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Obama: Rev. Wright's Response 'To Be Expected'
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Following brief remarks outlining his plan to relieve gas prices, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama answered press questions overcoming weakness with white, blue-collar Democrats, the return of his former pastor, his next moves in race to the Democratic nomination and the New York City cops' acquittal in the shooting death of Sean Bell.
Obama disputed that a weakness with white working class voters would be an issue in the general election match up against the presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.
"There have been concerns in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but in both those states, if you look at the polling, those Democrats are more than likely to vote for me in a general election," Obama said.
Speaking from Joe's Junction, a Phillips 66 gas station in Indianapolis where regular gas was $3.55, Obama said "I don't think that there's a huge difference between black working class, white working class, suburban, urban, rural, I think people want to see the country make progress and so what I'm going to continue to do is to present those issues that affect people’s bottom lines."
Following back-to-back losses in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Obama pushed back on the idea he's stuck in a rut, referencing wins in Wyoming and Mississippi.
"I think there's no doubt that a campaign has to continually fine tune itself," Obama said. "This has been a long campaign and so what worked well three months ago, if you're doing the exact same thing, it might not work as well."
As for the return of his controversial former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright who gave a recent interview to Bill Moyers and said Obama played politics in his response to the controversy, Obama said Wright's response was "to be expected".
"He is obviously free to express his opinions on these issues. I've expressed mine very clearly. I think that what he said in several instances were objectionable and I understand why the American people took offense and, you know, and as I indicated before, I took offense."
Responding to the Rep. Jim Clyburn's comment to the New York Times that there might be an irreparable breach between former President Bill Clinton and the African American community, Obama said "I never believe in irreparable breaches" and said the party would be unified come August convention.
"This has been a fierce contest," Obama said, "I've said repeatedly that come August, there are gonna be a whole bunch of people standing on the stage with a lot of balloons and stuff, confetti raining down on the head of the Democratic nominee and people will be excited about taking on John McCain in November."
April 25, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (44)
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I call on any 100 superdelegates to declare for Obama, before NC and IN. They have already made that decision, now they are playing politics to see what favors they might get for it. Obama has made it clear there won't be any favors. 100 supers and decisive wins in NC and IN will make the issue moot. It will reveal HRC as the maniacle, elitist, egotist she is. She cannot win the nomination and it will only be a further embarassment to her to take it to the convention. If by some backroom miricle she were to get it, she cannot win the General, between the horribly negative campaign that would further push voter apathy, there are simply more people that would vote against her than for her, reegardless of policy positions. We need to move on to the general election campaign. Obama will not only beat McCain, he will beat him handily and we will have a President that will put the nation above himself.
Posted by: Louis | Apr 25, 2008 4:06:41 PM
Even Obama 20yrs' Uncle Pastor pointed out Obama responded to his sermons just as a politician should respond......
Clearly Obama is just a typical politician who said whatever to gain his own political advantages...
He has no gut to admit he has agreed on his uncle's sermons for 20 years (simply he knew it would be a political suicide) and he denied it in public just after the sermons were exploded to public a few weeks ago....
He politely "dumped" his 20 year Uncle just NOW for his president dream.......
So the question to Americans: what's good about Obama???
Posted by: True Truth | Apr 25, 2008 4:07:05 PM
Obama is unelectable. Period. Wake up Super Delegates. That's why they're there... To make the correct choice, when a candidate crashes and burns. Sorry kids...
Posted by: jlb1234567 | Apr 25, 2008 4:41:04 PM
Wright isn't mad at Obama, or vice versa. They have this little strategy cooked up between them. Obama tries to act a little indignant and spout how he strongly disagrees with Wright, and Wright throws a few comments out, and everyone is supposed to think Obama really isn't associated with this guy now. Bologna! Just the new damage control strategy that Axelrod probably cooked up. I for one ain't buyin it! They've probably had dinner a few times since you know what hit the fan to discuss this new strategy. P.S. Why does Obama always say Stuff? I'm sorry, he continues to sound very UN presidential.
Posted by: dwc | Apr 25, 2008 4:59:24 PM
Well once again, Obama has smooth talked his way without really nailing anything down. All of the African American community needs to remember what Bill Clinton's administration has done for them. He had the guts enought to care and the knowledge to get it done! The only reason why the DEM nominee will get support is because voters want out of Iraq not a rerun with MCCain.
Posted by: Darla | Apr 25, 2008 4:59:53 PM
Although I do agree that there are things said by Rev. Wright that need to be seen in the context of an entire sermon - there is no “context” to justify the claim that our government created the aids virus to destroy the black race - To wrap such an ugly lie inside the sad truth of the Tuskegee experiments only to lend the claim some sort of validity is a vile thing and a grotesque disservice not only to his flock but society as a whole - and serves only to breed hatred, ignorance and division within the very community that Rev. Wright perports to serve.
This and other outrageous comments by the Reverend call into question his basic understanding of his calling to Christ.
Furthermore, that Senator Obama would sit in those pews for 20 years and not once challenge his mentor and advisor calls into serious question his judgement and the leadership skills that he and his supporters so adamantly tout.
Posted by: oldspice | Apr 25, 2008 5:35:02 PM
Did Jefferson, Kennedy or Lincoln have any "street cred'?
Posted by: Martin | Apr 25, 2008 6:38:15 PM
Rev. Wright seems like an intelligent and decent guy to me. I don’t have a problem at all with many of the comments "clips" that have been disseminated. Ministers have all sorts of styles and communication techniques such as exaggeration, overdramatizing, irony, metaphor, etc., which are all within any communicator's toolkit for making points, increasing awareness, and engaging his/her audience. For example, he makes the statement “God damn America”. Big deal. America does have flaws and improvements to make. To pretend it doesn’t have room for improvement (at least to me) is truly un-American. To think that because Rev. Wright made the above statement that he then must be anti-American is a retarded, paranoid, and ignorant conclusion. Who hasn’t made comparable statements at times (though they are not meant literally)?
However, there is a clip of Rev Wright making a claim that the government created aids to wipe out blacks. This one, of course, is just ridiculous. Rev. Wright needs to acknowledge that he is imperfect and made a stupid claim in regards to this. I've heard similarly stupid and paranoid claims from many fundamentalist Christian whites who think the government is plotting to do things like (1) take away their guns, (2) force all Americans to receive computer chip ID implants, (3) relinquish all rights to privacy, and other lunacies. Why don’t these groups get the attention and criticism that Rev Wright does? Answer = we are in the midst of a fairly close democratic campaign season and many people are aggressively doing everything they can to smear Barrack Obama (e.g., guilt by association).
If Rev. Wright wants to do Obama any favors (he really hasn’t so far), he will get out and explain his preaching style and acknowledge he is imperfect and acknowledge that he made at least one totally ridiculous claim in his parish. He should do this for the sake of his own reputation if not for Obama’s.
Posted by: Mike Denhof | Apr 25, 2008 7:04:00 PM
Senator Obama claims to have not been present when Rev. Wright gave his now famous sermon condemning America.
In A-B-C's story of 3/13/08, A-B-C News indicated that a review of dozens of Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.
There can be no doubt that over a 20 year period Senator Obama listened to more than one of Rev. Wright's hate-filled sermons and shares his beliefs.
Senator Obama has lied repeatedly about this issue and others, as well as claiming not to remember several he has been confronted with.
America deserves better.
Posted by: TexasLJ | Apr 25, 2008 7:04:46 PM
Here is food for thought:
I have been a registered Democrat since the age of 18 (20 years). Up until this point, I actually felt that neither party truly represented my interests and opinions. Often, I felt like I chose the "least of two evils" when I voted.
I am against abortion, yet I am pro-choice for women in other areas. Many of my views are conservative, yet I definitley understand the need to keep the "bar" stable and to level the playing field for all people.
My husband served in teh U.S. Air Force for 20 years. Consequently, we have gone to several churches.
From 2000-2006, I had two Pastors and they were both Republican. They often said things from the pulpit intended to either sway me to change my party affiliation or to make me feel "used and unenlightened" for remaining a Democrat. I remained a member, however, because I enjoyed the christian teachings, the style of teaching and delivery, the music and the dance, etc. However, when it came to politics, I just ignored the comments. My attitude was "they are entitled to their opinions and I am entitled to mine." The political comments were few and far between, but often enough for me to be clear on their positions. My last Pastor even went so far as to appear in a commercial for the Republican Gobernatorial candidate. I disagreed with it, but I did not leave the church becuase I am my own person and I he could not speak for me, as I could not speak for him.
Most people do not ask their Pastors what their political affiliation is prior to joining a church because it is usually publicly separate and apart.
I said all of this to say,
IT IS NOT FAIR TO JUDGE ANYONE BY WHAT THEIR PASTOR SAYS. NO ONE IS PERFECT. DO WE REALLY WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT PEOPLE WE KNOW AND ARE AFFILIATED WITH SAY AND DO? I don't even agree with everything my parents (who grew up in southern segregation) say, but I love them and I am very proud of them. I just did not take on some of their views as my own.
What I find interesting is that no one has questioned why Hillary remained with her husband after he did terrible and humiliating things to her; no one questions why McCain remained with his wife who was battling the worse form of drug addiction. Why? Because they understand that loving, life-long relationships should not be thrown away because of a few bad choices.
We need to be fair in this.
I've always heard and I believe that "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Obama '08
Posted by: Tee Dee | Apr 25, 2008 11:21:54 PM
Hey I am having a hard time trying to figure Barry here, he is so lacking.
If you want to be president put on a dam flag pin, you need the votes! If you want to win the high office put your hand on your heart for the anthem!
If you want to be a REAL politician denounce the pastor and go with the flow, you need the votes!
Do you feel so protected as the golden boy of the Dem GODS that you can flaunt your separatism in the faces of the American voters?????
Posted by: HP Boston | Apr 26, 2008 9:34:29 AM
Amen HP Boston! However, I truely believe its too late. I'm really sad about this mess. A year ago, looking with hope to the 2008 general election (and back at the disastrous campaign of Kerry), I was thinking "Please, anyone but Hillary!" - not that I didn't think she had many good qualities, but because she has been detested by so many that I didn't believe she could win. Sadly, I didn't know that my "anyone but Hillary" choice would be Barack Obama, who I believe is equally unelectable. He is, IMO, a proud and pompous man, as self-righteous as his pastor, and without credentials to lead our country out of its international disgrace, desperate economy, and health care disaster - there are legions in our party who strongly feel the same. I think Obama's statements that Democrats will stand with him is wishful thinking. Obama is an educated man - I wonder if he knows the story of Icarus? - I don't think he has a prayer of winning - and he will be remembered only as a name on the long list of candidates who lost the presidency for our party. His audacity of hope has left many of us feeling hopeless, and bitter at his audacity. I would never vote for Obama - its the foolishness of buying a "pig in a poke." And I would never vote for a Republican. Damn DNC - failed us again.
Posted by: Mary | Apr 26, 2008 12:16:49 PM
SO OBAMA YOU KNEW ABOUT THE INFLAMMATORY REMARKS BEFORE THE VOTERS DID, AND DIDN'T COME OUT AGAINST THE REMARKS. YOU KEPT REV WRIGHT FROM THE MICROPHONE BECAUSE YOU KNEW ABOUT THE DANGER HE WAS TO YOUR FUTURE. NOW YOU COME OUT SAYING THE MINUTE YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT THE REMARKS, YOU TOOK ISSUE WITH THEM. LIAR LIAR OBAMA, YOU DID NOTHING TILL YOU THE VOTERS STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS. THE POLITICS OF HOPE AND CHANGE? I DON'T THINK SO. LIAR LIAR OBAMA. TYPICAL POLITICIAN, AND WHAT IT IS EXPECTED OF ONE, JUST LIKE REV WRIGHT SAY.
Posted by: Persio | Apr 26, 2008 3:34:33 PM
now come on guys you can't really think obama can win the general election how many clinton bakers are going to cross the ballot if obama gets the nomination you can't honestly believe he can beat mccain most of obama's supporters can be persuaded to move over to clintons side but can he persuade clinton's supporters to do the same because he can't persuade me nor can he persuade the small town people here best of luck clinton cause i really don't want to see another republican as president but he would be better than obama
Posted by: jas | Apr 27, 2008 1:41:12 AM
yada, yada, yada, this is deja vu all over again!
Posted by: Bev | Apr 27, 2008 2:16:14 AM
I'm sure Obama and his campaign not only "expected" but orchestrated the Wright sanitization and reinvention effort.
Wright's first interview is with Obama's most liberal and most vocal supporter...Bill Moyers
Posted by: Jackie | Apr 27, 2008 5:05:53 AM
Good Grief, what is wrong with you people? Do a little research Hill supporters and you will find that the Clintons didn't seem to have a problem with Wright in 1998 when he attended a prayer breakfast for them and had a photo of Bill and Rev. Wright together and a letter thanking him for his support. What don't you get? Obama denounced the words of Wright and yes, Rev. Wright was speaking about someone elses words, which the soundbite conveniently left out. You haters will choose to believe what you want to and make everything about race. So is Hill playing the gender card then?
Posted by: mandm | Apr 27, 2008 9:01:58 AM
If some Democratic whites are still so prejudice or racist at this day and time in America, that they would rather vote for John McCain and continue the decline of this country under the Republican party, than vote for a really good bi-racial candidate that looks black (he's as much white as he is black), then they deserve ever ounce of misery they will reap for being so close minded.
Posted by: janderson | Apr 27, 2008 2:39:24 PM
They plant it because OBAMA and Rev Wright are telling you the same thing that they are different.
They are the same team, so called audacity and hope. For 20 years, they are the same. Now at election time, they come up and tell you that they are different.
Would you want your children be baptized by the one that you think is so different?
LIAR. LIAR. LIAR. LIAR. LIAR. LIAR. LIAR.
Posted by: John_Lai | Apr 27, 2008 7:47:05 PM
Rev Wright says " obamaspeaks and responds like a politician" so.... why does Obama deny that he IS a Washington politician ? A damn good one who supporeted the 2005 Cheney energy bill which now gives us $4 a gallon gas. Gee, Mr Washington politician..Thanks alot!!
Posted by: DaneNM | Apr 27, 2008 10:46:53 PM
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