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Obama on Pastor: Stay Tuned for Speech on Race
March 17, 2008 3:03 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., fended off half a dozen questions about his spiritual adviser, Rev. Jeremiah Wright during a news conference Monday in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
The Democratic presidential candidate would not answer specific questions, but rather told reporters to stay tuned for a speech on race that he is scheduled to deliver tomorrow morning at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"I am going to be talking about, not just Rev. Wright, but just the larger issue of race in this campaign, which has ramped up over the last couple of weeks,” Obama said.
After ABC News reported on controversial sermons Wright, now retired, gave as pastor the Trinity United Church of Christ, Wright left the campaign's African American Religious Leadership Committee and Obama distanced himself from his pastor of 20 years.
Videos of sermons show Wright has asserted that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism" and has said "God damn America" for its treatment of African Americans. Wright also slammed Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY., during a church sermon.
While condemning Wright's controversial statements, Obama said he, along with the African American community, believes his pastor has been unfairly characterized in the media firestorm that ensued this week.
Obama said his speech tomorrow will aim to address misperceptions of Wright, he said.
"I think the statements that were the source of controversy from Rev Wright were wrong and I strongly condemn them. I think the caricature that’s been painted of him is not accurate. And so part of what I’ll do tomorrow is just to talk a little bit about how some of these issues are perceived from within the black church community, for example, which I think views this very differently.”
Obama refused to talk any more specifics about Wright, a stark contrast to Friday night’s cable interview rounds where he made himself available for a through grilling of questions solely on Wright.
“I’m giving a speech about this tomorrow, that will be a lot more wholesome than a press conference,” Obama said.
March 17, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (104)
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There is joy in Hillaryville.
Posted by: kris | Mar 17, 2008 3:11:49 PM
It will be historical! Trust me, the republicans want Hillary SOOOO bad that they are trying to keep the Wright controversy in the news. They can beat her, but not Obama. Obama does not agree with his pastors remarks. Just like McCain does not agree with some of the Evangelicals that he runs around with that claim the New Orleans hurricane happened because of "bad people" in the city. Stay tuned for an historical speech by the next president of the United States, Barack Obama!
Posted by: Jennifer | Mar 17, 2008 3:18:51 PM
ch: I agree with you 100%. Obama is definately unelectable against McCain. Through his involvement with this lunetic racist Rev. Wright, Obama is now toast.
His speach about race is a day late and a dollar short. He is simply trying to change the subject into a larger national problem.
Sinct McCain is already the GOP nominee, all my friends in Scranton PA have registered as a Democrat and will be voting for Hillary.
Shame on you Obama!
Posted by: Jeff_in_PA | Mar 17, 2008 3:19:47 PM
maybe he'll be consulting with his spiritual advisor tonight as he prepares
Posted by: kmkmkm | Mar 17, 2008 3:22:14 PM
Just hope he announces that he is stepping down.
It is time for obama to do the right thing: stop lying, stop being so arrogant, stop being so condescending and stop being so contemptuous.
Stop thinking that the US citizen is stupid and believes completely in your lies.
Step down obama
Posted by: Lou | Mar 17, 2008 3:24:17 PM
Clearly, Obama wants more publicity so that he can try to put the lid on this. The problem is that his words mean nothing to me ... any many others.
He must have been asleep during the hate speach sermons.
Posted by: PA-Voter | Mar 17, 2008 3:26:08 PM
The Spin Doctor is in.
Posted by: Drew | Mar 17, 2008 3:26:45 PM
This whole thing that has developed over the past few days is exactly why superdelegates are supposed to exercise their own judgement... there would be no purpose to have superdelegates if they are simply supposed to reflect the primary and caucus results... if superdelegates think about who can win in November, guess what... Obama's toast.
Posted by: kmkmkm | Mar 17, 2008 3:26:48 PM
The realtor involved in the Obama-Rezko land deal is a self-claimed "Hillary girl". She said this about Obama: I have been there. It is just like a hot date with a cool man. You just don't what to ask too many questions to kill the dream". Obama supporters, ask yourself: Are you trying to keep that Dream by suppressing any inkling of your doubts?
Nobody is accusing Obama of being a racist, or having done things illegal. The issue here is his entire platform he has built to make him so high and so above the rest of the political contenders is collapsing.
1. Honesty: he was not honest when he answered questions about Rezko and Wright. His story kept changing. There is more to come. I am 100% sure by Nov. there will be a tape surfacing out showing him nodding with Wright when those hateful words were said.
2. Ethics: he shows no ethical concerns when he entered the land deal with Rezko. Also look at his earmarks from the senate, to the hospital where his wife was VP; to things associated with his biggest donor.
3. Good judgment: Obama chose to be associated with Rezko and Wright intentionally. This is not just bad judgment, there is more than that. I have the suspect that deep in his heart, Obama is a completely different person. All he is saying in the campaign is carefully calculated "positioning".
4. Iraq: the only thing Obama can talk about as reflecting his good judgment. The NYT had an article about him recently. It turned out, except his 2002 speech, Obama did nothing to change the Iraq course, he even voted against troop withdrawal. His tones and strategies changed AFTER he started his pres. bid.
Posted by: Amy | Mar 17, 2008 3:27:46 PM
Lou: You're right on target. Many people hope that he will be stepping down and ending this divisiveness.
No amount of his speach is going to change my mind. I am voting Clinton.
Posted by: JerryCHR | Mar 17, 2008 3:28:14 PM
In announcing the upcoming speech and then in covering it all day tomorrow and into the evening... guess what? more and more and more replays of Jeremiah Wright...Wright's words speak for themselves
Posted by: kmkmkm | Mar 17, 2008 3:28:47 PM
It's too late. Obama will try to speechify his way out of this -- his silver tongue has gotten him this far after all. But he should've left this hateful, divisive pastor in the dust years ago. Now he only says what he needs to when he needs to for election purposes. In this clip on June 5, 2007, well into his campaign, Obama warmly praise "my pastor, a great leader"....
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Mar 17, 2008 3:30:42 PM
Stacy- How can you say Obama is a racist when he was raised by a white mother and white grandparents?? All Obama talks to his pastor about is his relationship with God. He does not consult with him on political matters. Obama has said he does not agree with Wrights remarks. So get over it!
Posted by: Jennifer | Mar 17, 2008 3:32:01 PM
Good about time we face this ugly monster..
Posted by: Lawrence | Mar 17, 2008 3:33:36 PM
I mean the race issue..not HILLARY
Posted by: Lawrence | Mar 17, 2008 3:33:59 PM
You're right about all those things. It's a real wonder how things can get so screwed up with a do-nothing democratic congress. But then again, did you know that congress is the governmental body that makes laws and imposes taxes and tariffs on things? Probably not.
Posted by: Surelock Homes | Mar 17, 2008 3:38:04 PM
obama gets undone by his own words tomorrow watch
Posted by: paul | Mar 17, 2008 3:40:29 PM
Mr Obama will continue saying he did not know about the speeches and his pastors ideas and beleifs.
He will want the sympaty of the people.
Telling them he is the only one that can bridge the gap and fix it and unite people.
Then he will do everything he possibly can to make the other canidates look bad, even if he has to make it up, set them up, or try to force thier hands.
(oh but he is the meek on that runs a nice campaigan) Bah! That has been his mainstay all along.
So basically he will lie to everyone yet another time. *sigh*
His poor friends, first he knows some, then don't, then he doesn't know some, not does. Now he is back to not knowing some he knew.
What does he know? Is he that confused?
Is everything he says a lie? Does he take Americans as Fools?
Go Obama, Take michelle, rev wright, Rezko, Mr Ayers and your high priced marketing team with you!
Posted by: seah5 | Mar 17, 2008 3:43:16 PM
Ok, let's for a minute ask a rational question: if someone you know, look up to and admire says something or does something controversial, does that mean you agree and support them?
Let's for instance say that if your brother or sister or mother or father or even your friend commits a crime, do you stop caring about them or become a criminal yourself if you do still support them.?
Let's say that your husband or wife cheats on you numerous times and you decide to stay with them. Does that mean you are somehow saying that unfaithful people are OK and that you condone such behavior?
All of you who have decided to deride Obama based on his pastor, or Rezko or his race or his speeches or his supporters, have you ever had anything associated with you or your family that may be controversial?
I hesitate to bring this up, but in the interest of debate, who among you can safely judge a person on sound-bites and blog stories?
This is not the defense of a candidate...it is the defense of a man who has dedicated himself to public service for the poor and needy and who is trying to bring those values to the Presidency. We should want that...not be afraid of prospect.
In the most basic terms, Hillary Clinton does not have a chance to win the general election with the certainty that Obama has/had. It was her "experience" that has doomed her to the status of "polarizing figure". Obama can at least bring Democrats, Republicans and Independents together, where Independents will make the difference in any election.
Stop the hatred please and let's focus on who is going to get things done, unless you are afraid to admit the truth.
Posted by: um...do you hear yourselves.... | Mar 17, 2008 3:44:36 PM
What is everyone's problem with Obama? Is this country actually that hateful? Look at all the Clintons have done and we have found ways to forgive them-or most have. Everyone needs to be quiet, quit judging, and pay attention to the real issues.
Posted by: Tiffany | Mar 17, 2008 3:47:54 PM
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