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.