In D.C. appearance, Jeremiah Wright remains controversial

David Axelrod, the chief strategist for Barack Obama, gets credit for understatement of the month with his comment on MSNBC this morning before the Rev. Jeremiah Wright wrapped up his media blitzkrieg of the last few days with an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

To the extent that voters attribute to Obama statements and opinions that aren't his, Axelrod said, "it's obviously not helpful."

Now, in the wake of a feisty Q&A session that followed a speech Wright delivered (see video below), Obama and his top aides can only sit back and gauge how "obviously not helpful" the man who was the candidate's pastor for many years continues to be to his presidential hopes.

Our colleague Christi Parsons of the Chicago Tribune was among those covering Wright today, and she reports that in his address, he provided "a learned lecture on the black experience in America and on the African American faith tradition, an attempt to put into context the controversial sermon snippets that have been airing in recent weeks."

But, as he answered questions after his talk, Wright did nothing to quell the controversy ...

that has enveloped him and, by extension, Obama.

Wright stood by a sermon he delivered at his Chicago church shortly after 9/11, in which he said “America’s chickens are coming home to roost” for supporting "state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans.” Snippets of that discourse have been among those making the rounds on YouTube.

Today, Wright repeated his payback argument, saying "“You cannot do terrorism on other people and expect it never to come back to you. Those are biblical principles, not Jeremiah Wright bombastic divisive principles.”

Similarly, he said there was a biblical basis for the sermon in which he said "God damn America" due to the stain of racism.

"God doesn't bless everything," said Wright. "God damns some practices."

As he did in his interview with Bill Moyers that aired on PBS on Friday night, Wright seemed dismissive of the much-hailed speech Obama gave in mid-March in which he denounced the preacher's catalog of inflammatory remarks as objectionable and not reflecting his own views.

"If Sen. Obama did not say what he said, he would not get elected," Wright said.

Defending his relationship with Louis Farrakhan, Wright said the Nation of Islam leader "is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains. He did not put me in slavery."

Wright may have done Obama one small favor, casting himself as someone who will keep offering scathing political criticism, regardless of the outcome of this year's election.

Wright told his audience: "As I said to Barack Obama, if you get elected, Nov. 5 I'm coming after you, because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people."

That's probably small solace to Obama as the May 6 primaries in North Carolina and Indiana approach.

As political analyst David Gergen summed up on CNN: "I'm sure Rev. Wright has many virtues. Loyalty to his former parishioner is not one of them."

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[keith]

It's funny, when Bill & Hill were campaigning in days gone by they made a great show of appearing in black churches, this time not so much, I wonder why?

Maybe it's because the "First Black President" and his blonde wife aren't really as "down" for the black man as they like to make out like they are. It's the proliferation of phonies like the Clintons that gives the Jeremiah Wright's of the world the substance of this type of controversial speech material.

[John Martin]

I watched the Rev. Wright sermon three times. As CNN continues to play it every other hour. I can see where Sen. Obama has been schooled in how to give a charismatic, powerful oratory. My favorite part of the sermon was when Rev. Wright spoke on immigration. As a Native American man I stood up and cheered when he mentioned Native Americans as the original inhabitants of this land.

There is much that white America simply does not comprehend about both the African-American community and the Native American community. Rev. Wright is not some hate-monger. He is a colorful, intelligent and honest man. He speaks of change in America, he has lived through apartheid, he remembers how his people were treated, like us Native Americans, with indignity and disrespect by white America.

It's time America wakes up and sees this country through the eyes of it's most mistreated peoples. Sen. Obama gave an eloquent interview with Fox's Chris Wallace on Sunday. It gave me hope that America is a country that will make amends to it's indigenous people and the people who were brought to this country involuntarily, as slaves.

[fgmorley]

Good Old Jeremiah just keeps on giving and giving.

Barack Hussein Obama- Half Honkey - All Donkey

[Jack]

Obama's going to be the nominee, like it or not. And it's just as well that the true Rev. Wright get out there. He's obviously not a lunatic, nor is he unpatriotic. He merely expresses an opinion that America is not perfect, all people must be treated equally- and that this country is not yet at that point.

Any rational person who would listen to him would clearly not leave a church of this stature and history because of some words that while clearly controversial are anything other than anti-American or racist.

While this may seem a bad time for Obama, it's an opportunity for the country. Let's see how mature we are.

[owlbear1]

Yes, why can't Barack Obama get Blacks to be quiet? How dare he allow them to remain un-gagged?

[Bob]

Pastor Wright's speech before the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP is the most divisive I have ever heard from anyone other than flat out racists. Wright says that Blacks THINK differently than Whites of European descent. That is baloney. I can see the whisper campaign saying that explains why over three percent of Black males are prisoners as opposed to less than one percent of White ma;les. The same logic could be applied to murders. Indeed, racists could and will point to the African governments that have failed miserably since British colonial tomes and point to India ( where most have "blacker" skin tone than Africans and American Blacks) and Malaysia to say Wright is correct Blacks don't think and learn like Whites and therefore are different. This is not Christian. This is racist and divisive in the extreme. What is Wright thinking? What is the Obama campaign thinking in arranging this rehabilitation speaking tour where loose cannon Wright snatches defeat from the jaws of victory for Obama and the Democratic majority. Wright's racism and extremism is being emblazoned on Barack Obama. Axelrod should step aside. This is the worst self inflicted wound in a generation. Obama may win the nomination, but will lose the general unless he take immediate action to stop the bleeding now.

According to Wright's logic two different teaching methods needs to be employed in America lest we continue to harm Black students. DOES BARACK OBAMA, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE NAACP WISH TO REVERT TO THE 'SEPARATE BUT EQUAL DOCTRINE OF PLESSY V. FERGUSON? IF SO I DON'T WANT TO BE A DEMOCRAT ANYMORE. WRIGHT IS A RACIST. HE LIED ABOUT WHAT A FORMER AMERICAN AMBASSADOR SAID TO FOX NEWS TO JUSTIFY THE HIS INVOKING THE WORDS OF BLACK MUSLIM MALCOLM X. As my wife - who is not white and whose skin colour is darker than both Wright's and Obama's said - "Since Wright is mulato he apparently fails to think with either the right or left side of his brain, he talks and acts like a Black Muslim and America is not ready for that."

Do we really need Wright to engender the riots sought by Rush and company. Obama must repudiate Wright immediately and admit that he made a mistake in attending Trinity UCC and embracing the racial divisive Black Liberation Theology of Wright and James Cone the principal advocate of this divisive ideology, disguised as "theology."

Barack Obama has stressed how Rev. Wright brought him to Christianity and that Obama embraced the teaching of Trinity church as a congregant in his campaign and in his published writings. These teachings are fundamentally racist and divisive. Obama has chosen to belong to this "Black Liberation Theology" church for almost 20 years. Hannity, no friend of Democrats, has been airing Wright's 2007 interview incessantly to eventually emblazon the association of Wright, Obama and the divisive theology of James Cone on the American body politic once Obama secures the nomination.

HOW CAN A PROFESSED "CHRISTIAN" WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT ON A PROMISE OF UNITY PROCLAIMING, "THERE ARE NO RED STATES OR BLUE STATES, THERE IS ONLY THE UNITED STATES" BE ANYTHING BUT A SLICK IMPOSTOR IF HE HAS EMBRACED THE IDEOLOGY AND THEOLOGY OF JAMES CONE FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, WHICH IS THE THEOLOGY OF TRINITY UCC? ACCORDING TO JAMES CONE AND REV. WRIGHT, "Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy." (James Cone, quoted in William R Jones, 'Divine Racism," in African-American Religious Thought: An Anthology, ed. Cornel West, Eddie Glaube, 2003.)

The strategic problem is that Obama, in his eloquent speech of Tuesday March 18, did not reject the Afrocentric and Marxist ideology, proffered as theology, of the Trinity United Church of Christ, nor the application of that theology as practiced by Pastor Jeremiah Wright. Moreover, not only did Obama fail to repudiate Wright, Obama failed to explain how he could belong to a church since the early nineties and embrace its central tenet, "Black Liberation Theology," on one hand and run for the highest office in the land on the other.

It appears certain that comparing the attacks on Obama's association with divisive theology for almost 20 years following Obama's nomination will make "swiftboating" an inapplicable metaphor. Indeed, it appears almost certain that the damage that will be done to the Democrats following Obama's nomination could make the 1972 McGovern choice of Tom Eagleton as Vice Presidential running mate pale by comparison to 2008 election politics of juxtaposing sexy sound bites and undisputable facts.

Obama's ties to radical "Black Liberation Theology" will be just the beginning. The attack dogs will tie Obama's theology and his actions to radical African politics because the overwhelming majority of the press have not looked into Obama's associations with radical African politicians and Obama's actions in support of those radicals. For example, one only read the stories published in the New York Sun (http://www.nysun.com/article/69273 ) on January 10, 2008 entitled "The Kenya Connection" and Investors Business Daily of January 15, 2008 (http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcon tent.asp?status=article&id=285292746454291&a mp;secid=1501 ) to realize that there is plenty of ammunition available to render Obama's nomination cannon fodder for conservative talk show hosts and television hit pieces that could make "Willie Horton" commercials look like political cream puffs.

Will Obama's ties to radical African politicians such as Raila Odinga, whose political campaigns have been funded by Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and who has forged alliances with fundamentalist Islamic factions cause the Democrats to lose the usually reliable Jewish vote? Will working class whites embrace a black Obama? Will an all attack on Obama resulting in his defeat in the general election spawn riots across America's inner cities?

These are troubling questions that deserve to be discussed now because the news media and particularly the traditional press and cable news see an opening to prolong the primary race and increase ratings by Wright's undenialable racism.

[Shalom Freedman]

Gergen has it right. All Wright is doing is injuring the chances of Obama. He is also stupid in believing that the great majority of the American people are going to buy his hated- filled condemnation of the country, which may not be perfect, but has given more people a chance to make a good life than any other in history.

[fred17]

i found his remarks interesting and appreciated the context. on cnn yesterday he said that those who reacted only to the sound bites were "stuck on stupid" i agree with him

[djibril]

Seriously!!! Rev Wright. you lost me when you talked about the book that you putting out soon...
This guy gave a great explaination of the Black church nevertheless, since the one of the goal of the black church as much as a synagogue or a mosque is to uplift people in every sense, since all men are equal before god...but thenMr. Wright you shoudl help the candidate that can help reach that goal. not push your own agenda this is much bigger than your little Church. Obama is try to convince a much larger spectrum of folks of the value of equality and justice. so please stop it, you know he has a chance, don't hate if not you'll one more perpetrators. and that the word.
djibril

[Steve Wimer]

This man speaks elouqently and with a large vocabulary, but I think he's an idiot. Why does he think people will believe his spin? His pompous postering demeans himself. Poor Obama, his own pastor is sabotaging his chances to be the Democratic candidate, and even if Obama does get the nomination to run, deeply damaged Obama's chances to win. The conservative dart throwers are jumping jive with glee after these remarks, I'm sure. I sincerely hope this doesn't mean we get another Republican President. We can't afford one.

[Kim]

Crap.

Yet another day for the Republican-owned and dominated media conspiracy. For you neanderthals out there, that includes ABC, CBS, NBC, the LA Times, the NY Times, etc. etc. Name one major news source that is owned by Democrats.

One thing the good pastor has said is that the US military has killed thousands on innocent people to extend our empire, and not to protect us.

Here is a diagnostic for you: The Pentagon has a current policy in Iraq that it is "okay' to kill up to 30 innocent people in pursuit of a "bad" guy.

For you so-called Christians, I am sure that Jesus would be happy with the 30-to-1 kill ratio.

[Constitution Fan]

I don't understand the need of many in the media to select snippets of what Wright says and micro-analyze them in the context of whether or not it aids Obama. He keeps trying to tell everyone he is not about aiding Obama, but about telling the truth as he sees it. He sees himself as being in the role of pastor to his flock, and he adheres to the biblical admonition to speak truth to power. The media pundits persist in believing that they must view him in the prism of whether he aids or harms Obama's campaign, and seem to be perplexed that he is not accepting the role they have made up for him, which is as a controversial Obama supporter who is supposed to retire quietly into the night and not say anything until Obama is elected. Please get it through your heads media types - Wright is his own man and does not feel constrained by the political needs of the moment. He will tell it as he perceives it, right or wrong, but he's not going to accept your pigeonholing.

I'm really beginning to suspect that the media pundit world simply does not understand anyone whose main focus is religion. Right wing evangelicals have been accusing the MSM of getting them wrong for years. Now it seems that Wright has a valid similar complaint. Folks, the problem isn't the representatives of religion on either the right or the left. The problem is a media so secularized and so attuned to secular interests that its members simply cannot comprehend the alternative reality of the deeply religious.

[Keith Burton]

Sometimes the truth is controversial. What's more important, having a person of African descent in the White House or inviting America to move beyond the racism that currently permeates society? As uncomfortable as the truth may make some people, Wright is right.

www.youtube.com/drkeithburton

[forparity]

Let's put it to the test:

Sen. Obama was clear Sun - the Rev. Wright's comments deserve to be debated.

The campaign between Obama and Clinton is raising serious issues that the media seemingly does not want to vet -- for fear of damaging either the legacy of Bill Clinton, the chances of Hillary Clinton, or perhaps simply their friends, the Democrats?

Why has the media skipped on asking Obama and Wright to explain, and Hillary and Bill Clinton to defend (to address) these remarks from Rev. Wright - where he basically claims that Bill Clinton ------ the black community (as president) and Hillary will be the same:

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enMWfQl_Qeg

The transcript:

Rev. Wright: Hillary is married to Bill and Bill have been good to us? No, he ain't! Bill did us just like he did Monica Lewinsky!

Congregation: (cheers)

Rev. Wright: He was riding dirty!

This is obviously, the last thing that the Sen. Hillary Clinton camp needs in the public airwaves - but it sure does liven up the discussion, does it not?

Without a doubt, if it were McCain's pastor attacking the Clinton's or Obama in such a fashion - all holy terror would have broke loose with the media going after such remarks. The LATimes, CNN, the networks, and the other networks and papers, would be demanding fulll apologies, McCain's rejection of the pastor - and Bill Moyer's sure would not be sitting down with a sweet interview with the man.

[I_Slay_The_Dragon]

The forum(s) which various Media provide
this Fakir, is inexcusable.
Both, Theologically AND Morally oblivious, he mocks not
only those departed (and unable to defend themselves),
but, also The Most High Lord, and His Word.
This, is not only unacceptable, it WILL NOT be
tolerated any longer.

[Leticia]

Rev. Wright cannot even apply his own philosophy that retribution should be expected when you initiate problems. In the same token, how can he not expect the media to "crucify" him when he makes statements warranting crucifixion? Rev. Wright criticizes racism, but yet separates his group from the rest. It appears he still holds grudges towards the white people for past slavery and befriends Farrakham because they share the same hatred towards the white people. Ackwardly, he claims to worship God, yet befriends a group that call God a liar. Bottom line, the Nation of Islam does not recognize Jesus as the saviour, so what business does Rev. Wright have in being friends w/this group that calls his beliefs a lie? Rev. Wright is a total hypocrite and uses religioin to serve his ill purpose. He should also acknowledge if he reads the Bible that God promised to give the Isralites that land forever so what part of it did Rev. Wright miss?

[JJ]

Finally, the real information is being delivered. Americans are really stupid, in general, so I don't expect them to understand logic, reason and intellectualism on a general scale. Some are starting to, so that's all I can cling to at this stage of this incredibly historic time in our nations history. Come on folks, understand others, its not that difficult.

[Susan]

Man the LA Times has something against Obama. Last article I read you showed a sudden drop in poll numbers for him in PA - up to 20 points! Meanwhile, no other poll showed more than 5 or 6 points. Now you keep dredging up Pastor Wright and saying how damaging he is to Obama. What about John McCain's connections with extremist clergy who blame 9-11 on Gays and Katrina on the sins of the people of Louisiana? All you need to do is go to You Tube and search under the terms "John McCain's Spiritual Advisor" or click here:

[Patriotic American]

Wow, you Dems are such losers LOL You Dems analyze and overanalyze, feel guilty, get all depressed etc. It's really quite simple: Dems never win because they have weak unpatriotic left-wing candidates. Hahahahaaa I'm so happy, now McCain will be President !!!

[Ben]

People forget, a pastor's job is to tell us what we don't want to hear. Jesus was even more harsh on political leaders of his time. He said their mouth is an open tomb, and these are the same leaders that Isreal depend on to defend against their own terrorists, which were the Romans. People think the church is a social gathering.

How many times do you hear people get bitter because their company CEO only surrounds themselves with yes mans, and is driving their company out of business.
The American people want the same thing, they only want to surround themselves with yes man pastors, yes man politicians and yes man media.
Reality is going to crush us like a stone as the dollar is falling because of debt we are blind to. We still want a yes man president to tell us he plans to strenghen the dollar when he is actually doing the opposite.

Even if Barack loose, we need a pastor to pound the reality into our head with a sledge hammer if necessary. Our skulls are pretty thick. I don't care how much you wish for something, reality wins every time, and for the rest of your life reality will still win over what you wish to hear, and grind you into oblivion. Get use to that. Reality is reality.

[Frank Helton]

Regarding Jeremiah Wright: "Defending his relationship with Louis Farrakhan, Wright said the Nation of Islam leader "is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains. He did not put me in slavery." That may not be accurate. In Africa black tribes often captured and sold members of other black tribes to slave merchants. It's entirely possible a descendant of Farrakhan's tribe may have sold someone of Wright's tribe or the other way around. Either way, wrong as slavery is, there both probably doing better in the USA than they would be if they were still in Africa. Wright shouldn't have said "God damn America" he should have said 'God damn slavery and slave merchants and buyers'. His statement only gives supportive proof that he is an America-hater.

[Benjamin]

I've never heard the comments in the context of the sermons, so unlike the endless parade of know nothings in the media and among the general public out there who make grand pronouncements and judgements on the man based on what are in fact nothing more than media repeated sound bites, I'm not going to judge the pastor. I don't know a single person in my life who, were you able to pick and choose sound bites from rants they've given, couldn't be made to look extremely evil. My republican friends have on more than one occasion said things that if you focused on just one sentence, would sound like they were all ready to sign up for the Ku Klax Klan or take up arms against the government. My democrat friends have said things that if you were to focus on just one sentence, they sound like they're ready to take up the marxist battle and overthrow the government.

If you don't know context, you don't know nothing. It doesn't matter how you rant about it, how many times you repeat a single sentence, no context=no insight=no wisdom=worthless gossip.

Maybe it's not my place to say as an Atheist, but hey, in today's america anyone can talk like a big expert on anything so futz it... but it would seem to me that if people are going to a church that doesn't challenge them and rub them the wrong way at times, then they are either perfect or they are in a souless church that affords them no growth opportunity. It used to be intelligent people welcomed diversity of opinion around them as a way to challenge them and keep them grounded in reality. But today's collectivists see that as a weakness and would have us believe that you should only surround yourself with likeminded people. That's exactly why the mainstream partisan, whether they be democrat or republican, is so ignorant and disconnected from reality these days. They've locked themselves into echo chambers where what they've already decided is true is repeated ad nauseam.

Maybe Obama recognized the need to not be surrounded by a bunch of echo boxes, repeating back his own beliefs to him. Maybe he is of such caliber that, unlike most Americans, he can not only tolerate views that he doesn't agree 100 percent with, but has learned to discard the bad and find the gems among them.

I know one thing for certain though, as an independent who watched the Clinton campaign's horrendously negative attacks on Obama, if she does get the nod, you can count me at this point firmly in the McCain camp. If we're going to have yet another establishment politican babyboomer, it might as well be one who really was under fire leading us, and not just some woman who slips off into fantasy land regarding her own courage.

[P. Nelson]

Reverend Wright's biography states that he was born in 1941. His father was a Baptist minister and his mother had a doctorate. HIs family appears to be very successful. He does not represent the black or white poor of this country. He represents an element of the
black population that stays in power by dividing the races.
This country now must address the issue of poverty for all races. The snippets of Rev. Wright's speeches and sermons now add up to
a portrait of a racist. In my opinion, Senator Obama for
20 years listened to a man who clearly can not hide his
hatred of whites. A racist mentor makes Senator Obama
a very risky presidential candidate.

[damnlibrul]

He's just enjoying the spotlight, pimping in advance of his book, amassing more dough for his retirement in his 10 million mansion in the rich-white-folks neighborhood.
What?Obama? "He's just a politician"!

[chris]

rev. Wright is only controversial to those who form opinions on a person without ever actually listening to the person in context. In this case that is the ignorant, the racist, and the intellectual dishonest and lazy person.

How a journalist can report on a person without doing proper research yet call themselves unbiased journalists is beyond me. How can anyone who would not take the time to listen to the whole sermon in context make an educated conclusion about a man and his 35 year body of work? If I saw Hank Aaron strike out twice on you tube could I accurately conclude he could not hit a baseball and then write stories about what a lousy hitter he was?

[peter molina]

People like Rev. Wright and Louis Farrakhan seem to keep racism alive by bringing slavery and bondage that happend eons ago and mixing it into todays society. Lets quit living in the past and walk together to the future is what they should be preaching

Pete

[Ethan Q]

Once again, the Conventional Wisdom has it wrong. Quite on the contrary, Wright going out there and speaking his mind shows the mind that made the statements that have hurt Obama's chances isn't so evil after all.

I am of Eurasian descent, but how can others of similar origin not think that the Black community still harbors some lingering resentment toward the way they were treated? What did we do that was so great that we deserve to be forgiven? Welfare? Equal Opportunity? Gimme a break!

Perhaps it might help to be a bit more forgiven if we tried to be a little bit more forgiving.

[Len Johnson]

Pulling snippets out of Rev. Wright's sermons actually presented him in a positive light. If you read the entire "God Damn America!" sermon, it actually gets much worse. Wright apparently takes it as an article of faith that white people invented AIDS in order to murder blacks; that our government was responsible for 911; and that Israel is completely in the wrong for defending it's right to exist as a nation, and for its people to remain alive. Hamas gleefully proclaimed that all Jews must be murdered and Israel wiped out. Wright makes no mention whatsoever of this, or of the opportunity that abounds in this country.

Wright is a race-baiting hate-monger. There is no making this clearer than to listen to an entire sermon of his. If Obama actually listened to this for 20 years, he is not fit to be our president, any more than any other racist.

[Geno - USA]

Message for Rev. Wright:

By painting all white people as evil and the government as the origin of the AIDS virus, you have eliminated your credibility and damaged that of Mr. Obama.

We have lots of guys like you where I live - they continue to F up the place by dividing the Black community and pitting it against whites.

Nice work.

When I read about your patriotism and true acts of heroism under fire, I can hardly believe that they come from the same person.

[Brad]

Bob,

You are sort of crazy, huh?

I don't have time to respond to your lengthy (yet delusional) post in detail, just to say that I'd rather have the 12% African- American vote than the 3% Jewish vote. That is especially if one is to believe that somehow Jewish voters will be swayed by crazy fantasies about Obama's non-existent "Muslim" loyalties.

[Pablo]

Come on, people! My vote is NOT with Obama, but I can't blame him for the crazy stuff that Rev Wright has to say. The man is so out of touch that he can't even see the harm he's doing to Obama's campaign. Obama may like some of what he says, be I'm sure Obama's wishing the old man would shove a cork in it by now . . .

[jkmora]

I am so glad to hear the Reverand Wright speaking out for his beliefs and for Trinity Church. He is a pastor who is reaching people, especially his multicultural black congregation, with a message of true Christianity. We as Christians must remember that our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified for speaking out against the governments' and the religious leaders' mistreatment and oppression of the poor and vulnerable members of society. We should all be tired of Namby Pampy Christianity that doesn't take on the evils and sins of our times, and most especially, that avoids confronting the wealthy and powerful who disregard the poor and unfortunate in order to enrich themselves. Rev. Wright is not unpatriotic, racist or divisive. He speaks the truth of Christ's teachings. His statements may be hard for many who are comfortable in their denial to hear about our country and the direction we need to take to live out God's blessings, but we cannot ignore him and we shouldn't take his words out of context. I'm voting for Obama in part because of his association with Rev. Wright, a great American Christian leader, rather than in spite of their religious and spiritual relationship. The media should realize how foolish they look by continuing to attack the Rev. Wright. Perhaps they would be front and center in the crowd in Jerusalem 2000 years ago shouting, "Crucify him! "

[rearden215]

I guess Mr. Obama can begin writing his memoir about how the first serious black candidate for president was derailed by a self-absorbed minister who is grinning like Sanjaya at all the attention.

[Michael]

I wish there were some way to go back to videos of Rev. Wright's sermons to see if some of Michelle's "broken souls" comments were lifted from them.

From RealClearPolitics.com, titled Obama the Savior http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/obama_the_savior.html

Speaking in February of the man she knows better than anyone else does, Michelle Obama said that her husband, Illinois Senator and candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination Barack Obama, is the only candidate for president who understands that before America can solve its problems, Americans have to fix their “broken souls.”
She also said that her husband’s unique understanding of the state of souls of the American people makes him uniquely qualified to be President. Obama can do what his opponent in the Democratic race Senator Hillary Clinton, and Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, cannot do. He can heal his countrymen’s broken souls. He will redeem them.
But then, saving souls is hard work, and Mrs. Obama won’t place the whole burden on her husband. He’ll make the Americans work for him. As she put it, “Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zone. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.”

[Magua Washington]

It is time for the Republican-controlled Media to give this Wright controversy some fairness and enquire of Hillary Clinton and her surrogates the following:

Is it true that, (1) Hillary surrogate, Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee, is also a devotee of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright; that he's been preaching at her home church, where she is actively involved, annually for the past 15 years and has an open invitation to return, and, that she sat in the pews for his visits and did not bat an eye?

Is it true that (2) Hillary surrogate, Rev. Marcia Dyson was not only a longtime member of Trinity United Church of Christ but also still considers Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright her pastor? That Rev. Marcia Dyson's seminary education, in part, was sponsored by Trinity UCC and encouraged by Rev. Wright? And was it not at Trinity were she first met her husband, Rev. Dr. Michael Dyson, who's been very vocal in his defense of Rev. Wright.?

And, lastly of Hillary Clinton, that if Rev. Wright would not have been her Pastor, then why did she and Bill when going through Impeachment, turn to Rev. Wright for Prayer and Support and invite him to the White House? These things should be answered.

[Po Wiin]

Reverend Wright embedded threads of truth in a canvass of falsehoods: at one moment he states outright that he is not divisive or polarizing then he launches into thunderous, irreverent gestures and harsh critique of classical music, opera, psychiatry, pharmacology, JFK's and Ted Kennedy's Irish-American accents, and rationalizes this by making his thesis an imaginary cognitive difference between blacks and whites that elucidate his tangential truisms.

He speaks of embracing Change and transformation to that of respect and kindness while being irreverent of the late JFK, Lyndon Johnson and the above-mentioned; he speaks conceptually of embracing difference while he treads the threshold of a bitter diatribe of Eurocentrist thought, music, language and worship.

How does he do so? Leaping from left and right brain hemispheres to oral traditions of Hebrew teachings, he feigns authority and makes bold statements from non-existent sources adding new fields of knowledge as he thunders on.

Demarcating himself as a preacher not a politician or political analyst, he exclaims that his speech is not about the candidacies of Senators McCain, Clinton and Obama. Jeremiah Wright continuously makes an affirmation of a positive, inevitable Change to come; not coincidentally, he finally brings his speech of Change to a climax of Yes We Can make this Change as an obvious endorsement of Senator Obama and then he humbly makes a plug for his book which is to emerge sometime in 2008 (in case anyone missed any of his many points).

Despite separating himself (as a pastor) from politicians, this morning, Rev. Wright, expressed an interest in running for Vice President with Senator Obama. I think that would be an interesting ticket.

[Goldie]

And what of Clinton who said she would not stay with anyone who she disagreed with, and yet she clerked in 1971 with a radical communist law firm in Berkeley? Why did she choose to work for communists? According to her logic, she must have agreed with them. How will the Reagan Democrats vote for a candidate for President who worked for communists at a time when our soldiers were getting killed by communists? How will Hillary defend that?

[Joy Ford]

Exhale Bob! You could give yourself a stroke. Not to worry we've been through a lot but us black folks are not looking to take over so we can put you through what we've been through. Remember to err is human to forgive divine and we have been learning some divine lessons over the course of these years.

[jonathan]

This self important idiot needs to sit down and shut up. We know what we heard. Everything he has said and done of late have been for Obama. And if  Obama and his people weren't embarrassed or ashamed, then why did they oust Wright from the campaign the day the story broke? Race is a campaign issue because if Obama were to win he'd be the first black president. Unfortunately, people will vote for him for this reason, rather then he being the best person for the job of president. IT IS JUST AS BAD, JUST AS RACIST, TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE AS IT IS TO VOTE AGAINST THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE! Period.

[Diane Gardner]

As usual, it all comes down to money. The guy has a book coming out.

[Po Win]

RJW would make a scintillating case study.

[John Furie Zacharias]

The last place you're likely to find me would be sitting in a so-called black church listening to anyone. I don't believe in the flying spaghetti monster in the sky.

However, I was able to watch the entire National Press Club speech given by Jeremiah Wright including the Q-and-A session. I found nothing controversial in Mr. Wright's message of liberation, transformation and reconciliation.

I did find the questions he had to answer from the corporate media reporters who attended to be very ignorant and baiting. If the media doesn't want glib answers from Mr. Wright, they shouldn't ask stupid questions.

[Rohit K]

I think what Wright is doing is making American aware of their ignorance which can only be driven away through in your face speeches and dialogue.

Americans and especially white Americans have always taken for granted what the Govt tells them to be true. But for the last 8 years it has come back to bite them and they are confused. In their confusion they are unsure as how to best go about finding out the truth.

My take on this is that what goes around comes around and whats coming around is scaring the white people for their autrocity in America and around the world. Gold help them.

[ck]

To Bob at 10:38 a.m.: Thank you for your knowledgeable, thoughtful analysis, which points out many of the precise reasons why Obama is such a dangerous potential Democratic nominee. It's tragic that very few who post on this blog are likely to read, much less understand it.

After eight years of Bush’s arrogant, ‘blunderbuss’ policies abroad, much of the rest of the world seems all-too-ready to ‘damn’ America. We don’t need a Democratic candidate whose closest advisors take to the international stage, as Rev. Wright continues to do in furthering his own ambitions, to preach again and again that America somehow deserved the 9-11 terrorist attacks against us and that even God would ‘damn’America for past injustices that our country has made great efforts and progress in trying to redress. We don’t need a candidate who listened approvingly for 20 years as Wright, his pastor and spiritual advisor, preached such divisiveness. We don’t need a candidate who, in furthering his own ambitions, continually, deliberately attempts to make a chasm out of any racial divide that may exist. If Rev. Wright and Tony Rezko (the Arab-born Chicago businessman now under federal indictment for fraud and extortion who, for 17 years, has groomed Obama for the Presidency, contributed hundreds of thousands to his campaigns, and helped him buy expensive Chicago real estate) are representative of the kind of people with whom Obama surrounds himself, God help America if the DC is foolish enough to nominate him.

[Jim Downs]

The liberal media likes to refer to Rev. Wrights's offensive remarks as "snippets," as though they are not central to his philosophy. Fortunately, FOX news and Rush Limbaugh give the "snippets" the proper emphasis they deserve and all in proper perspective. FOX and Limbaugh are not almost the most reliable sources, but they perform a public service by keeping the pressure on CNN and the major networks. As bad as FOX and Limbaugh get at times, they are nothing so vile as MSNBC with Chris Mathews and Keith Olberman.

[first step]

In America there is a difference in Christianity. America is split between a Constantinian form of Christianity. Chistianity under Constantines influence through his conversion to Christianity, which merged with Rome. The other is Prophetic Christianity where one will look and speak on the signs of the times as writing in scripture. I would like to leave this for Rev. Jeremiah Wright, "MY SON, DO NOT MIGHT LIGHT OF THE LORD'S DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERYONE HE ACCEPT AS SON! HEBREW 12:4 - 6

[first step]

In America there is a difference in Christianity. America is split between a Constantinian form of Christianity. Chistianity under Constantines influence through his conversion to Christianity, which merged with Rome. The other is Prophetic Christianity where one will look and speak on the signs of the times as writing in scripture. I would like to leave this for Rev. Jeremiah Wright, "MY SON, DO NOT MIGHT LIGHT OF THE LORD'S DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERYONE HE ACCEPT AS SON! HEBREW 12:4 - 6

[J Thompson]

RE: As political analyst David Gergen summed up on CNN: "I'm sure Rev. Wright has many virtues. Loyalty to his former parishioner is not one of them."

Wow, can you really be that clueless and still be a national commentator?

Rev, Wright's only loyalty is, and must be to Jesus Christ. To be do anything less than that would be unethical, and disloyal to the vows he took when he was ordained.

Oh, and in case you missed that too: ordination, and the vows we take when we are ordained - all of that is offered to God; ordination itself comes from God.

Thank you Mr. Gergen, if you are an example of the level of intelligence and sensitivity to culture that is able to find work on a national level then surely there is hope for every monkey in the zoo.

[Stephanie]

I would like to say that you the media are the ones that keep Rev Wright's comments in the press. To those indiviudals who continue to say that Rev Wright is a racisit. Let me remind you that it was just over 50 years ago that we had Brown vs the Board of Education, and just over 40 years ago that Dr. Martin Luther King had his march on Washington. So racism is still alive and well in the United States even in the 21st Century. Once again a few individuals have taken sound bites out of a speech and blown it way out of context. Before you judge a person sit down and get to know them and their background. For those individuals who are critizing Rev Wright the most, I wonder if you would have been able to walk in shoes for one day and experience the brutal treatment that he and other Afirican Americans have experienced ? They have to a story to tell of how to survey in a bad and probably seemed like a never ending situation. Now you tell me who is the exhibiting racism, because he telling one to stand up for their rights and telling the truth about his experience growing up in America. We must not forget that it was too long agon that African American were marching in the street to gain their Constituion Rights. I would say in closing if Rev Wright is a Racist as he is being protrayed, then why do we need to have the Civil Rights Laws, Why is there a need for the Voters Rights Laws. Could it be that the ones who are screaming the loudest are the racists. But let me remind you that we are all one race the HUMAN RACE BUT WE VARY FROM DIFFERNENT ETHNIC GROUPS.

[Joy]

LOL!!

When did criticizing Wright becomes "attacks on black church"?

Now if Obama is nominated, people will see Dems as either stupid or corrupted.

[Nduka Eke]

Thanks to CNN for airing the whole keynote address. It is most certain that Fox news or ABC would pick a part of it and blow it out of proportion. I am among a host of others that would never take Fox or ABC news seriousely anymore.

[MB]

plans within plans......

...so Hillary is busy making sure Obama gets the nomination and then loses to McCain so she will be the only one around in 2012....

...and now Wright is making sure Obama cannot win this nomination......his is more devious though....you see, if Obama is elected president, whites in this country will consider any debt to black america paid in full. Wright cannot have that. Wright (as well as sharpton et al) make a living off the division and blame. Wright is purposely sabatoging Obama so that he can go on forever blaming the white man.

[TJFRMLA]

"Even the angry comments of Jeremiah Wright have to be read as the bitter complaint of a spurned lover. Like millions of other blacks, Wright was willing to serve the country while suffering rejection. He surrendered his student deferment in 1961, voluntarily joined the Marines and, after a two-year stint, volunteered to become a Navy corpsman. He excelled and became valedictorian, later a cardiopulmonary technician and eventually a member of the President's medical team. Wright cared for Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966 surgery, earning three White House letters of commendation.

Dick Cheney, born in the same year as Wright, received five deferments--four while an undergraduate or graduate student and one as a prospective father. Both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush used their student deferments to remain in college until 1968. Clinton did not serve, and Bush was on active duty in the National Guard for two years. If time in uniform is any measure, Wright, much more than Cheney, Clinton or Bush, embodies Obama's ideal of "Americans [who] have shown their love of country by struggling and sacrificing and risking their lives to bring us that much closer to our founding promise."
Michael Eric Dyson...

[Core Democrat]

Wright wants to make sure that every single person in America hears him! And Obama wants America to believe that he NEVER knew what Wright was really preaching! Well, this proves he knew! And Obama has made plenty of comments on his own! Even Wright says noone says anything bad about his Grandma, but Obama called his Grandmother a "typical white person." Pretty racist comment. Obama is out. And the faster his campaign quits spinning this and Obama accepts this, the faster we can get along with winning in November with Hillary Clinton; who now leads McCain in the General Election by 10 points. Obama must leave the race. He is hurting the Democrat Party. He is the most polarizing candidate ever. He must leave the race. If not, he will take this whole party down with him.

[MrsJones]

After reading this, I fail to see the controversy. The media has taken the 30+ year career of a man, trashed it, and then people expect him to remain quiet or apologize for what he believes?

The majority of people who are choosing to link the words, thoughts and deeds of Rev. Wright to Barack Obama were not going to vote for him anyway, so their opinions matter little.

What is most frustrating are those who continue to be interested only in the inflammatory and are content only knowing pieces of the entire story.

Those who know Rev. Wright, including professors, his 8000+ church members and other ministers (including my own father-in-law) consistently speak highly of him and his works in the community. That should mean much more than the words of those who have never had any personal contact with him.

[deBeer]

On Wright's quote of " is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains. He did not put me in slavery." Why did you leave out this last line? "and he didn’t make me this color."?

[cal]

The only reason Wright is able to get by with this stuff is because he is black and the media is afraid of him. And that sickens me. If I, a white male or a brown or yellow male, were to give a speech to the national press saying that a black child's brain is biologically different than other children, it would take more than Lewie's boys to get me safely out the door. What a seperatist. Wright is another Jim Jones. Probably Obama too. Just no good.

[deBeer]

Do some research on Wright's background. His life and experience are not what either Barry O or Wright would have you believe. Add in Wright now moving into a million dollar home in a gated "white" community. The man is a for profi race baiter Case closed

[hand of God]

These posters Rock...
Posted by: Bob | April 28, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Posted by: Michael | April 28, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Posted by: Po Wiin | April 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Well done!! Excellent points, analysis and questions!!

The Rev. is on his knees to his GOD; power, ego and $$$.
His ranting is ideology not t theology and he will go to Hell for his sins, vanity and pride. His chickens will come home to roost. His chickens are hate, lies, evil, and greed. You have to ask, if he hates whites and the USA so much why he is still here spewing hate and being the victim. GO on and leave Rev. !! Go away for good.

[MissV]

The speech before the National Press Club this morning was a must-hear. His historical knowledge and delivery was captivating. If each family would listen to one entire uninterrupted speech, and cast their guilt and conscience aside, they might learn something.

When I think of the tens of thousands of meals they've served to the poor, the number of children they've helped educate, the job skills given, I'm humbled. It should remind churches that there's plenty of work yet to do. Instead we have more churches being built, more self-appointed 'bishops', more teenage pregnancy and more crime.

Something is missing. It's probably confidence, honesty, prayer, fasting, integrity and guts. And this from a black Republican.

[greeknick]

To Keith and the others who like to trash the Clintons, those "phonies" gave more money, supported and sponsored more programs for the black community than any other sitting President. Check the history.

What do they get for payback? Meaness, nastiness, and ungratefulness from liberals that are supposed to be their friends.

Obama has given dems like me the green light by saying that McCain will be a better than Bush.
As long as Wright keeps guiding the Obama Titanic to the iceberg, decent democrats like myself will either turn to McCain or not vote at all.

[Bob]

Someone who seriously believes "the government," that nice catchphrase of the common conspiracy theorist, deliberately invented AIDS to suppress a portion of it's own population should just give up now and surrender to the loony bin. It's certainly a position that has nothing to do with "the black church" but is instead something that tends to cast doubt on anything else he might have to say.

For Republicans, Wright is the gift that just keeps on giving, an obvious nutbar with mouthings that might sound swell to the farthest reaches of the left wing but is a stunning turnoff to the common, reasonable, American.

And he's Obama's guy. Big, big mistake.

Bob

[Kevin]

The Left has increasingly nurtured a culture of exaggerated accusation and self-righteous condemnation. Now those chickens are coming home to roost. Watching the Left eat itself has become a national sport.

[Patriotic American]

Face it conservatives, if you voted for Bush, YOU helped damage this country. YOU sent our sons and daughters into harms way. YOU destroyed our reputation around the globe. YOU made the world less safe.

Don't try to hide your guilt. Accept your mistake, drop the paranoia, and get on board so we can heal our nation. Please don't put ALL OF US through it again.

[Icantsingbutimyoung]

Wow. His ego is even bigger than Obama's and I didn't think that was possible.

[Windfall]

This buffoon has a lot of nerve professing to speak for “The Black Church”.

He lives in a multi-million dollar mansion in a white, gate-guarded neighborhood and has never worked a day in his life unless you consider ranting and dancing to be work.

Just look at him. The guy is maybe 10 percent black, maybe. I know white guys that spend a little time sailing or at the beach that are darker than Jerry Wright.

Puh-lease. Jerry is a black man wannabe out to prove his street creds by acting like a fool.

What does that say about what Jerry really thinks of black Americans?

[Schigolch]

Obama is finished. Finished, I tell you! FINISHED!

[(The Rev.) Stephen J. Mather]

I find it refreshing to hear someone speak from the heart, with sentences that have clarity, feeling, passion - words that are unsettling but hopeful. Words that aren't carefully cribbed, nuanced, or designed to obfuscate the truth. Which makes me wonder....Is America able to hear the truth about the racial divide that still exists in this country, which we go to great lengths to deny, repress, and ignore. Maybe finally, we will have a schoolmaster who will talk cold turkey to us, and lance the wound of the sore that keeps our country the un-United States.

[Louis Lapides]

The refutation has been made over and over: if you listen to Rev. Wright's sermon in context, you'll see that the media has taken his statements out of context. Well, I listened to his "God damn America" speech, his "Chickens Are Coming Home to Roost" message and yesterday's NAACP message. Whether this man's speeches are "in" context or "out of" context, his words of hatred for America are as clear as a bell.

In his NAACP Rev. Wright tried to build a case for Western European music vs. African/Black music and how the rhythms are different. That's true and that's what makes music so unique and easy to appreciate. Why does he have to turn it into a racially divisive issue? His main point was that "we are different but not deficient." I can grasp that. I am Jewish and Jewish music is different than European music and black music. However, I am able to say that never in the history of Jewish music have we produced a classical genius like Mozart, Beethoven or Bach. Yes, we had Felix Mendelsohn. But can't I recognize the musical ability of my culture without having to mock the talent of another? Look at the tape of Rev. Wright in yesterday's speech when he mimics European music. He's like a schoolboy smirking and mocking classic European rhythm.

This immature but educated man should be ashamed of himself. He's filled with his own racial superiority, and it's not a pretty picture.

Barak Obama should eschew his relationship to his former pastor just based on the simple fact that this reverend is a man not filled with the spirit of Christ but the spirit of man - a man filled with pride and self-love and disdain for others not like himself. When he mentions the name of Christ and uses his pulpit for his anti-American hate speech, I cringe.

Wright speaks about revenge creating more revenge as he quotes the prophets. Well, Rev. Wright 's posture is that he alone will take revenge through his preaching against a country that once enslaved his people and eventually through the sacrifices of human lives (white and black) freed his people. And Rev. Wright's going to do it all by himself until one day he'll realize he himself has ruined Barak Obama's chances to be president of the country his pastor hates!

[Don Casual]

If I were a black American, I would give a hearty "Amen!" to Jeremiah Wright's vindictive derisions of white America. It deserves to face the bitter truth of what it has done to its people of color. For shame!

As a white American, I sense that Reverend Wright deeply relishes the spotlight he now shares with Barak Obama (watch the current video as take note of how much he smiles for his cleverness). This is wrong. He is too clever by half.

Most importantly, I think many of Reverend Wright's remarks are every bit as divisive as the American culture he seeks to reride.

Two wrongs will never make Wright right.

[Rev. Dave]

We are a nation of cowards. And fine cowards we are. McCain will certainly finish the job Bush has started. Oh... and God Bless America.

[memoryaid]

THE BOOK THING WAS A JOKE!!!!

OH MY GOD, you guys are obtuse!

THE GUY IS TRYING TO BE FUNNY!

[RicoSwank]

I, like may others, were quick to dismiss Mr. Wright’s comments. I’ve never wanted to admit it before, but my parents said things in the past that were & still would be considered racist. Racism is present people! It might not be as direct as in the past, but it’s still there. And I’m usually one to dismiss someone even mentioning racism, as if the lack of acknowledging is an automatic delete button. There is no delete button, and we are passing the same incorrect information to our children. Lets learn together!!!!

[memoryaid]

I guess the

WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN

and

DIFFERENT IS NOT DEFICIENT

was lost on a bunch of people here.

pro-black does not equal anti-white.

[lee]

Jeremiah Wright (apparently) believes that the government invented AIDS to infect African Americans.

If you think America is a racist white country, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. But if you make utterly false statements, you should be mocked. Obama supporters quaking in rage about some "republican" conspiracy theories are equally laughable. Can you laugh at George Bush and a stupid pastor at the same time? I think so.

The Clinton camp has been VERY subtle in their attempts to portray Obama as a glorified Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. The GOP will take that route also. Obama's afraid of losing far left vote and fears "he's sold out black people" accusations to denounce Wright outright. Sir, you are losing momentum.

[Anez]

This is not an attack on the Black Church this is an attack on Barak Obama, based on sound bites from Rev Wright. Does the media understand the black church? NO. Does the black church care? NO.

That being said: Rev Wright‘s opinions are his alone. He is not the authority for the black church nor is he the authority for black people. While his so called intention was to defend his words, I believe it was nothing more than his moment on camera. What serious Rev gives a Q-Dog sign after addressing the nation in a press conference? PLEASE !

Rev Wright continues to exhibit poor judgment and timing. He is not helping Barak Obama. Instead he is fueling the fire for Clinton.

Wake up and Shut up Mr. Wright!

[keith]

wow, after all these years of the Democrats and liberals holding hands with the black community and singing kumbaya, it seems that many of them are really unprepared to deal with a viable black candidate and the nitty gritty details of black society - kinda surprising huh? Maybe all that kumbaya was a bunch of BS. Maybe Hillary could propose funding a liberal Washington think tank billion dollar research program to find out if there is a difference between being white or black in Amerika to get to the bottom of what's really going on. Jeremiah Wright, Obama and the black community have nothing to apologize for or disown here.

[Chuck]

Remind me again. What does that have to do with anything? Good-bye Rev. Wright. Your 15 minutes are now over. Thanks for helping our candidate with you explanations.

[GS]

To: forparity

Wow, thanks for bringing Rev. J. Wright's comment about Bill Clinton to light!

That was such an obnoxious and indecent thing to say about Bill's presidency! As eloquent as this man is, he can be just as devious & obscene!

[Cassandra Washington]

"he said that those who reacted only to the sound bites were "stuck on stupid" i agree with him ... and just like his statement that "America's chickens have come home to roost" ... he must know, that what comes from his mouth is what he is! ... and so it goes with those who agree with him!

Enough of this! He is not representative of any black church I have ever been in ... and I have been in many; Dr. O. C. Smith's City of Angels in Los Angeles, T.D. Jakes in Texas, and Creflo Dollar's ministry in Georgia ... none of these great ministers have ever spoken in this way!

[I_Slay_The_Dragon]

"Rev." Dave states "...We are a nation of Cowards..."

Dave, does that include the millions of Men and Women
who have so selflessly served (and currently serve)
our nation?
Then again, My beloved, late Pop, taught me to never
speak disrespectfully of the departed, because they can't
defend themselves, it would be an act of Cowardice.

So Dave, I guess you're right, on at least one count.

[C E]

The whole story is B-O-R-I-N-G and amounts to nothing more than manufactured controversy. The news media needs to do its job, mainly educate and inform, and stop with this inflammatory "infotainment" that passes as news. Can we move on to real issues, please? If McBush is elected, Big Media will share in some of the blame for LAZY JOURNALISM.

[Jerry Martinez]

Mr. Wright, Obama and the "black" churh need to find the God in the Bible and stop preaching the petty self serving god of Mr. Farakan.

[Andrea]

This guy is so full of himself and hate.

[Jerry T]

Wright is not soft pedaling his message. He is not accomodating the apologist for white privilege or media amnesia. But he is honest and truthful.

In a country where one-fifth of the people believe the sun revolves around the sun and is obsessed with what people do with their right to privacy, it is not surpising that the pundits will spin his ripping off the emperor's new clothes as shocking. It make you almost want to be a repugnantcan and support lowering the fuel efficiency standards. I mean my god is blind to hypocrisy, greed, and exploitation that is a part of the dominate culture. We are truly blessed.

[Lynn]

Obviously Wright believes that in courting working white class voters Obama was moving away from his "blackness". He's reminding Obama that he belongs to the "black man" and better not forget it. What a angry, nasty man this guy is. Anybody tired of Black Liberation Theology yet?

[Matt]

In my view Rev Wright is NOT hurting Obama by speaking publicly. Wright had no choice but to defend himself thanks to corporate media stoking the fire over the last several weeks. This proved to help Clinton as we saw in PA. The corporate media played a two part attack on Obama. One being the obvious Obama - Rev Wright association and the other being that Obama 'as a newcomer to the Senate' is not as well known as Clinton and needs to be fully disclosed to Americans. Wright is basically stomping on the fire by allowing all Americans a personal view into his life while diffusing the issue from the Republicans in November. Wright is also becoming human for all those who choose not see him as human (Invisible Man, Ellison). At the same time Wright is providing full disclosure on his thoughts and ideas for everyone to exploit. This means corporate media will have to rewrite the headlines and spin it in a new direction (for better or worse).

[jojoju]

I live in France, and I don't understand why there is a lot of excitation around Rev. Wright.

Question 1.: America is, I guess, a free and democratic country. Rev. Wright if free to say what he believes (true or not)?
Question 2. Is Obama responsible of Rev. Wright speech?
Question 3. Is Rev. Wright an 'alibi' for those who were not Obama supporters?
Question 4. If Obama is not the nominee, will it mean that Rev. Wright is right in the sense that a black can never be elected as a US president?

Your answer will be appreciated. Thanks.

[whemmer]

In my experience there are people who cannot admit that they might have screwed up. This is especially true if they see themselves as a wisdom figure. I'm afraid Rev. Wright is like this. Too bad.
I just wish he'd sit down and shut up.

[Harry Grace]

Now, Don and Andrew, if you would give the same coverage to Pastor Hagee, and his offensive comments, and treat him with the same outrage that you treat Wright, I'll believe then that the media isn't in the tank for the Clinton-McCain campaign and trying to paint Obama as an "angry black man". Let's see you do it.

[JimW]

Obama has to win at least some moderate votes. He cannot be elected by the radical left alone. Wright is destroying Obama's campaign by making him unelectable.

Wright and his supporters will then blame others instead of taking responsibility for his outrageous and destructive speeches.

The real question is: WHY? Why is Wright doing this?

Incredible - and sad.

[D. Nichol]

Storm clouds continue to gather over America.

You guys have been royally duped for the last 8 years (once...ok, but twice?) and still real issues continue to be buried under the rubble of sound bites, diversions and sensational headlines.

America will continue to be a major player in the world order, but Lady Liberty sure is looking tired. Innovation and far sightedness have always been your strong points, but there is nothing innovative about hot button topics overriding common sense, and from this vantage point you seem to be staring at your shoes.

History has marked the rise and fall of many civilizations. The internal mire you seem destined to sink into leaves the rest of us wondering who you'll drag down with you.

[Marty]

People need to quit blaming the media for covering Rev. Wright's speeches and comments. Remember that the reverend is writing a book, and he loves the free publicity he is getting. He will make millions from his book, and I don't believe that he wants the coverage to stop -- only Obama supporters want that.

[Dick R.]

This guy is a total Victocrat !!!
Slavery was 100+ years ago, and I never had or new any slaves. - However it still is common in many Muslim Countries !!
He is another one of the black racists that make a living by trying to convince blacks that the white man is thier problem.
How about 70+% unwed mothers - kids with no fathers - and Wright & his cronies totally ignore it !!
I am very sick of this BS !!!
Perhaps he would have had a much better life if he lived in Zimbabwe !!

[Amy, Honolulu]

Hurrah -- CONTROVERSY OVER!!

So here’s the real story:

The person who was supposed to be dangerously buddy-buddy with Obama just went on a 4 day, high-profile media tour criticizing Obama, angering Obama’s campaign staff.

So Obama isn’t dangerously close to Rev. Wright after all.

Bye-bye, manufactured Washington controversy.

Can we talk now about Clinton’s Cold War style plan for a nuclear umbrella / NATO-style agreement with US allies in the Middle East. How much will it cost? Will it raise tensions in the region? Will it still allow the US to leave Iraq, as Clinton has promised? What do foreign policy experts think about this?

Please, NY Times, enough with the scandal-chasing gotchya games; MORE, MORE, MORE with substantive information and analysis.

You helped lead this country blindly into Iraq only five years ago; I’ll personally be very peeved if you help now to lead the US into an economy crushing, 50 year Cold War with Middle-eastern and African nations, as Hillary Clinton seems to be recommending.

Where are all the supposedly “tough” questions?

[tiray]

Well,well!

Wright's comments ARE hurting Obama.
(because white's collectively are scared to trust ANY black man with power...PROOF.--The MEDIA,chooses to play wright's snippet's OVER & OVER again--MAKIN A POINT EH MEDIA?)--enter the public linching by the debate-controller's...WHOA! So evident!

WHO'S PAYING THIS CLOWN?
the media?...the clinton's?

The power's that be are playin the RACE CARD,because they know that ( GUILT,KARMA?,UNCERTAINTY, FAKE PATRIOTISM,BLANKET JUDGEMENT'S WITHOUT INTELLECT.et.al.--will determine the vote of the white male!)

What a tangled web!
think!

[Shag]

For the last week I'd been emailing back and forth with Roland Martin of CNN. I told him I thought he was defending this clown, Rev. Wright(I am black) and that if Wright continued, he'd single-handedly sink Obama's campaign,
Wright's an egomaniac and is in it for himself, just as Sharpton and Jackson are. He needs to go away and take his segregationist sermons with him. How the hell you gonna practice unity and preach anger and bitterness.

[MartyL]

There should be lots of democrats today gratful to Hillary for NOT withdrawing from the primaries as it's inconceivable that Obabma can now end up being the party's standard bearer after hearing 3 days of Rev. Wright's tirades.

[forparity]

jojoju - Here's a stab.
Question 1.: America is, I guess, a free and democratic country. Rev. Wright if free to say what he believes (true or not)? Absolutely. And others are perfectly free to critque the Rev. Wright for his comments - and Obama and his wife for being a part of that for some 2 decades. One might note that Michele Obama is a very bitter adn angry woman.
Question 2. Is Obama responsible of Rev. Wright speech? Your questions become silly.
Question 3. Is Rev. Wright an 'alibi' for those who were not Obama supporters? Everything works this way in politics - nothing unusual here.
Question 4. If Obama is not the nominee, will it mean that Rev. Wright is right in the sense that a black can never be elected as a US president? Absolutley not. Many of us may have actual concerns with Obama's views, his lack of experience, his limited accomplishments while a senator, and his want to try to sell the entire ship, without any understanding of how to make it work - just exactly what he says he is running against.

[wish]

I find it interesting that racist people seem to get much respect from certain individuals, such as the ones praising Wright on this message board.

As an Alabamian I can draw parallels between Mr. Wright's supporters and those of Mr. George Wallace.

I guess if you ARE racist then these a very great people to you indeed.

[LESHAN O RICHARDSON]

ONE THING THAT IS ALL WAYS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT IN THE MEDIA AND POLITICS CONCERNING RACE IS THE TRUTH. IN ANY CASE: THE TRUTH IS NEVER VIEWED THE SAME BY THE ASSAILANT AND THE VICTIM. PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM SINCE SLAVERY, AND WHITE AMERICA CONTINUES TO TRY TO MASK IT BY A FEW GOOD DEEDS OR ACCOMPLISHMENT OF A FEW BLACK PEOPLE. A PERSON THAT INITIATES AND PERPETUATES HATE CAN NOT TURN AROUND AND JUDGE A PERSON FOR TALKING ABOUT BEING HATED BY THAT INDIVIDUAL. THIS IS HYPOCRISY. JEREMIAH RIGHT IS ONLY SPEAKING TRUTH THAT OBAMA CAN'T SAY. OBAMA, IS IN A CATCH 22, BECAUSE HE IS BLACK; THAT’S WITHOUT ANY CONTROVERSY FROM JEREMIAH WRIGHT!!

[mrinternet]

The Real Story: Should Obama NOW Drop Out of Race Due to Racial Controversy?
OMG - how many out there have serious head injuries???

It's not about Obama conveniently ending his long relationship with Reverend Jeremiah Wright and that ends it and Jeremiah Wright is a bad man and racist and how could he?

It's all about Barack Obama how after 20 years of having a close relationship with Pastor Wright appears to have a dual personality - one of which is a dark hidden side with racial confusion and the convenient use of disposable people. Obama - remember chose Jeremiah Wright and his church. Jeremiah Wright had very little to do with it except to just accept Barack Obama's friendship and now come to find out - hidden agenda.

It is an extreme stretch of anyone's imagination that this Obama – Wright relationship of convenience is all a complete surprise to Obama after 20 years of spiritual mentoring by Wright and Obama naming a book after a close friendship with Jeremiah Wright.

This is all about saving Barack Obama's presidential campaign after the public scrutiny does NOT like what it sees in the Obama racial controversy. This could set back civil rights 40+ years. This is NOT something to be ignored and just explain it away with another grandiose Obama public lecture/speech!!!

This candidate Obama comes highly manufactured and repeatedly groomed after more numerous focus group encounters and fine-tuning than half a dozen candidates combined. Obama may be the most highly tuned candidate, as the result of many, many focus groups – of our time. Obama "SLICK" is the quintessential political consultants dream robo-candidate that is intentionally designed to mislead the public...and he is!!
http://thejunction.net/justfacts/2008/04/28/jeremiah-wright-demands-race-privilege-central-obama-campaign-issues/

NO one - I am convinced can have it both ways. The real discussion should now focus on whether Obama should drop out of the race altogether. This is not Presidental and what the American People deserve or need right now. This Obama racial controversy could set back civil rights 40+ years. This is NOT something to be ignored and just explain it away with a public lecture/speech !!!

Obama had it for twenty years HIS WAY with the racist Wright - now he wants us to completely disregard that - it was different - it didn't happen - we don't understand - we are taking it out of context - we need to move on - it's not important... HS it is very important. It is outrageous!!!!

The American People deserve to know exactly what we are getting into with any Presidential candidate and most rational people I know do NOT like what they see NOW in the Obama - Wright relationship of convenience.

When Michelle Obama wants to move on - that is an indication that they are into campaign damage control and no more and the race for President over-rules personal privacy and ANY relationship of convenience such as Obama- Wright.

Obama is too radical and NOT Presidential - and this comes from a Democrat.

The remaining Democratic primary voters and super delegates can/should act wisely and DENY Obama the White House.