In Huffington Post column, Barack Obama distances himself from minister

Barack Obama just took the unusual step of posting a column on Huffington Post to again reject the comments of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The core of Obama's piece:

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach ... or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.

With Rev. Wright's retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[victor knopp]

is it possible that his name is more than skin deep,iam almost ashamsd for saying such a thing but if its called a duck,,,well..........could we be seeing a cluster of political heprocrisy...and the consequential results

[Tom J]

All the news blogs are linking to the HuffPo piece, and the comments I've seen so far include two points:

1) Falwell, Robertson and the rest made some pretty shocking sermons and remarks after 9/11 (as well as Katrina), and they weren't exactly excommunited from the Republican Party.

2) At least this might get the attention of the 13% of Americans who (according to a recent poll) think Obama is a Muslim.

My reaction? The next person I know who agrees with everything their minister says, will be the first. Same with any teacher/educator. At times they all say shocking things for effect, just to get their audiences thinking and talking. Who even knows what they actually believe themselves? Sometimes it's exaggeration, sometime's it's playing "devil's advocate".

I'm certainly not going to base my vote on what someone's minister says. I don't even know who Clinton's and McCain's ministers are - does anyone?

[Jill Q]

I voted for and am still a supporter of Sen. Obama. I am convinced that he does not agree with his former pastor's remarks. Unfortunately, many will not think this is good enough. Sen. Obama must point out that there are many, many people who DO agree with his pastor, which is precisely the reason he is running for president: to fix this mindset and rise above the hate thinking and hate speech. And he is the candidate who can do just that.

[jacob]

There is an undeniable close knit 20 year relationship between the pastor and Obama. I gather, the Pastor married Barrack and Michelle, baptized his children, dedicated Obama's house, has been his "sounding
board" for all that time. The title of Obama's book "Audacity of Hope" is from the Pastor's sermon. From WSJ I gather, the Pastor was one of
the first people Obama thanked after his election to the Senate in 2004. That, Obama consulted him before deciding to run for president and prayed privately with him before announcing his candidacy last year. How can one distance oneself from this deep and this long a
relationship? That would be akin to trying to distance yourself from half your life. Won't it?

The Pastor called US the number one killer, held US responsible for AIDS/9-11/Mandela's imprisonment and apartheid/Palestinian plight/killing of innocents to bring down Castro & Libya - it goes on and on over, not one or two, but several sermons. How do you explain how you presumably sat through such incendiary sermons with
your family? Or, at a minimum, continued having a spiritual
relationship despite such rhetoric?

These clips directly contradict some of the things
Obama has been saying about the pastor. It seems Obama said clearly that he does not regard his church to be "controversial". While addressing the Jewish Leaders he apparently explained his pastor's anti-Zionist statements as being rooted in Israel's support for South
Africa when it seems those statements were never qualified as that.

Obama's primary counterpoint to Hillary's Experience has been his Judgment. If people question his judgment for keeping close kinship with someone who was asking God to damn America, how will he respond? What will he say?

[CALIFORNIAMARTY SAYS]

"We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

A congregation committed to ADORATION.
A congregation preaching SALVATION.
A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY."

Obama has been a member of this Church for 20 years. He is a close friend of this Rev. The Obama's were married by him. The Audacity of Hope book were words he took from the Rev. The Rev honored Louis Farakkhan.

Obama is not blind or deaf. He is dissembling when he trys to distance himself from this man, his mentor and spiritual advisor. He knows exactly what this man says and believes. He has donated hundreds of thousands to his cause.

When he is through explaining this then he will no doubt explain the Rezko flim-flam property scam.

[ck]

Obama's assertion that, "The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach ... or heard him utter in private conversation," flies in the face of simple logic. The concepts underlying most ministers' preachings, regardless of denomination, do not vary substantively from sermon to sermon, even though the words conveying them may change. After 20 years of hearing Rev. Wright's sermons, it's logical to conclude that Obama had to be familiar with their concepts, even if one charitably accepts that the words of the Dec. '07 sermon in question may have been somewhat more provocative than usual. As shocking as that is, it's even more shocking that the Rev. Wright and the church to which Obama still belongs gave its highest social achievement award last year to the head of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan, a known anti-semite and homophobe, calling him a man who "epitomized greatness." Farrakhan also happens to live in the same affluent Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago as Obama, and has endorsed Obama for President. It's the same neighborhood where Obama and Syrian-born Chicago businessman Tony Rezko, now under federal indictment for fraud and extortion, bought adjacent million-dollar-plus properties from the same realtor on the same day in 2006. Incidentally, Rezko has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Obama's political campaigns. Even if Obama "vehemently condemns" -- after the fact -- the statements of Rev. Wright and the decision to honor Farrakhan, and regrets his relationship with Rezko, this is mere rhetoric to save face and win an election. His 20-year acceptance of the anti-American concepts underlying the church he and his family still attend, and his 17-year acceptance of a relationship with a businessman whom he knew was under federal investigation, call into serious question not only Obama's judgment and wisdom, but, more importantly, his core beliefs and ethics.

[nett60]

The webpage for the church has been cleaned up in the last few weeks. I am african american and never supported Obama because of his hypocrisy. How can he sit in a church that honors Farrakhan and preaches hate. Hate is hate. I have caught hell from family and friends, white and black because I never supported him .I did my homework as everyone should have done. ..and to think he alsmost got away with fooling a nation of idiots!!!!

[Barbara]

Oh please, get over it. There is nothing wrong with the ten point vision. If your ancestors had been dragged from their homeland, beaten, raped and subjugated, you would swear allegiance to it as well.
Get over yourself. Obama's life has been about unity and the American dream. For God's sake, he has the most diverse campaign staff I have ever seen.

[JOHN MCDONALD]

IT JUST SHOWS HOW PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW JUST TO BE POLITIC CORRECT THE BIBLE CLEARLY SAYS YOU CAN NOT SIT ON THE FENCE YOUR ETHER FOR OR AGAINST NO MIDDLE GROUND YOU CAN NOT SUPPORT APARTY THAT ALLOWS THE KILLING OF ITS UNBORN THE DEMACRATS DONT GET OR DONT WANT TO ITS SAD SO MANY PEOPLE GO BLINDLY WHIT OUT EVER LOOKING BACK

[CALIFORNIAMARTY]

Obama sipped the poison from this "uncle" who spews hatred for Whites in America from the pulpit for 20 years. He had the man perform his wedding ceremony. He named his book from the Revs talk. Obama and his wife have slipped and made remarks indicating their less than being proud of being an American. This does not pass the smell test for a presidential candidate. This is the website of the church, a copy and paste from "About Us" exactly as is.

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

A congregation committed to ADORATION.
A congregation preaching SALVATION.
A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

[Emlyn]

How many millions of Americans have listened to the caustic and divisive words of Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell or any number of other so-called "spiritual leaders"?

Everyone is entitled to speak their mind (it's called free speech) and hearing someone's opinions doesn't mean that one agrees with them.

Enough with the witch hunts already.

[smr]

Obama says Wright is like a nutty uncle who says things you don't agree with. Really? If my uncle said some of those things, he wouldn't be welcome in my home and I certainly wouldn't go to his. He would remain my uncle because I couldn't change genetics. Obama could certainly have walked away from "uncle" Wright. And Obama insults the collective intelligence of the electorate if he wants us to believe he never heard that racsist vitriol directly or heard about it. Just another politician with feet of clay.

[ChoKum]

So much of the furor is from biased, uncritical people on both sides of the published articles. In every case the articles were "newsworthy" only because they could be made into attention grabbing controversy. In the instance of Rev. Wrights comment, they were not quotes of Mr. Obama or any member of his paid staff. Nothing said by Mr. Obama or his staff has ever agreed with the quotes from Rev. Wright.

Too many citizens do not vote now. Too many voters make their choice based only on party affiliation, race, or some other bias. Voting for the BEST candidate is the ONLY way to elect the BEST person for any position. Choosing not to vote for a candidate because they will not make an absolute commitment to you want is self defeating if that candidate is the one who most agrees with issues important to you.

[anee]

I agree with Jacob, this goes to JUDGMENT and CHARACTER, what kind of person let alone a future president would sit in a church that preached such vile words. If this were Clinton's pastor, everyone would be running around calling for her to step down from the race.
Rezko, Rezko, Rezko, and there is more to be found out about him and Obama, when Obama PROMISED us that he did not have any more close ties to this guy.
Obama has no integrity even when he announces that he is rejecting his friend Wright he hides behind the "skirt" of the Huffington Post, be a real man and have a press conference where reporters, who represent us the American People can ask you questions, stop being a coward.
Shame on Obama, now we know where Michelle gets her lines about the first time she was proud to be an American and that America is mean... every Sunday at church. So they cannot say that Wrights words do not affect or influence them, seems like Obama has a hidden agenda which the rich white folks have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

[Pedro D]

Perhaps the comments of Pastor Wright were 'inflamatory". Unfortunally some of those statement are the thuth and the "white elite ruling class" in this Country don't want to hear, because is somehow 'illegal' , 'racist" or even 'inmoral'to tell them the way it is.
Because none of them want the American people know about how they rigged the system for their own benefit. leaving the rest of Americans hanging with high gas prices, inflation, high cost of living , bad schools, and on and on.
They don't want peole know that we sent billions to Israel (30 billion this year) for armaments.....then they kill Palestinians with no objection from the US. Goverment....oops! sorry i shouldn't say that, now i became ANTI-Semitic...damn! my life is ruin now!
They don't want people know about the exclusive clubs the politicians in Washington have access, the exclusive school their children attend, the health coverage they have.
They don't want American people know all the privileges they have with our money...and they tell us is no money for the rest of us for decent school or universal health coverage.
Sure, we don't need to divide this Country anymore with 'inflamatory' rethoric. However, I do understand Rev. Wright anger, because he was born in different times...and he sees this country from different angle. However, bothers me the hyprocresy of the 'white elite ruling class'...like they were offended....come on!, those people have robbed and lie the American people (blacks, white, asians, latinos....) for years..and now they feel offended because someone say things to them in the 'wrong way'.
The Media managed to frame Rev. wright as a racist comments, but i see those comments are directed to the ruling class that managed to opress the rest of Americans (whites, blacks, latinos, asians,muslims.....) for years...and they will do everything in their power that stays that way.

[Mark Bruckbauer]

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[Page]

Obama - I never supported you because as a woman, I very much wanted a woman president. It's incredibly difficult for a woman to reach the level of the presidency in this country - far more difficult than other countries ironically. Hillary Rodham Clinton was the closest we (American women) ever came to the presidency. I truly feel she would have and maybe still will be a fine and honorable president. I feel and think she will help our nation rebound financially, restore its integrity internationally, protect our borders, propogate a host of social services for our nation - after all, charity begins at home as any mother knows - and bring our men and women home from Iraq WITHOUT further jeopardizing the safety of the men and women of Iraq that WE have placed in danger - the majority decided to go into Iraq and we must clean up the mess we made before leaving. I've waited a lifetime to see a woman in the White House to do some wonderful and marvelous things and it looked like we were almost there. Until you.

I think, "This is strange. Why a Black man now? Why this type of competition?" This is the Republican Party's dream and the Democratic Party's nightmare because with this type of tug-a-war, we, the democrats could lose the election. There will not be enough votes to propel Clinton or Obama to the White House.

So, I do my homework and find out as much as I can about you. You're young, and half white. I was surprised. You were raised by your white mother and Muslim Indonesian step-father until 10, and then raised by your white grandparents in Hawaii at a private school along with children from racially diverse backgrounds. Your Black Muslim father is from Kenya and had very little to do with your mother or you after the age of 2. So, you're "American Blackness" is really not very relatable to the "Black experience" of America. At least not the "Blackness" that I'm the most familiar with coming from Georgia and growing up in Los Angeles. I try to find out more about you.

Both of your parents are now dead and you have one living half sister. You married a black woman and have two daugthers. You went to Ivy League colleges and worked as a lawyer doing work in the projects. Then you went into politics and became a junior senator in 2004 I believe. And now, you are situated, more because of your Blackness than anything else, to being nominated for the President of the United States.

Most of Black America jumped on your band wagon because of your Blackness. Like me, I suppose, they too have been waiting a lifetime(s) for a black president. You say you will, "Bring people together; bring our men and women home from Iraq immediately; improve our economy," and, my all time favorite, "Bring change!!"

I see my black and white friends, colleagues, associates jump on your band wagon. Forget the Clintons. Forget over 40 years of service to this country to the Black community, to the Hispanic community, and to the poor communities of this nation.

So, I start to think, "well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's time to forget my foolish dreams of a woman president even though she's incredibly gifted, experienced, tough, resourceful, connected and supported." I start to think that maybe you, Obama, are the one to go with. Young, Black, talented, supported,.... and then I read about your pastor.

I don't know what to say. I'm shocked. This man as been spewing hatred, anti-American sentiment, anti-white sentiment, anti-brotherly love sentiment. What the hell goes on with you? Are you kidding me? This is your mentor? This is the man you've been listening to for 20 years? And NOW you've decided to terminate him from your campaign?

I want very much for a woman president and I want very much for a Black president. But this Black president must love this country, and truly be about bringing people together, and rejecting - throughout their life - any relationship with someone that so directly opposes that communion. Hillary Rodham Clinton may not be our next president. But you, Sir, certainly will not be either. I will vote with McCain if you are nominated and I hope with all my heart and soul that all democrats do the same thing if you are nominated.

[Jeanne]

Although Dr. Wright's sermons are inflammatory, they are provocative and causes one to reflect upon and examine the sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and sociocultural policies of this country on a domestic and global basis. These sermons also causes one to examine his or her American experience and role in this dynamic society. Much of Wright's rhetoric may be compared with that of Rev. Pat Robertson and the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, who both have made controversial and inflammatory comments throughout their lifetimes. Yet, our society appears to have given "a wink and a nod" to these spiritual leaders for years. Each of them has had relationships with presidents. Yet, there has not been a great outcry or scrutiny of their relationships with former and current presidents. Why now? What is all the fuss about? To this end, it appears that all of the news organizations have run statements/video clips made by Dr. Jeremiah Wright, former pastor of Sen. Barack Obama, but have not run statements and/or video clips made by the Revs. Rod Parsley and John Hagee (endorsers of Sen. John McCain) who have made openly racist, sexist, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Catholic, and homophobic comments. Also, there is no playing of the anti-Semitic comments made by the Rev. Billy Graham to President Richard M. Nixon at the White House over 30 years ago. Graham has also had relationships with presidents, including Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, etc. Is this "fair and balanced" coverage? Why is this okay? It appears that the Revs. Hagee, Parsley, and Graham have been given a pass by the MSM. It appears also that the MSM is complicit with the "establishment" in trying to marginalize and to undermine the campaign of Mr. Obama. It is difficult and mindboggling to comprehend that a person of color can fight and die for this country, but not serve as the president of this country. It is also difficult and mindboggling to comprehend our fears of divergent world views. Wright, who is a former marine and former nurse for President Lyndon Baines Johnson, delivered these sermons based upon his sociopolitical perspective and do not necessairly represent those of Senator Obama's anymore than the views of Sen. J. William Fulbright represent those of President Bill Clinton.

[kevin p]

Don't forget about his association with the guy who bombed the pentagon. Obama is a phony. Thats why he only wins small states or states with huge black populations. Wake up people, what else is in his closet?

[CALIFORNIAMARTY SAYS]

OBAMA SEEKS OUR PRAISE FOR HIS POLITICAL ACTS OF EXPEDIENCY. Like seeking praise for not stabbing his mother.
Obama has now put back on his Flag Pin and quit his church. The politician from Chicago who hangs with unrepentant terrorist bombers, racists, haters, fixers and who has exposed his children to the abuse of vile lies about America inventing the aids virus to kill blacks expressed his disappointment and blamed the media for the churches woes.

[NYMARTY]

This child abuse is never, NEVER discussed by the media which is in the tank for Obama.

The frenzy of th econgregation when Wright and Pfleger spewed their venom of hate, the stomping, high-fives, and wild eyed joy reminds one of the frenzy and orgasmic joy of the crowds when Adolph Hitler used his oratory skills to mesmerize a naton which he later destroyed.