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Obama on Pastor: Stay Tuned for Speech on Race

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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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Now we have a Clinton supporter lecturing us (Obama supporters) about honest and integrity?

Please give me a break. How can you people be so stupid.

Hillary is a liar and a thief and will do anything to get elected. She learned it from her husband. She is more ruthless than he is!

Posted by: LStewart | Mar 17, 2008 3:48:12 PM

When he says his speech will be a lot more 'wholesome'than a press conference what he really means is it will be a lot less accountable. He'll be taking no questions. And, spinning like mad. Kinda like Bush. He needs to resign.

Posted by: Tiredofit | Mar 17, 2008 3:48:16 PM

Will it be some more "words", just words this time? Will he use preacher Wright's words, then spin them to tell us what Wright really meant to say? He is a talker, alright. He can let a good American like Geraldine Ferraro hang in the wind when he knew she was not being racist. That has been the strategy thus far, to use anyone's words, misinterpret them, then use them as a wedge to gain sympathy and votes. The Clintons did not inject race into this campaign; Obama's campaign did at every turn. What is Axelrod's strategy now? More of the same? Or just a different spin?

Posted by: georgia | Mar 17, 2008 3:52:56 PM

Obama better scold black Chuch community also. When he is trying to be progressive, Black church community is not able to lift themselves up and still tied to ancient prophetic thoughts. He cannot win unless Black church community also put steps in progressive directions. Anti-America comments are just disrespectful.

Posted by: Humm | Mar 17, 2008 3:54:21 PM

Obama said he, along with the African American community, believes his pastor has been unfairly characterized in the media. Are you kidding me???

I better pinch myself to wake up am sure I was not looking and listening to some other anti American, racist video. So how would Obama like me along with several other people take these sermons where this kind of hatred for America and whites were shouted out over and over?

I would really love to understand exactly what it is in these sermons that anyone can defend, and I would really love for Obama to tell the public just what in there is he defending and saying is true.

Posted by: SJ | Mar 17, 2008 3:54:39 PM

I watched good morning america and it took half my day to really understand what I had just witness through the staff. What does it have to do with Obama what someone says about what they thinks. I did not hear him say it out of his mouth, but he has to explain someones view their thoughts and saying as if he said them him self. People of mixed blood are always trying to find their way. Some times I will be sitting in church and don't hear half the things going on because My mind is some where else. Not the right thing to be doing but some time God Shields us from others foolishness. AMY ask your self would you want to be judge by the way you look or by who you really are. What do you personally know about any one of them. Only what you have heard. Vote for who you want not what you want other to do for you. Because Hillary surely not the person you think she is. She has a usery spirit just like her husband. They only need you now . When they get in office they ounly know the big wigs on capital hill. Been there done that.

Posted by: Linda White | Mar 17, 2008 3:54:52 PM

Jackt51,
I sincerely second your remarks.

Posted by: Sara | Mar 17, 2008 3:55:56 PM

He, of course, wouldn't answer questions today, he needs to wait until his speech writers have his prepared statement available and ready for him. It sure would be nice to meet some of these speech writers, after all, if Obama gets the nomination, it is really them that the people have elected not the orator dubbed "The One."

Posted by: Jeff | Mar 17, 2008 3:58:57 PM

I really don't see what he has to tell the country about race at this moment, the only thing he should be doing is apologizing to the victims of 9/11, Bill, the Holloway family, and all of us that care about this country for damming America.

Posted by: SJ | Mar 17, 2008 4:03:34 PM

He will attempt to save face with his church and his pastor. He will give excuses as to why we Non-black Americans have to sit still and listen to the hateful messages of his congregation and not bat an eye. He's going to say we should embrace it....
He's full of it!!!!

Posted by: C. California | Mar 17, 2008 4:05:03 PM

Repubs (and some dems) are denegrating Obama for what was said by another man. Doesn't make much sense to me. Wright has his own opinions and can say whatever he feels. No one has to agree with any of it. Also, note that Wright, because of his age, has probably been through a lot of racial turmoil during his lifetime, as has most black people. Actions by a bigoted whites have shaped his viewpoints regarding America and that is unfortunate. However, Obama should not be ridiculed because he is not overly upset by Wright's statement as some white folks have shown. He has denounced the statements and thats all that needs to be done. If you don't like the issues he stands for, thats another thing.

Posted by: LionHeart | Mar 17, 2008 4:05:08 PM

The announcement of a major speech on this topic by Obama is admission that shows he understands that this matter is huge and will crush his campaign. He will try to talk his way out of it tomorrow - that's all he has left. He will try to make it a larger race issue, but this will only backfire on him. It's not about race, it's about his terrible judgment and the shocking views and advisers he has aligned himself with.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Mar 17, 2008 4:05:47 PM

pastor obama preaches to america on why pastor wright is right & every one else wrong!

Posted by: pw | Mar 17, 2008 4:10:59 PM

OBAMA needs to convince me that he did not make a mistake in JUDGEMENT by placing WRIGHT on his campaign. OBAMA needs to convince me that he does not have a personal and hidden agenda that is different from his public campaign, such an agenda contrary to the interests of working class America. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt and will attempt to listen to his heart, not just his words, in coming to a conclusion on these matters.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Mar 17, 2008 4:13:16 PM

to begin with, a 20 year relationship with you pastor and claim that you don't know or agree with what is being stated, is far-fetched!!!! Where's the good judgement in that? or the Rezko relationship. And, its race and ethics that you want to attack Hillary with?

Posted by: DH21 | Mar 17, 2008 4:14:05 PM

In his speech, Obama will tell us "Just trust me".

Just words! Just words!

Posted by: FTC | Mar 17, 2008 4:14:23 PM

Given the fact that Barack Obama is both black and white, I am sure that he has a real insight into the issue of race. Let's listen and contemplate what he has to say, it may be enlightening !

Posted by: Mary | Mar 17, 2008 4:14:57 PM

perhaps, CH, you will actually listen to what Sen Obama has to say

perhaps

Posted by: alison | Mar 17, 2008 4:15:27 PM

why not let pastor wright explain his words!

Posted by: pw | Mar 17, 2008 4:16:26 PM

Read the polls...Obama beats McCain, HRC looses to McCain. Why do you think that Rush Limbaugh is encouraging Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton? They want Democrats to nominate the weakest candidate. Anyone checked on what McCain's pastor and spiritual advisor says about Islam? McCain is off of the same bolt of cloth as Bush..I'm sure he'll use the 'Crusade' word again. We need healing and neither Clinton nor McCain can deliver.

Posted by: MikeM | Mar 17, 2008 4:16:37 PM

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