Barack Obama's pastor's words echo through campaign

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright may have stepped down as pastor at Barack Obama's church in Chicago, but his sermons are still echoing through the presidential campaign -- some rather vile ones, as captured in a video that recently made its way to YouTube.

As our friends at The Swamp reported a little while ago, Obama's campaign is trying to put some more distance between the senator and the preacher, but given the focus on race and gender this week, expect this to simmer for a while. 

"It just came to me within the past few weeks, ya'll, why so many folk are hating on Barack Obama," Wright said in the video of a Christmas sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ. "He doesn’t fit the model. He ain't white. He ain't rich and he ain't privileged. Hillary (Clinton) fits the mold."

This from CNN, attributed to an Obama campaign spokesman: "Sen. Obama has said before that he profoundly disagrees with some of the statements and positions of Rev. Wright … Sen. Obama deplores divisive statements, whether they come from his supporters, the supporters of his opponent, talk radio or anywhere else."

He may deplore them, but he'll likely be forced to deal with them. Among Wright's comments about Hillary Clinton: "Hillary was not a black boy raised in a single parent home, Barack was. Barack knows what it means to be a black man living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people. Hillary! Hillary can never know that. Hillary ain't never been called a n-----! Hillary has never had her people defined as non-person."

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Sue]

I don't understand what everyone is all upset about. America is controlled by rich white people. What is wrong with stating the obvious? Look around. There are a lot of black people who make money as well, but for the most part it is rich white people. I don’t see that he is preaching hate. I think he is just stating the obvious. And this is coming from a rich white American.

[algibbs]

It is absolutely incredible that there are people excusing all of the hate speech that this man has put out! If America is stupid enough to vote a person into the office of the presidency that has attended a church pastored by a hate monger like this I fear for the country!!
The tape above isn't the vilest of those he has made! he even claims that our government created the HIV virus to kill black people!
Barack Obama should be toast!!!

[sifta]

First they went after Obama claiming that he was a secret Muslim. Now they are going after the Black church. This whole thing is obviously a canard.

However, the more cunning attempt to push racist buttons in the Archie Bunker crowd smacks of a Republican hand. Too bad Hillary didn't throw in the towel sooner, since the Clinton organization is built to counter-punch against this kind of stuff. And Obama (i.e. the democratic party) needs that.

This is kind of like going after John F. Kennedy by "highlighting" Catholic dogma in the pre-Vatican II period (obviously out of step with mainstream WASP values at the time).

[Freddy Jenkins]

Don't know why folks are more afraid of an angry black reverend--and not the kind of anti-catholic, apocalyptic ranter who endorsed John McCain--and wants to launch a war against Iran (that I doubt anyone will want to fight at the rate things are going)....

[Obama's Bad Judgment]

Obama's judgment, and the "CHANGE IN TONE" he wanted to inject into Washington and the "DISAGREEING WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE" and the "RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS UNITY" are all being shown to be JUST WORDS.

This guy's 20 year long relationship with the most vicious, hate speaking monger who hates this country so much he's trying to create a separatist movement within it is BAD JUDGEMENT. His 20 year spiritual mentor says America deserved September 11th!

Obama's JUDGEMENT is now shown to be TERRIBLE. He should truly withdraw from this Presidential race. For the first time thanks to the lovestruck wing of the media we are seeing what should have been revealed months ago.

But thank God we're seeing this window into his philosophy now. And from what I understand, there is so much more. Barack really wanted to have an All Arab conference to show America's new relationship to them based on Samantha Powers ideas about how to give away American strength. She believed America should be ashamed of it's strength and start to power share like we are a member of the European Union (and we can't even be Britain in the New World Order, we get to play the part of Sweden and pretend our economy is the size of Lichtenstein).

Anyway, give up the Presidential race Obama, and let two people who at least love their country and won't give away American strength and have All Arab Conferences with a minister who thinks Americans are zionists who deserved September 11th run for the Presidency.

[AJ]

Well, as you all know, Africa is a model of democracy, freedom, and especially the equal treatment of women.

[Shannon]

I just do not understand why people support Barak Obama who not only made her wife feel proud of US for the first time but also called "God Damn America", who not only took cocain but also took birbes, who not only plagiarized but also lied. Such a political opportunist does not deserve the president.

[Walt]

Finally, America is waking up to the fact that Media Darling, Obama, is not as squeaky clean as they would suspect. How in good conscience could you spend 20 years with a radical like Wright and not be affected in some shape, form or fashion. Like other readers who've commented here, I too would like to know exactly WHAT Obama agrees with Wright on? The snow job is over, time to start damage control. Hillary and McCain are poised to pounce on the radical association of Barack Obama. Hey Thanks Wright for exposing your man for being your friend and prodigy.

[Kevin]

all valid statements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kate]

I find it amusing all the hate directed at Obama for something his minister has said and that he has not repeated. I understand that you are grasping at straws for something to hold against him, but he can not be responsible for what that man says.

Likewise, Hillary Clinton is should not be held responsible for something that Ferrero said. Or that pasture in Harlem that has been spewing venom towards Obama for the last two months.

My grandfather was a racist, but that does not mean that I am one. My grandfather was a lot more influential on me than any man of god.

Perhaps all those judging should repent now, less you be judged yourself.

[Trenton Daily]

It appears the ignorant Hillary supporters have taken over this web site. Luckily, most Hillary supporters can't read so will never have to suffer through this drivel.

[Dave]

I took Obama at his word that he profoundly disagrees, rejects, repudiates etc. the negative things that Minister Farrakhan has said. But now that he says the same thing about his spiritual leader of the past 20 years, I'm starting to feel like a putz..

[AndyB]

This man is his "SPIRITUAL LEADER" folks. Did you get that? His "SPIRITUAL LEADER."

Please! Tell me! How do you distance yourself from your "SPIRITUAL LEADER?" Is like having an out of body experience?

[Ian]

Are we in denial or what that America is run by rich white Americans. The Fed: rich white Americans. Bush and Dick: rich white Americans. If it's the truth, then why do we refute it. The comment's on Hillary are a bit ridiculous, but Obama should not be responsible for things other people say. Religion is taken far too seriously in this country. I agree that we need an atheist president.

[Dingus]

First off, I am a 55 year old white guy. Being raised in suburban America, I was immersed in an ocean of prejudice toward black people. This preacher is RIGHT, boys and girls. Stop watching so much TV, find a way to spend time actually talking in depth with black people, and you'll start to see what I mean. You're furious at what this preacher says because he's telling the truth, and nothing hurts worse than the truth.

[Ken]

I'm very shocked at the number of extremely gullible people on this thread. So we're going to be duped again, are we people?

Attack a person's greatest strength - that's the Atwater/Rove approach to campaigning - and this is the perfect example. Obama's strength lies in the fact that his message resonates with whites and blacks... and he's proven it in election after election since January.

So we are now to be convinced that presidential candidates are indistinguishable from their pastors? They are incapable of independent thought? Their own opinions?

To suggest a black man raised by a WHITE mother is somehow a "black supremacist" is so far-fetched, so ridiculous... only the "idiot class" of the voting public would believe it. But hey, there's plenty of 'em out there, I guess -- if people were willing to believe John Kerry intentionally stepped into the way of shrapnel to receive minor injuries so he could run for President as a war hero 30 years later, then I guess they'll believe this garbage.

Welcome to the Idiocracy. Seriously, rent the movie... it will explain some of the simple minded posts on this non-story.

[KL]

Mr. Wright has been spewing hatred for the last 20 years, and now, when the black community have a chance to elect a black man to the highest post in the country, his vitriol has come back to haunt all of the hate mongers! You have blown it for Mr. Obama, and Mr. Obama, you have blown it for yourself by not denouncing the hate coming from your preacher's mouth. Shame on you for subjecting your children to this hate, as well! Very typical Democrat behavior...you are keeping the black man in the "victim" role, which allows his to let the government "take care of poor little him" and not be a responsible member of society. Every black child born into this system can be kept dependent on the government for their existence, and thus, another democrat is born! Shame on the black community for allowing these democrats to put you in that position, and KEEP you there! Stop blaming "rich whitey" for your problems, pull yourselves up, get an education, and dump that horrible Democrat party!

[feydakin]

well, is there anything that ISN'T true that the preacher was quoted as saying? besides, obamas religion or his preacher sould not be in question here. A persons faith is their own business. I didn't hear anything offensive in what the preacher said. anyone who would take offense to those statements obviously does NOT read at a third grade level OR they base their opinion on whatever sean hannity tells them to think.
Our society is so weak and p.c that you can't say anything anymore. if you are ofended then don't listen. Since most americans have to idea what context is, let alone comprehend what they read why is it any surprise that his statemnts offended......we americans are so ignorant/stupid I am ashamed to call myself one. (cant wait for the blind faith followers to comment on that).

[jodi]

Posted by: BL : Since you heard nothing that wasn't true or so you say. Please name one thing Bill Clinton did in his 8 years as President and Gov. of AK that deserved the comment about how Bill did the samthing to us that he did to Monica Lewinsky and then the motions of humping the air........in a church?????

And if truth is what Obama wants then why did he not come straight to a microphone after the media began claiming Bill's comment to be racist with help from Obama...Bill said, "Jesse Jackson won SC too." His statement was absolutely true and certainly not racist. Ms. Ferraro's comment was also perfectly true....just look at the votes from blacks in MS, SC, Georgia.....all 3 of those states would have been won by Hillary if Obama was not calling these hard working Clintons racist. Hillary will be elected and I think the blacks and their reps better start asking themselves why President Hillary should concern herself with the issues of these people when they call her names like racist after a lifetime of both Clintons fighting for causes that benifit the black communities.

[gil]

What shocks me is that Obama, as intelligent as he is, did not release this stuff a year ago. Did he think it wouldn't come out? Did he think that he wouldn't go through the same vetting process as Senator McCain or Senator Clinton?
Although I'm voting for McCain, I like Obama. He seems like a nice guy. But now comes his test: in the wake of these comments of his pastor, he will have to prove that he can bring skeptics, like me, over to his side. If he cannot, then his entire campaign theme- bringing people together- holds no water.

[John adams]

I don't see how this pastor is perceived as racist. Every time there's a black leader that talks about self-empowerment, they are labeled as sepertist and racist. Even if this guy was to be a sepertist, there was never a time in American history where black people ride into white neighoorhoods and killling men woman and children on the level that white Americans have. White Americans have the law, the majority, and the money to never be effective by racism because the system will always be on their side. A black person could not be racist unless it's to another person of color.

[Richard Ray]

What am I missing? I don't see any hate here. Just the facts. The founding fathers? Rich white guys. Almost, (and I mean almost), everyone who runs for office in Washington D.C.? Rich white guys. Hilary doesn't know what it's like to be poor and black. Neither do I. It's a fact. Most of the comments seem like fear based emotional responses and I see more evidence of hate there than in the preacher.

[R. Vincent]

Wow! After reading some of the comments, I am lead to respond. This is just what Rev. Wright is addressing. Racism is still alive and well in America and especially in many of the above responses. I've read some of your comments and it doesn't mean that I want to distance myself from you, or that I believe most of the inane comments posted. Until you stop talking about race, religion, sexism and how you feel others should live their lives according to your "standards" please don't expect others to stop reminding others that there are people like you out there just waiting to espouse hatred. Don't take some of the words out of the sermon and make it something that it is not. Listen to several before you pass judgement. God is love and He did not give one man superiority over another.

[You people are nuts]

Excuse me, but I don't understand what in this video is such an "outrage"! I was expecting to hear something like "women aren't as intelligent as men" or "we should ethnically cleanse America of white people". That would be an outrage. All I hear is this guy saying that America is run by rich white people. Which is true. It's not propaganda or a conspiracy theory. It's just a fact that I thought (up to this moment anyway) that everyone knew. Most people in this country are white, and the richest ones run everything. Anyone who's ever been to college and has learned about capitalism knows that. Who are you people?? 5th graders?

[mrrich]

id have to agree that what this guy is saying isnt really all that crazy or hatefull. america is and has been run by rich white people. the government still veiws minorities as a lower class, you only have to go walk around the rubble in the lower 9th ward to realize that. the governments foreign policy is the cause of the rest of the worlds disdain for us.

at no point does this guy say he hates whites, wants to kill whites or anything else along the lines. whats far more frightening to me is mccain singing "bomb bomb bomb" iran. thats hatefull.