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

[TalkSense]

I saw the video yesterday on ABC in GMA program. I was shocked. I even think Barack Obama and Michelle Obama has been brain washed by hearing these hatred speeches from this pastor for 20 years. His unconvincing explanation about not wearing a US Flag Pin http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3690000 and Michelle's comment that she is not proud of America until now http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-19-michelle-obama_N.htm are strong evidence that the damage has been done permanently in their brains. What a shame?

A POW who fought for the US Flag going against a guy who didn't want to wear US Flag Lapel pin and it looks like it may be due to brainwashing by a guy who says God damn America!! Folks, the General Election is over if BO is the nominee.

[JRDaniel]

It's sad that our nation has reached the psychotic level...no - SCHIZOPHRENIC level of double standards related to race...meaning that, apparently now - blacks have a license to engage in outright HATE SPEECH and use racial clurs and demeaning dialogue...while Caucasions do NOT have such freedoms...yet Mr. Wright, believes he lives in a world controlled by rich, white people.

Other evidence of Mr. Wright's delusional beliefs include his statement that Jesus was black (either figuratively or literally is EQUALLY RACIALLY OFFENSIVE)

Obama has now been caught - he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is the wolf at Grandma's door wearing Little Red Riding Hood's clothes...but now it is over and America can know what he's really been about all along.

It was a nice try, Barack Hussein Obama....but now it's time to go back home and let Illinois replace you in the Senate.

[Carlton]

I don't understand why we are even having this discussion. Because everyone knows that if you put a black man up against a white man, and the position is for President of the United States. Everyone knows that a black man will not win.
It is 2008, and we still live in a racist America. There will never be a point in American history where black people will be equal in the eyes of whites. Whites will never be able to accept a black man in a position of power. Because of this.... whites have went as far as depicting Jesus, as a blond hair blue eyed white man.

Every man is entitled to their opinion, and with that said, I say to you, fellow American. Do not vote for an upstanding, righteous black man. Vote for a white woman instead. Vote for a woman who could not even stand up to her own husband after he slept with another woman. Vote for Hillary. The woman who will be too scared to stand up for her own country, because she didn't have the guts to stand up to her husband, and who didn't have the guts to stand up for herself.

[Megan]

Oh please! I learned a few years ago that the Bishop that confirmed me in 7th grade was a pedophile and so was another priest at the Church I attended for 25 years. So does that make ME responsible for the priest's action. Do I have to renounce the Catholic Church because of the sex scandal? I don't remember anyone asking Guiliani about the New York priest who were arrested and convicted of child molestation. BTW, where do John McCain and Hillary Clinton worship? Are they atheist? What did their preachers or ministers say five years ago which might be relevant to their campaign?
This whole thing is a bogus attempt to get Obama out of the race. SO LET ME BE CLEAR WHITE PEOPLE, he nor does any other AFRICAN AMERICAN have to answer for another black person any more than a CATHOLIC has to answer for pedofile priest. IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT REV. WRIGHT SAID THEN TAKE IT UP WITH REV. WRIGHT.

[Joe]

First of all, Mr. Wright isn't representing Mr. Obama or his campaign. Secondly, this is obviously only part of what Mr. Wright is preaching. Obviously, we will only get to see the bad bits. Thirdly, while I can't remember hearing anything close to being as hateful as this in my own church, I surely strongly disagree with much of what I hear in my church. So, does that mean that by continuing to go to my church, I am publicly stating my agreement with everything that is being said? That is ridiculous!

I don't find the YouTube video above that awful, but I heard a lot worse statements quoted from Mr. Wright's sermons, which make me agree with some of the other comments regarding Mr. Wright. However, I don't see how this reflects on Mr. Obama, as long as he clearly distances himself from those hateful statements. I think Mr. Obama should do a much better job of doing exactly that, of course.

But I do see how this can and will be used against Mr. Obama. There is no question about it.

[pat nelson]

It is presumptuous for a person of any race to say what people of another race are thinking. my family shares bloodlines with many races. race sits outside of what matters. what matters is love, loyalty and kindness. we are all Americans with varying degrees of pride in our country. those of us who grew up during World War II are very patriotic and loyal, regardless of who sits in the white house. those of us eho were in college in the late 60's and 70's and 80's are still in need of purging from the rabid anti-American professors of those days. we limp along out of love and respect. If Mr. Obama becomes our president what do you think he will do? Only as much as the congress let's him do!

[Katie]

While it is true we cannot always shared the same "lived experience" I think it is unfair to state that women do not have to work twice as hard as men to succeed. Secondly, Barack was raised by his single WHITE RICH mother. And is so unfathomly outside the scope of the experience of poor blacks I can't even comprehend this nonsense. I'm sorry, did the Harvard grad have something to relate his experience to gang life in projects? Get real people.

[April]

People~ This man is a terrible person, who has totally influenced Barack and his family from the start. He is screaming about racism...sorry to say but AFRICAN AMERICANS are not the only ones experiencing racism...The fact that the african american community still hangs on to that is unreal. Get over it and move on, this man is dangerous, READ YOUR BIBLE, & if you are not a CHRISTIAN watch him, pay attention to the look in his eyes, how he contradicts himself in every other statement. I think people should have to pass a test to vote, because UNEDUCATED people don't do ANYTHING but believe what they want to hear. FRIGHTNENING TO the rest of us who do our research and make sure whoever we vote for is a good choice.

[sammie]

These obama followers ask us to be rational about this creep because it was only an opinion, but why can't they do the same for Ferraro?

obama followers, I'm sick and disgusted by you hypocrites.There is no place for Obama in this election.

[Mary Rossman]

Obama supporters are pathetic! Here is his "spiritual advisor" spouting such crap and creating a division between Blacks and whites. And Obama, with wife and kids, has been eagerly listening to this for 20 years. Yet we are to believe that Obama is the great "uniter"?
The only element of truth in Wright's statements is that this country is run by rich white men -the very same people who have supported and poured money into Obama's campaign. Guess "Mr. Ethics" doesn't mind taking their money. What a hypocrite! Maybe that is why he attracts so many as his supporters.

[Marie]

The people who are angry over this are the same ones saying that America is too racist to elect a Black president, or know a White person who wouldn't vote for him because he's Black.

[mbs]

Barak Obama says he is a Christian, then he chooses this church, with this pastor, who honors Farrakhan.

What does that say about his judgement?

Explains Michelle Obama’s attitude.

Scary. Very scary.

[Robert]

I feel betrayed by Obama. I voted for him and caucused for him. I feel so foolish, ashamed and angry. The only silver lining is the general election is yet to come. I am glad I found this before it became too late.

My fellow Americans: wake-up please. The future of our country is at stake.

[Beck]

Being a white person from a so-called "Aryan" culture, I'd have to say that I find his comments no more offensive than I would guess a black person would find Geraldine Ferraro's words. If you find his comments extremely offensive then I suggest you rethink your opinions on the world around you.

As a pastor for a predominantly black congregation, Wright compares Jesus to an African American. There's a great deal of truth to that Christian message. It’s not that today’s America persecutes, tortures, and crucifies blacks as the Roman and Israeli authorities did Jesus nor do I believe his message is a reminder to those personally responsible (most of those people are hopefully gone). The message is that Jesus did not come from a privileged class but a persecuted minority while he still taught those around him (also mostly persecuted) to love those who discriminate and persecute you.

Okay so if you are white and/or Jewish, don’t feel defensive at this point (unless you feel some personal responsibility for either atrocities committed against blacks or Jesus’ crucifixion). Jesus said, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) After almost 2000 thousand years of war, atrocities, corruption, and fear since he spoke those words, cannot Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of other religions agree on that message?

Regarding the war on terrorism, “love your enemy” does not mean let your enemies kill everyone you love. I do wonder why is it kosher for President Bush to say that we need to examine the conditions under which children live in the Middle East and Africa to win this war (which he just did today) but not okay for others to express similar messages without being accused of being 9/11 apologists.

[RABO]

""""HIllary knows what it means to be a woman living in a country and a culture that is controlled by men. Obama can never know that. Obama ain't never been called any of the names thrown at women every day. Obama as a man never had his gender defined as non-person."

Posted by: AJ | March 14, 2008 at 11:19 AM""""

Now try this: Voting on issues instead of race and gender.

[Melvin]

I thought Obama was an uniter. Anyone voluntarily sitting through 20 years of that stuff would be anything but.

[Katrina]

I have been a staunch supporter of Barack Obama. My friends and I have all contributed to his campaign.

We were having a card party last night and saw the clips from Barack's preacher. We were all mortified. We are white but none of us had even paid attention to the color of his skin until now. We all sat there for a moment, then looked at each other and felt deceived.

I remember seeing the look on Michelle Obama's face when she said that for the first time in her life she was proud to be an American. I can see where she is coming from now.

I had never really been involved with politics until my friends and I heard about Barack Obama.

I could never vote for Barack. Never. I don't trust him anymore and my friends feel the same way. So much for politics.

[George Harring]

If any Jew votes for Obama, they are getting what they deserve: a man whose friends are terrorists (William Ayres, Bernadine Dohrn) or Jew-haters (Wright, Farrakhan) or are for the destruction of Israel.

If Obama wins the presidency, we will see Osama bin Laden invited to the White House for tea. And the terrorists will dance in the streets at the victory of one of their own.

[Richard Prince]

Hillary Clinton and Bill's hatchet-men are behind this smear on Obama's character. Make no mistake, Hillary Clinton has lost any hope of getting votes from almost half of the Democrats in this country. If she is nominated or somehow weasels her way into the nomination at the convention then WE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN.

The Clinton's are sleazeball politicians and she will lose because the new generation of young Democrats want change and we will not support her sleazy name-calling low-life politics.

[Frank Stanton]

I am a middle aged white guy who grew up in the Great Lakes region of Ohio and Pennsylvania. I have not heard this preacher's pronouncements on the Jewish state of Israel, so I cannot comment other than to say that Israel did in fact do business with South Africa during apartheid which in my estimation is a little hypocritical in view of the Jewish experience with Nazi Germany and what apartheid stood for, namely the dehumanization of people of color. Regarding the video clip above, what is he saying that is so derogatory to Senator Clinton? He is making a valid point that Hillary has no idea what it is to be a black man in America; she has no idea what courage it takes for a black person to run for president with all the hatemongers like Rush and the Fox gang who get rich appealing to the darker aspects of the American character with regards to racism and miscegination. This preacher is talking about the black experience in America and it is patently absurd for Ms. Clinton, Gerry Ferraro and any white woman to compare her struggle as a woman to gain respect in America to what black men and women have experienced for the last 500 years in this country. His views on the election are valid. Wealthy and educated white folks in this country need to look in the mirror and acknowledge their own prejudices toward all people of color and stop whining about a black preacher who is talking to his constituency. I can argue that it is condescending on the part of people to refer to Bill Clinton as the first black president. It is disrespectful to black people and yet neither he or Hillary have ever gone out of their way to dissuade such pronouncements because they use statements like that to get votes. Senator Obama is a breath of fresh air which this country desperately needs. Hiilary is part of a political dynasty which called itself Democratic, but in fact is a modern form of southern blue dog Democrat who play the game to get black votes. So there! Have a nice day and vote for Obama if you want a genuine change in the political status quo in America.

[David H]

The "old uncle" comment by Obama is classic Obama. He dismisses the outrageous race bating of his old pastor with a charming comment and chuckle. Kind of like, "Aww isn't the old reverend cute? A little eccentric, but a heart of gold."

As other bloggers have noted, it is no mystery why Michelle has never been proud of her country. If she was fed this guy's bile for 20 years what else can you expect?

Why hasn't the press jumped on this? Has the mainstream press been told by their corporate masters to keep a lid on this until Obama is nominated, and then beat him to death with Rev. Wright?

[Eric Hofer]

I do not understand why this is not front page of every newspaper and website there is?

This goes right to the heart of who he is, regardless of who is trying to pretend to be.

[Divante Samuel]

white ppl are racist. everyone knows that. so are hispanics, asians, and native americans. no one likes blacks ppl. to all my negros out there, give it back to these white fools. they say 1 in 2 of us got an std, time to give it them. get some equality up in here. Obama '08. 1

[John Hering]

Begging your collective pardon, but your attacks on Rev. Wright are non-sensical. You accuse Wright of being "hate-filled" and "no man of God" when the main thrust of his sermon is "Christ teaches us to love our enemies." You complain that Obama wouldn't represent your interests because you're white and you think he is racist; all Wright's doing is rubbing your nose in the fact that our first 52 presidents (aside from the remarkable EXCEPTIONS of Lincoln and Johnson) have failed to represent black interests. Today if a black family and a white family have the same income, the white family has a statistically better standard of living because the white family has inherited the wealth of great-grandfather's plantation, while the black great-grandfather had nothing but chains. Today black men are more likely to go to jail than college because American society values King George's colonial linguistic legacy more highly than it does the tongue spoken by descendants of slaves who had to develop their own system of communication after being thrust together without a common tongue and being physically intimidated from formal schooling. I am proud as a white man to support Barack Obama because I believe it is time to love our enemies, as Reverend Wright reminds us Christ commands. It is time to begin undoing the oppression US government has inflicted on its citizens and subsidized in third-world countries. It's time to have a president that doesn't let the short-sightedness of his (or her) business interests degrade the liberty, the goodwill and the pride of the American people; it's time to have a president that stands up for the principles of equality and justice that have been so long neglected that our constitution looks like nothing beyond an antique philosophy. It's time for President Barack Obama.

[Steve]

Obama makes bad choices. He comes from a place of opportunism, and I see no record that he has ever worked for change for anyone. He's all about crafting his strategy to victory, and winning, selling books, and being a star.

The more we learn about who Obama really is, the more he seems like a person who changes his story every day, to suit his audience and manipulate people of all races.

People go to Churches where the feel comfortable and like the message, or they do it to make contacts and get ahead. I'm not sure where Obama was on this one, but I do know he is not someone who will work for change. Obama is about Obama and doesn't care who he brings down so long as he gets to the top.

I bet he will hate having to return to the Senate and actually working for change, because he seems like someone who considers himself above doing his job in the Senate.

His strategy is flawed as is his judgment. I could watch 1000 commercials and Obama is not going to convince me he is anything more than an opportunist, lacking the judgment the USA needs in a President.

Hillary has spent 8 years in the Senate working for change, and she is respected throughout the world. I trust she will work hard to restore peace and prosperity to the USA and deliver on her promises.