by: Reflective | Mar 15, 2008 5:58:39 PM
To Janice:
Oprah Winfrey net worth is 1.5 billion dollars. (biggest audience is white women between the ages 35 to 55)
Jay-Z net worth is 600 million (biggest audience is white teens)
Robert Johnson (BET founder) is worth 1.2 billion. (Television dedicated to news & entertainment african-american centric)
I could go on for days naming successful african-americans in this country.
Point is, America is not controlled by rich white people. We are all Americans just trying to get ahead.
Posted by: hlewis | Mar 15, 2008 5:58:46 PM
Obama the problem with your defense and your explanation doesn't even come close to what Americans deserve....Your pastor was part of your campaign for awhile. Then comes word you heard his incendiary remarks he has made in the past, then u cancel having him talk for your campaign. Then things get worse and people hear about some of those inflammatory remarks and now u do a cosmetic change to your campaign to pretend like it never happened and u were never there when he said what he said. For someone to be so close to be like an uncle its strange u didn't know about his stand in life. Hmmmmm convenience for your gain. OBAMA stop fooling people with the change, there is no change in your message, stop lying about what you stand for. QUIT THE RACE, you are too arrogant and a liar to be our president. On top of that you are inexperience and surround yourself with inexperience people too. GO AWAY OBAMA!
Posted by: PB | Mar 15, 2008 5:59:38 PM
Saying Jesus is Black isn't racist. He certainly had much darker skin than the pictures my Catholic nuns showed me, but it is not racist to claim he is Black anymore than it is racist for those nuns to claim he had blue eyes and blond hair. And AIDS didn't start with White Gays. It started in Africa. In the US, it is true that AIDS was first detected in Gays, but it started in Africa. Whether the conspiracy theories regarding someone causing it are true or racist, I plead ignorance and do think this is off base and could be construed as a racist attack. I also think that Jerry Falwell's assertion that is was an act of God to retaliate against gays is ridiculous. So you got me. So I would have to concur that Wright is wrong on this. Now he may actually believe it, which would not necessarily mean he is racist, but just wrong (as far as I know).
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 6:07:44 PM
It is not the fire and brimstone of Jeremiah A Wright that caught my attention as much as the tone Anderson took yesterday when discussing the sound bite reduction of Jeremiah Wrights 30 years of religious service.
No other candidate in this race has been grilled as much as Obama has been -- just in a 24 hour period on religious affiliation/association.
This is truly manufactured news for a desired result-- "let's get Obama."
Obama is running for president, not Rev. Wright.
Looks like CNN and the rest of the media conglomerates have a plan to ride Obama for his pastor's comments. McCain's John Hagee, condemns Catholicism -- The media didn't even blow this up half as much as the Wright controversy. Rod Parsley said America is hell bent on destroying Islam-- no media outlet has grilled McCain on either one of these statement.
Why all of the heavy handed treatment toward Rev Wright? Nothing fair and balanced-- no equality being shared on the subject of religion
by the media with all of the candidates.
Our founding fathers got it right-- Separation of Church and state- religon is too personal and it should not be on the table unless all candidates are being grilled on their pastors' take on Christianity.
"What goes around comes around." All Rev Wright was expressing in his 9/11 sermon is what many people agree with. One cannot continue to destoy and kill and it won't reciprocate. I love my country but our history is steeped in wars and killing. We were blessed to have only had 2 attacks on American in recent history; Pearl Harbor and 9/11, We are a blessed nation we are a blessed people.
As we debate Rev Wrights words there is a war of ignorance being waged in Iraq fueled by a lie-- Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Here we are killing people again. Why?
We may all have different takes on war but we all know that it is not good and not the will of God no matter what name your religion gives your God. Whether your God is called Jesus, Allah, Buddah or Elohim we all know "Thou shalt no kill. "
Posted by: truth | Mar 15, 2008 6:08:15 PM
"Great 2 days of hit jobs for the Rotten-Clinton campaign ..."
The "Wright" controversy was McCain's work. In fact, the controversy has been reported before on FoxNews. So, we should not blame this to Clinton people, despite the fact that her supporters may want to take advantage of this. But, it really was not her campaign that brought this up.
Keep in mind, it was republican's work.
I wonder where we can find Michael Hukerbee's sermons. He was a republican candidate and he was a priest of sourth baptist church. It shouldn't suprise me if some of his sermons are very offensive and not inline with American values.
Posted by: catiger | Mar 15, 2008 6:09:19 PM
this has become a hateful blog
just don't vote for Obama if you don't want to - but stop the lying and the smears
ok?
Posted by: alison | Mar 15, 2008 6:09:43 PM
I will cast blame & point fingers at YOU Oboma.I want my president to have more that "little pieces of America" in him/her. At least he had the decency to admit he was using Bobby's words tis time and not act like they were his.
Posted by: David | Mar 15, 2008 6:09:53 PM
I'm voting for Obama
Posted by: Ken | Mar 15, 2008 6:09:59 PM
it scares me that we may elect somebody into office who listened to, shook heads in agreement with, somebody who hates the white person so much.
Hates the same white people who abolished slavery so many years ago.
Obama could be the next president of the US!!
Aren't you scared? Not because he is black, but because he obviously sees color.
Posted by: malania | Mar 15, 2008 6:10:51 PM
"unashamedly black" is not racist. The church is in a black area and serves predominantly black community. It would be racist if it restricted the church to black people, which it doesn't. In fact there is at least one white member I know of. His name is Barack Obama.
Posted by: Jim B | Mar 15, 2008 6:11:25 PM
Every last one of you people who are condemning Reverend Wright (and even Obama himself) so viciously are being extremely judgmental. Reverend Wright is a former Marine who has fought for this country and he is a Christian. The remarks he made regarding this country were wrong -- that fact is clear and Obama himself condemned those statements. The truth is that Reverend Wright spoke from the perspective of someone who is angry over how America has treated black people over the years. Someone who lived through Jim Crow and racial segregation. Someone who was subjected to racial slurs and mistreatment simply because he is black. Through his 36 years of ministry he has worked to inspire, encourage and empower black people to do good things. Now his 36 years of ministry and all the good he has done has been reduced to a 15 second video clip. That's sad.
Posted by: Luke | Mar 15, 2008 6:11:41 PM
The Reverend and Barack cut the head off this last night. There is bitter hate in the hearts of many but it's not going to fuel the tabloids. Yes we can. Change in on the way.
Posted by: Radmanaustin | Mar 15, 2008 6:12:22 PM
You will never win with this guy. you call him on anything totally unrelated to race - you're automatically a racist. You ask him if he is wearing a white shirt, you're a racist. So typical. The only force of division I see is his Minister. People are already walking on eggshells around this guy. What a uniter...Give me a break!
Posted by: WakeUpPeople | Mar 15, 2008 6:12:22 PM
obama IS the force of division. he can spin and lie and distance all he wants, but only the ones who refuse to see the truth will believe him. btw, superdelegates are not stupid and know that backing a lying, racist, divisive, fraudulent candidate isn't good for their careers.
Posted by: so saddened | Mar 15, 2008 6:12:32 PM
These right-wingers on here are just typical of what we've seen in the past, and will see in the future. Now Huckabee, a Presidential CANDIDATE, and Southern WHITE baptist PREACHER, who I'm sure had numerous sermons preaching fire and brimstone against gays, etc. never had a sermon advertised in the MSM. This was off-limits until a BLACK preacher, speaking on no one's behalf had the audacity to speak to some of the ugly truths of this nation, and now what an OUTRAGE. This just goes to the heart of what Wright was saying about America.
Posted by: Janice | Mar 15, 2008 6:12:51 PM
For the first time, it is clear that Hillary's supporters have an edge over Obama folks: Hillary is not a messianic figure. In fact, many people don't like her! But she's been vetted, and we know pretty much everything about her. You Obama fans are running behind a guy most people (including you!!!!) do not really know.
Posted by: P. | Mar 15, 2008 6:13:22 PM
Yes, Let denounce the forces of division. But let us keep digging Hillary's dirt. What a hypocrisy.
Posted by: Francis | Mar 15, 2008 6:14:20 PM
Poor delusional Obama supporters. Do you really believe that the "values voters" that voted for Bush over Kerry, a decorated war veteran, will ever vote for Obama? Please wake up before we lose the Whitehouse again.
Posted by: Wake Up! | Mar 15, 2008 6:16:26 PM
Yes, there are probably plenty of churches that preach against gays. And if we had a candidate who was a member of that church for 20 years and called that preacher his mentor and put him on his campaign....HE WOULDN'T BE GETTING YOUR VOTE, WOULD HE??
Give it up. Obama is toast. Get use to it.
Posted by: Jo | Mar 15, 2008 6:16:27 PM
To Janice,
Please define what you or the pastor means by "control". I bet you can't.
How does "rich white people" control the country?
If you truly think that "rich white people" control the country, how do we change this to reflect American ideals?
Posted by: hlewis | Mar 15, 2008 6:17:21 PM
I echo many other comments on this blog: it's one dishonest thing after another, and anytime he has to take responsibility for his OWN ACTIONS OR WORDS, it's someone else's fault. It's usually Hillary's, no matter what happens, or those who are "divisive." Who is more divisive than Rev. Wright?? And we are supposed to be believe that this man, who is like a father-figure to him, espoused this ideology for 20 years and Obama "did not know?" How gullible does he think we are???? Goodbye to middle American votes. He is unelectable now. The Republicans will play these clips over and over and over. Remember "Willie Horton?"
Posted by: Fran | Mar 15, 2008 6:17:22 PM
Chip, that's all well and good, but then YOU aren't running for president, are you?
Posted by: Jo | Mar 15, 2008 6:17:24 PM
"Hillary and Bill Clinton started making Racist remarks at the begining of this race!"
So the Obama campaign and the media said.
But now that same media is bad, because it is publishing Obama's minister inflammatory remarks.
WAKE UP!
Posted by: P. | Mar 15, 2008 6:17:40 PM
Plain and simple: Barak and Michelle had a choice whether to join (and raise their children in) one of the many multi-cultural, multi-ethnic churches in the Chicago area with a positive gospel message or go to an Afrocentric church with a radical message. That was their choice. And now it's time for America to choose - and the choice is to NOT VOTE for Barak Obama.
Posted by: petee | Mar 15, 2008 6:19:03 PM
Easily manipulated, you mean these statements came out a long time ago and STILL Obama made him a part of his HOPE & CHANGE campaign??
NOW who is the one easily manipulated??? YOU!!!!
Posted by: Jo | Mar 15, 2008 6:19:08 PM
Unashamedly black seems pretty racist to me...do you think a white person would feel welcome there, or would you jsut NOT care...it seems they would have to embrace Black culture instead of following Jesus...the church shouldn't be about teaching CULTURE...TEACHING the LIFE of JESUS!!! It shouldn't be about blaming whites for everything...is that not a tremendous racist generalization??? It shouldn't be about using the N word...he's used SH## also From the pulpit...this man is NOT a christian leader...this is black separatism or black power..why else would he team up with Farakhan...the fact that obama still wants to go to church there is crazy! He will never get my vote now...let me tell you he may not be racist, but if you still demand to go to church there...that's a little off.
I wish the man would apologize (wright) change the "black only" sermons and atmosphere, and MANY would forgive him.
Posted by: JOe | Mar 15, 2008 6:19:40 PM
Obama has stated that he did not know Rezko was under investigation when he raised money for him and when he entered into the property agreement with him.
Obama has stated that he did not know about ANY of the Wright statements before he started to run for President, never heard any in person, and only found out about the rest in the last few days.
Can Obama possibly be this ignorant about the people closest to him or he is just lying about what he knew and when he knew it?
Posted by: Eric | Mar 15, 2008 6:19:51 PM
Right. The Senator's pastor made some colorful, "off the wall" comments. So, many here are making colorful, "off the wall" coments. So let's "doom them all to death." How ludicrous!!!!
Take a deep breath, count to ten, and see if the world has changed when you finish.
All these comments only allow us all to vent, and that's not such a bad thing.
Posted by: Janice | Mar 15, 2008 6:19:55 PM
It is a matter of time before they find a video of Jeremiah Wright saying something out of his mind, and barack or his wife sitting there. Actually, do not be surprised if that video already exists and the likes of Karl-Rove are saving it for a really appropriate time.
Do you really think Obama can be elected despite this liability????
Posted by: P. | Mar 15, 2008 6:20:19 PM
I am sure we all know some people who make outrageous statements, but it is not easy to break off relationships so quickly. We can disagree with what they say and move on especially if you see that as not relevant to anything they do.
And also remember this. The so called relegious comittee in his campaign was namesake and never even met. So i do not even give much importance to Wright being on it.
The fact is Obama himself has come across as a very intelligent, tolerant and honest person. So we have to let this go.
Posted by: Venkat | Mar 15, 2008 6:20:39 PM
TO "KEN" who claims that Senator Obama has nothing to hide:
Senator Obama has nothing to hide as long as no media outlet reports on anything that he has not disclosed.
I look forward to hearing and seeing more disclosures from Senator Obama because his tax returns and earmark requests cannot be the only two things that he had to disclose during this campaign. I'm positive there is more.
Good luck with your choice, Ken!
Posted by: Crystal Coy | Mar 15, 2008 6:20:50 PM
30 seconds clip of cherry pick point on what wright said have ended up causing supposedly literate entities to start acting like fools.
Wrights statements may be charging but is true in all ramification. Afterall, the tuskegee saga he mentioned was a lie about this country and its govenment.The slaughter of innocent millions in iraq today was a lie about this country and its government. Hundreds of years



