Why Oprah quit Jeremiah Wright's church and Barack Obama didn't

Early in the 1980s rising television star Oprah Winfrey was looking for a local church in Chicago. Not surprisingly, she like many blacks including four years later a community organizer named Barack Obama, was attracted to Trinity United Church of Christ and its dynamic, outspoken pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

That South Side church was THE place for upwardly mobile Windy City blacks to connect and it had an aggressive community outreach program. And attendance continued Winfrey's childhood connection with black churches and their shared sense of community and support.

As The Ticket noted Sunday morning, the same reasons caused other black clergy to steer the young Obama there, saying he'd have more luck connecting with black churches in his urban organizing efforts if he actually belonged to one himself. Obama's friends later added that alighting at Trinity with its forceful male leader was also part of the mixed-race Obama's exploration of his black identity in the absence of his father.

Things went along fine for several years, as Oprah's fame and fortune exploded and as Obama laid the groundwork in local efforts and political connections for his political career.

But something began bothering Winfrey. By the....

...late 1980s, she was an infrequent attendee at Trinity's services and by the early 1990s she had stopped going altogether.

According to a revealing article, headlined "Something Wasn't Wright," in the new Newsweek by Allison Samuels, a major reason was Winfrey's concern with Wright's inflammatory sermons, her association with them through church membership and the potential impact on her widespread popularity.

Samuels' quotes unnamed sources as saying that, Winfrey, now a multi-billionaire, knew her audience was mainstream and while Wright's anger-filled rants may have been familiar to lifelong black churchgoers, they would be nothing close to mainstream in the minds of Winfrey's millions of fans.

Ironically, while Winfrey protected herself against negative associations with Wright, her endorsement of and active campaigning for Obama last year has hurt her popularity, as noted in two recent Ticket items here and the other one here.

Questions have arisen over why Obama as an astute budding politician would have remained in the same church environment for 20 years and when Wright's shocking sermon snippets initially emerged weeks ago deny having heard them.

He clearly was aware of the danger of association with Wright, having disinvited the pastor from giving the public invocation at Obama's campaign announcement in Springfield in February of 2007 because, reportedly, Obama said Wright's sermons could come across as a little "rough."

Yet in his recent speech on race in Philadelphia, Obama said: "As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthens my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children. I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother."

Yet five weeks later after Wright's National Press Club speech and news conference performance, Obama had this to say: "I am outraged by the comments that were made, and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate.

"They offend me, they rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced. And that's what I'm doing very clearly and unequivocally here today."

Tim Russert on "Meet the Press" Sunday asked Obama about defending Wright a full year after he indicated Wright's words could be trouble for his campaign and what he'd learned in the five weeks between his Philadelphia remarks and last week's denunciation of Wright? The same question has been raised by numerous Ticket commenters in recent weeks.

At one point Obama said he was like millions of Americans: "My commitment, as I said, Tim, is to the church, not to a pastor."

Obama also replied:

"Well, you know, previously, there were a bunch of sermons that had been spliced from a collection of sermons for 30 years. And that's not who I thought he was. That's not what I thought defined him. He's somebody who's a Marine, he's somebody who has served
on city colleges boards, somebody who was a respected pillar in the community.

"And so I thought it was important to--for him to explain or at least provide some context for some of the things that he had said previously. But when he came out at the press conference of the National Press Club, not only did he amplify some of those comments and defend them vigorously, but he added to it.

"He put gasoline on the fire. And what that told me was not only was he interested in using this platform to continue to make statements that I fundamentally disagree with and that offend me, but also that he didn't have much regard for the moment that we're in right now here
in the United States where we can't be distracted or engaged in this divisive, hateful language.

"Instead, we've got to bring the country together to solve problems. And, so in that sense, what became apparent to me was he didn't know me as well as I thought he did, and I certainly didn't know him as well as I thought I did. And, and that, you know, was disappointing, but something that I had to clearly speak out about."

The complete Obama transcript is available here. And the full hour video is available here. The parts concerning Wright are in the first 17 minutes.

Does Obama's most recent explanation of his relationship with Wright assuage any concerns you may have had? The comments section below is open.

--Andrew Malcolm

                                                         Photo Credits: AP and Trinity United Church of Christ

Comments

[frank]

I think every Obama fan should ask this question. Are these items we want linked to a future president? I now think what has been said about him is correct (though I did not at the time), "if he were white, he would not even be given a second look" Maybe as Vice-prez, but that is too late now.

[Paul in Ventura]

I feel that there is a major difference between Obama and Rev. Wright. I though Obama handled the Meet the Press interview very well. He was betrayed by his Pastor. I thought of Roman Catholics in parishes where priests had acted in much worse ways. Most of those people remained Roman Catholics.

[mark]

Well, Oprah endorsed Obama so that means she must approve of Rev. Wright and everything he says and ever will say because she knew Obama went to his church and she knew what was being preached there. Isn't that the logic that everyone is using when judging Obama?

Just to clarify, it's a stupid argument to judge someone on an association as benign as being at a gospel church of 8,000 members that does God's work in Chicago just because the Pastor is over the top. If that was a deal breaker very few Americans could get anywhere in life.

[Tom J]

Why can't we put Wright on trial in Salem? The original witch trials were held 1692-1693, but they practiced a form of waterboarding to get witches to confess, so it's not a lot different tfrom today. Do you think the wingnuts would be satisfied with that? John Hagee, Rod Parsley and Pat Robertson could be the judges - I expect they ahve a lot in common with the original Salem judges. Maybe they can get burning at the stake approved as not being cruel and unusual punishment. If this Administration can fire federal judges for political purposes, that shouldn't be a stretch. Who says there hasn't been any progress in the last 300+ years?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials

[Jenna]

Ugh, more grist for the mill? I am a Hillary supporter and even I am sick of all the Rev. Wright stuff. Look we get it. To some this is not a big deal, to others it shows a lack of judgment. At this point there is no more to add. People can make up their own minds about how they feel. We don't need to hear anymore storied to figure out what we think.

[Hillary Fan]

This latest from Obama only reinforces what I've thought all along, that he'll say anything to get ahead. The media have been overly kind and hands-off with Obama and unfairly mean-spirited with Hillary. The Wright controversy is just too blatant even for the media to ignore. In the end Obama may still get the nomination but his true colors have been revealed and he's not to be trusted. Will he re-embrace Wright if he gets to the White House and invoke Christian forgiveness as his reason? I wouldn't be surprised since Obama has been forgiving Wright for his outrageous comments for many, many years.

Hillary in '08!

[Paul Stewart]

I note that you are quoting a third party article with respect to Oprah that is based on quotes and comments from two unnamed and unidentified "sources". Much of what is written in that third party article is implied to be said by these so called sources but that is not clear either if it is. I note that the third party article makes it clear that Oprah would not comment. I guess the purpose of your article is to propagate hearsay? It is doubtful it is the truth. If it is to relay facts, you should first do a little homework before laying this all out here don't you think?

[Dorrett]

We need to get over the Wright drama. Obama did not say those words. His very DNA indicates that he could not share Wright's view. Enough is enough; let us look at the issues facing this nation and the world. Wright's issue is minor to the price of gas and the lies the politicians will tell folks to get elected. Here we have a serious candidate for president who tells us the truth and will bring our troops home and we are jeopardizing this because of some crazy stuff his pastor said. Mark my work; this is going to back fire because people are getting tired of politics as usual and want real change. We are tired of the red & blue divide and the Wright’s drama only continue this divisiveness. Help us bring the country together to solve real issues.

[Vincent DiCarlo]

It's hard to imagine what Senator Obama could say or do to erase the fact that Wright said what he said, Obama knew it, and yet stayed and supported him for many years.

[Nancy]

OK, so Obama explained all about Wright. And he explained it well. I supported him before and I support him still...always will...no matter what the next hit is. Now can we finally put this Wright issue to bed? Thank God MSNBC has the decency to not play the sound while reporting on ths last Wright issue. I applaud them.

[C. Adams]

I don't care about Wright. With the Iraq War, Afghanistan on the brink, Iran, torture, recession, health care crisis, baby boomers retiring, and you are still peddling this story about Wright?

Stop peddling presonality distractions and stick to the issues. What is with the media...we get non-stop coverage about gaffes, haircuts, and guilt by association.

Why don't you cover the military analysts scandal? You know, do some journalism for a change.

[Genevieve Fraser]

Oprah was familiar with the Black church style. She's an AfroAmerican and was raised in the Black community. Barack was raised by his white American mother and grandparents. His father - who abandoned him - was from Africa. He needed to learn what it means to be Black in America. His time at the Wright church was valuable in terms of teaching him about the Black community. His goal is to become a bridge between the two worlds and to heal the racial divide. I pray he gets the opportunity as our future president.

[kerrie madison]

I think that Obama has done an amazing job to handle all that has been thrown at him over these last couple of weeks. Truly, I am impressed...I was leaning toward Hillary, but as we get closer to this primary...I sense that I may very well cast my ballot for Obama. He seems to truly care about honesty and integrity. And if the truth be told...can anyone really know everything about another. I don't know everything about my husband!!!

[Kim]

You judge a person by their actions, not by their words. Mr. and Mrs. Obama's actions clearly show they wanted to have a close relationship with Rev. Wright all the way up until David Axelrod and severl super delegates explained to both of them how it was "inappropriate". The choice of the Obamas to have had a relationship with Rev Wright for over 20 years clearly identifies a poor lack of judgment on both of their parts if they wanted to represent themselves to the rest of the country as agents of change. They didn't change when they should have, they changed when they were forced to. Poor judgement indeed.

[Russ]

Has anyone considered the possibility that it was arranged that Rev Wright purposely repeat his inflammatory remarks at the National Press conference for the sole purpose of allowing Obama to finally and completely denounce him as the political pundits were saying Obama should have done in the first place? Ie, the Reverand fell on his sword for Obama.?

[Suzanne Weaver-Goss]

I believe that Obama joined this church in order to understand the black community that he was working in and for spiritual purposes. Religion is controversial and therefore has no place in our government or our politics. Some of what Wright said is not controversial in the religious setting. We seem to forget that. This is the problem with religion and why it should be separate from politics. I don't like the fact that George Bush has religious leaders advising him in the White House.

[Loren Crow]

I am personally disappointed that Mr. Obama has denounced Dr. Jeremiah Wright's comments. As a white man who has studied James Cone and other important African American thinkers, and who for many years taught Religious Studies at an historically black college, I can attest that Dr. Wright's ideas are not in any way out of the mainstream of African American theology and preaching. They were, to my mind, quite cogent and reasonable, certainly not fundamentally different from what I have heard and read from non-white preachers of many sorts. Indeed, as I watched the National Press Club speech I found myself agreeing more often than not. So then the question is, why has Mr. Obama reacted so strongly to Dr. Wright's statements? The only reason that makes any sense to me is that Mr. Obama is trying to do damage control for his image, namely that he is, as it were, between the races. In general I support Mr. Obama's campaign. But I am disappointed that he has not had the strength of character to tell the truth. The truth is in fact pretty close to what Dr. Wright has said: white Christianity is almost totally ignorant of black Christianity, and generally it is black Christianity (like other third-world Christianity) that is where God does God's best work these days.

[jonah]

You journalists like to use poisonous insinuation to crucify righteous Obama. Does it ever enter your conscience that you are destroying a man who wants to dedicate his life to IMPROVING yours? Clinton found a poison dart in Wright and used it to attack the integrity of Obama through insinuation and association. How stupid America is to buy into the con job offered by Clinton and Clinton's media machine. She owns the media. Do you think Americans can't see though the bullshit lies? We are human beings. We know the real thing, and we know the phony con artist. Obama is the real thing. Knock off the bullshit lies and insinuation. It ain't gonna work, and if it does, guess what America, we will have BLOWN it again just as we did when we re-elected that buffoon who's president right now.

[A J]

Since when does anybody care what somebody's pastor has to say, except when its a black candidate. People who don't live sterilized lives will from time to time have associations that all of America may not approve of. Let's examine the entirety of the associations of Clinton and McCain as well.

[roddy]

Give Barack a break. We all know that Barack was a part of that church because of Michelle. Rev Wright hates America and so does Michelle, but let me remind the voters, she isn't running for president, so let's move on and get over it already.

[Pat Coope]

Absolutely not! Either Obama is stupid or he thinks the American public is worse than stupid. Too late for damage control. He clearly knew and condoned such messages of hate from his pastor of 20 years.

[Dan Bright]

Strange Bed Fellows

How is it that Barack Obama's integrity and values, and potential nomination to run for President is being rattled over concerns of associations with his pastor (which he has addressed forthrightly and denounced unequivocally), while nothing is being said concerning Hillary Clinton's continued marriage and intimate campaign partnership with a man who: 1. had sexual relations outside of his marriage 2. lied under oath to the Congress of the United States, 3. and was impeached! Yikes!

Why hasn't Hillary had to publicly denounce, rebuke, shun, and distance herself from Bill Clinton, and how is it that she has remained a loyal member of his household all these years? What kind of skewed values are we to assume are floating around in that fellowship? If we hold her to the same standard being presented to Barack Obama then are we to assume that she condones acts such as lying to Congress under oath, extra marital affairs, and impeachment proceedings? Unfair comparison, you say? Really?

Surely we would have experienced the Bill Clinton Presidency differently had the Monica Lewinsky thing never happened. The Nation could have focused our attention on the issues and concerns of the moment that truly mattered, while avoiding the debilitating folly of scandal. The same could be said about the current distraction the Obama/Wright non issue is causing to those who have difficulty deciphering the titillating and opportunistic world of tabloid hysteria from pertinent, long term issues of substance and national importance.

[deBeer]

More back tracking from Barry O. Again it is shown that he is just another politician. That being the case, with his lack of experience and judgement how can anyone think he is even remotely qualified to be president?

[James]

The issue for me is this...

Barack Obama did not know for 20 years that Rev. Wright was encouraging hate? That is scary.

Now, 20 years later Barack Obama expects mt to believe that he now gets it? That now when he says that those comments "end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate." - that he just NOW gets that?

Sadly, I once was a supporter. But now, I understand that the campaign of "Hope" is really a campaign of Hate. Just look at the comments section of the blog at his campaign website.

A man that inspires so much hatred (condoned because it is directed at his opponent) is a dangerous role model.

[Harry Kuheim]

Obama it turns out is a gullible educated idiot.

[nj]

Can we PLEASE let this Reverend Wright thing go? The media has shredded it to death. Now we're going to compare Oprah and Obama? Why?

Recent polling indicates that the public is sick of this issue, regardless of the candidate they support.

We've lost more American lives in Iraq this month than back in 2007, and this issue dominates the news? Let's please have respect for our families and the issues that are affecting their lives of their children, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Thank you.

[Maxwell Hunter]

For all the meandering of words from Obama, the only plausible reason that he could give, to the discrepancy between his statement that he "cannot disown" Wright, much as he "cannot disown his white grandmother", was that, if he is not running for office, EVEN IF those Wright sermons were offensive, he implicitly endorses them (or at least would NOT have denounced them). But now that he's talking to non-black mainstream, he SUDDENLY finds Wright's comments and posturing offensive, cuz Wright hurts Obama's own position.

That can only tell me one thing: That Obama cares less about the truth (comments that are truly offensive/devisive), than about HE himself. He truly demonstrates his full ability to be a politician, so I'd tell Obama: STOP PRETENDING TO BE ANOTHER OTHER THAN THAT YOU'RE JUST ANOTHER DIRTY POLITICIAN.

[Don]

Enough already. Oprah leaves after she makes her money and doesn't want to associate with black people anymore since it may hurt her financially. I'm more concerned over the tone Hillary has on Iran. She seems a little unbalanced and pandering for me, Obama is more rational and less a cowboy.

[T. Seium]

Why isn’t the media exposing the inconsistencies of HRC on major issues in the same manner as it is done with Obama and Rev. Wright? The more Hillary speaks, the more what others said about her resonates true. This morning, I heard HRC take the opposite position on the issue of nuclear use in direct contrast with statement of the past.
"There's been no discussion of using nuclear weapons, and that's not a hypothetical that I'm going to discuss," Obama said. When asked whether his answer also applied to the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, he said it did….By the afternoon, Clinton (N.Y.) had responded with an implicit rebuke. "Presidents should be careful at all times in discussing the use and nonuse of nuclear weapons," she said, adding that she would not answer hypothetical questions about the use of nuclear force.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202288.html
"You can think big but remember you shouldn't always say everything you think when you're running for president because it could have consequences across the world and we don't need that right now," said Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/08/sparks-fly-over.html
Do the Clintons think people have short memories? Or is it the reporters that they underestimate.
The materials are there but reporters will not expand.
More related links to show HRC inconsistencies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULxxBz-PAjg&feature=related
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/tim-russert-nails-hillary_n_96419.html
I am not surprised now why Safire called her once a congenital liar and Geffen: “Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it’s troubling.”
She is very lucky now because the media is focusing on trivial issues and the Republicans currently love, defend and promote her...just until primaries are over. What will Republicans do if HRC comes out as the D party nominee? In my opinion, two words: credibility and honesty. And on this front, John McCain will look much better with all his faults.

[Fire]

I do not have a problem with a pastor having strong political views. That is fine if it deals with injustice or racism. In some ways Pastor Wright is correct. The United States of America is an imperfect nation. It was founded by imperfect human beings who were sadly often products of their times and culture. These men had an idea of freedom and equality but they did not yet understand that humanity was far more diverse then their own backyard. Our Constitution is a remarkable work given the attitudes and mindsets of these founders. It build it checks and balances to try to make a more free and equatiable society. What bothers me about Pastor Wright, Reveand Sharpton and others is that they do not see the achievement this was and perhaps still is. Across the world nations struggle to find the basic freedoms that we enjoy. Then men and women who are often the most trusted and respected in their communities rant and rave against the same document and nation that gave birth to that idea of freedom. There is an assumtion that only Africian Americans have ever suffered injustice. That is not true by a long shot. My people once ruled this land but now we share it with those who came here. Whites, blacks, hispanics, Asian, and others. Is it fair to starve in your own lands to have a 50 percent unemployment rate? NO, But the thing is our leaders do not rant from the pulpit and then our political leaders do not deny sitting and listening to said rant. I am willing to concede that it is highly likely that Senator Obama did not hear all the sermons. But admit he heard some and I have greater respect for him. Admit that maybe Pastor Wiright has a valid point or two but perhaps does not express his frustration and anger in a productive way. I not always pleased with my country. Often times I love to shake TPTB and hope some common sense comes out. But, I would never use a holy place to give that rant nor if I was a political leader deny hearing such a thing if I had. My fear is that I can not trust what the Senator says because his stepping back sounds like he is trying to buy points and popularity. My Government teacher in High School said that if you want to run for office in a new place or town go to the biggest church and join there. You get the best free press and meet lots of people who can help you out. Of course you will also get the side benifit of the service but that often is the secondary goal to politions. A part of me wonders if maybe this is not what the Senator did. He reached out to the biggest church and the most connected and then got his foot in the door. Until now it been a good symbionic relationship but ,now he finds he is with a shark who might just eat him. I not certain I like his judgement here. I think I would respect him more if he stayed in his church and perhaps encouraged his paster to seek counseling for the rage he feels. Mistake in our country have happened this is never going to change. We were founded on the innocent blood of millions. The only thing we can now do is make sure that blood buys us a better way. We can learn from their pain and sacrifice and accept that we can stop seeing color. I do not think as this event has clearly shown that we are quite mature enough to see it yet. However perhaps we are at least heading in the correct direction. I think we will eventually grow up. We finally begun to learn to play well with others at least for the most part. In time maybe Dr. King's vision will come completely true and we will be able to see only the content of character in a person and be able to look past religion and color and gender and every other reason we hate each other. Then we can accept the angry words without feeling the need to punish the messanger or his allies.

Respectfully .

Fire

[John Lambert]

I'm an independent, and I'm satisfied with Obama's responses to Wright. Whether or not I decide to support him will be based on his stated positions on the issues I regard as most important.

[David Irby]

Why is this supposed to be such a big deal anyway? I'm a white Catholic retiree who was a union warehouseman, and I wish our good Pope Benedict had not allowed Bush to make a spectacle of him, without speaking out clearly against Bush's unjust and illegal Iraq War, which he rightfully condemned, but that won't make me quit the Church.

And who hasn't heard off the wall stuff from the pulpit. We would all be changing churches (synagogues, mosques, whatever) nearly every week if we reacted to stuff like that.

And why isn't the press going after John McCain over his association with the bigoted “Rev.” John Hagee who calls the Catholic Church something I won't even write here? Or Bush, who said his “God” told him to invade Iraq?

Let's get back to real issues, e.g. ending the Iraq War and the mess the Republicans have made of the economy. Who addresses them best? Barack Obama!

[jennifer]

Would you actually care if they did "assuage my concerns" or would you continue to spin on it anyway? You so-called journalists are so lazy, you don't even research issues that actually help enlighten the american people, on the contrary it seems all you do is help encourage the divisions, paranoia and dumbing-down of America. Maybe you should go spend a few days in Iraq to help you get some perspective on the bigger picture here. Of course, I know the LA TImes hasn't been the most credible paper of late.

[Christopher Wilde]

The comments of Reverend Wright do not bother me, I am not bothered that Barack sat in his church. I would be more bothered if he didn't. I understand what it means to sit between races and wonder where you belong. If you have ever straddled the fence between two dispirit groups, two races, rich and poor, healthy and sick, good looking or homely you have a sense of what it means.

You can read my full post on this here:
http://futureosophy.blogspot.com/2008/04/equality-to-self-criticize.html

[kevin]

.

.
.

.
............yawn !
.
.

... so, I never planned to vote for the pastor!
.
.
.

I'm voting for the best of the three: Barack Obama

[John]

Obama's rationale is the opposite of many Catholics like myself. We may disagree with some of the rules of the church as put forth by the Pope and the Vatican in Rome, (no birth control, no divorce), but we have confidence in our local parishes. It is the relationship to our faith on a local level that gives it strength and meaning. Our family, unlike the Obamas, chose our church by the tenor and content of the sermons and services.

[Steve]

What changed is not Wright. Now that Obama has sufficiently used Wright to make powerful Black contacts and secure the Black vote, Obama does not need him anymore, and he figures it's better to appear to "agree" with public opinion, particularly those offended by the racism, who Obama is not catering too.

If you read Obama's books and listen to Rev. Wright the same bitterness is evident in both men. Obama is bitter and hateful himself and loved Wrights extremism. Now he feels it's politically correct to denounce him, in order to pander to voters.

Seems Wright helped prop up Obama's career and now that he does not need him anymore, Obama is throwing him under the bus. Obama's not a sincere and loyal person. i'm not impressed with his character -- to say the least.

I hope Hillary can pull off a win. Obama could be worse than Bush. He's a wild card, and does not handle crisis well and seems an opportunist without much moral fiber. I like Wright better than Obama, at least he's passionate. Obama seems to have no soul and his entire platform feels like an acting job, and not real or sincere.

[Harry Grace]

You guys should just change the title of this blog to "The Obama-Wright Blog" because that's all you two seem capable of talking about, long after the rest of America has moved on (see new NYTimes/CBS poll). But, like the Clinton-McCain camp, you're going to ram this down our throats. Talk about out of touch.

[John]

A white man in Montana, I had very little concern for the views and belief's of Senator Obama's pastor at the time I heard the comments, and then again when Wright reemerged.

Following Senator Obama in dealing with the public uproar, I have even less concerns with Wright than I did before. If anything, it has probably strengthened my view that Senator Obama is a leader with the right temperament and level-headed thinking that this nation needs in a time of global peril.

[Steve]

What changed is not Wright. Now that Obama has sufficiently used Wright to make powerful Black contacts and secure the Black vote, Obama does not need him anymore, and he figures it's better to appear to "agree" with public opinion, particularly those offended by the racism, who Obama is not catering too.

If you read Obama's books and listen to Rev. Wright the same bitterness is evident in both men. Obama is bitter and hateful himself and loved Wrights extremism. Now he feels it's politically correct to denounce him, in order to pander to voters.

Seems Wright helped prop up Obama's career and now that he does not need him anymore, Obama is throwing him under the bus. Obama's not a sincere and loyal person. i'm not impressed with his character -- to say the least.

I hope Hillary can pull off a win. Obama could be worse than Bush. He's a wild card, and does not handle crisis well and seems an opportunist without much moral fiber. I like Wright better than Obama, at least he's passionate. Obama seems to have no soul and his entire platform feels like an acting job, and not real or sincere.

[Willie Graham]

I have taken a break from reading the papers, and looking at much television. So after a week of beeing away I come back and where still talking about Mr. Wright, I am wondering if the news paper industry is really in such bad shape ? I am still trying to figure out who I am voting for, and this is not news worthy, I could careless.

Willie

[Joe]

Give it a rest...........

[Mark]

I'm heartened by Mr. Obama's very-late-in-the-day realization that the Rev. Wright preached divisive, racist, humbug. Barrack now says, "evidently I didn't know him as well as I'd thought."
It will take time for the American people to decide whether we know Mr. Obama as well as we'd thought. He's an inspiring speaker. But, he sat in the pew for 20 years listening to the Rev. Wright.
Is his move to distance himself now, a true realization that associating with and failing to denounce hate mongers - whether or not they are part of his political support system and whether or not they are Black - is wrong? Or, is this just an election year move to be politically acceptable to blue-collar whites, as the Reverend, himself postulated?
In time we will know ... four years or eight. But not yet. Until he's better tested, Obama shouldn't be elected as the leader of our nation.

[fandfeboris]

I always thought Obama was a pretty sharp person. Maybe like he said earlier I didn't know him like I thought I did. He sat in church for 20 years and, apparently, he didn't have a clue what Wright was talking about. Or if he did get the "message" he agreed with it. He certainly didn't distance himself from the good reverend for twenty years, Rev Wright was right there when Obama was married, and even baptized his children. I think it is a little too late to put Rev. Wright on the back burner. You are already guilty by association

[Luke Wilbur]

I am just wondering why you have not covered that Senator Clinton's pastor supports Rev. Wright.

[Sage]

Obama's explanation is right on. The news media has found 3 or 4 inflammatory sermons from Wright, which means he went a little too crazy on four separate occasions. It's completely believable that Obama missed those four sermons, hell he probably missed dozens or hundreds of sermons.

I'm sure Wright got "rough" in his sermons just by showing his anger over past segregation, and playing up the old school angry black preacher act. When Wright went to the Press Club and refused to apologize for some of his dumb comments, Obama had no choice but to cut ties with him. Wright should have apologized, but he didn't, so Obama had to let him go.

I think Obama showed a lot of class trying to give Wright a second chance, and Wright blew it.

[Otis Page]

Obama has presented himself since his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech as a leader who can unite America across the political and racial divides. Obama's long association with minister Wright contradicts this assertion.

While invoking God and Black Theology in the pulpit, Wright says the federal government manufactured the AIDS virus to kill black people, celebrates Louis Farrakhan as a great man, and likens American soldiers to terrorists. While Obama has admonished Wright for these comments he definitely tolerated them for a long time.

This suggests if not proves Obama is a divider and not a uniter. Obama’s association with Wright has unintentionally but effectively employed the "race card". Why? Ninety eight percent (98%) of blacks in Pennsylvania voted for Obama, a statistic that is believed to be repeated nation-wide! This is an exemplification of racial politics that along with Black Theology is expressively anti-white!

Does Obama admonish blacks to be objective in their voting? Has he specifically admonished Wright for his politically motivated anti-white diatribes.? Absolutely not. Obama relishes the dedicated black vote. Are Democrats serious that this man should be their nominee for president? Obama has probably ruined Hillary's once certain election to be the next Democratic president. Way to go, Obama!

[emeka o]

pastors are not political experts they are spiritual leaders who submit like their congretion to the authority of the bible and it is mischeivous for anyone in modern day America that we admire so much to judge a man's political inclinations by that of his pastor and even more ridiculous to Assume that the next president of america should be a perfect clone of a Pastor.

[diana]

Why is Hillary's 15-year membership in the Family rarely mentioned? An expose will be published on May 20 (see last link), but the MSM doesn't seem interested.

http://blackcommentator.com/271/271_col_clinton_repudiate_ties_christian_right.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-g-brant/say-hillary-what-about-t_b_93435.html
http//www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.htmlcom/doc/20080331/ehrenreich
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060559799?ie=UTF8&tag=blackcommenta-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0060559799

[Lasith]

I have no concerns prior but I would like a full expose on the last time Hillary and McCain went to church and what the pastor talked about. It is my understanding that they go only for photo opportunities, and is McCain a Catholic, because the catholic vote is definitely going to know longer be in Hillary's sails anymore. I am only half-heartedly kidding. I think we should judge the man's politics by his actual political work and his church experience with his knowledge of the gospel and good works which in my opinion has been excellent. But I guess talking about the economy or Iraq is boring so keep up the spice!

[Ron Green]

He says hes disowned his comments and does not agree with him. Thats good enough for me. Others will have to decide on their own.

[Moishe T]

Enough already. Haven't we had our fill of hot news from "an unnamed source" from the Bushies? But to fail to quote her directly as to why Oprah abandoned Wright and trot out the phantom "source" as authority.....is almost a bad as this article's failure to tell us at all as to why Obama didn't leave sooner.
Of course Oprah lost some ratings after she endorsed Obama. Fer chrissake her show plays greatly to women, some of whom must have been Clinton supporters, and were miffed.
In my view this is another lame, obviously Clinton backed missive designed to perpetuate Wright in the media...like a hand puppet.

[Steve Rodriguez]

Obama has never accomplished anything in his political career. Are we going to let him try, at the risk of our country? I say h--- no!

[Sir Topham Hat]

(I'm not faulting your story -- only the subject matter.) This is exciting as hearing about Britney Spears' child custody battles. If Wright were the one actutally running for president, now *that *would be a story for the ages ...

[Sam]

What Obama does and says is called Opportunism. And shortsightedness. Naive, he was hoping that pastor would come to his rescue and stay quiet, instead of pushing along his own divisive black agenda. Mike Huckabee is right: Wright needs Obama to lose to reinforce the fears that white people have about blacks, and that black people have about whites. Unfortunately, its looking more and more like he will get what he wants.

[Paul Frank]

Oprah quit the church because she's a businesswoman (actually a business conglomerate) first and last. Obama stayed in his church because he is a human being first and last and because he loved, and continues to love, his church community and their commitment to the poor in Chicago and beyond. The politically expedient thing for him to do would have been to throw his pastor under the proverbial bus the minute he became a political liability. He didn't because he is a decent and a courageous human being. In his eloquent speech in Philadelphia, Obama criticized Wright’s most incendiary comments without betraying the man he’d come to love and respect despite serious political disagreements. Obama’s answers to Russet yesterday were exceedingly intelligent, honest, and to the point.

[Mr]

The problem is not what Obama's religious associations might be or have been, because he has handled the issue. The problem is the controversy itself and the media's obsession: Sure it's important during a critical election for the public to scrutinize their prospective representative and leader. But the issue goes far beyond that. People are fundamentally afraid and anxious of anything that they can't fit into a tight little box, a concise explanation with no grey areas. But the world is full of grey, nebulous and difficult to define situations. Everybody's fantasizing about what Obama's past association with Wright might say about his character, mainly because it's related to an experience which, to many of them, is foreign: being black in America (as it is to myself). How foolish that we should make our decisions based on some imaginary, anxious conjecture, rather than on what the man actually says and does, and what his demeanor clearly demonstrates.

[cheryl]

I don't see the point in blasting the man for reminding Americans of the history of the US and its consequences. Did you forget the lyncings in the South, Jim Crow, discrimination. What else can he and I name that is written in the books of life for all of us. What do you expect from a man that defended his country only to be treated as a second-class citizen with few rights. How would you feel? Did your family have a person that was misreated by the society they are sent to protect and serve? Lest we forget he is a Black man, not biracial, triracial or un-racial. People get a grip on reality. I've heard worse rhetoric from Imus, Falwell, and a few other famous or not so famous So-called evangelist and leaders of the caucasian persuasion. Besides, Oprah depends on the mainstream, remember how she became a billionare. It wasn't from the black community.

[Steven]

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright shows how our definition of racisim changes over time. While there may have been a time when his fired up, rough sermons were fashionable, they are now a stereotype of something that is wrong within the black community. I like Obama. I like Oprah. I think they represent moderation and mainstream America. I do think that Obama hanging on so long shows that he can be overly loyal to someone. I hope he can come out and say that he's learned a lesson that he won't make it again. We've had a President for eight years who has repeatedly chosen loyalties to bad advisers over acting on his own reason and his gut. If President Bush had to part with a Rev. Jeremiah Wright before the 2000 election, then would we be so terribly screwed as we are right now?

[Elliott]

I am getting really tired of this created issue.

Yes, Reverend Wright has made controversial remarks but focusing on him will not help Americans who can't afford health care, it will not bring our troops home from Iraq, it will not provide healthcare to the 40 million plus who are uninsured.

Much like the NY Daily News had the guys to end their coverage of Paris HIlton, I'd like to see Top of the Ticket put this distraction to bed. It's time to focus on things that matter.

[Substance]

"...late 1980s, she was an infrequent attendee at Trinity's services, and by the early 1990s she had stopped going altogether."

Even without the suggestion in this article, Americans knows Oprah has good jusgement and after her initial campaign help for Obama, she even distant herself from Obama - this is what Americans call Good Judgement.

While Oprah can sense the danger and do the right things, Obama is a total opposite and a total failure in judgement. Why is he behave that way? The answer is simply, his egotism. He still believe he can turn things around by making another speech, doesn't matter substance or credibility. In his mind, Americans is easily fooled - just make them (Americans) guity and tell them what they like to hear. Afterall, he got a blind army to vote for him eventhough he behaved like a crown just like he did in Rev Wright's flip-flops.

[Millicent Blair]

The Presidency of The United States is one of the Highest offices in the world--

If people have any doubts-it is important to continue to get answers-as well as to continue to ask questions of the contenders-

Beautiful oritory is not enough--the Substance must be there! If change is promised-one must ask What Changes -- Jack Kennedy and Ronald Reagon both graciously answered all questions-

This is a most difficult time in our history- Contenders for the presidency of our country must stand the test!

That is not too much to ask!

[HigherMinds]

For me the central issue is Sen. Obama's repetitive lying and "back-pedaling" when confronted with the Wright controversy. He was given multiple opportunities to tell the truth and he didn't. I am disappointed that the media has ignored this point and have only pursued the "sensationalism" of Obama's pastor's/mentor's viewpoints.

It seems impossible for anyone to know just how much of Wright's ideology is shared by Obama and the fact that Obama continues to tell politically expedient lies, makes it more impossible to make any determination.

While I don't believe any of the candidates are above telling politically expedient lies, it is only Obama who is trying to sell himself as being a "cut above" in the honesty and integrity categories, but his actions do not support the characterization.

It is far from clear to me what kind of change Obama can bring to "politics as usual" since his behavior has definitely been demonstrative of the same old song and dance we've seen in every other politician.

[Al Austin]

I'm a pledged Clinton delegate, and I think Senator Obama is handling this Wright situation as well as it can be handled. The popular media should stop giving a platform to Wright and others with ignorant and hateful views. I support free speech, and responsible and objective media. At this point who cares about what the reverend thinks or believes. Perhaps Wright has been compromised by the other right.

[frantz vidal]

What is a president of the USA supposed to do when he is elected?
He runs the country, right? He deals with the issues in america, and outside of America. He takes care of its people, its economy, security, growth.
You would expect a president to be "patriotic" by default, and they all have been, they were not all good, or right, but they were all patriotic.
So what is all this fuss about patriotism?
He is not wearing a flag pin, he is or was friend with so and so, 62% think that he may not be as patriotic as blah blah blah.
Come on people, try to look deeper in the candidates, and not only what is being fed through the TV.
Read more than one newspaper, and learn how to read between the lines.
Make your own judgment, and don't forget to vote.
Enough of the gossip, this is your future, register, and speak out.
Cling to your voting right.

hu!...

[DRB]

Who cares about Wright? He's a smart guy, but histrionic as so many pastors are.

Let us examine Hillary vs Obama on the issue of leadership.

Let me first say I teach leadership for a living. I am not from the United States, and I do not have a vote, and have no political affiliation.

But I know a transcendent great leader when I see one.

Daniel Goleman (of Emotional Intelligence fame) had written a book many years ago called, "Primal Leadership", where he describes the quality of a transformational leader - one who can make a truly positive change. Here is a quote from the book,
"The fundamental task of leaders... is to prime good feeling in those they lead. That occurs when a leader creates resonance a reservoir of positivity that unleashes the best in people. At its root, then, the primal job of leadership is emotional"

A great leader leads i.e. inspires talented people and motivates them around a common purpose.

Hillary would like you to believe that a great leader is someone who can list out policy point after policy point. That's a great manager not a great leader.

A US president has at his disposal any number of smart intelligent people. But only an inspirational leader can rally around people - in Congress, and the public - to get things done.

Obama is the most talented leader I have seen and it will be a shame if America is not ready for him.

[chris]

it is impossible for obama to win in November.....

[Marks]

Rev. Wright's celebrity will never cease long as media keep writing articles about him.

The only thing that can settle fascination with Wright is knowing how often Obama was at Trinity Church to hear those rants and raves.

Once a month, twice a month, every Sunday of how many months during 20 years. Did his young daughters have to sit through screeching preaching by Rev. Wright? It was noisy for children!

Did Obama go to 30 minute Christian service with a 300 member choir Trinity Church has, like most people experience? The sermons were said in a calm voice and reflective of concerned issues?

How many different Sunday services did Trinity offer? 4 or 5 from 7:00 am to 1:00? Was Wright screaming at every service on Sundays or just one?

Obama's could have skipped many of Wright's ranting sermons and still gone to Church!

Were Rev. Wright's rants always about sins of the Federal government or some international thing that occurred he felt angry about? He screamed and yelled all the time?

Obama legislative actions don't go with Rev. Wright's ranting. Obama watched the very political Rev. still do good things in that Chicago community.

Very calm and only spiritual acting, Rev. Wright, married the Obama's and baptized his two daughters in separate years.

It wasn't up to Obama controlling Rev. Wright's good standing as a Pastor. When 8,000 members belong to the same church as he, what was harmful?

Oprah's actions and reasons for leaving Trinity Church don't have to equal how Obama felt.

Rev. Wright is not at the Jerry Falwell level of success for the national media to keep focus on him. Not a well known influencer like former Christian Coalition executive Ralph Reed.

Access to President after receiving the honor to run this country is more importance!

Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed had the highest Bush White House access and influence there is questionable.

Falwell had his weird rants about culture.

"God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve."

Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, to which Rev. Pat Robertson agreed.

Quoted from John F Harris, "God Gave US 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says," The Washington Post (September 14, 2001)

Ralph Reed in 1981 interned in D.C. with Jack Abramoff. Both worked for College Republicans some kind of company.

Reed introduced Abramoff to the female who became his wife.

Abramoff over the decades became a corrupt Republican lobbyist committing money laundering, influence peddling and illegal wire transfers to Republican appointments. He corrupted the Interior Department and some Senators.

Abramoff had a business partner who participated in a murder for profit.

Abramoff had 200 contacts in 10 months at the Bush White House in 2001.

Ralph Reed was special to Karl Rove. Rove kept getting Ralph Reed jobs at Microsoft, Enron, wherever.

For a time, Ralph Reed could call Bush directly. From before 2000 to 2004 at least.

No media is harming Ralph Reed today and they should be. Reed got money from Abramoff's crimes.

"Reed is a bad version of us! No more money for him." - Jack Abramoff to Michael Scanlon from an email message dated January 4, 2002.

Michael Scanlon plead guilty conspiring to bribe a member of Congress and other public officials.

Ralph Reed is more "evil" in his Republican ideology than Rev. Wright's blather that Federal Government created AIDS.

In other words, Rev. Wright is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. There are other more important and real issues than Wright to write articles about.

[A. Bostonian]

The Democrats are doing with Obama what they have done since 2000.

They are rallying behind a candidate who can't win.

It is ironic that so many Democrats vehemently oppose Hillary Clinton, perhaps the only candidate who could beat John McCain next fall.

Obama supporters will be hoping for change until they are blue in the face. Meanwhile, the McCains will be moving into the White House.

[Millicent Blair]

Another Parson explained what Obama saw in Rev. Wright-- Obama Grew up in a white family and missed his father--
Wright became a 'father figure" -- someone who married him and Michelle and baptised their children--
That is pretty powerful!

It must have been a blow to Obama to realize Wright didn't care one bit about him-- It was a Loss-
Now he must navigate Without a father figure!

He is a wonderful husband to Michelle-and father to his children--
Whether he can run our country, has to be evaluated separately from his relationship to Wright--

Often when things get tough--the tough get going!

So let us assess the data from now on!

[mtlyorel]

Michael Moore is right. Oprah should be president. She has shown more good judgement and political acumen than 5 Obamas put together.

Although I do not like Wright from the picture painted by the press, I do believe that Wright has the absolute right to defend himself from becoming a victim of convenience for Obama.

Obama aligned with Wright for political expediency and he should at least be honest enough to admit that instead of making up asinine excuses as 'going to his church for religious guidance', 'looking to Wright as a father figure', and 'discovering his identity' at Wright's church. No voter believes this bull. He is a total hypocrite who is a most typical politician.

[frantz vidal]

Listen to the comment by DRB. He is so right!

[janet]

Oprah, a woman with no college education, totally self-made and the product of abuse, knows her audience and the "middle America" which constitute it, a lot better than the guy who wants to be President. That he should never have realized HOW offensive Wright's sermons would be -- they're no different what what Osama Bin Laden said to justify blowing up the World Trade Towers -- shows he's too naive to represent the people. His comments about bitter, gun-toting xenophobes was another reflection of that.

Sure, there are lots of ignorant racists and conspiracy theoritsts like Wright in the black community, but a pastor should be setting his flock straight, not leading them down the blind alleys of darkness and hatred. And Obama should NOT have taken his kids to listen to this man for all those years, just because there was some political and social expediency in networking at that huge church.

Obama should have denouced Wright off the bat, as Hillary did anti-Semites or racists she's been supported by, even more tangentially. Geraldine Ferraro made one comment that was arguably true and certainly not racist, and her distinguished career was thrown under the bus, yet Obama AND his followers made endless excuses for WRight's really outrageous comments for months, until WRight himself was "offended" by the lack of all-out support for his views and put his foot in it too deeply for Obama to continue to ignore.

Obama's willingness to equate Wright with his white grandmother who raised and loved him, and may only have shown some fear of blacks but never ran around denouncing them weekly to thousands, showed a lack of loyalty. His giving it to Wright instead was misguided and showed poor judgment.

I'm also offended by Obama denying that he'd heard or even known about Wright's anti-American,racist, ignorant sermons (like blaming AIDS on the government) -- Oprah and everyone else knew right away. He's just lying, and that's perhaps the worst failure of all

[Benjamin]

mtlyorel wrote "Obama aligned with Wright for political expediency and he should at least be honest enough to admit that instead of making up asinine excuses as 'going to his church for religious guidance', 'looking to Wright as a father figure', and 'discovering his identity' at Wright's church. No voter believes this bull."

Right, because most people go to churches for 20 years for reasons of political expediency, not for religious guidance, who does Obama think he's trying to kid?

Do you people claiming this really believe it? Talk about asinine. I've done things for political expediency in my own life, but nothing that spanned a whole year, let alone two decades. If he's able to stay in one church in the name of political expediency for two decades, the man has stones made of granite and deserves the presidency.

As a Libertarian Ron Paul supporter, one thing I'm enjoying about the tear down of Obama is that the mainstream democrats have shown that they are as media conditioned as the republicans. Rev. Write is not running for president, Obama is. I doubt you'll find a single person flinging poo at Obama over this right now who agrees with everything their pastor says and if you do find one, I guarantee you they won't be presidential material. While the republicrat Hillary has dragged the democratic primary into the sewer for her own selfish amibition with all the tricks that GW's 2000 campaign pulled on McCain, the economy teeters on the brink of catastrophe, the war continues with no end in sight, spending is out of control, the world is facing a food shortage, and the democrats want to vote for Hillary because Obama's pastor isn't presidential material.

One day you guys are going to be sorry you didn't get wise to the way you're being manipulated through your fears and prejudices. Not that Obama is capable of fixing what's wrong, I don't think anyone but Ron Paul does out of the two big party's candidates, but Obama seems to be the only one out of the "big three" who wanted to change the tone American politics to bring intelligent discourse back into the mainstream. Instead, the mainstream wants gimmicks like gas tax holidays and candidates who fantasize about being under fire.

[Ronald]

AMERICANS; OBAMA'S DNA IS WHITE AND BLACK!!!!
HIS MOTHER WAS WHITE, AND WAS RAISED AND GIVEN EVRYTHING IN LIFE BY HIS WHITE GRAND PARENTS.....WHAT ON EARTH MAKES PEOPLE THINK THAT OBAMA HAS THE SAME VIEWS OF WHITES( HIMSELF!) AS REV RIGHT HOLDS???????????????????????????
AND WHO DID REV JW QUOTE ABOUT THE 'CHICKENS'?? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, GET OVER THIS CRAZY STUFF AND GIVE AMERICA AND THE WORLD A BETTER PRESIDENT GO OBAMA!!!

[Hylas]

This is a non-story, non-issue and lazy journalism. Wright doesn't speak for Obama. Obama doesn't control Wright. This is America. People can say what they want (though not if Bush stuck around for much longer). I support Hillary but I think Barack has answered these questions with grace, dignity & thoughtfulness. The press can't let racism die. It's easier than reporting on the issues.

[dx]

The hype over Rev. Wright's comments and the double standard being applied to Obama as well as Rev. Wright proves Rev. Wright's point; so he says the truth and most cannot accept the honest criticism. A man goes to a church because he believes in God and that's where he goes to pray. It's that simple. God is beyond patriotism ,White racist supremacy and economic greed that causes poverty , so it is appropriate to acknowledge these sins of the USA.

[swissfish]

I am from Switzerland, although I am not American hater; but after 2003; after Irak war decided not to visit USA nor buy any US products.
This is not the mind set of one person; try to talk to people out side US.
America is a great country, land of opportunity; and the land which has potential to bring whole world together as a single democratic nation.
Since couple of decades you have presidents who lie for their cause... who were/are selfish... real politicians than humans...
See how bad the US economy is, see how the people are suffering in war zones, see how other people from other nations think about America.
Its really sad; how a nation could fall this much down; because of the politicians and their selfish policies

What makes a good president?? Did you ever had a second thought???

- is your new presindent :
young and energetic to bring the whole world together..
think logically and judge the things in the right way and time..
wise enough to create a dream team around with best people for their job..
is a human than politician..
Change the world Indiana!!

[Walter L. Johnson]

I think very few Americans actually agree with everything their pastor says. I know I don't, but I don't change attendance habits over who the current pastor is. People pick a church for a lot of reasons, even within the same face.

Some like the drama or other aspects of the actual services. Some like the geographic convenience. Some like to keep associating after services with other members they have known for a long time. My wife and I socialize with other members after our Church services, and that is usually the only time we see those people. That is a big reason why we still attend there. Some pick a church because of the convenience of when the services are. I picked our current Church location that way. It offered the latest Sunday services. We have stayed with that same Church through three pastors, not all of which were worthwhile, even though they moved their late service from Sunday to Saturday. Some join because enough seats are available to guarantee not standing. Some just like the seats or the ambiance of their church. That is why my sons insisted we stay with that church since the building reminded them of where they grew up. (I had wanted to change when the Sunday evening service ended to a church with the latest morning service (in the same denomination.) People pick churches for all kinds of reasons and often stay mostly out of habit. People even change religious denominations, but not as easily as churches.

There is no "Black" Church. Obama's church belongs to a well established, multi-ethnic denomination. What most people think of as a "Black" Church has a style of preaching and especially a style of music and perhaps even dance. that gives it a certain flavor.

The one question I would have is if Obama actually attended the Church every Sunday. Given that he now lives in Washington, D. C. it seems like a long commute. If he wasn't regularly attending the church in Illinois, what reason would he have to change churches? It would have merely become an alternative place of worship to where he attends in Washington, D. C. By staying in the same church, he guaranteed himself a friendly place to visit when in town, rather than becoming a celebrity at another church.

The only thing that should matter is what Obama has stood for in his mature adult life (post 25) and that is tolerance and reconciliation. No one besides he can speak for him. All even a spokesman can really do is follow the candidate's instructions. Rev. Wright wasn't even part of Obama's national campaign, so why did anyone pay any attention to anything he said? This whole story has been a mountain in a mole hill.

If your story shows anything it is that Oprah made the decision to leave her church under implicit duress--the fear it might impact her TV popularity. That is not a moral reason to change churches, but a business decision. I instead admire Obama for sticking with his church in spite of political considerations. The church rewarded that loyalty by removing Rev. Wright as the pastor. I suspect the Rev. has since becomes so controversial primarily for self-serving reasons, the desire to make a lot of money giving speeches.

[eliana]

Jeremiah Wright isn't the only old black man to stick a knife in Barack Obama's back, he's just the most recent. Whether it's former UN Ambassador (and Clinton supporter) Andrew Young saying that he'd like to see Obama become president in 2016, or BET founder Robert Johnson calling the Senator a drug dealer, it's clear that black men of a certain age are albatrosses around Obama's neck. Even his supporters do more harm than good. Al Sharpton accused him of grandstanding in front of white people. And Louis Farrakhan and Jesse Jackson did their damage the old fashioned way, via endorsement. Louis should know better, but Jesse?
http://www.236.com/news/2008/05/01/inappropriate_hottie_rundown_o_6224.php

[ibmama2]

There are millions of people in churches, synagogues and mosques in this country who remain even if they don't agree with everything the clergy utters.

This is a non-issue and even polls seem to agree. The real dangers in this country are a war we don't want or need, erosion of civil rights, education, crumbling infrastructure, balance of payments, job loss, poverty, corporate welfare, access to health care, and onward. This is a media-powered distraction.

[Robert Walcott]

Oprah realized that Wright was a complete fool. Apparently Obama understood nothing!!

[Kiki]

Obama showed very poor judgement in continuing to go to that church after those 9/11 comments.
His speeches re: Rev. Wright were at first very mild (along with trashing his 85 yo grandmother who raised him
and very unfair to her) and his recent ones are seen as political damage control.
He says he didn't hear those inflammatory sermons - you know what - I don't believe him.
He can't fool me and I'm not voting for him. Not in the primary and not in the general election.
If he really wanted unity for all Americans, he would have told that preacher off, left the church long ago.
I don't know what his game is but it is not unity. He's a liar.

[John S.]

Had enough of Obama and his double speak yet? If you need to know what Obama thinks hold your finger up to see which way the wind is blowing. He insulted many people with the way he handled the Rev. Wright mess. Now he and those who still think he is credible want to believe Obama will bring the country together. Really? Which way will the political winds be blowing then? Sorry but I expect more from my elected officials than what Obama is "promising."

I saw a major red flag yesterday while listening to Obama's public speeches and appearances yesterday, he claimed to speak the "truth." Bush said Iraq was buying "yellowcake" and had weapons of mass destruction so we had to go to war, at least he didn't say that was the truth. Anytime a politician claims to be telling the truth you need to clear your head if it sounds too good to be true you can pretty much bet the farm he is telling you anything but the truth. Time to send this political chameleon back to Hawaii where he had such a terrible, horrible upbringing. If you believe that one I've got a plan to get us out of the war, er uh, insurance plan for everyone, uh, Hope and Change...yeah...that's the ticket!

[jim aaron]

I think most of you folks have never heard a full Wright rant, go to YOUTUBE and type in God Damn America and trying listening to 4 minutes of of this hate and anger. Obama gave Rev. Wright about $20,000 a year and he knew full well what the Rev. preached, Obama said in 2002 or 2003 that he went to church most Sundays at the 11:00 AM Service. You can see why Michelle Obama said "America is a mean place in 2008",

[Hans Iken]

I think the fact that Obama knows Wright, went to the church he preaches in, has nothing to do with his ability to be the president the USA needs now.

The way people are preoccupied with this non-issue is amazing. I would almost think this is an orchestrated campaign to deprive the USA of the candidate that appears the best for the job from the remaining candidates.

In my opinion the most important qualifications for the arguably most stressful job in the world are: composure, intellect, charisma, education and personal integrity.

Note that guilt by association is very much absent on the list. Besides, if this was a real issue, then surely the other candidates have far more guilt by association then Obama. The list is too long to post here, but the internet is full of scandals about the others.

[martin]

It's a sad day in America when we judge our leaders by their pastors, priests, or any other type of religious leader remarks.

When we are finished with this sidetracking, may we get back to the Real Issues at hand, such as:

The Economy (or what's left of it)
The War in Iraq
The Housing Crisis
Gas Prices
Rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

These are the Real Issues, not what Rev. Wright said or didn't say.

[DaMav]

It bothers me a great deal that Obama has been so dishonest about his association with Wright. His story keeps changing. Initially he said there was nothing controversial about the church, then we find out Wright was disinvited to speak at his campaign kickoff. So he was lying. Then we heard 'crazy uncle' explanation but the tapes came out and Obama himself condemned the remarks. But he said he could not disown his pastor. Then more remarks came out and he suddenly disowned him for political convenience.

Then the connection to Ayers came out and he started the same cycle of lies on that one, spinning it as something that happened when Obama was eight and hoping nobody read the narrative too closely. Obama seems to have a fundamental problem telling the truth. And he wants us believe his house deal was no big deal. Only the naive would buy this.

I'm more than ready for a black President. But Obama is not the right man for the job, regardless of his race.

[Mary]

I have had enough of Rev. Wright....the issue that is overlooked by the media that disturbs me is when a candidate running for our President comes out and says, 'because we can, we would obliterate Iran if they were to attack Israel or ANY of our friends in the Middle East'! This kind of thinking is NOT what I want in my President when that red phone rings at 3AM or any other time.....it sounds too much like what we have heard from Cheney and Bush.

[NCGUy]

Many times now since the latest version ofthe Wright flap Obama has claimed that he never referred to Wright as his spiritual advisor or mentor. He claims that was an overstatement made up by the press.

Has onyone from the press bothered to verify this new claim by Obama.

Didn't Obama use terms like advisor and mentor about Wright himself in at least one of his books?

[Peter in Kansas]

For every single negative association that Obama has, Hillary and McCain have 15 or 20!!! It just so happens that the News Media constantly needs fresh meat, and they were desperate for stories in the six weeks prior to PA and OH primaries.

As someone who looked closely at all the candidates, and have for many years, there is not one doubt in my mind that Obama is far and away the best. In comparison to HIllary, who has been scandal plagued and is awash with lobbyist and foreign money (check out all the oil contributions to the Clinton library, and Clinton's shady dealings on behalf of foreign businessmen); or McCain (Savings and Loan Scandal, etc...), Obama's past has yielded a tiny fraction of people who prove detrimental to him. In fact he is squeaky clean! And, if you judge people only on what they have actually done or said, (not on what people they know have doneo ro said), his candidacy soars above Clinton and McCain's like an eagle over worms.
Clinton has proven that she is petty and mean and that her election is far more important than her party or country. McCain is a nice man who is simply dumb! We don't need another dummy in the white house. Look what the last seven years have wrought.

Finally, Obama as President will give the US another chance in the world. Our government is currently hated by people all over the world. That would be wiped out in an instant with the election of Barack Obama. The entire world would open to a new brand of diplomacy and we could, once again, become a world leader instead of a world intimidator.

[mikew]

My grandaddy taught me two important things about people:, (1) "judge a person by the character of the company they keep; and, (2) "watch what someone does, not what they say".

Obama doesn't pass muster on either count. That's two strikes. In my, with my rules, there is no third strike. He's out.

[I thought LA was progressive]

Issues over, racists, go back to your nose jobs and keep it out of other people's church lives. You disgust us.

[foo]

Hillary must believe in extramarital sexual relations. Also, the big boss should have sex with lower level employees, as long as it is consensual. Finally, the chief executive should lie under oath. These are all the motto of Hillary, simply because she has remained in a relationship with Bill. Right?

[Dan Stewart]

What's far more scary and troubling than all the Wright prattling are the comments in this response section! Talk about collective national cluelessness! If these biased, emotion-based, illogical comments accurately represent the views of America today, we are in a world of hurt! And - we deserve whatever self-serving politico that this bizarre presidential campaign puts in the White House. Batten the hatches, America! This ride is going to get bumpy - quickly!

[erica]

Rev. Wright is not an issue. He's not running for office and as far as the judgment questions goes, picking a church where the pastor might say things you don't like and voting to go to war that has killed 4000+ American soldiers does not compare. The loss of life in regards to Obama's decision to stay with his church family, which by the way, most people don't easily abandon, is nil. The war was a terrible judgment call. The church is not an issue.

So if I'm looking at judgment in this instance, I'm looking at the one that will cost America more money or cost America more lives.

[Rajah Kahn]

The Reublicans couldb't find ant blemishes on the INDIVIDUAL character of Obama, so they had to look for associations to assassinate him. They found Rev Wright, and gave most white folks the EXCUSES not to vote for Obama, which is totally ridiculous. Hillary Clinton and her husband have associated wit the worst of EVILS, yet there is nothing about this. I will never understand why the man should be responsible for someone's else freedom of expression. However, the motive is really simple, and ways to bring the BLACkMAN down, People who vote for Hillary are voting for LIES and Political scandals.

[Dose of Reality]

The root of this whole problem stems from the idea of a "BLACK CHURCH" which is racist and wrong to begin with. For a church to identify itself with any race, creed, or color is FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG AND IGNORANT!

This is what gave fule to wright to preach such biggoted idiolotry... Oprah seemed to have wised up and joined a CHURCH!

Can you imagine if there were a "White Church" ?????
Really, for any man to even be considered a viable candidate for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES that will represent a multitude of people from all ethnic bacgrounds (MOSTLY WHITE I might add) he cannot have such racial identity "marks" .... He/She cannot be defined as "African American" "Italian American" "Cuban American' "German American" .... They can only define themseves as AMERICANS! Because the problem is if you identify yourself as anything along the lines of "African American" or the like... look at what comes first... "African" is placed before American.... so, what you are saying by that is... you are "Black" before you are American....

Understood folks!

Good, I am glad you see things clearly now!

[mary LB]

I did not have any problems with Rev. Wright.

I have big problems with a media that would gather sound bites~who by the way, found the exact sound bites they needed to rile a bigoted citizenry?~to attack Senator Obama.

Was it a year ago already that Obama said he did not agree with everything his minister said, but that he lead him to Christianity? That should be good enough for everyone.

The problem is not Wright~it is everyone who tried, judged and condemned him.

In the meantime Bill Clinton is in Los Angeles Court for the Clintons latest fraud trial and not a peep from the press. Did Bill show up on the 25th? How do I know, media will not tell me what transpired. The L.A. Court tells me two new court dates are scheduled: 5/13 and one in Aug. if I recall correctly.

Seeing as both Clintons have been in trouble for FEC fraud with Hsu, Haung, Marc Rich; money laundering charges and the mysterious death of Vincent Foster...

...Wright is their smoke screen. Anyone that knows a bit about Obama knows who he is, but it is the Clintons who lead the "does not love the country" smear, and Wright was used to sow that seed deep in the minds of a gullible public that has fallen hook, line and sinker for Clinton lies.

As Wright pointed out: As you sow, so shall you reap. He is the fruits of Emmett Till, children dying in church, many more due to the "crime" of being born black. Wright hands the US a mirror. Truth hurts.

[kathy]

You Spin me Wright 'Round, Obama, Wright 'Round.....
First off, love the way Obama chooses a church by how high it can elevate his standing with blacks and his networking abilities! Gee, I thought it was about faith.....Next, Oprah bailed when she realized Wright was a loon; unlike Obama who held Wright to his bosom, inviting him to be his friend, marry him, baptize his girls. Right up until Obama disinvited him to speak at the inaugural. Alarm bells in his head? Oh yeah. Will Obama look into Putin's eyes and "see his soul" just like Bush misjudged him & Obama supposedly misjudged Wright? He reads people so well, our Obama does. Rezko, Wright, his bomb-making friends.....As to the gas tax, IL roads are some of the worst, always under construction & have been for years. As STATE senator, Obama did nothing about it, yet he says the TEMPORARY reprieve will layoff construction jobs? Pullease! And our STATE tax on gas is always one of the highest if not the highest in the country. Did nothing on that either. Did little or nothing his entire career, except if you count foreclosure filings that he did as a JUNIOR law partner in the BLACK community. Big deal. Talk about resume padding.....

[kathy]

You Spin me Wright 'Round, Obama, Wright 'Round.....
First off, love the way Obama chooses a church by how high it can elevate his standing with blacks and his networking abilities! Gee, I thought it was about faith.....Next, Oprah bailed when she realized Wright was a loon; unlike Obama who held Wright to his bosom, inviting him to be his friend, marry him, baptize his girls. Right up until Obama disinvited him to speak at the inaugural. Alarm bells in his head? Oh yeah. Will Obama look into Putin's eyes and "see his soul" just like Bush misjudged him & Obama supposedly misjudged Wright? He reads people so well, our Obama does. Rezko, Wright, his bomb-making friends.....As to the gas tax, IL roads are some of the worst, always under construction & have been for years. As STATE senator, Obama did nothing about it, yet he says the TEMPORARY reprieve will layoff construction jobs? Pullease! And our STATE tax on gas is always one of the highest if not the highest in the country. Did nothing on that either. Did little or nothing his entire career, except if you count foreclosure filings that he did as a JUNIOR law partner in the BLACK community. Big deal. Talk about resume padding.....

[Buford Gooch]

Comparing Wright to Catholic pedophiles is convenient, but completely wrong. As soon as any given Catholic priest was found to be a pedophile, that man was removed from the pulpit. The parishioners were not sitting in the pews with someone who preached pedophilia. Wright preached his bigotry and hatred on a regular basis, and was never removed from the pulpit.

Dear Readers:

I am a 62 year old white, male; a very conservative Republican, and also a presently retired Protestant minister.

That being said, I will be quite satisfied with either Senator McCain or Senator Obama as candidates or our eventual President. Both these men are honorable, and I believe devoted to our country. Whereas the Clintons are prepared to sell this country to the highest bidder. Bill today is nothing more than an extensi