Poll shows Rev. Jeremiah Wright hurting Barack Obama

Who knows how long the Rev. Jeremiah Wright brouhaha will play out, but revelations of Barack Obama's pastor's objectionable sermons have apparently eroded public perceptions of Obama, according to a fresh analysis by the Rasmussen Report tracking poll.

With the Wright episode playing out over the past few days, the poll found Obama's favorable rating nationally had dropped five points to 47% since Thursday, and his unfavorable rating had risen from 44% to 50%. Among white voters, the unfavorable numbers jumped to 54%. The poll also found John McCain leading both Obama and Hillary Clinton in head-to-head national matchups, whereas a week ago they they were essentially tied.

Of course, the Democrats have to pick between Obama and Clinton before the head-to-head matters, which is as unresolved as ever. This is beginning to feel a little bit like Florida 2000, when the nation suddenly learned the meaning of arcane terms like "hanging chad." This time around, we're becoming experts on Democratic superdelegates, while trying shake off images of well-fed Democrats in tights and capes.

The folks at MSNBC's First Read  point out that although Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama in superdelegates -- something we dissected earlier today day -- she hasn't picked up any fresh superdelegates since Super Tuesday. In fact, First Read's count shows Obama gained 47 superdelegates since then while Clinton lost seven -- including former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.   

So, what does that mean? Uncertainty about Clinton by party insiders while Obama was running up a dozen victories in a row? A desire to wait and see if a wind is blowing in any discernible direction by convention time in August? A look over in the other lane at McCain's taillights?

Hard to say. But what is intriguing is how the narrative of the campaign has inverted itself. Remember when the Republicans were splintered and unhappy with their candidates, and the Democrats united in their confidence of winning the White House? Now the Democrats are split, the tone has become nastier, and with war sputtering on and the economy causing all sorts of indigestion, the political discourse is being dominated by race and gender.

Who says politics is boring?

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Angelina]

I hope the "new" information on Obama clears the clouds out of some Americans heads. Some Americans are so against what Bush is doing that they are ready to embrace stupidity by voting Obama into the presidency. This is not a racial issue, although the Dems choose to make it one at every chance. If we choose not to vote Obama in, it's certainly not because of his race; we don't have to dig to find a reason. Please open your eyes before you offer up our free country to the enemy. THINK!

[DC]

It's amazing to me how Barack Obama has been labeled time and time again by what others have said while speaking completely on their own behalf. Meanwhile, both Hillary and McCain have had racists and extremist views expressed from their own campaigns or at their own rallies, and we don't attribute those attitudes directly to the candidate.

Hillary publicly praised NAFTA over and over again, from her own mouth, and then bashes NAFTA before the Ohio primary. Barack had been consistent in his views about NAFTA since before he began his campaign for the presidency. Then, a person who was not a part of his campaign at the time makes a comment in Canada, and that somehow trumps Hillary's incontinency and hurts Barack.

John McCain spoke out against the Bush tax cuts, not just because there wasn't a way to pay for them, but because they were skewed toward the rich. He said it himself. Now he supports making them permanent because that is the stance of the republican party. Still, he is considered the "straight shooter" and the candidate with integrity. Barack Obama has been consistent with his plan to roll back the tax cuts for the rich and cut taxes for the middle and lower class. He's also been consistent with his views on the war, and on all of his policies. But somehow, he is the liar who has been fooling America and making the poor young people "drink the kool-aid".

What seems to be the case is that people are looking for a reason not to support Obama. Clinton and McCain have wide margins of error. Obama on the other hand has to run a perfect campaign, and even then he can be hurt by any rumor, any half-truth, and any mis-spoken word by anyone even associated with him.

We've seen what can happen to this country when we vote for a leader out of fear and bigotry. I love this country with all of my heart. But, in the end, we are going to get exactly what we deserve again. I hope we have grown to deserve better.

[WylieD]

"Poll shows Rev. Jeremiah Wright hurting Barack Obama"

The hurt is just beginning.

The Senator has been caught in a lie: the claim that he was unaware of Rev. Wright's views.

Imagine a commercial featuring the Wright footage, followed by a summation of the 20-year history between the two men, followed by the Senator's claim of ignorance. It will happen.

Quoting RFK and non sequiturs about divisiveness aren't going to do it.

[julie kiepert]

Rev. Jeremiah Wright says the government created AIDS to infect and kill black people. Rev. Jeremiah Wright says in a 2003 sermon, he said blacks should condemn the United States. He says America had brought the September 11 attacks upon itself.

Barack Obama, a follower of Rev. Jeremiah Wright of 20 years CANNOT denounce these statements. There is no way that he didn't know how anti-American this man is. Wright married Barack and Michelle, baptized children, and he had a close relationshipwith him as a spiritual mentor. That would be like saying even though John McCain follows Bush, that doesn't mean McCain believes most of Bush's policies. Because he does.

Obama is going to weasle his way out of this and try to denounce these statments again and again, just like the Rezko controversy.

[Listening]

I have graciously read the comments posted. It is interesting how we are all one sided depending on the color of our skin.

It is also interesting to me that Mr. Obama is of all of us. His mother WHITE. ( What does he say, think or feel). His grandparents who he loves, knows and got value from, WHITE. His father a BLACK AFRICAN. (What does he say, think or feel). His grandmother a Black African ( Whom I am sure he wonders about, her lessons, her values, her strives).

I am sure like many of us that Mr. Obama had his values instilled in him and he was being molded since the age of 3 by his WHITE mother. Do you think that she raised him to denouce his white heritage, do you think that she raised him to denouce his Black AFrican heritage. NO, NO, and NO.

I am sure that she raised him to respect all people. That is the reason she had him exposed to all facets of life. He is who he is, his WHITE mother did a wonderful job. She did not let him forget who he is.

I am proud to be a woman because of his WHITE mother. I have taken a valuable lesson from her.
I hope to instill the values in my children that she has in Mr. Obama.

[Fifi]

It is funny to read all the anti-Obama comments! People should read and expand their horizons. I wish that the media that is doing the Obama overkill had asked questions about some of the issues raised by Rev. Wright! In America today, if you ask questions, you are deemed unpatriotic! In reality, most of the statements craftly plucked from Rev Wright's sermons by the media are true. It is called liberation theology!

[Rachel]

Lets be honest here, everything that Obama's pastor said was TRUE, its just that no one wants to face the facts. No offense but how is Wrights comments racist when it pure truth. I know white people know that they do blacks wrong. As a balck person it makes me mad to hear white people call Wright a racist when he is only calling out white people on things that they know they do. News flash white people are very racist, to bad if you don't like the truth. You can't be racist to a whole group of people for centuries and then try to play the "victim" every time you get called out on your wrongs. Racism is what white people started. Black "racism" and white racism are two totally different things. White racism is hate oriented , black racism is just simply retaliation. I guess you all probably think all the blacks who fought for their civil rights were racist too. Honestly we all need to grow up from this stupid racism stuff, their are so many different races of people in this world why hate each other. Grow up this is embarrasing.

[C. Ross]

As a white female these Wright statements - cherry picked and cast as one to create an extreme version of the man as they are - hmmmm, it's having an evolving effect on me.

On the one hand I don't like the over-generalization to the whole of the white race that comes through in some of his statements but I know I've also been guilty of using over-generalized language when it doesn't actually match what I fully believe. The world is more complex and nuanced than just a race.

On the other hand I see in some of his statements unpalatable truths and I recognize that it is not healthy nor helpful to cover ones ears and shake ones head and say 'no, no, no, no not listening, unpatriotic, anti-American' because there is no evolution of a society if there is no discussion of unpalatable truths.

And it further reminds me of how terms such as 'unpatriotic' and 'anti-American' have been used to control and manipulate America over the last 8 years, to prevent discourse, disagreement, evolution - and this unwillingness to self-reflect has led America to where it stands today.

I think it would be a terrible mistake for Americans to reject Obama because of some harsh cherry picked statements that his Pastor made. Whatever frustrations Rev. Wright might have articulated in his church community we have to respect that Mr Obama is not Mr Wright and that he has called people to come together as one, to rise above racial divisions, and to try and achieve a greater purpose in doing so. I think that is the super-ordinate goal and it is a worthwhile goal for not just Obama but everyone to be party to.

I think to heal this nation I think Americans need to be stronger, to be critically self-reflective about where America has been and from an honest and fearless evaluation, find the right path forward.

This Wright situation is obviously a challenge for Obama but I actually think it is a challenge for the American people as well. It's a test for everybody.

[Listening]

I do not believe that behind close doors we have not all said things about another race that is disgraceful.

I am so happy that my mother at age 16, did not abort me when she was rapped by a White man, but instead had me , raised me to believe in myself. She also told me to always be aware, listen and learn from what is being said. Do not disrepect your elders. Don't do as I do. Learn from what I do. Don't do as others do, learn from what they do. Be it positive or negative.

[Juan dela Cruz]

This just shows that discrimination goes both ways.
If my pastor is white and said those things about Blacks, he would be run out of town. The Blacks say that it is a kind of Black culture. Okay But the KKK is also a Southern White Culture. So why is it wrong? If you want equal rights for all then the Black should be replused by this pastor and Barack should have known long time ago about the vile of this pastor. If he says he did not know then he is too dumb to be the president of this country.

[Jackie]

It's not the Obama is a racist necessarily. But he supported a church that is racist and called its pastor, the speaker of hatefilled sermons by anyone's measure, his mentor and spiritual guide. This calls into question his character and trustworthyness since he claimed to be such a raciial healer. He's lost all abiility o be that perosn now.America dislikes hate speech even when said by an angry black man. If Clinton had attended a church for 20 years run by the likes of David Duke it would be all over for her. Why not Obama? We're not racist for saying so. That dog won't hunt anymore. The heartland of this country will feel it needs to protect itself from Obama and his associates. He can't win in November.

[Evelyn]

How can Senator Obama spin his way out of this?
This cuts at the very core of his whole campaign.
It's like "the emperor has no clothes"...we've been sold a fairy tale...this reminds me of the Wizard of Oz..who's behind the curtain??? David Axelrod...

[Moon]

If you don't know? you won't know because the facts are very clear just like it is in the white house. Fact people in postion such as the President, the Govener of a state all have what is call a advisors, and this advisor is paid, tto find the facts, wheather they are right or wrong! In any case the person that they are advising will be left to take the blame if the facts are wrong when they have been really advising there on personal views.
Example: who was President of the United States when the 1 million man march was in Wash. D.C. Bill Clinton I don't have to tell you his wife name and what she's running for and how black american woke up after they found out they had been played. Also all black americans didn't support Bill Clinton or don't ask don't tell thats your thing? plus you to first find out who all the black afro americans are first. they didn't ask and we din't tell and they are not gay or sit around and wait to be discriminated againg by the same people that discriminated there parents, black or white Next Mike Walllace interview Farrhkan with malcom X's daughter and the truth was told. and if you pulled the freedom of information act file on the nation of Islam you will be shocked to find out who Ron Cooley is AKA Ilisha Muhammad who stated you christan need to take that bible and throw it away the point is the nation of islam had a split among its members the same time as the JDL who they use to pay rent to on 56th and Broadway in Los angeles where Ali the champ of the world belonged, Last but not least Tony Brown who wrote (Black lies White lies told the real story of what black afro americans think , know is a fact and don't tell hey by the way where is John Walker Lynn who help the terriost belonging to Northern Ca.

[Jesse08]

Obama virtually won Hillary, her desperate attacks at his Christian Minister just show what a low and dirty politician Hillary has been after she just hypocritically tried to encourage rumors that he wasn't Christian, is she admitting she has no self-respect left but not that she has no chance of winning?

[Dani girl]

Guys - we all need to open up our eyes and realize what is happening.

Doesn't it seem odd to you that Madame Ferraro's little comment started the week and Reverend Wright finished it. We've known about Wright all along - why the sudden shock and disdain? As a white woman, he is absolutely correct.

Why did I honestly think that we could look past his race. Ferraro threw the race card hard, Obama's campaign (not Obama himself) threw a fit, and Reverend Wright was suddenly in the spotlight to show who was really the racist. It's republican spin at it's finest. Shame on you Hillary!!

I know, as a woman, I am personally proud that one woman has chosen to show that we need to fight dirty and cheat to get what we want - NOT. This is NOT the way I want my gender portrayed. There - I've thrown in the gender card. Run with it.

[db]

Should white people be talking about what goes on in black churches? Or is it any of our business? Seems like the subject of white America is fair game in these congregations. Is it intrusive at best and racist at worst for white Americans to opine about what is preached in social agenda sermons to African American congregations? I'm curious about what fair minded people think of these questions and what African Americans themselves might feel about them. Maybe there's something wrong going on in black churches where Rev. Wright-style black preachers venture into these areas. It seems to me that black church goers and the black communities that might accept the influence of these types of negative perspectives aren't benefiting from even the basics of what we all now know about healthy-minded perspectives on one's life. Could a tradition of filling people up with this type of resentment and anger and hostility for their own living environment, America, and those who they must share that environment with, white Americans, be actually contributing to this group's perpetual foundering in terms of achieving, as a community, this long sought after "lifting up" from the many social and economic problems that still ensnare black America?

[pat]

Obama should just get out. No one really knows anything about him; but what we are learning is pretty scary. Do you really want a corrupt Illinois politician, former coke sniffing, racist, extreme liberal who thinks partial birth abortion is a-ok to be the leader of our country? He also has ties to William Ayers; who wanted to overthrow our government. I guess if you are an extreme liberal who happens to hate America, he's your guy. But as someone who still kinda loves this country, PLEASE get this guy out of here!

[Ross C.]

When I was a medical student back in 1997, I stayed at a beautiful dormitory across the street from the University of Chicago, called the Chicago Theological Seminary. Jesse Jackson studied theology there as have other civil rights notables, including Jackson's son--a great guy. Two nice young Arab men stayed there that summer, too. They both belonged to Al Qaeda (All Click e duh? Anyway we don't pronounce it right. I'm not sure my nemonic is right either, they only said it once and refused to say it again.) The 9-11 attacks were planned in the TV room on the first floor, as were the Mohammed/Malvo DC attacks, the shuttle shoot down, and the simultaneous US/UK power outages (which weren't quite simultaneous, it turned out).
It is quite a coincidence that UCC Reverend Wright is getting Senator Barak Obama into hot water, but not so surprising. UCC students were present everywhere during the Civil Rights Movement, and inter-religious tolerance and comity are encouraged there.
I am afraid that Senator Barak Obama has our Democratic party nomination sewn up. We are really going to have to add a hundred secret service agents to his protection, since if, God forbid, he was ever assassinated, then riots would break out among his supporters like nothing we have ever seen before.

[AlanBTR]

WAKE UP AMERICA!! Look for SUBSTANCE instead of smooth talking. Senator Obama certainly gives a rousing speech but is that enough? LOOK UP THE STORY OF THE PIED PIPER!! Mark my words. If he wins the Democratic Nomination, the Republicans WILL take the time to ask the questions we didn't ask. They will exploit everything they can and win in November. We will then have another four years of failed Bush policies with Bush III (I mean McCain). Again, IF WE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO ASK THE QUESTIONS, THEY WILL. WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. **THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL... WE STILL HAVE TIME.** I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE BUSH PRESIDENCY FOR A LIFETIME!!

[NTH]

In this times of doubt, It is Barack's own words that remind me and convince me further that he is the only president who will be able to unite the people of the United States. He never claimed it would be easy, but he reminds us that the only way we will change the divisiveness of our politics is if we stand up against it ourselves. I stand for the United States of America, I stand for the freedom of speech without fearing discrimination, I stand STRONGLY for the one who will stand by my voice, I STRONGLY support Barack Obama to be the President of the United States.

"We know that the battle ahead will be long. But always remember, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling out for change - YES WE CAN!" - Barack Obama

[Ross C.]

Oh, and the great republican hope is to sew division among Democrats. Perhaps even here?

[NTH]

In this times of doubt, It is Barack's own words that remind me and convince me further that he is the only president who will be able to unite the people of the United States. He never claimed it would be easy, but he reminds us that the only way we will change the divisiveness of our politics is if we stand up against it ourselves. I stand for the United States of America, I stand for the freedom of speech without fearing discrimination, I stand STRONGLY for the one who will stand by my voice, I STRONGLY support Barack Obama to be the President of the United States.

"We know that the battle ahead will be long. But always remember, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling out for change - YES WE CAN!" - Barack Obama

[Catherine Ohio]

Jesse08, how is Hillary responsible for what's going on with Wright? Did she write his sermon for him? Was she there behind him on the pulpit, with her hand up the back of his shirt, making his mouth move? Is she that talented that she could throw her voice from such a distance for that long? Did she suggest Louis Farrakhan would be a could candidate for a lifetime achievement award? Or perhaps she paid for Wright's plane ticket when he flew to Libya with Luis Farrakhan to visit terrorist leader Muammar Gaddafi , the man responsible for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

[Love]

We should not be quick to pass judgement. BO's pastors views are not his views. He deserves to be given that benefit. Besides, as I found out on this article listed below: JW ranting is very common amongst churches:

cast it!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister-committe_b_91774.html

[ck]

Those harboring the notion that Obama somehow may still be a suitable and viable presidential candidate aren’t thinking logically, or perhaps not thinking at all; but rather clinging desperately to ill-placed optimism because of their need to believe in Obama as some sort of panacea to all of our country’s political and social ills. By now, it’s painfully obvious that Obama knew of Rev. Wright’s racist, sexist, homophobic, anti-semitic and anti-American views. It’s also obvious that Obama knew of Rev. Wright’s long-standing admiration for and relationship with (stretching back at least to the 1980s) Nation of Islam head Louis Farrakhan. In fact, Obama simply sat by and did nothing last year as Rev. Wright bestowed the church’s highest social achievement award on Farrakhan, a known racist, chauvinist, homophobe and anti-semite. Obama has attended Rev. Wright’s church for 20 years, was married by Rev. Wright, had his children baptized by Rev. Wright and brought his children to listen to Rev. Wright’s preaching Sunday after Sunday, and did not even once withdraw from the church at least in protest if not sheer outrage, as a person of character, integrity and sound judgment would do when confronted with teachings that ran completely contrary to his or her core beliefs. Whether Obama heard Rev. Wright’s now-infamous Dec. ’07 sermon doesn’t matter. He knew of his views, and with his 20 years of attendance and donations, demonstrated his support as Rev. Wright continued to spread hatred and divisiveness. I don’t know what one would call a church whose minister preaches such things from its pulpit, but it certainly doesn’t sound Christian, which means following the words of Christ, who taught love, compassion and tolerance – in short, unity. Perhaps Obama may not himself have said the things that Rev. Wright said in his Dec. ’07 sermon, but through his long, still continuing relationship with and support for Rev. Wright and his church, it’s clear that he knew of and at least tacitly accepted the views behind them, and by doing nothing to challenge them, branded himself as racist, sexist, anti-semitic, anti-American and homophobic as the Rev. Wright and his hero Farrakhan. Whether Obama did so out of weakness, poor judgment, a desire to be perceived as ‘black enough,’ a desire for political power, outright agreement, or a combination of all those pathetic reasons really doesn’t matter, nor do the obligatory excuses he continues to put forth. His obvious acceptance of those views, at whatever level, makes him unfit to lead this country.

[Chris]

OPEN LETTER TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

March 17th, 2008

Dear Gov. Dean and Democratic National Committee,

I appreciate the update email that you sent to me concerning the future of the Democratic Presidential candidate.

I look forward to the selection of our next President.

However, there are a few major issues that I want to speak about and I think you should take these problems seriously and DO something about the problems as well.

The first major issue that I'd like to point out is that the DNC is in the process of ALIENATING the Democratic voters in the states of Florida and Michigan by denying them the right to vote for their Presidential candidate of choice. This is not only un-Democratic and un-Constitutional, this is wholly Anti-American and unfair. I see that an attorney from FLA has opened suite today to fight for their rights, I'm not surprised. What a mess. Regardless of party rules, NO VOTING CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHOULD BE DENIED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE. THIS IS A SHAME TO THE DNC, and in my opinion you should be doing more to ensure that every American get their right to vote.

The second major issue is that of a candidate that has displayed a level of AntiPatriotism and AntiAmericanism so damaging, he should be ejected immediately from the race for being the next President. The candidate I'm speaking of, as you probably already know, is Barack Obama. Obama's association with those who seek to deliver our country unto the Apocalypse is only exceeded by the "audacity" of this individual's underestimation of the Patriotism that Americans truly represent and believe in. Barack Obama is not a patriot and is an Anti-American to the core. This man cannot be our next president. Through subtle displays of AntiPatriotism and the finale of ultimate distrust, Barack Obama has displayed a pattern of his true Anti-American character. It is impossible for Obama to divorce himself from 20 years of sitting in the pews of a church and being good buddies with a pastor that seeks whole-heartedly to deliver our great country unto such hate and complete Anarchy. Shame on Obama for underestimating the patriotic will of America. No makeup speech can vouch for this complete and utter failure in judgement and disregard for America. Obama is FINISHED. Sometimes members of a campaign fail in their ambitions and cross the line that should not be crossed. When this happens, the offender departs the campaign and the remaining people continue on to salvage the contest. In this particular case, the candidate himself has crossed the line, and so therefore the candidate himself must duly resign and leave the party so that the remainders can continue to carry on the Democratic National Committee towards the Presidency that is rightfully deserved.

Hillary Clinton has taken a beating, an unfair and drawn out beating that no Presidential candidate deserves, and yet Hillary has made it through to the other side. Hillary has stood strong, in the face of opposition, and in the face of repeated and undeserved attacks, again and again. It is for these reasons that Hillary deserves the crown of being our next Democratic Presidential Candidate. Hillary has passed the test of the endless pounding by standing tall against all odds and it is for this reason that she is most fit to take on Mr. McCain in the General Election.

Governor Dean and DNC, Please align yourself with that which is right. That which is our future. Align yourself in support of Hillary Clinton for President.

[Musemuse]

To TMW,
Quote: "The Clintons are more than happy to stand silent and watch the damage done to Obama...This is a test for Hillary. If she shows that she can allievate this current Wright problem, then I would believe she stands for all people. However, if she is silent and only tries to profit from the issue, she is not fit to run our country."

Reply: Where have you been? Every time the Clintons or one of there supporters questions Obama, or encourages the media to be more critical of him they are labeled "racist". Why should she say anything. Obama new, a year ago, that Rev. Wright was going to be an issue, but he tells us he only found out about "God damn America" when we found out. Give me a break?

[Cheddar]

To Everyone who keeps on saying Wright and Obama are two different people.
Yes. I agree. We should not conflate the two. However, Obama has not been honest with us on this matter. In an interview last Friday, he says, he only recently discovered this. This is a lie! He knew a year ago.
Words matter.

[SunshineCali]

Dani girl,
How is this Hillary's problem? She has nothing to do with this. Obama's team should've been ready with a response as soon as this Wright issue was made public. Blame the Obama people for missing this. As well as missing the Rezko... "oh... by the way, the amount of money he raised for me was higher... my bad." This does not cut it.
It's okay to be ambitious. It's okay to want to be president. But don't sell yourself as a "Washington outsider" when you speak, act, and think just like one.

Too bad Edwards was forced out so soon by a media that and public that wanted this race to be about a Black man and a white women.

[Reagan]

There is no such thing as 'White America'. This country is a melting pot for all races from all walks of life. I am proud to be an American and will defend this country with my life.

I will not tolerate people smearing the name of my homeland.

I along with the great majority of Americans living for the last 50 have never treated another American less because of their color.

Americans of 2008 OWE YOU NOTHING so get off your sympathy box and be a part of the greatest nation on earth or LEAVE!

From the flag of our fore-fathers-Don't tread on me!
God BLESS America!

[shane]

What the Hell is wrong with America ???

Hillary Clinton and John McCain are both being back finacialy buy Rupert Murdoch owner of the fox news network. Fox launches this attack on OBAMA claiming he is racist...... America buys it ?? What is wrong with you guys ? HIS MUM IS WHITE........ HIS DAD IS BLACK
HIS SISTER IS ASIAN.....

IF HE WAS A RACIST HE WOULD HATE HIMSELF AND HIS SISTER.....

People really need to use there brains !!!! Im white and think alot of what rev Wright said has truth Obama has said they are not his sentiments.... So What is everyones problem ?

I hope his speech tomorow is amazing I hope Americans actually use there brains and see this for what it is....

Change is never easy but hope is free....

I have hope I ready to work for change....

The best moment of this election for me was all the people of SC chanting race dosent matter !

Because RACE DOSN"T MATTER...

[Tina]

I think this Obama mess is going to grow, even my brother who is an Obama supporter can't believe he never heard the Rev. hate-filled sermons. I think Hillary's lead will grow in PA. and she will win BIG. It could be a big turnaround, much to the disappointment of CNN and MSNBC.

[Ricardo]

Obama prays to Jesus every night and he claims God has a plan for us. Hard working people from the rainbow of backgrounds that is today America does not deserve this kind of leadership.

[Mahesh]

To the person who wrote Barack Obama will be the 44th POTUS, what they really mean't was Barack Obama will be the 44th POT GD US - President of the .. US.

Sorry, Obama is toast. His best hope is to continue as a Senator. He will not even win re-election to the Senate.
If he has any ounce of decency left in him he'd drop out of the race. The persona we see here is so contrary to the image packaged up by Barack's handlers. What hypocricy!!

[BCC]

The November elections are in 8 months.

8 months ago, John McCain was in 4th place in the Republican race.

Things change.

The GOTCHA! game can only be drawn out so long.

[Robert]

I've watched Obama's Denouncing the Rev. Wright statements and read all about it.

Stating he never heard the Rev. talk like this in his sermons..... In the Whole 20 Years? BULL, I don't buy it.

I hope the rest of the democratic Americans are bright enough Not to
buy this song and dance. It's Call DAMAGE CONTROL. "Well Rev. Wright is retired now, and theirs a new Minister of the church." How convenient!

That Does not change the fact that Obama has know this man, will continue to know him, and receive advice from him. He will not discard this man out of his life "Suddenly" after 20 Years. Especially if he's like an Uncle/Father figure constantly giving advice.

Obama's wife, Michelle, and even Oprah has made statements that are questionable, and along the thinking lines of Rev.White. Recently both of them have been seen less. - Damage Control!

Give us a Break, Obama will say anything to sooth his believers.

Too Many Fib's, Cover up's, and Obama Hoped that some things would not be revealed.

1. Obama has fibbed about his connection with Louis Farrakhan till pushed.

2. Obama has fibbed about his real estate deal and involvement with Antoin "Tony" Rezko till pushed.

3. Now this thing with Rev. Wright. and having to be Pushed to make a Statement about that.
(Not to mention his affiliation with other Questionable situations, Fibs about growing up, etc.)

In AMERICA 3 STRIKES your OUT!

He has not even completed one full term in the Senate.

Not to mention about Michelle proclaiming being Proud of America for the first time in her life, and Obama NOT reciting the Pledge to Allegiance, Putting his hand over his heart, Rejecting to wear an America Flag Lapel Pin ... NOW we have, ... GOD DAM AMERICA ! ! ...I could continue with the FACTS !

Is it only going to get WORSE after he's President? Especially If he's lying and covering NOW !!

This is the same tactics that President Bush pulled, and is pulling as we speak.

I don't see CHANGE, I See a REPEAT...and it's even MORE Cunning & DANGEROUS than Bush, as Obama is a OIL SNAKE CHARMER....and american's lap it up.

I Hope the Young voting Americans Wake up soon from this trance and SMELL THE COFFEE.

I’m sure their will be more Secrets from the Obama Closet, as where theirs Smoke…theirs Fire !

And theirs been an awful lot of Smoke !

[Michael Dwayne Calhoun]

Say no to Obama and Chelsies momma.

He want salute the flag, he want cross his heart during the National Anthem. His wife hates America and know we find out his church hates America. The use thier gods name in vain.They rant about whitey. The white man is the most discriminated man in America thats a fact. I am a Iraqi disabled vet cant even find a job, and I am for the war. We are freeing millions of people. It is slow, I wish it were over, but we cant retreat. Obama never wanted to fight is kind...because he believes like his preacher said ..we deserved september 11. I think someone should bring charges against the preacher. I thought preachers were not allowed to be political in the church? He has ranted about America......and notice on the news his followers were yellpin and hollerin ..so that right there proves he knew. We are selling our county to communism. That is what the Democratic party is for now..it truly is not the party of years ago. I should start a National Party.....pro America.........

[Michael Calhoun]

Say no to Obama and Chelsies momma.

He want salute the flag, he want cross his heart during the National Anthem. His wife hates America and know we find out his church hates America. The use thier gods name in vain.They rant about whitey. The white man is the most discriminated man in America thats a fact. I am a Iraqi disabled vet cant even find a job, and I am for the war. We are freeing millions of people. It is slow, I wish it were over, but we cant retreat. Obama never wanted to fight is kind...because he believes like his preacher said ..we deserved september 11. I think someone should bring charges against the preacher. I thought preachers were not allowed to be political in the church? He has ranted about America......and notice on the news his followers were yellpin and hollerin ..so that right there proves he knew. We are selling our county to communism. That is what the Democratic party is for now..it truly is not the party of years ago. I should start a National Party.....pro America.........

[Rachel]

I am one of those white people who has spent a great deal of time worshipping in black churches within the last 15 years. I would say that I have attended 7 or 8 of their churches and never, NEVER, were my family and I not treated well or disdained or made to feel unwelcome or different because of the color of our skin. We sang together, praised God together, heard each other's witness, went to Sunday school together, shared our feelings with one another, both laughing and crying, and shared love and food together. Many black people know that there are white people who love and accept them and are trying to help them. All churches I have attended, whether black or white, feel that it is primary to keep God's commandment to love one another. This is not an option. It is a commandment, and to do otherwise is not to honor God, and pleasing God should be the focus of any church. Every black or white church I have ever attended over the years, without fail, encourages us to pray for our country and leaders and that God will watch over us and protect us.

I was literally horrified when I heard that Rev White, having a long term influence over a presidential candidate, was spouting racial hatred of any kind and using the Lord's name in vain (breaking the first commandment) from the pulpit. Clearly, this does not embody either the spirit or message of Christianity. People use the church to wield their power and to promote their own agendas... and this is a classic example of that.

Before that, I became disturbed about what lurks in the heart of B. Obama when he voted 3 TIMES for laws in favor of not offering protection to newborn babies-- already alive and here in this world--and just allowing them to die...all other Democrats and Republicans were in favor of protecting newborn babies except Obama. This is nothing short of barbaric...and why would he try to prevent the vote from coming up on the docket? This smacks of something third world, where disrespect for life runs rampant, and it is anti-life and anti-God.

Take a close look at this presidential candidate regardless of his race, which is mixed. There could be more that will come out about him.
1. He does not respect the life of an innocent newborn baby. This is horrendous and ungodly.
2. He spent 2 decades with a mentor who denounces our country, disrespects God, stirs up racial hatred and now he has been caught in a lie about being present during these diatribes.
3. His wife's negative commentary about the US is most likely a reflection of being programmed by Rev. Wright and his hatred for years on a weekly basis.
4. Some of his Muslim affiliations could potentially jeopardize our safety in America, a country he and wife do not really seem to love.

I am amazed that people can look the other way and can trust this man while our American way of life for blacks, whites, and other ethnicities is hanging in the balance. I have never voted Republican, but this time will do so to try to keep this man out of office.

[orinda robinson]

americans are fickle people.they just wanted a reason not to vote for a black person ,who is intelligent.the pastor did not say any thing that was so bad .hillary wii never know what it is to be a black man.or be poor because she was priviledge.what make her so special.?its it be cause she slept beside the president for 8 years,or maybe not.other wise he would not have gone to monica.you all need to look in the clintons background.they have lots of dirt.you people are not looking deepenough.

[Jimmy]

OBAMA≠Wright
I am a black man and dislike Wright's talks
The world should not go backwards,
Wright is an old black man that thinks keeping bad memories will help poor black communities, we are now free but still we face a lot of problems, those problems will go away only if we work hard and together.
If I were white in the slavery time, I probably had slaves, at that time people were thinking that way, we do not need to hate white people for that, we should start working hard.
I am a democrat and wanted to vote for Edwards, but he dropped out, I now have Obama as first choice
OBAMA≠Wright
Racism most is punished black or white way.

[Tina]

Rev. Wright isn't anti-American; he's anti-institutionalized racism. It's hard to be intellectually honest in this country, because we'd all have to acknowledge that privilege is the norm for some people. To say that is not to condemn America; but rather recognizes reality. Clearly, some of the reverend's remarks were inflammatory--I think most would agree that terrorism is never justified. But, you folks who are so swift to condemn Rev. Wright should really crack open a history book. Oppression of non-white peoples is clear and inescapalble. That's just a fact. Even so, the American experiment continues, and though there are faultlines, we truly are coming closer to a more perfect uinon. That said, I wish people would discuss real issues and stop getting sidetracked by noise. If we continue to let ourselves be balkanized, this country doesn't have a chance.

[John Roberts]

I don’t agree with many of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments … but I’m white. If I were black, my perspective would probably be different. Many of the things Rev. Wright said were factual but said in a hateful manner. Some were outlandish but clearly intended to pander to his audiences’ view of life based on their experiences. No one ever accused me of being an ardent integrationist while I was growing up. I just accepted that segregation was “right” because that was all I had ever known. I attended all white schools (separate but certainly not equal), remember black & white drinking fountains, having fellow servicemen turned away at restaurants when we went out to eat, and other instances of racial bigotry. That would make me pretty angry too. However, I also remember when the pastor of a church I was attending in the 70’s refused admittance of a young black family to a Sunday service. I was shocked. I told the pastor he was wrong (he didn’t think so) and changed to a new church immediately. The pastor remained at the church for years afterwards and it remained totally segregated so I can only assume the congregation generally agreed with him. To me, this is Mr. Obama’s problem. His continuing attendance and exposure to Rev. Wright’s rants (and maybe even more importantly, the exposure of his children), indicates he either agrees with Rev. Wright or does not have the courage of his expressed convictions. His assertion that he was not aware of Rev. Wrights comments is just not credible.

[Ann]

I hadn’t heard what all the uproar was about (we don’t watch TV and I had been focusing on the economic news) and had seen an article in the NYT and so went off trying to find out what was going on. I found endless videos of Wright, and the ‘gee whiz, I made a poor judgment about Rezko’ interview in the Chicago Trib. And this is very very bad folks. Wright alone is devastating.

Now we are highly educated Quakers (the group reknown for tolerance and understanding), life-long Democrats and practiced law for over 30 years and are not easily shocked. We watched a huge number of the tapes – and sat here in stunned disbelief at the hatred, vitriol and conspiracy theories that poured out of Obama’s 20 year friend/pastor/”major influence”/source of his book title and campaign theme/moral and spiritual guide/counselor. It was clearly a radical black ‘blame whitey’ church.

Obama has been deeply deeply involved with this man for 20 years, claims that the Wright brought him to Christianity through his preaching, and relies upon his moral counsel. Since one’s religious views and world views are inseparable, there is no way that Wright could have preached a gentle loving, inclusive Christianity and preached hatred, blame and divisiveness on social matters and public policy. Obama’s denials of any knowledge about Wright’s views rings patently false.

(BTW, this is nothing new for Wright. We are from Chicago and he has been spewing this line for decades. You would have had to be deaf dumb and blind not to have know what he preached if you lived in the Chicago area. He was the Christian version of Farrahkan and anyone who paid the slightest attention to the Chicago-area news knew it.)

You can’t spin the tapes of Wright. The typical voter is Caucasian, 40ish or older, has an income under $85,000 (bottom 75% of households) and/or does not have a college degree (72% of the voters), lives in a community just like them, and thinks the US was innocent in the events leading up to 9/11 and that the terrorists are going to come and blow up the playground in their town. No one can spin those tapes now enough to persuade average Aunt Tilly and Uncle Jake who just got home from the Lutheran Church in their suburban/small town and who get their political news from TV. Never underestimate how very shallow is the pool of information upon which the vast majority of voters base their decision.

These voters will see the tapes with ‘God dam* America’, ‘whites invented AIDS to kill blacks, ‘the US is evil and causes genocide’, and ‘hate whitey, blame whitey’ rants – and they will be horrified. They have spent their lifetimes being told it is wrong to judge people on their color (and that saying such things can get them sued or fired from their jobs) – and they see the tapes of Barack Obama’s 20 year minister - his close friend, ‘major influence upon him’, -ranting that ‘whites are to blame’ for everything and created an evil world; and you have lost them as voters.

They hear Obama do the ‘gee golly whiz, I didn’t know he said this kind of thing even though I have been very close to him for 20 years and have attended his church for 20 years’ and they look at the tapes and see the congregation whooping it up in response and conclude that Wright’s statements must be normal to them. They conclude Obama is lying through his teeth (or too stupid to be dogcatcher) if he could sit there in that church for 20 years and not notice what was being said.

IF NOTHING ELSE THAT LIE IS A HUGE VOTE-KILLER SINCE HE CLAIMS TO BE 'MR.CLEAN AND PERFECT" AND SHOULD BE "TRUSTED' EVEN THOUGH THERE IS LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT HIM AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER CANDIDATES

They will hear Obama say ‘trust me – I’m for inclusiveness and not being divisive” – and they see the tapes of his chosen minister and church preaching divisiveness, racial anger, blame and hatred; and think ‘actions speak louder than words.’

Obama has no credibility on his claim that he didn’t know what his minister and church preached and believed – non, zero, zip, nada. There is simply too much of those statements over too many years and they were personally too close.

Now you have to explain away Wright to all these voters who make decisions based upon news clips and soundbites. Good luck.

You can’t reach all these voters and try to do the explanation of why a 60ish year old black man spews such hate and venom at them based upon their race. They make decisions based upon soundbites and images.

It doesn’t matter that Clinton and McCain have taken the ‘hands off, we won’t use it’ approach. Why should they? They can take the high ground and with this stuff coming out, Obama is self-destructing on his own. The Swift-boat type groups haven’t said they will keep hands-off. They will use it – and use it hard. A reprimand and disavowal by McCain won’t matter squat. It will be out there & 'about the only groups Wright didn't offend are blacks and 3rd world countries.' A 30 or 60 second commercial funded by the Swift-boat type groups will sink Obama so far down in the general election that he will make the Hoover's electoral returns look good.

[cassandra]

Iam not sure who they polled but many people I know were not asked this question. If we are to assess every candidate based on who they know and the words others say we would not have any candidates left. People have to focus on who the person is and not who they always now. If the CEO of my campany said inappropriate things should I live the company. Obama is just fine. Yes we can.

[PRISCILLA]

I only hope that the people who espouse hate on these internet forums are as open with their hateful ways when they are having conversations with friends, family and others.

I find it amazing that people would use Rev. Wright's words as a "reason" not to vote for Obama. I agree with one poster who says this gives a number of people a good "excuse" as to why they won't vote for him.

Lastly, this has just demonstrated to me the destructive power of a media that reduces people on both sides of the table to sound bites and quotable quotes. I feel like moving to Canada!

[Nelson Peebles]

Has anyone actually listened to the full speech of this minister.

How much of what he is aying is true.

We are, in fact, a troubled nation
And, ANYONE who has not heard that by now has their head in the sand
Don't shoot the messenger

[Melina]

This is insane.. race issues.... It's embarrassing that America is still so stuck on Black and White.... Give it a rest! What about all of the OTHER minorities? None of them are sitting around whining about their unjust situations. Hispanics, Asians, Jews, American Indians, Middle Easterns... we ALL deal with race issues too AND have had hard pasts, but no one even cares as much as they do about blackie and whitey and their disputes. The other minorities out there will soon out number the blacks and whites. Maybe they'll all pool together to shut them up. We ALL have things in the past, it's our OWN responsibility to live life and get what we can from it, not to play the BLAME game forever and milk the system.

[Chicken_choaker]

The election isn't over yet and Hillary is not out of the picture.sadly I wasted my vote on Obama.If Hillary is out of the race I'll vote for Nader.
If you're a christian you should read this link.

http://www.yirmeyahureview.com/articles/religion/truth_about_christmas.htm

[Don]

To all you people that say that most of what the pastor says is true. Please take your race hating, Anti-American Asses out of the country and find a better place to go.

I understand trying to change things about your home, the place you love. But damning it to Hell is not that proper way. It's the same as flag burning. When you damn our country or burn its flag you are rejecting everything that it stands for. If I played for the Boston Red Sox and I thought that we had a weak infiled I would tell everyone of our problem, get them to agree with me, and work to fix it. I wouldn't Damn the team and burn my uniform.

Obama was a member of a White-Hating, Anti-American, Racist Church. He does not get a free pass simply because of the color of his skin. All of you who excuse his behavior because of "the black experience" that white people supposedly don't understand, are just as racist as the pastor. Dr. King spoke about equality. Having one race in this country that is allowed to be racist is not equality. This sense of entitlement needs to end. We are all sons and daughters of immigrants, we all have had strife in our lineage. If we want a color-blind, equal society, then we need it from both sides.