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Michelle Obama Declines Opportunity to Discuss Wright

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April 30, 2008 3:54 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Back on the campaign trail, Barack Obama reitereated his disappointment in the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, defending his denoucement of his former pastor in a press conference on Tuesday.

"Frankly, what he said over the last few days and in some of the sermons that have been excerpted were unacceptable and weren't things that we believed in or cared about or cared to believe in," Sen. Obama, D-Ill., said in response to a voter's question at a campaign event in Indianapolis, Ind., "I've made a statement (on Tuesday) that was hard to make but it was I believed."

The questioner had asked about "turning his back on someone who had been a good friend" but Obama, with his wife Michelle by his side, did not take issue with the tone.

"I mean, it is true that part of the job when you're running for president is that anybody who is tangentially, you know, even remotely associated with you is somehow fair game and that's unfortunate because most of us in our lives –- we meet people, we know people, some people we work with or we sit on a board with -- we don't really go vet them and find out all the terrible things they might have done because, you know, we don't know or what they said to see if it's politically correct," Obama continued.

Obama changed the subject rather quickly to talking about how he and Michelle came from modest backgrounds, but when wrapping up, the candidate looked at his wife seated on a picnic table next to him and asked, "So Michelle, do you have anything to add to that?"

Mrs. Obama shook her head indicating no.

"You do but," the Senator said, trailing off, leaving the incomplete thought in the air before adding, "Remember there are a lot of reporters around though."

April 30, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (79)

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We are tired of this wright stuff, let's move on! We need to talk about serious issues affecting this nation. Enough of Rev. Wright!!

Posted by: dew5050 | Apr 30, 2008 4:02:43 PM

Can we please talk about the high price of gas, the economony and the increase in US deaths in Iraq last month? Rev Wright DOES NOT IMPACT MY LIFE!!!

Posted by: michaelinphilly | Apr 30, 2008 4:05:49 PM

Rev Right IS AN OLD MAN!

IT'S OBVIOUS!

As some may know, sometimes OLDER PEOPLE have some good days, some sharp days; and some times some bad days.

That said, how has the HARMLESS RHETORIC of an old man directly impacted any American?
Because this old man happens to be a Black man and under-educated Americans are obsessed with their racism?

911 has demonstrated to the world that Americans will obsess with non-issues even as REAL DESTRUCTION COMES!

Americans are preparing themselves to be "asleep with NON-ISSUES when the bridegroom cometh"!

Posted by: New Yorker | Apr 30, 2008 4:08:21 PM

Most Obama supporters want to move on and get past this but I have bad news for you, he will get crucified in the General Election. It won't be pretty.

Posted by: Lois, California | Apr 30, 2008 4:11:13 PM

If the media will stop bringing Rev. Wright as news, the man will also stop and feel ashamed of what he said. But continuing writing about him, this gives the man the "big head" which he doesn't deserve it at all!

Posted by: Peace | Apr 30, 2008 4:15:11 PM

I agree...why don't we talk about real issues. Ummmm, where does Obama offer anything substantial on any of that again?

Posted by: Dave | Apr 30, 2008 4:19:24 PM

So Obama says: "...anybody who is tangentially, you know, even remotely associated with you..." Wright was never tangentially associated with Obama. Obama said he was like an "uncle' to him, a member of his family, and for twenty years. WHAT A colossal LIAR!!!

As for Michele declining to say anything, everything she says insults America! Good idea, though, for her to shut up because as Obama put it, the press is around.

Let's "move on" from these people so America can recover from the Obama-disaster with a candidate who actually is presidential, Hillary!

Posted by: Emily | Apr 30, 2008 4:19:40 PM

If the press did its job, Obama would not have won Iowa, and Democrats would not now be tearing themselves to bits. This Wright stuff is not new.


Posted by: Gary | Apr 30, 2008 4:20:22 PM

This is an important issue because it speaks to the character and beliefs of a man who would be president. If John McCain had spent the last 20 years attending a church with a pastor preaching about the inferiority of blacks, it would certainly be an issue, and rightly so.

Posted by: Jeff | Apr 30, 2008 4:22:47 PM

The media gave him a SHIELD. They have given no explanation as to WHY they didnt cover the Wright issue long ago.

Hannity had a very bitter interview with Wright where he flew off the handle in 2007. Wright made ridiuclous comments in Rolling Stone that caused Obama to disinvite him from his formal announcement.

The liberal media DID NOTHING to look into Obama's past. They simply HYPED him , and americans VOTED for him in good faith that he was a HEALER for the nation.

He isnt and never was. He is a left wing liberal who has tried to 'fast track' his career before his resume justified it.

Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 30, 2008 4:25:30 PM

Obama will never be President. He's finished.

Posted by: mj | Apr 30, 2008 4:26:35 PM

of course, all barack supporters - want to change the subject...

the problem is barack sat in the church for 20 years and it Infected Barack... and was cool with it...

Most people would know that if their pastor

DAMNED AMERICA FROM THE PULPIT IN A SERMON - it ain't right. ...
you find another place to worship...

That's what hillary said she would have done. That's what most AMERICANS would do.

What's wrong with Barack he couldn't see this....
Barack defended the guy two days ago and in Philladelphia,

SO, NOW HE IS FINALLY MAD AND THINKS THIS GUY IS OUTRAGEOUS.

WOW what kind of president would he make...
The republicans will grind him into soup meat, like
dukakis,
kerry
gore,
mcgovern

Posted by: voter | Apr 30, 2008 4:29:05 PM

Wright got Michelle to shut up. See he is doing Obama some good.

Posted by: geevill | Apr 30, 2008 4:30:20 PM

I feel bad for Obama regarding this Rev. Wright issue, but it is what it is.

It will be tough for Americans to just assume Obama will not have similar thinking as Wright. Obama has been close to Rev. Wright and has agreed to him for 20 years.

I think it will be tough for him to win in Nov.

Posted by: Rick | Apr 30, 2008 4:32:13 PM

Enough already!!! If the Media would have spent this much time on Bush and Congress the last 4 years we would not be in this mess. It would have been outed like Rev. Wright. PLEASE CAN WE MOVE ON.

Please tell me the difference between the Health Care policies, something, give me anything but Rev. Wright.

Posted by: Becky | Apr 30, 2008 4:33:34 PM

Only delusional democrats could convince themselves Obama does not share Wright's anti-white, anti-American views. Obama repeatedly stated that Wright was his spiritual mentor. Please understand that to the unenlightened, having a president who shares Wright's belief system is A HUGE ISSUE. I doubt I am alone in these sentiments. Thus, my prediction is that Obama will not carry even 10 states. Wright exposed the Obama fraud.

Posted by: jeffrey nydick | Apr 30, 2008 4:34:25 PM

He characterized Wright as some passing acquaintance when in fact Wright:

conducted his marriage ceremony
blessed his house
baptized his daughters
received a $30,000 contribution from Obama

Obama praised him in his victory speech when he was elected to the US Senate and prayed with him on the day he announced his candidacy for President

Sounds like a relationship to me – not some fleeting acquaintance

This issue won’t go away because Obama keeps LYING about it.

Posted by: ch | Apr 30, 2008 4:36:15 PM

There is an old saying "You can judge a man by the company he keeps". Not only was Wright a friend of Obama's, but he was also his spiritual mentor FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES. I believe that Obama shares the views of Rev. Wright and he should not be put into the white house.

Posted by: Paul the American | Apr 30, 2008 4:36:40 PM

Guys, I am a Hillary Supporter and I request fellow Hillary supporters to not make fun of Obama regarding this issue.

Lets move on and talk something else. Rev. Wright issue now is well known and if people still vote for Obama, it means they really want to trust him and see him as the President. I think Hillary is the one for me and I hope she is nominated.

Obama Supporters - Democrats have to win in Nov and so keep this in mind when voting.


Posted by: Rick | Apr 30, 2008 4:36:50 PM

To those of you who wish to vote for "Hilliar " Clinton,remember the fact that the experience of being a house wife for eight years does not equate to teaching US constitutional law at Harvard,organizing poor communities to effect positive social change in Illionis,having the common sense and decency not to vote for a reckless war,and being born and raised abroad .Obama's serious intelligence and knowledgeable advisers, will help him solve the economic ,social and political problems of America without being bought by lobbyists ,gas companies and the superrich like "HIlliar" Clinton .A vote for Mrs Clinton is a vote for Bill Clinton and new blunders ,as we currently have.
On the other hand, Obama will turn the economy around,unite us,solve the housing crisis,bring our troops home and make the rest of the world respect America again!!If you pit Mrs Clinton against McCain,the republicans will clobber her and waste your vote.In contrast,Barack is as clean as a whistle and a winner and you can take that to the bankcome N.Carolina and Indiana!

Posted by: tomlister | Apr 30, 2008 4:41:55 PM

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