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Obama Fields Another Farrakhan Question

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April 09, 2008 7:55 PM

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was forced to deal with another question about the racially polarizing Minister Louis Farrakhan out on the stump in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a town with it's own history of racial tensions.

Obama was asked about his church's magazine giving Louis Farrakhan an award, saying he "epitomized greatness."

The questioner at the town hall was referencing Trumpet Newmagazine, launched by Obama's Trinty United chuch in Chicago, which used to be headed by Obama's controversial former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The newsmagazine was published by Wright’s daughters.

"How can praise for any anti-Semitic demagogue be considered a minor difference between you and the reverend?" the woman asked.

"It wasn't a minor different, it was a major difference," Obama answered defiantly of the differences between himself and his former pastor Wright.

He then went on to explain the award his church's magazine gave to Ferrakhan, "This was done by a magazine that was connected to the church. I would have never done it. It was primary focused on the rehabilitation work that they do for ex-offenders in Chicago. That doesn’t excuse it, that just explains it."

He expressed his denunciation of his church's praise of Farrakhan, "I've been very clear about saying that was wrong. And nobody has spoken out more fiercely on the issue of anti- Semitism than I have."

Obama referenced the race speech he gave in Philadelphia last month and said he knows that biases and hurt still exists in some communities. Levittown in the 1950’s was a mass produced housing community that included plans for white residents only.

Later another woman asked how he was going to run against John McCain.

"We got some work to do," Obama answered, countering that the democratic primary was not nearly over, "We’re behind here, we’ve got a lot of work to do."

April 9, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (132)

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you have to admit he does a good soft shoe shuffle and can talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.

Posted by: don tufts | Apr 9, 2008 8:01:09 PM

Why doesnt he, or anyone else, mention the fact that McCain so actively sought the endorsement of the anti-catholic bigot John Hagey? Whatever we might think of Farrakhon, hes done allot for his people.

Posted by: Pat | Apr 9, 2008 8:12:33 PM

I wonder how long of a leash Rev. Wright is using on Obama. I can't help but think that Rev. Wright will denounce Obama before Obama denounces Rev. Wright.

Posted by: Haha | Apr 9, 2008 8:14:26 PM

Pat - Why? Because Obama has Farrakhan's support? Because Obama has Wright's support? Because Obama has Ayers support? Because Obama has Al Sharpton's and Jessie Jackson's support? Doesn't Obama have enough bigots to go around?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 9, 2008 8:17:19 PM

Pat

McCain did not seek the support of John Hagey. Why do you lie? Ignorance?

Posted by: Aston | Apr 9, 2008 8:17:33 PM

Obama should not seek the votes of idiots who are obsessing out Obama's ex-pastor. Too bad he couldn't ask her how she was doing in the current economy.

Posted by: michaelinphilly | Apr 9, 2008 8:18:57 PM

My o my. Obama has a shady connection? who would have guessed?

Posted by: Surelock Homes | Apr 9, 2008 8:18:57 PM

so obama will throw this race speech any time asked about race. (HuH) this will sound just like his good judgement? on the iraq war.

Posted by: toby | Apr 9, 2008 8:24:12 PM

And Sentor McCarthy was good for the white folk! Talking about talking out both sides of your mouth!

Posted by: jozy | Apr 9, 2008 8:29:36 PM

Straightforward answer if you ask me.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 9, 2008 8:30:19 PM

While ABC is trying to reluctantly cover something that progressives consider "poison", it might be informative for the voters to know about a few other issues:
1) Mr. Obama's "association-by-guilt" - domestic terrorist Mr. Ayers,
2) Private papers by his adviser's (possible campaign's) position of a 2010 Iraq withdrawal _ contrary to what the campaign touts in public,
3) Some quotes from his books about his siding with Muslims (nothing wrong with that). Does this having any bearing on his position against Iraq war and desire to engage in "talks" with Iran without preconditions?
On only wonders what his agenda for America is? While not un-American, he certainly has been imbibing anti-American sermons for many years. To tell the public that such anti-American utterances by the pastor were rare is to belittle the intelligence of people. Interestingly, "more educated" people have fallen for this while "less educated" people seem to want to know answers that only Fox and WSJ are trying to provide.

Posted by: Onlooker | Apr 9, 2008 8:31:16 PM

This is exactly the stuff that the GOP radicals want. They will lose on the issues. People hate the War, they are struggling economically, gas prices are at a record high, foreclosures seem to be piling on... yet, people are worried about guilt-by-association. This is stupidity at worst, ignorance at best. Just as people voted for Bush because "he looked like us" they will idiotically vote for a warmonger. They'll finally realize what a mistake they made when their son is drafted to fight against Iran. WAKE UP people. Stop fooling yourself with these stupid reasons to NOT vote for the right person. Obviously, Obama is NOT Farakan or Wright. He is NOT in any way affiliated with Farrakan. Here's his connection. The church he attends, publishes a magazine, which honored Farrakan. WOW!!! PLease think for yourself and vote for the right person. Obama or Hillary 08!!!

Posted by: David | Apr 9, 2008 8:36:36 PM

David - If you dance with the devil don't be surprised if the demons pull you down in the gutter with them.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 9, 2008 8:41:30 PM

David

Have you been keeping up with Obama's ever changing position on the war? It looks like he's now a war candidate. Do stay informed.

Posted by: Aston | Apr 9, 2008 8:42:20 PM

if he had asked her-he could not have told her how he was going to fix it.
because he would need to check to see what hillary had said.
hillary has the orignal plan for getting us back on track economically
obama only copies
and like I have written before obama mantra is:
let me be clear
I did't hear that comment
I had not heard that
I didn't see that
I wouldn't have done it
If I had known
I would have done it differently
Please Pa, and all left to vote
do not vote for this man
he is not ready
there are a lot of good black politicians coming along-who are doing good work-expanding their political resumes-they will make you proud
this guy will not win-and he will prevent any good black politicians who aspire to be president-will set that goal back 60years.
Obama is very good at passing the buck
now that you know his mantra
from now on-when he has to take questions (not when he makes his speeches-everyone loves his speeches)
but when he has to take questions
you can sing along and see how many verses you get a chance to sing.
lets go back and read this article and see which verse he is singing here.
pick your own tune-since he has such a pretty smile-I call him the left-wing dems designer candidate
I will use the tune-I feel pretty.
don't forget go back and read the article to see which verse.

Posted by: jgaw | Apr 9, 2008 8:43:20 PM

With answers like that no wonder Michelle has to put out a casting call to get white people to sit behind her!

Posted by: russell | Apr 9, 2008 8:55:13 PM

he answered the question openly and honestly . and he did rebuke it many many times.
he is and does try to explain issues that come up . he does take responsibility of what he says and does. unlike others.

Posted by: LAUREN | Apr 9, 2008 8:58:31 PM

Obama says that it was not the church but a newspaper put out by the church! Well I don't about you but I think that clears things up! He knows we can hear him wright?

Posted by: russell | Apr 9, 2008 8:59:22 PM

Is Rev. Wright still in the spider hole Obama dug for him?

Posted by: russell | Apr 9, 2008 9:00:51 PM

I find it quite interesting how some people are so quick to find Obama guilty for his past association with his former pastor, Reverend Wright and at the same time overlook McCain's association with Reverend John Hagey. Rev. Hagey has given more anti american, anti gay, anti catholic sermons than one can shake a stick at, and yet he is not place in the same category as Frarakan, Jackson or Sharpton, what gives? Is this a blantant form of double standard? My point is simple, if you are so quick to condem and judge Obama for his past/present religious associations/support, let also condem and judge the others in the same light. One last thing, I view Obama as a white man who's father happens to be black. (ps, Obama mother is white and his father is black).

Posted by: con johnson | Apr 9, 2008 9:01:25 PM

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