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

[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.

[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.