Easter Sunday: Voters ponder Obama and Rev. Wright. What do YOU think?

One of the most remarkable things about the ongoing controversy over Barack Obama's angry pastor is the sharply differing reactions, even among those who seem to have so much else in common.

New polling suggests the wildfire Internet spread of the newly-retired Rev. Jeremiah Wright's most inflammatory sermons has scorched off some national popularity of Obama, who's based so much of his political message on being "post-racial," not militant, not angry, pro-unity.

But that now can seem contradictory to many with Obama's intimate 20-year association with a black nationalist who rages about "the U.S. of KKK-A," suggests the country invited or deserved the 9/11 attacks and believes the AIDS epidemic is a government conspiracy to kill blacks.

For a sample video of Wright's sermons, click on the Read more line below.

Then, Obama continued to expose his two young daughters to such views In a congregation whose loud, demonstrative cheers clearly endorsed such extreme statements, while claiming he'd not heard them.

(UPDATE: In his sunrise Eastern sermon at the Trinity United Church of Christ, titled "How to Handle a Public Lynching," the replacement for Rev. Wright, the Rev. Otis Moss III, did not mention his predecessor by name but likened his recent public treatment to that received by Jesus, who was crucified. "You picked the wrong folk to mess with," a defiant Moss told the enthusiastic holiday congregation. He also appealed for donations to a special "Resurrection Fund," which he did not describe.)

As reported here last week, Obama's chief political strategist, David Axelrod, admitted being sufficiently worried more than a year ago that they un-invited the pastor from giving the invocation at Obama's campaign announcement in February, 2007.

At the same time, some black and white voters say they were moved by Obama's ensuing speech as a long-awaited invitation to begin an honest, calm and cleansing national dialogue on race.

It's a topic clearly on the minds of voters in Pennsylvania, one of the largest....

states to weigh in on race and the race for the Democratic presidential nomination between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, who's trailing in money, delegates and the popular vote but leading in Pennsylvania and using Obama's success to raise more money.

Recent items on the issue in The Ticket have elicited many hundreds of Comments, baring feelings of sympathy and support, naked anger and even racism that had not been expressed in that forum before the sermon videos unlocked the issue for public debate. To see such Comments, click on virtually any of the links in this item. And check that section at the end of this item.

Just as talk radio and television are preoccupied with the matter, so were a surprising number of shoppers and employees this weekend in the mega-mall known as King of Prussia, in the Pennsylvania town of the same name.

Dereck Cummings is an openly gay man and a former Jehovah's Witness who says he isn't in the habit of judging other people on their lifestyles or religion. But Cummings can't shake the disturbing feeling there's something worrisome in the incendiary sermon highlights, something that keeps nagging at him as he tries to decide how to vote in

his state's Democratic primary election April 22. "If that's been your priest for that many years, it affects who you are," said Cummings, an assistant store manager in the suburban shopping mecca outside Philadelphia. "Those thoughts come across, Sunday after Sunday, and that just scares me."

His co-worker, Stacey Hermann, couldn't care less, saying the statements fade given her concerns over taxes and education. "He isn't responsible for what another person says," Hermann said, shrugging.

King of Prussia mall is the commercial center for a sizable population of swing voters, whose willingness to go back and forth between Republican and Democratic presidential nominees makes them crucial in general elections.

So their take on the latest bruising to Obama matters for the upcoming primary and signals how fertile the ground is for Clinton or, later, Republicans to try to take advantage of the issue politically. Since the controversy erupted, for instance, polls show Obama support plunging sharply among white males.

In the mall's food court, several self-described swing voters said they were not bothered by Wright's words, though they did not like them. "It's unfortunate," said Judy Wolstenholme, a retired phys ed teacher.

"You don't want someone out there with a history of preaching hatred. I think it might hurt [Obama]. He should have been a little stronger in putting down those theories. But it only bothers me if I believe he isn't smart enough to rise above that message, and I don't think that right now."

Still, Wolstenholme, a registered Republican, said she likes both Hillary Clinton and likely Republican nominee John McCain better than the Illinois senator, as does her husband.

Joshua Snyder, a theology professor at nearby Villanova University, said he thinks the Wright sermons probably sounded very different in church than they do blasting out of computer and television screens.

"When people preach, they tend to get bombastic," Snyder said. "You can use it as a sound bite, and especially in white suburbia, that helps to perpetuate a stereotype."

But in the construction site of a new jewelry store in the mall, union workers said they were deeply offended. "It was unbelievable the way the reverend was talking," said David Terrano, a carpenter. "It makes me worry that, if Obama's president, he's going to be thinking about things that way."

Cummings and Hermann work together at the Ann Taylor store, where another co-worker said the off-duty conversation frequently veers toward politics.

"I listen to what Rev. Wright said, that we brought 9/11 on ourselves," said Myisha Upshur, a Philadelphia resident. "It sounded very callous. If I were listening to that and I lost someone in the 9/11 attacks, I would be very hurt."

Still, she said, "I appreciate that Sen. Obama didn't say, `I'm never going back there to church.' We all have friends we don't agree with. That doesn't mean we should turn our backs." Hermann said she's voted for Republicans and Democrats and that her decision next month won't be affected by Obama's church history.

But Cummings' gay life experience teaches him differently. He said he was "dis-fellowshipped" from the church of his childhood when he came out of the closet but that he still finds traces of those early influences in his thinking. He wondered, can Obama really avoid being influenced by Wright's angry words the same way?

"It rubs off," said Cummings. "And that doesn't go away easily."

Now, it's YOUR turn. Click on Post a Comment below here and let's see how you feel and what others have to say.

--Christi Parsons

Christi Parsons writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington Bureau.

                                        Photo Credit: AP Photo/Trinity United Church of Christ

Comments

[Ronald]

If we weren't so easily duped by soundbites, this story would have never gotten the play it has. I challenge everyone to listen to the entire sermon in question. On the other hand, our inability to pay attention to anything for more than 30 seconds will end up a benefit to Obama . . . this story will pass when every one has heard enough of it. I want to know when Hillary is going to release those tax returns. And, since you are in California, can you report how that fraud trial against the Clintons is going out there? Somehow, any soundbites from it are conveniently being moderated away!

[Ken Chicago]

I'm a registered Republican.

It wouldn't be necessary for us to be having discussions about race and class if the Democratic Congress had done the job for which they were elected to office,...that is, they should have impeached Chaney and Bush for treason and for their crimes against humanity. The war in Iraq was engineered to enrich the stockholders of the Carlyle Group, and that's just what it's doing, to the tune of some billions of dollars weekly. Bush and Chaney are common criminials who are using U.S. troops and the U.S. treasury to fight a private war against a nation that has done no harm to us in any way.

The American people have been duped into believing that the economic crisis is because of bad management by banks, while the reality is that the Republican party decided "God damn, America, give us your money and get out of our faces."

I bless the Dixie Chicks, Jeremiah Wright. and Michael Moore for having the courage to keep me from falling asleep to the tune of the Patriot Act and NAFTA.

Do you realize that soldiers who are deployed in Iraq are required to sign an affidavit that they will lose all of their financial assets if they so much as speak disparagingly of the military campaign in Iraq? Anyone who lived through Viet Nam knows that that war was meaningless . The war being fought in Iraq doesn't score any better than Viet Nam. EXCEPT that it's making more money for Blackwater, Halliburton, and the Carlyle Group.

Every American who works needs to understand that there are other ways to use investment funds besides wars that will return big rewards. We could be putting our money into organic and locally grown foods, and into Tesla Motors and improving the quality of life on our planet. Instead we have come to be seen as a pariah to the rest of the people with whom we share the earth.

[Harley]

I think if this was Hillary Clinton or John McCain attending a church like this and then after that they said "typical black person" their career in public life would be over. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be picketing their homes and asking for an apology. Yet the media has praised Obama for reading a speech (maybe prepared for him) from a teleprompter and in that speech he admits he lied about knowing about the remarks, calls his grandmother a racist and throws her under the bus. Now all is forgiven inside the beltway and in the mainstream media. I really have to ask, what the hell is going on? Why do we allow black public figures to do things that we would NEVER allow a white. Simple, white guilt. Even though we in this generation have done nothing still we are reminded of things that happened not in out lifetime like slavery and things that no longer are like Jim Crowe. Neither of which Barack Obama himself has had to deal with. He is a Harvard educated, Hawaii born man who really hasn't faced any adversity. We are suppose to forgive him for attending that church? We are suppose to forgive him for thinking white people of any generation are "typical" if they see a black man on the street and want to cross it? I don't know about anyone else but I am offended. He gives a speech lecturing America about what we need to do to bridge the gap while he and his campaign have played the race card at every chance that has popped up. Whether it be from Hillary's LBJ remarks or Gerladine Ferraro actually telling something that was true. Obama and his campaign have used race to bash the Hillary camp over the head throughout this election. So does he want to unite or does he just want to say he wants to unite while his actions say that he is a divider. I think I'll base my opinions of Obama on his actions. Remember, George W. Bush ran on the "uniter not a divider" and look where those words took this country. As Hillary says, "Actions do speak louder than words."

[Michael Moore]

I was surprised by reading on Friday about how manipulated the sound ites are. In the most offensive soundbit shown on cable networks, Dr. Wright is quoting Ambassador peck, a white US Ambassador the day after 9/11. Trinity Church is being unjustly accused. Fox should be ashamed. For the story go to
to read the accurate story read http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/21/9599/74572/652/481424.
Trinity church has done great things and deserves better than the treatment they are getting.
Mike Moore

[K_Hussein]

A lot of people seem to blame Rev. Wright or Obama for injecting race in the campaign discussion.

Get real!

The real blame goes to the Hannity/Limbaugh/McBush, Fox neo-con slime machine. Until the MSM explores the true origins of the out-of-context smear and examines how it was used to manipulate voters' opinions, the smear will keep its traction all the way to November. It's incumbent on someone in the MSM to speak up about this new McCarthyism of character assassination, guilt by association, and "patriotic correctness." Is there no 21st century Joseph Welch or Edward R. Murrow to speak truth to America? Perhaps Rev. Wright's sermons this week will make the point, if only the MSM will dare to report it.

"At last, sir, have you left no decency?"

[Marks]

Any clips with Fox News logo on it, should be thought of as circumspect and with an agenda.

Rev. Wright's ranting has Hillary in it. Black Jesus reference. We are challenged trying to determine Jesus skin color, it varies in different Church's and drawings.

To me, Obama is the opposite of Rev. Wright. He had to hear that fiery rhetoric and think of another way to win elections. He had to find a different path how to talk with citizens. Get others to believe in social causes with him. He had to be different than Rev. Wright.

When Obama gives a speech like he did last Tuesday, he no way sounds like Rev. Wright. Obama is more positive in every way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

To suspect 8,000 people in Obama's church as cult members hating the government, that's wrong. Too many people have a different mind that could see right ways and wrong.

Obama never had to be the key person to tone Rev. Wright down. Wright had authority from other Church groups. Wright traveled nationally and gave similar ranting rhetoric and was accepted.

It wasn't every sermon Wright damned America for decades..

For 20 years, Obama hasn't spiritually injured himself at that church. He hasn't risked his wife and daughters.

They have excelled as a family in the 20 years so that negativity didn't rub off on them. The Obama's know how to work with people instead of arguing.

Many Corporate boardrooms lack diversity when Rev. Wright rants who runs America.

AOL executives explained it this way, people wanted to work with friends. A friend of a friend got them an executive job.

Those people had all white friends. Hiring new people for diversity reasons they didn't think was right. It sounded weird, they were saying diversity is a stranger they don't want to know.

AOL has tanked in recent years, the executives backgrounds so much alike, they couldn't figure anything outside the box to fix their corporation and marketing problems. The all white executive boardroom was a failure of thought and process.

I

[Herbert]

Both are a couple of demagogues and liars, and inciters of violence

[jacob]

Ok, this Wright stuff is disturbing, very. But the bigger problem I have for Mr. Obama is his pattern of saying one thing and then distancing himself from those words when the opposite is revealed at a later date. That is called "spin", people. We have a need and right to know Senator Obama from every angle and what he believes when he talks of equality and a "vision" for America.

To say that Clinton +/or Obama is at fault for the direction the Democratic campaign has headed, is ludicrous and short-sighted. America is a melting pot of races, genders, culture, etc. and we each have a personal interest in seeing "ourselves" in our President. With that connection comes passion and emotional investment. However, it also must be tempered with information about the candidates (good and bad, without negative "label" attached to said information) so that we can make informed choices, rather than only emotionally-driven ones. To Americans: try to take off the blinders of opinion polls, media spin, mud and excitement. That person is Senator Clinton. She has worked hard and diligently for all Americans, and spent years building strong relationships because she has a passionate vision of what America can be, not just because she's running for President. Vetted, intelligent, tested and hardworking.

Senator Clinton is the right choice for me in '08

[lukas24]

There was no full disclosure or high road taken by Obama today because on Friday he said the completely opposite of what he says today. His speech was motivated as a forced political response to prevent a fatal blow to his presidential ambitions.

Obama now admits that he was in the pews when some of the statements were made. Nice how he changes his tune mid scandal.
He gave an interview with FOX News where he stated
that had he been in the pews and heard any of these statements, he would have left the church and never gone back.

Also, something that bothers me about his speech is that
he seeks to loop in Hillary's campaign for playing race card:

We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she’s playing the race card . . .Or, at this moment, in
this election, we can come together and say, “Not this time."

Last week Obama DID POUNCE on Hillary Supporter on all Major News networks!!!!

Sorry, I did vote for Obama in CA now I won't - I will vote for either Hillary or McCain because Obama LIED (as described above).

[Patrick Henry]

It isn't about racism, it is about hatred, paranoia, stupidity and bad judgment.

Obama's spiritual leader is spouting mindless venom about America and white people is general. That unequivocally disqualifies Obama for at least the next four years until he develops some solid values and figures out who he is as a human being and an American. He is simply not mature enough to be President yet.

We don't need a 1970's Coke commercial - rather we are electing a President.

[JOSEPH]

I JUST DECIDED AS A SUPER DELEGATE TO VOTE WITH BARRACK OBAMA BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT IS ABLE TO UNITE THE PEOPLE AND THE POLITICIANS. MY FELLOW POLITICIANS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING THE SAME. LET'S ALL WORK AS A COUNTRY TO GET THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD.

[Alan W]

I think the media should drop it. And stop running that video. Give it a break and stop trying to inflame people.

[Keith Brown]

This commentary does not reflect well on America. To judge a man on video clips that are being shown out of context should be an insult to all americans. If the media or the public would have taken the time to really investigate these clips and Rev. Wright the following would be learned:
The clips are being shown out of context;
The broader message is not of hate or racisim;
Rev. Wright is a man of God who is passionate for the lord and his country;
Fox News started these clips knowing that America would be outraged;
The owner of Fox News is a Clinton Supporter.

The media should be reporting the news not creating it as Fox News has. This is what we should be outraged about not these soundbites that were edited to provoke exactly what is happening. America wake up and take notice on how you are being manipulated and then do something about it.

By the way the entire sermons of which these clips were taken and others can now be found online.

[Linda E.]

It's amazing that people will deny everything they have heard Senator Obama say and what he has represented in his public life - his management style, his campaign based on grassroots organizing, his collaboration throughout his career, and instead say - I wonder if he'll come out later with something sounding like Rev. Wright? Obama is NOT Wright; he has built something different in his career.

People have short memories - Wright wasn't just complaining about slavery. He grew up in the era, which many of us can remember, when most African Americans in the South couldn't VOTE, couldn't be on a jury, held no public office, were not on police forces, couldn't try on clothes in stores, couldn't SHOP in some stores or sit at a Woolworth's lunch counter, couldn't sit where they wanted on a train or bus.

Wasn't it Jerry Falwell who said the Hurricane Katrina disaster was deserved because of America's stand on homosexuality? Isn't that outrageous? Weren't there priests and religious groups who urged on the people who killed doctors for performing legal abortions and abused women who tried to use them, all within the law? Isn't that outrageous?

We do separate ourselves from other generations. My father was prejudiced but my life has been more free than his was. Senator Obama was an adult when he started at Wright's church, not a child. By the example of his own life we can see he has made different choices about how to approach the world. He urges us to do the same, not to continue to live with all the past's wrongs.

Wright's church obviously has good going on - it has built a strong membership that reaches out to people in need: that ministers to people in prison, people with HIV/AIDS, children needing mentoring. Why doesn't that good work get more press?

[ziza merwin]

I am a independent that typically leans toward right of center. This revelation about Obama and his church have convinced me to vote for anyone BUT the Senator from Illinois. Just call me a "typical old white woman"!

[Lexi]

OBAMA DEEPLY OFFENDED THE PEOPLE OF PA, OH, AND NJ WITH HIS SO-CALLED "RACE SPEECH"

The people in these States tend to be some of the oldest families in the nation and, in particular, abolitionist families whose ancestors defended the Mason-Dixon Line and died in record numbers. The deadliest military battle in American history was at Gettysburg, PA, where nearly as many people were lost in one battle than in the entire Vietnam War.

When he went to the birthplace of America, Philadelphia, and lectured those people on the history of race in America, they were furious and it shows up in the polls. Obama is in freefall against both McCain and Hillary in those 3 all-important States. Democrats can't lose one of those States this year, let alone all three.

People are saying: "A guy born of a Kenyan father and mother from Kansas is lecturing us about race history in America? He's got no connection to the Civil War and slavery whatsoever."

He's done in those 3 States and, if nominated, will get blown out because of it. It's that simple. It's over already.

[question]

people must say sorry for seeing Obama's photo in Muslim clothes.
People must say sorry for saying Obama's full name.:Barick hossein Obama.
but Obama don't need to say sorry for conditionally love America.
Obama don't need to say sorry for comfortablelly listioning to Wright's following sermon:

God damn America.
America Deserve 9/11.
White people inject AIDS virus to black people...

Obama don't need to say sorry for saying his Grandmother is a racist,his grandmother is also a typical white person.
that is , a typical white person must be a racist.

Obama don't need to say sorry for refusing American flag.
Obama don't need to say sorry for not honoring his country--put his hand oh heart.

Obama don't need to say sorry for believing in Wright for over 20 years.

Because Obama has good judge, he is always right. he never need to say sorry.America own him for ever.

[Marcy]

I attend a mixed non-denominational church in St. Louis, Mo. If my pastor ever preached of hate and bigotry I would get up out of my seat and never return. We go to the churches that most agree with our own way of thinking and believing. You can't tell me Obama does not feel the same way as this "pastor" or we would have done the same. God bless you all on this day of resurrection and celebration. God Bless America and God Bless President George W. Bush! And I pray that you find a church that preaches love and colored blindness! Amen!

[HoraceManoor]

who's callous? more than a million iraqis are dead who'd be living today had we not gone to war against the iraqi people, yet americans don't care -- americans hardly care about their own casualties in the war -- americans excel at one thing: hypocrisy -- travel the world & you won't find any other place where folks come close to being the hypocrites americans are

[Lynn Maytubby]

I WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA.

[David]

If reporters didn't keep making this controversy a big thing, it wouldn't be.

[Wanda]

There is a philosophy out there of black supremacy, usually espoused by black intellectuals. These sermons smack of that philosophy.

My question is this: in less than 50 years, non-Hispanic whites will be a minority in this country. When that happens, how will they be treated?

As we all know, revenge is a dish best served cold.

[dora dobrin]

if he was at odds with what the minister said, why did he stay in the congregation for years....the minster did not just begin stating such befiefs. if he felt being a member benefited his career ,in congress,because of his district, then he should be consistent and not disown because it is not longer a benefit.

[Bridget Guildner]

I think if our cable "journalists" had done their jobs, this wouldn't be half the issue that it has been. I challenge every American to watch the 9/11 sermon in context. Wright was quoting George H.W. Bush's Ambassador to Iraq, his words were spliced together and completely distorted by Fox News - but then respectable news organizations reported it as fact and neglected to even order the video of the sermon themselves. The least the press needs to do is confirm that they're showing reliable, unmanipulated footage.. This is the largest failure of our so-called "free press" that I have ever seen in my life.

Watch the context of the 9/11 sermon here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

[Paul D.]

Overblown. I know and like people that have point of view I don't agree with. I myself am guilty of saying things I probably should not have said. Who isn't!!

Obama should be judged by his words and actions. Going to Harvard then becoming a community organizer is not the typical path to running for president. The man will be great.

[Alexis Guillen]

Barack's speech on Tuesday was deeply personal to him and it resonated on personal level for me. Race relations is the 500lbs gorilla in the room of American politics. This was the most honest discussion I've ever heard, appealing to the common interests of all Americans.

The controversy with Wright honestly made me call to question the people advising this presidential candidate. However all of my questions were answered in Barack's speech Tuesday. He did not shy away from directly addressing serious questions and clearly distanced himself from his former pastor's abhorrent remarks.

With regards to faith, we have the freedom to choose what resonates with us on a personal level. Some choose to believe in Scripture as a literal account of God's will, while other's believe in it's lessons. Jeremiah Wright is a racist based only on the sound bites circulating the net, but then again so was the priest of my Marianist high school in Mineola, New York. Despite his flawed personal beliefs, I still found a message of Christ that I was able to take as my own and dismissed my spiritual leader's social commentary as incredibly misguided.

[Old Warrior]

Rev. Wright is just another religious nutcake that believes that an invisible wish-granting genie from outer space talks directly from him. Let's get back to the separation of church and state that Thomas Jefferson believed in. The rest of the world thinks of as a theocracy because of the religious “test” that our candidates for public office have to pass.

[Sam Jones]

Martin Luther King, JR. spoke of unity and harmony in a color blind America. Rev. Wright speaks of separtism and hate in a race-based and damned America. With his mouth Senator Obama speaks of a MLK society while he lives out a Rev Wright society. Actions do speak louder than words.

Senator Obama never stood up for America, his grandmother, the truth or anything else ... he just sat there exposing himself, his wife and his children to the hate. Today, we should just Obama by the "content of his character" as MLK stated in his "I Have a Dream" speech. In doing so, Obama isn't someone I can count on to stand up for me as President of the United States of Commander in Chief.

When the red phone rings at 3 am and America is in crisis I don't want Obama calling his mentor, friend, pastor and father figure for advice to hear "God Damn America."

[Steve Wimer]

How many voters, if given a second chance, now knowing of Obama's history with a church filled with hatred for white America, would vote for him a second time?

[Gerald]

Obama is not black talking about whites, he is also white talking about whites.

Here's what Obama said:

"The point I was making was not that Grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person, who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, you know, there's a reaction that's been bred in our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."

How do we have a conversation about race if instead of trying to listen one another to understand one another, the first reaction is to take three words out of context and call the person a racist? Seems to me that is not a conversation at all, but an attack. Like Obama said in his speech:

For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

We can do that.

But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

[Ramrod The Republican]

Ronald - Your cynicism is a national disease.
Ken - If you are a registered Republican then I am a hamster.

Face the facts you Obama supporters. He participated in worship with a man than took the Gospel of Jesus and changed it over to something vicious and evil called "Black Liberation Theology." However, there is no basis fo such a "theology" in holy scripture and the bottom line is if a man has the temerity to lie to you about God then he'll pretty much be totally unashamed about lying about anything else.

Obama is a nothing more than a footnote.

AND ONE OTHER THING...

The "Progressives" say we are broken and a state of in crisis, They say it has been so since at least 9-11-01. If such is the case then why is it, after having SO much time to prepare, the "Progressives" can only offer a pair of totally unqualified and completely inexperienced boobs for ascension to national leadership? Obamillary is the best they have?

Get real.

[Laura James]

Get real. This is a phony debate, created by a phony news network. Why haven't Republicans and their propaganda network, known as Faux News, uh, that is, Fox Noise, no, I mean Fox News ever demanded that Bush denounce Scooter Libby for endangering national security -- and possibly getting overseas operatives murdered after revealing the identity of a CIA agent? Why hasn't Fox News, or even any legitimate journalist, ever explored the implications of the fact that the president's closest advisor, Karl Rove, is the grandson of a dedicated Nazi official, who had close ties to Adolph Hitler?
I'll tell you why: It's because the Republican Party is no longer a political party. It is a hyper aggressive, hyper paranoid groupthink cult whose members believe in blind loyalty to bad leaders. And their leader these days is a freakish, lurching Frankenstein monster, stitched together from guns, crucifixes, fetuses, dollar signs and Ann Coulter's feces.

[David Morgan]

What is a White Person? What is a rich White person?

[N8]

I believe in forgiveness, and I have never heard words of anti Americanism or racism come from the mouth of Obama. Can we move away from guilt by asociation. I also agree that you have to listen to Rev. Wrights sermons in their entirety, before you come to conclusions!

[Rita]

It makes me angry to watch how someone who has inspired so many Americans to feel some hope and excitement about our political process (discount FL and MI ) and who really does exemplify strength, wisdom, courage and fairness can be vilified because of the words of someone else. I have followed and listened to much of this year's campaign only because there was a feeling that maybe, just maybe, we could finally have a decent nomination and election of a President. I don't mind the "usual" campaign scrapping or even a reasonable amount of media scrutiny. We need that. But to go to the extremes that this has gone is destroying what really matters, ensuring a democratic political process and returning to the kind of America we used to be. One that was looked on with admiration by most of the rest of the world. I think of where we have been in these last 8 years and I feel sadness, shame and determination that this must change. I am ashamed of our leaders, not our Country. I have a son in law in the military who served in Iraq, and I support our troops and pray that this will end so others can be as fortunate as I have been, to have a loved one return home safely. As a white person, who has been to many services in "Black Churches" and who has a bi-racial grandchild, I understand (as much as "one of us" can ) the dynamics of those churches and recognize that the church has been what strengthened it's people and helped them to cope with the brutal hurts of racism and the pain that slavery caused this Race. I find much wisdom and truth in what Obama has said, and I have seen and heard some pastors like Reverend Wright speak. The message is not usually that "inflammatory" but the style is not unusual in how messages of many kind are presented in a Black Church. Weddings, funerals and baptisms also get treated with much emotion but a person attending the church leaves with the feeling that they have been "somewhere" and have something to go home with that can make a difference. Isn't that what a church is supposed to do? Not every person in Obama's church takes a "militant" stand or feels as strongly or the same as Rev. Wright. There are many points of view. From a broader perspective, helped along by reading, thinking, discussing and having the privilege to have my wonderful son in law, my grandson, the family we all share, and friends from all races and religions, I think Obama has done the best he can to give Americans from all races , not just white, some understanding of his church, his faith, his pastor and his own family. What more must he do? He has stated that he doesn't agree with Rev. Wright's statements and he has still kept him on a personal level as a friend and his spiritual leader. That seems to me to be an honorable trait, and one he should not be criticized for. Has anyone criticized the Bush family lately for their friendships with the Saudi's or the Bin Laden family? Why shouldn't we give Obama the same courtesy? I don't think the issue of Race would have become so inflammatory if the media hadn't become obsessed with it and made it our "daily fodder". If we Americans allow the media to determine how we will vote, we are on the same disastrous course that we have been on and we can only blame ourselves. Aren't we intelligent enough to block out what they are harping on daily, or to realize that it is all about making headlines and keeping the ratings up. Look around you American voters and see the pain and hurt that has been caused to so many people who get caught up in the limelight of the media. The frenzy of the media contributed to Princess Diana's death, and probably the suicides/ deaths or tragedies of many who are known celebrities or politicians in this country or the world. The Press needs to rein itself in and develop a sense of responsibility for what they are saying to the rest of us and the rest of us need to shut the TV and cancel the magazines and newspapers of those news casters who engage in such malicious reporting and sensationalism.

[Laura]

Shame on you for only running Wright's most angry words, without running any of his other, loving words -- which comprise 98 percent of his words. -- This represents failure, on your part, to provide balance.

Shame on you for not exploring what motivated this pastor to use such language -- why he said what he said -- failure to provide context.

Shame on you for not running clips of Obama's speech, answering the charges of guilt by association -- failure to show both sides.

Shame on you for practicing bad journalism. Bad, sloppy, salacious and sensationistic journalism is spreading like a virus in the mainstream media!

Journalism schools, take note: please raise your standards and start getting some higher IQs in the profession.

[Chris]

The issue is not about race - it is about judgment. We in America condemn hate-speech. Let us be consistent. Barack Obama exhibited very poor judgment.

I am horrified that some in the press and some officials are trying to excuse Barack for this. 20 years? Rev. Wright has been his main spiritual adviser for 20 years.

There is no excuse. Barack Obama needs therapy to learn the difference between righteous indignation/anger and hate.

This is the beginning of the end of his political career. And, sadly, he does not even know. He is determined to try and convince us that Rev. Wright is the moral equivalent of his grandmother (typical white person" and Geraldine Ferarro.

I want my vote back.

[lisa_blogging]

One, Obama is NOT responsible for what anyone says or does not say, who is not directly a part of his campaign.
Two, I am white, and middle aged, are their racial divides that exist today? At Southern Poverty Law website, any one can look up which hate group they live near, it is mind blowing. Three, I believe electing Obama would allow this country to get over some of these divides, though electing him based on color should NOT be the reason one might vote for him, just as I believe one should NOT vote for Hillary simply because she is a woman.

[Jeremy Hawkins]

Reverend Wright is entitled to his opinion. He happens to be an old coot who, through a lifetime of being exposed to real persecution of the people of his race, has become a conspiracy theorist. He is retired now, so leave him alone and remember that his words are not Obama's words.

However, much of what he said was, while incendiary in nature, based in hard truth. U.S. foreign policy was and is horrific and has victimized many, many people. This fact did help make us a target for terrorists. We did not, of course, deserve to be hit, and Bin Laden should be shot (if the administration did not want to keep him free as a bogyman, he probably would have been) but that does not change the fact that our governments actions made us a target.

As a final note, John McCain has cozied up to and accepted endorsements from people who said that 9/11 was God's wrath caused by our acceptance of gays and that the US was founded, in part, to eradicate Islam. These are people who preach hatred and bigotry every day, yet no one cares because hating gay people and Muslims is somehow ok.

[jerry welch, ennis, montana]

for decades..decades a candidate for office or an elected office holder would resign from a club, group or so forth that descriminated against minorities and in particular african americans. even george walker bush, did sometime similar when he quit being a member of the natiional rifle assocication because their message of comparing policement to nazis was offensive.it was a given that an officeholder had enough character to be repulsed by messages of hate and decrimination.
Now we have obamma that sits in a church for 20 years with his wife and in the past 10 years or so with his children that are being brought up with such devisive sermons.
obammas wife said she was never proud of her country in her entire adult life. after being caught uttering such nonesence she recanted...as they all do when running for office and saying something that may cost votes. but my guess is she was influenced by the hate servmons coming from the minister.
obamma allowed his children..his children to sit thru such sermons and wonders why there is racial distrust in the world today.
obamma and his wife should be ashamed of themselves for not have the character of those from the past that had the character to stand tall and disstant themselves from such hateful messages.
if obamma wants to push for change.he should start with his church and wife. hopefully, his children have not bought into that the hate message of wright even though they have had it crammed down their throat every sunday.
on this point alone, obamma and his wife do not belong in the white house. tolerating such hateful messages and not moving rapidly away from it shows an enormous character flaw that neither seem to understand. i understand it and my vote will not be cast their way. i do not vote for nor tolerate those in public office that lack the character(except in an election year!)to stand tall on principle and lack the courage to stand up for equality regardless of race, gender and so forth.

[Jim Clark]

This is much ado about nothing. Everyone of us has at least one friend with whom we differ on opinion, maybe on one or possibly on many issues. We don't reject these friends for that reason, but instead when arguments on a subject are expressed, we state where we stand. This is the same and all those who think it isn't, haven't examined their own situations or are judging by a different standard.

[John up north]

It amazingly disturbing that no one but a few managed to take the times to actually watch more than the 10 second clip that CNN is showing over and over again. Those who have realize how bad they have been manipulated by that 10 second clip. At least some peoples have done their homework that more than most of us myself included can say.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/

The famous 9/11 clip was not even from Wright he was QUOTING a white Republican ambassador speaking on Fox News Channel..

But you don't get that if all you listen to is that freaking 10 second clip. How convenient! Journalist are not that lazy if that was left out it was done deliberately. And the stupidity of the way it was done for a week and we fell for it. Twenty years ago you could probably manipulate peoples that way but this is the age of the Internet and we should know better! I don't like being taken for a fool you can easily manipulate. How about you?

[Raoul]

I read his books and still felt that I was being decieved. I hear him in the media and see that he is using his race (white guilt) and his salesmanship (rhetoric) to sell the American people on an idea even as he lies and anchors his soul in a theology of black liberation.

I cannot without knowing this man more in good conscience place the power of the President into his hands.

I know Hilary is not perfect but I know that she would fight for "all" people to have a better and safer life.

[b_reynaldo]

Would Senator Obama still be a candidate if the Rev. Wright had said "God D___n Mexico?"

[Clary3]

I am unconcerned about what any minister says from a pulpit. They have no corner on truth, spirituality, or other knowledge. The choice of words is poor, of course, but why are we wasting our time on stuff like this. I am a product by birth of two parents who were disgustingly racist and I became a person who has no bias based on race, color, religion, or any other human trait. Does that mean I should have rejected my parents long ago, before they died? They did many good things for me, including helping with my college education which transformed my own views completely.

Let's talk about war and health care as they affect Americans and get off the mudslinging.

[John New York]

The bottom line here is Obama initially said he never heard any of these sermons which contained the comments and then he back tracked and said he did. And as faras Obama's experiences, he didn't exactly grow up in the hood either so why is his speech considered by some to be an awakening.

[Dan Smith]

I think you people who keep pumping on this subject are far SICKER than the Reverand Wrights utterances. I would wager your ploy is not about Reverand wright, but in your imbicilical mind. An assumed way to perhaps aide in the attempt to destroy Obama. You are apparently in bed with the FOX news corporation.

[Daly]

I agree with Ronald we need to stop relying on media like FOX and CNN; many have said that they were ashamed of themselves or that they were angry with FOX for showing such a distortion. When you view Wright's full sermon it is solidly accurate. I also think that Wright having served in the military while Bill Clinton, Bush Cheney has earned him a voice.

We were told to buy duct tape and anyone with a Muslim sounding name should be suspects.

Now some are crying about "typical white person". They should remember that typical white persons, along with typical black, brown, yellow and yes illegal’s are dying every day in Bush's war.

Most think of themselves as a typical worker, or average Joe. Again we are back to context. It is the typical person that is finding their jobs sent offshore, typical persons are working jobs without benefits, typical persons are more likely to be affected with economic downturns, loosing their houses, not being able to afford the basics of life in America.

It is exactly these typical folks that FOX is duping, the typical person is working to long and hard to spend time looking at what Wright actually said. We need to look at the facts that $4 gas, banks lying and giving out bad loans, poor educational choices are making us into less than third world country.

We can get passports easier than most nations; however most Americans have not even gone to Canada or Mexico. All other "First world" countries have some sort of umbrella health care and many in third world countries are becoming better educated. Wake Up!

The fact that we are owned by China, and still we cannot get the simple things from the 'ready to lead on day one" things like tax records, Clinton's library financial details and earmarks accounting is telling me that I want transparency on day one.

Fact is the President is not "the decider", we are. We need to decide if we can get a POTUS that will then work to get the smartest people to advise. We have had 8 years of a leader that did an excellent job of making the Halliburton’s of the world rich and before that while we were living in good financial times bottom line is Clinton was in effect duping us too because he was distracted with fill in the blank, we did not see that our flight schools were enrolling suicide bombers.

CIA and FBI did not, do not have the technical ability of shared information Bin Laden has and uses email yet the White House in the "single super power” JUST recently got email.

McCain just went to Iraq to meet the leaders, these same Iraqi leaders met with the leader of Iran jus the week before; Iraq will do what is good for Iraq not what America wills them to do; meanwhile how is it that American military were dying whilst Al Maliki, America's had selected Iraqi leader is meeting with Iran?

American soldiers were dying in Iraq when the entire Iraqi government was on vacation. We were paying for their vacation.

Lastly let me remind you that as the towers fell and our airlines were grounded, BushCo allowed Bin Laden family members to have their own jets take them to a safer location while we the typical American that happen to be in flight were dumped at the closest landing spot with not one iota of thought of how to get us home. My thought is TYPICAL!

[Publia Padena]

I thought race relations in our country were never better. Now I find out from Barack Obama that black people are going to churches to learn hate for me and my country. I am told that that this is "normal," and to be expected. No big deal.This is terrible news--I never knew. I have been feeling physically sick ever since. If this is the truth, what a fool I have been. But I find it hard to believe that people who are nice to me on a daily basis hold the color of my skin against me, and that all Black ministers fail to preach the message of love and reconciliation of the gospel. I read that the press thinks this speech was a bench mark in courage. Excusing or explaining hatred of a race and hatred of country, is not attractive, laudable, or acceptable. I am energized to actively work against Barack Obama's election; our country deserves better. And to think that Mr. Obama gave this message during Holy Week!

[Ken Mitchell]

I went to a church where the minister said things that I really did not agree with, but even though he left us more than 10 years ago, to this day he has my highest respects and tought me things I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I took from him what I needed to learn for me, and left the rest that I did not belive in. He was such a great man, I think of him often.
I will vote for Obama that is a fact.

[mike Wimbish]

All i want to say is that i,m sure most Catholics are not responsible for what the members of the priesthood say. Or especially do.So don,t hold Obama responsible for what someone even a member of the clergy says in this "Land of free Speech"

[Marian Warren]

I truely have adored Obama. I have sent his campaign money. I have supported him in every way I know how. But this has broken my heart and my spirit. I don't admire him for not getting up and walking out of the church. He should have. I like to think I would have. Unfavorable comments about Jewish people alone would have been enough to get me up and running out the door. African Americans have always been referred to as a "minority". Why? Because whites are the majority. It has not been a race-based race. But thanks to Mr. Wright, now it is.
You cannot win the Presidency of the United States without the support of the majority. I have wondered to myself, what can he do now, to put me at ease and win back my trust? Maybe if he pulled himself and his family out of that church and away from that hateful man? But I'm afraid I would only see that now as a political strategy. It's too late. What in the world does church have to do with hatred and those kinds of statements? Do you think that for one minute we in our white churches behave that way? Our ministers talk to us about love and encouragement, and charity and maybe in times of deep national crises willl pray that our leaders recieve wisdom and strength. They don't stand in the pulpit with angry hateful words about other cultures in our society. It doesn't happen. I'm so regretful that this has happened. I adored him. He gave me hope. But this, unfortunately, is a deal breaker.

[Ken Mitchell]

3/21/08
George Bush was on the news the other day and said he can not do anything in the short term about the price of oil? When I heard him say this I thought;
"You mean to tell me he can not make the speed limit 55 again?"
Think about this, please, really. You can't tell me the price of oil would not go down immediately.
Dick Chaney is in Saudi Arabia today asking the king to increase production because the price of gasoline is bring down our economy. Why is he there?
Why can’t George Bush lower the speed limit which would increase the inventories of oil on the world market creating a glut of oil? This is something he could have done all along but has not. Why? Why does he keep putting the responsibility on everyone else to fix this situation? He can fix it. What is waiting for? This would stimulate the economy. I did not like driving 55 either, but I need to be able to live and pay my bills so driving 55 does not seem so bad.
George Bush needs to called out on this immediately and I mean right now. He could do this with a signature.
WE NEED TO GET THE PRESS TO CALL HIM OUT ON THIS NOW!
HE HAS NO EXCUSS NOT TO DO THIS!
THINK ABOUT THIS. PLEASE.
Thanks Ken.

[Obamamania]

Obama is our Savior and Messiah! Obama and Reverend Wright are RIGHT, God D*** america. Your "typical white person" is as Barak says, is a racist who will vote for clinton in these so called "elections". Now is the time to rally arounf Barak and Michelle and make them proud by appointing him President now. He can immediately apologize to our Muslim brothers for an arrogant, slave mentality, america. All you "typical white people" are racists!

[Trainrobber]

I will never vote for Obama. I don't care what he says or his ass kissing writers. He was a member of Rev. Wrights church for 20 years. No, I don't have to listen to his entire sermon to know he hates our country.

[FJR]

The topic of race is a sensitive issue for many people and hearing Rev Wright's words, a few minutes worth out of context, from many years of sermons, is not representative of who he is and the work he has done in his community. Where is the analysis of that part of the story?

While there may be some truth to the ideas that Wright speaks of, the residual anger he, and many minorities feel, is real. Living with daily discrimination and aggression in a White dominated society is not something all Americans share or understand. Obama eloquently addressed this and raised the struggle of minorities to a new level. He is asking all Americans to become aware of what challenges people of all colors and backgrounds experience as a result of their socio-economic status every day. The historical economic poilicies of the Republicans and control of corporations affect us all.

There is a new coalition coming together in 2008; it is a generational perspective, not racial. Yes, there are stiill racists, of all colors and ethnic backgrounds, though their numbers are diminishing, by attrition and through education. Remember Barack Obama is as White as he is Black, as more and more Americans are, mixed racial and ethnic heritage.

Obama is the one candidate that may bring real change with him to the White House; no magic, but inspiration and hope, which may be magical for some as they write their life story in the years to come.

America is a great country;, however we can do better. No matter how that truth becomes self-evident, the truth is not always easily heard and understood. As Bill Richardson said, "Once in a lifetime"......will Americans go for it? Many of us a praying that the time is now.

[Kenny]

I am a registered Independent. It's a very simple argument. Senator Obama has been a member of this church for over 15 years, was married by this man and
continues to call this man his pastor who helped shape his christian faith. The problem with this, is simple. Jeremiah Wright has been recorded "on tape" saying some of the most hateful things about "his enemies".
White men, white men that. "Jesus has told me to love my enemies!! " He has denounced America and asks his congregation to "Damn America". This doesn't seem to
be the message that unites America.
I'll be one of the first to admit. America has some serious
racial problems. We have for 100's of years. But things
have gotten significantly better. Blacks don't have to sit in the back of the bus.... blacks can go into the same restrooms and drink from the same fountains as white...
and they even get picked up by cab drivers.
They even own their own successful businesses, have high ranking positions...even in our congress.
Now are things "perfect" in this racial divided world...NO they aren't, but the only way to continue making progress is for us to talk about it....to try and understand each other....NOT TO MAKE DIVIDING COMMENTS like Jeremiah Wright has. Jeremiah Wright, as a man of the clergy, has a responsibility to unite, to preach the gospel and to deliver a sermon that encourages his congregation to Love, respect, and yes to push forward against racial divides.
Obama will suffer significantly for this. I don't trust him now, more than ever. How can you? How can you trust a man who says he wants to "unite" but dearly
stands next to a preacher who preaches the exact
opposite. I don't need to hear the rest of the sermon.
I've heard enough.

[henry hill]

if we could hear one of the pastors full sermons i think we will find this thing has been blown way out of porportion. its the news investigators to bring this truth to the public. The pastor was a marine and has quite a few degree's. Just like the weapons of mass destruction statements went unchallanged so it seems with this smear campaign against obama.

[ArchiesBoy]

What I think is this: We ARE a racist country, and the drift of all the presidential polls show it. Americans in general would rather have a white man over a white woman -- but they'll take a white woman over a black man. I fear Mr. Obama is going to go down in history as an eloquent bright hip man who would have made a fine president of a totally new kind, divorced from the old politics and supportive of American citizens and their problems. My fear is that we'll have a conniving woman with an insatiable lust for POWER AT ALL COSTS get the nomination, and she will lose to an old man with a faltering memory whose five-year horror in the Hanoi Hilton has warped his outlook on war, and his ability to see beyond it. God help us if he picks a religious zealot for his VP.

[Rebecca]

As a Jewish-American, I don't think white America has ever taken an interest in the culture of non-whites. To understand Rev. Wright's comments one would need to walk in his shoes. Who is willing to take that walk?

In every culture the foundation is the same and we are taught to say nice and polite things -- in public. But, that does not always represent the feelings one harbors as a result of personal experiences.

[Tonya Thomas, Hyattsville, Maryland]

Rev. Wright's comments have no more influence on Senator Obama than the United Methodist Church's widely publicized theme of "open hearts, open minds, open arms" influences President Bush.

[Tom J]

ABC purposely put together some soundbites to create hatred and fear toward the Rev. Wright, Trinity United, its congregation and Obama. If the MSM can still look in the mirror after taking part in this attempted witch hunt, I wonder what else they've done. Anyone?

[verycold]

I do not think that any white candidate could successfully run for president having had a 20+ year relationship with a pastor that does embrace a style of pastoring that only serves to divide. I would not attend a church that did not agree with my overall view of life. Yes it is quite possible to disagree with a pastor on certain issues, but when you attend a church you are picking a group of members to identify with and socialize with. If somebody bashed that church members would feel the need to come out in defense of that church because it represents each person that is a member. We should remember that it was Barack that strongly denounced the message from this church. The church wants to blame the media but in fact the strongest voice denoucing their rhetoric was Barack himself. Where it gets very dicey is the fact that the black community doesn't feel the need to denouce the hate speech coming from that church and in fact I would say is in strong disagreement with Barack about this issue. Actioins do speak louder than words. Overall there is a serious disconnect here. If I really supported the church that I attended I would be there on Easter Sunday of all days listening to the sermon that church supports. I am not sure you can denounce the message and not denounce the messenger. To say the videos out there do not fairly portray that church is again in stark contrast to what Barack has denounced. If he felt that church was being unfairly attacked he would have said so. If he felt his church was being unfairly singled out he should have said so. I just am not sure you can have it both ways and thus as the voting public we are left wondering what exactly does Barack feel and in the future will he be attending this church.

[Lilly]

Obama will rise above. His content of character is extraordinary.

[PhilC]

Mr Obama was courageous and showed his ability to unify in addressing the deep racial issues of America ! issues that in 2008 many would rather hide their heads in the sand and act as if these issues no longer exist! White people still have deep issues of fear of blacks and Blacks still have many concerns with White inequalities and racisms!

[Martin]

As an outsider who has lived in the U.S it always amazes me how the American media go into a spin about a small issue when you have many larger and often many more larger issues to focus on. Clinton and McCain both backed a war that has turned into a mismanaged disaster (and they consistently voted with the disastrous policy rather than standing on principals) Obama did not. Obama has Rezko and Wright as stains on his name. I do not have the space or the time to list the smears on Hillary Clintons name. Obama when facing criticism about his awkward connections has actually discussed them. Clinton when faced with her awkward connections launche an attack on Obama as a diversion (something she must have learned from Bush). The media do not persist in chasing the Clinton scandals to the same degree because it would take up all of their time, they fixate on Obama's few problems because they don't want to seem unfair but cannot give equal time to each of Hillary Clintons' scandals because they wouldn't cover anyone else. The solution is simple. Just focus on the latest contradictions from Clinton. Show what she says today and show what she said before. Do the same with Obama and eventually people will get reasonably fair coverage but unfortunately for Clinton it will be the end of her campaign.

[Walt]

A racist is a racist, black or white. If I belonged to a chuch that spouted racist comments and condemned the country I lived in I would disassociate myself from that church. Obama didn't and I cannot excuse him now.

[duke]

Know a man by his associations! There is a lot abt Obama that does not make sense. esp presidential sense

[Fred]

HERE IS A QUESTION I HAVE YET TO HAVE ANSWERED BY AN OBAMA SUPPORTER: If Hillary had been going to a "white centered" church for 20 years; the fundamental theology of the church was one of white versus black; the pastor of the church often made racist remarks against blacks; the pastor of the church gave David Duke a lifetime achievement award; and Hillary considered this pastor her "mentor and spiritual adviser"; would you give her the pass that you are giving Obama. I doubt you could answer this question honestly, so I'll tell you what would happen: The righteous indignation of Obama and the media would rise up, the demand would be made that Hillary withdraw from the nomination process immediately, and Hillary's political career would be over, period.

[Kathy]

Ken, a registered republican hmmm? I'm sure.

[Steve]

Rev Wright scared me. I went to Trinity's website and read the Black Code. As a result, I do not trust Obama to to represent all Americans, and I am suspicious of Americans who blow this whole issue off.

[connie]

It shocks me to think that the very Sunday after 9/11, when we were still so shocked and wounded as a nation.....that Senator Obama's minister chose that time to deliver such a hateful message. I look to my minister as a spiritual, moral leader in my life. I cannot imagaine sitting in a service like that at that time. It says everything to me about Senator Obama....leaders lead by example. He is no example to me. I fear this will mortally wound him in the general election.

[Kathy]

Ken, a registered republican hmmm? I'm sure.

[JWE]

John Hagee hates Catholics, "whores of the world" but McCain still takes money from him. Falwell blames 9/11 on gays but Bush doesn't seem to mind. Cheney doesn't either whose daughter is a lesbian. Most of the speech that Wright delivered was a quote from Ambassador Peck from the Reagan administration after 9/11. Nobody talks about that. Obama is risking his life to try and help this world. He still has my vote. Hillary doesn't and never will.

[Brian Levy]

Barrack Obama almost had everyone fooled with his populist unity folksy message. However, at the end of the day, you are known by the company you keep. Let's see, his wife says that for the first time she is proud to be an American...His pastor of 20+ years, that would be over 1000 Sundays is a class A purveyor of hate messages including that the United States government invented HIV/Aids to victimize blacks, and that 9/11 is an American conspiracy.
Let's get right down to Obama himself; twice in the last week I've heard him say "that's just way white people think."
I've got news for Barrack Obama, as a member of another minority. It's exactly his kind of racial stereotyping that we've fought hard to get rid of in this country since the 1950's.

An orator he is. A statesman he is not. A insincere bigot, he is.

[Jennifer]

I think to say Ferraro is speaking "truth" and Wright is a "hate monger" is craziness. They are both "wrong." However, I agree with the post that says we are seeing 30 seconds of an entire speech. I watched the ENTIRE SERMON, in CONTEXT (without editorial comment) and it plays MUCH DIFFERENT than it does when you only see the most inflammatory part. Whether I can totally agree or not, I could understand the point. But again, in the sound bite society, context (and critical thought, it seems) fall by the wayside. I would not want the worst moments of my life played out in a 30 second sound bite. Would you? No one is above reproach 24/7 their entire lives. I went further and went on line to read ENTIRE SERMONS given by Wright over the years. The majority are BEAUTIFUL and would be welcome in any church. Frankly, I have attended "white" churches and "white weddings" where the scripture read and its interpretation have been "offensive" to me. Do I quite associating with the people who go there? No. I talk about it, we agree to disagree, but I don't boot them out of my life. I was sent to a church my entire childhood where I agreed with some, but in no way ALL of what was taught. Engage your brains, people. My issue w/Ferraro was the Clinton took quite awhile to denounce what she said and didn't ever deal with it head on and acknowledge in a meaningful way how it COULD have been interpreted. And, let's face it, Ferraro didn't do herself any favors. But Obama addressed this issue HEAD ON and made many people look at something they prefer not to. Denial runs deep (and I am speaking as a white woman w/friends from many walks of life, socio-economic and racial) and yet these things exist. If we don't talk about them, they go underground, but in no sense go away. It takes some bravery to admit to seeing it in your own reflection and acknowledging it's origins on all sides of the aisle. So much easier to just knee jerk react and get freaked out, I suppose. Requires much less thought and simply perpetuates the "Gingrich" revolution of old that has lead us to where we are now -- where wedge issues distract us from the REAL issues facing our nation and prevent us from acting or re-achieving the greatness we once had. Oh, and as far as foreign policy. If anyone takes the time to research it. We put Saddam in power and he was one of our best buddies before Kuwait. We also funded Bin Landen. 9-11 was horrible and something I will never forget or fully stop grieving. But it is naive to think our foreign policy of the last 50 years in no ways came back to "roost" that day. It wasn't right it happened, but let's not be so naive to think we have not made great blunders that have undermined our standing in the world.

[Saltwater Jim]

I find truth in Rev Wright's speeches. America has not taken stock of Herself lately and needs too. She has become the evil force for many smaller countries and people. Why? Because we want stuff and don't care how we get it.

[Donna]

I think that Americans had better think long and hard about whether they want Obama as president. I don't know what the man truly believes but am fearful that he is racist. He has supported the controversial preacher for 20 years; he throws his white grandmother under the bus to explain how whites - even his own grandmother - are prejudiced. I think he has resentments toward whites that he is keeping quiet right now. I doubt those resentments would remain so quiet if he was elected President.

[Frank]

All I hear everyday from the media is denial, denial, denial. I am tired of the kid glove treatment Obama is getting, just because he is black and a good orator. Yet, we are not allowed to say that he is "a fortunate black man in fortunate circumstances," as Ms. Ferraro clearly and correctly stated ! How can one RESPECT such a politician, when we know that he is not be judged by the same rules that other politicians must abide by? How can one TRUST such a politician? How can one VOTE for him? How can we even EMBRACE someone who has been mentored by a "god damning" preacher? Has America gone insane, after eight years of Bush?

[DJ]

Harley - If you are an example of Hilary Clinton's unification effort, then she needs to start sending out a new message. That is one of the most divisive posts I've ever read!! In case you haven't kept up with current events, Obama is half white. Would you feel better about him if he had a white wife or attended a white church? The race issue has been thrust upon him whether he wants it or not. Personally, I think it works against him and I think he has been forced to respond to it. I firmly believe he would like to most past it and deal with the real issues at hand as well. We'll see if that is what happens going forward.

[Paul]

I have changed my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican and will be voting for McCain in the general election. Obama's use of rhetoric is frightening and I can't trust that he really loves this country. I am concerned that he wants the presidency to somehow get revenge against white people.

[Debra]

Barack Obama is the best thing that has happened to America. At least we know that he is able to confront any issue put on the table, and is not afraid of anything. I love you Barack. Hillary gets in, and you have dead bodies dropping with no explaination, remember "Vincent Foster". The strange Suicide. Barack should not be held responsible for another man opinion or another man sound bite. I total agree to what Reverend Wright said, I listen the entire sermon. It was taken total out of context. I invite all of you to listen to the sermon.

Debra

[Jim MacDonald]

It's my understanding that Rev. Wright is now a former Pastor of that Church.

Given that the central theme of the Easter Message is God's forgiveness of all of us made possible by Christ's substitutionary death for us, it would seem that Sen. Obama was well taught in the Christian basics and he would be seen as outside of those basics if he were to not forgive Rev. Wright.

[Julie Riegel]

Our country was founded on dissent - and we pride ourselves on the notion of free speech. I don't think Reverend Wright's comments should impact Obama's viability as the President. I really don't. As a person who remembers the "Mothers March Against Vietnam" I recall the impassioned and vitriolic anger mouthed by mothers whose sons and husbands were killed or being killed in Vietnam. G...D... America was mild by comparison. Wright's tone was off-putting but his words reflect opinion debated in universities and homes across America. Lastly, I am not a black man, but I suspect that if I was, I would be as angry as Wright. The media needs to give this a rest ... stop inciting riot ... and give the people in the country credit for having a brain to figure this out for themselves. Please stop.

[Don Dantin]

Does Obama really expect us to believe that he didn't hear any other attacks by Rev. Wright during the 20 years he has been a member of that church..You can sleep in church only so long. It is apparant that his wife WAS NOT sleeping by her public comments. Why hasn't he not cut ties with that church? It's not like that is the only church around. He could find a church more in line with his beliefs OR IS IT that the church he is in now DOES mirror his beliefs.

[lynn]

Barack Obama is running for office, not Rev. Wright.
Obama has eloquently addressed any concern brought about by these sound bites. His honesty is refreshing. The media should be the one guilty of giving the people bits of info of Rev. Wright. How about a documentary of the mans whole life and not 30 second clips? Let's move on to the issues that ARE important, housing, the environment, ending the war.
HRC, should have some class and self respect and step out of this race. She is only asserting she can win, the numbers do not say she can. At least not without back room dealings. Leave the low blow politicking to the republicans. But 'low-blows' and lack of self respect are what the Clintons are all about. How much national pride and patriotism did we have when the first Clinton got caught with his pants down in the Oval office? And people are questioning BHO not wearing a pin and having a pastor that challenges his congregation to take responsibility for the choices of its governments foreign policy? The US has done some awful things around the world the Iraq war being one of them. Where are the stories about that?
I by the way am a 40 year old white woman.

[Miriam]

Once again the media reels its ugly head in the campaign. You know, Malcolm X is right....the media is the most powerful force i our society..it has the power to make the guilty innocent or the innocent seem guilty.
It seems that Obama is flawless,and these people want anyway to tear him down. I think theyre intimidated by him because they know he is the most worthy candidate for presidency. The media is strong because it stirs up emotion...they never bring the whole picture...just 20-30 second soundbites for viewers to determine their whole view.
I dont understand why Obama has to be stepping on eggshells just to please every single person in america. If he says something...it may offend black ministers...blacks themselves....whites...or any other race who wants to jump in the picture. Its ridiculous. It seems that they are sitting and waiting for him to say something that might spark controversy. We will never get anywhere as a nation if we continue this.

[Tony]

My feeling is simply this ; because the Defenders of Freedom deserve to hear US speak because they are fighting for US to do so , and all of US to be free to speak , today in Iraq and Afghanistan , regardless of how WE may feel about the efforts, waged , WE have a duty to thank them for the courage they give US to speak OUR mind , to say I am sorry when I miss speak my mind , but Never will my fellow patriots of Freedom deny US the right to ask for forgiveness this Easter weekend to OUR God , and Never will my Fellow patriots on news networks deny US OUR Dignity to speak OUR mind and be forgiven for OUR mistakes In Due Process , and thats how I feel the fellows on the news have made me feel about the pastor , right or wrong hes got the Right to Speak his mind , and be forgiven , not persecuted , and I think they should not be using this to cause the pain of stepping on the toes of Freedom of Speech , by not allowing first a aspect of debating the fact that we are Human beings , and that our feelings may come out STRONG and wrong , but that we deserve a chance to say we are sorry , but not in a Coliseum of not our choosing , and paraded around to be destroyed before we get the honor of due process , under the law of Freedom of speech . I am really troubled by this thats going on , and I want to sure make my feelings known about this . Its fine to use the power of the press to report , but to be tossing this out there night after night , for what , to make people think Obama's a bad guy so you can do mind manipulation on people to get them all worked up and twist their way of perceiving a certain candidate running to President , , or that when people say bad things in ways that are ONLY WORDS , that is the 1st Amendment right , and then use the same right to destroy another Citizen of your only society , and we wonder why we got problems in this Country ??? and I don't think the Framers intended the 1st Amendment to be used in this manner . I am a Simple little Iron worker in a simple little town trying to compete with a IMPORT POLICY CALLED NAFTA and it sucks big time because I can't compete with a Wall mart that brings in products made at 15 Cent to our Dollar , which by the way we are getting closer to being equal with a 70 cent dollar great move crash the dollar , but wait we don't have the same cost of living , I wonder how thats going to work , but we sure are having to cough up allot more dollars to pay for our LIVING NOW too , but , it doesn't effect you NEWS People because of your way Of business , but if it did I bet you would be trying to twist people perceptions around about that now wouldn't you , but it sure world be nice to Talk about some ISSUES LIKE FAIR TRADE , have some FEEs deducted out of these Imported products to pay for SS and Medicare, which think how better off we would be right now if this would have been the case rather than ALL the INCOME going into the Importers hands , and then this makes the GOVERNMENT have to Tax the heck out of us to pay for these insolvencies , whose writing these POLICIES Man ???? IT might be better to talk about this kind of stuff than to destroy each other on a fear of what might happen if someone new got elected , instead of making sure we don't reelect someone that we no sold us down the river to NAFTA before , and now just wants to get back in and rewrite it and HISTORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John B Sheffield]

On this Easter Day I reflect that it is my Hope that I can't be held totally responsible for every sermon or statement my Pastor may or no make and this is clearly the same for Barack Obama.

Yes initially after the videos where first released (I wonder who was behind releasing the, I am sure we all know!) people had to think, then we had Barack Obama's speech, Just after the video's where released in the Democratic Party polling Obama slipped be being 7 points behind Hillary, yesterday Barack Obama is once again back in the lead.

It is my Hope this Easter Day that this Democratic Campaign of dirty personal attacks can stop, it is both damaging the Party and also people are watching throughout the world are shocked! at the way we can behave.

[Brian Jennings]

You mean like the actions of the first lady ole Hillary "Sniper Fire" Clinton herself. PLEASE, this woman is telling the american public that she was under sniper fire and had to run to saftey. While the truth is a video is being spread all over the internet and starting to show on TV, thanks to The Washington Post reporting the truth. The truth in a young girl reading her a poem instead of the sniper fire she is claiming. While our soldiers are actually getting killed and maimed in IRAQ "sniper fire' Clinton is making up stories about herself being endangered. I would vote for anyone else ! If she isn't finished now. People are just plain stupid.

[Linda in New York]

Let's not let race distract us this time.

ANY ONE who has experienced discrimination in this country - race, religion, sex, class, credit or otherwise - should be able to understand Rev. Wright's anger and his urgings to get things changed!

Instead of being fearful of that anger - why don't we look at it "as a gift" as the Rev. Cecil Williams used to say - a gift that might point us in the right direction - finally, truly changing the way we operate - in politics and about race issues.

Let's do the right thing here - judge all the candidates by the "content of their character" And, I for one, have a bit in anger in my character at all the inequities I see in our society that are not being addressed!

An Angry White Woman

As a African American it is funny to me how some people refuse to accept Obamas speech as the answer in which it truly was to his controversial pastor. And that also summarizes the racial state America is trapped in now. Most blacks who have been on political shows and even the republican politcal shows can relate to it and yet some people refuse to accept this(for political reasons) even though we are pouring our heart out to you and America on this matter that is real. Your refusal to accept this as an answer outlines a much bigger issue in America that some people unknowingly reflect because they were never truly educated on the effects of slavery.

If an individual were assaulted physically or sexually for that matter they are placed in therapy. Well guess what the slaves never were. The freed slaves were made so they couldn't progress, couldn't purchase land and when they did progress politically it was taken from them. (look up reconstruction in North Carolina) They were simply given freedom and thrown to the wolves!!! Never even given the 40 acres and a mule promised????By certain people not acknowldging the speech that Obama made they are truly not acknowledging the post traumatic slave syndrome and the struggle of African Americans who are your FELLOW AMERICANS. Then you act like "I wonder why some blacks feel this way,Humm beats me"!! You wonder why we feel isolated. Hummm!!!


I am not saying blacks dont have the same chance NOW but I am saying that racism has taken a huge toll and the people that refuse to admit it seem to not accept the Obama Speech whether they actually realize it or not. Such as the Hannity's, and Gingrich's!! You possess that old mentality that is successfully being bred out of White Americans with every generation just as Pastor wright possesses some negative traits that are successfully being bred out of Black Americans. Thank GOD for the YOUNG AMERICANS WHO CAN SEE THINGS FOR WHAT IS REAL AND NOT WHAT SOMEONE OLDER WHO EXPERIENCED MORE HATRED HAS EXPLAINED AND HELD ON TO!!! That is why the young flock to Obama! Does it justify his Pastors comments NO but it gives clarity and resolve to where he was coming from and how blacks can agree and disagree but we never disown!!!

My father served in the Marines and my Grandfather in the Army AirCorp. My Father served in Vietnam, Da Nang to be exact and hangs the Stars and Stripes on his porch but understands how some blacks feel this way and sympathises that their "AMERICAN" experience may have been harsh!! And wouldn't walk out of Church because of the comment by Pastor Wright Also even though he may not have agreed with it. Pastor Wrights comment was more idealogical as opposed to this is what i truly mean.


LET ME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU ALL HERE, MY GRANDFATHER RODE FROM GEORGIA ON A HORSE TO AVOID BEING LYNCHED BY THE KKK BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON SUNDAY LIKE EVERY OTHER WHITE AMERICAN. BECAUSE HE WANTED TO THE SAME DAY OF REST THAT THE WHITE AMERICANS WERE ENTITLED TO HE HAD TO LEAVE HIS FAMILY AND KIDS AND NEVER TALK TO THEM AGAIN!!! CAN YOU SAY YOU CAN RELATE TO THAT HONESTLY SEAN HANNITY? NEWT GINGHRICH? THIS MEANS I HAVE FAMILY I HAVE NEVER KNOWN AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL KNOW BECAUSE OF SLAVERY ITS ITS RESIDUAL TOLL. THAT IS WHY US BLACKS TAKE ON NEW FAMILY BECAUSE IN SLAVERY OUR FAMILY WAS RIPPED FROM US SO WE HAD TO CREATE NEW FAMILY. NOT ALWAYS BY BLOOD BUT BY TRUST!! AMERICA NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND MOVE ON!!! AND YOU SAY PASTOR WRIGHT WASNT HIS UNCLE? BY SAYING THAT YOU DENY THE ENTIRE SLAVE EXPERIENCE WHETHER YOU AGREE OR NOT. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN NO BLACKS ARE TRULY RELATED!!!! I HAVE BI RACIAL COUSINS AS BLACKS OFTEN DO THAT HAVE EXPRESSED THAT WHEN EVER THEIR WHITE MOTHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY GETS UPSET WITH THEM THEN THEY BECOME NIGGERS AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED VERY REAL PAIN IN REGARDS TO THIS. SO HANNITY AND GINGRICH YOU MEAN TO TELL ME OBAMA USING HIS GRANDMOTHER