Jeremiah Wright, Obama's Pastor: "Hillary Ain't Never Been Called A N****r"

Video of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor and mentor to Barack Obama, has been posted. The Reverend defends his most famous constituent and attacks Hillary Clinton, saying, "Hillary ain't never been called a n****r."

Meanwhile, The Blotter has detailed some highly controversial statements by Wright in the past:

Sen. Barack Obama's pastor says blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America."

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for the last 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."

UPDATE: Politico points out that Wright actually holds a formal position with Obama's campaign:

Wright is a member of Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee -- the sort of largely honorary, advisory body that in recent days has recently been used mostly to throw people off who say controversial things.

The Obama campaign couldn't immediately say whether he'd remain on the committee.

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Read a HuffPost blog by Barack Obama

Comments

[mattycb]

Cherry picking is the modus operandi of the day. I watched MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning and saw perhaps 15 seconds from the above video. Stuff taken completely out of context.

Folks, I'm sorry but what is hateful about this video? In fact, what is not factual about this video? Has Hillary ever been called the "N" word? Has she ever been ignored by a taxi because of the way she looks? Has anyone ever knocked on her front door and assumed she was the maid when she answered (this happened to my mother in 1980's New York ... you'd think those days were over ... they weren't). You might not like his delivery style but his message is factual and his anger is understandable.


As for Barack's attendance at this church, I'm not religous but I'm pretty sure that several ministers preach at churches and even the same preacher delivers different sermons each Sunday. To say that Obama has voluntarily submitted to Sunday after Sunday of vitriolic anti-white rhetoric is to be completely unrealistic about what going to church is about. One of the preachers at this church, featured in a YouTube video, is soft spoken and gentle. Was Obama seething with bigotry while listening to her sermon? (Quite frankly, since I think most organized religion is built on a foundation of gobble-dee-gook, why anyone should get upset over what any minister says, is beyond me.)


While we're at it, Reverend Wright's more controversial statements about 9/11 are nothing new. Why are we so shocked and outraged? Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on American homosexuality. Bill Maher suggested that we contributed to the factors that led to 9/11 and he got fired for it. Chris Matthews this morning correctly pointed out that it is politically stupid to blame America for 9/11, but mind you that is politically stupid, not intellectually stupid. Intellectually, the case can be made that our unwanted presence in the region caused folks in that region to hate us. They reacted by attacking us. Sorry folks, it's not an outlandish possibility. As for another of Wright's statements, don't you think that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were a bit on the overkill side? Isn't it interesting that the country that makes the biggest stink about other countries not having nukes is the only country in the history of the world who actually USED them. Make no mistake, we killed LOTS of innocent Japanese people in those attacks.


Reverend Wright's choice of words and his manner of speech detract from the public discourse. I don't deny that. But our reaction to his comments amounts to knee jerk reaction. There is painful truth behind what he says and why he says it. Our country cannot clean up its act until we acknowledge that we are a noble BUT imperfect nation. As long as we take the self righteous stand that many on this thread have taken, we will never be able to measure our imperfections and correct them.

[vsign]

Was Obama at church listening to Rev. Wright spew hatred toward America? No matter how we got to 9/11 - this was a time to love America. This was a time to be with the victims of 9/11 who had to jump out of windows.

This is how we find out who Obama really is. A man with so little history politically that it is easy for him to run for President based on two books that he has written about himself. Who he is religiously is how we are going to have to answer who he is.

Look at his church. This is where the answer to the mystery of who Obama is lies. I hear alot of hate and need for revenge.

No wonder Rev. Wright preaches the way he does. He preaches hate for white people and revenge against white people. No wonder he celebrated 9/11.

This is Obama's spiritual advisor.

[rojo7449]

An additional thought: The entire concept of this church, and Obama's long-term (nearly his entire adult life) relationship with it is beginning to kick up a lot of dust. Why would a man, born of a white mother, raised primarily by her white parents, abandoned by the African man who sired him, and this same man having great aspirations of becoming the President of the United States place his foundational roots in a church that focuses itself on Africa? Does he see this Reverend as his surrogate father? I've been asking for over a year now, what changes does Obama plan to make, and how? He just won't tell us. He wants us to just trust him.

www.tucc.org is worth the time it takes to introduce yourself to the man who wants your vote.

[venicesurfer]

this is gonna seriously damage obama.

[rojo7449]

In most cases, people who are devoted to their religion are so because it creates the foundation of who they are and how they will live their lives. Many choose their religion by the church and pastor they feel most closely embraces the person they want to be. Rev. Wright has been that intimate mentor for the Obama's. The sermon we all saw on the news yesterday did not look like a one-time, instant ah ha moment for the Reverend; his words came with such ease and conviction.

For 20 years this Rev has been Obama's mentor and guide. This makes me very uneasy.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Exactly how is this Preachers words a reflection of Obama? Hell I've heard pastors in America refer to America as the great whore. A land of sin and iniquity. Does this mean that the entire congregation is responsible for the fact that the pastor might be a few cards short of a full deck?

[jane1]

Because Obama has been listening to this style of "sermom" for over 20 years, that's how.

[OxyCon]

Most people have the good judgment to walk away from bigotry, but Obama failed this test. He kept going back for more for 20 years.

I know if I walked into a Church that blamed America and White people for all the evils in the world, I'd get up and walk out.

[kempis]

Yes. If they sit there for twenty years and develop such affection for the kook that they refer to him as "an uncle," then yes. Obama has affirmed this ministers' ideas with his presence in his congregation for 20 years.

He's unelectable now. The Democrats CANNOT nominate him. Not only will he surely lose, but having him be the nominee will damage the party, which has worked hard to shed its "friendly to leftist kooks" image for about as many years as Obama has attended this church.

This is it, folks. Nomination fight over. Obama just knocked himself out.

I have NO idea what Obama and his advisers were thinking, but he cannot defeat McCain, not while America gets "the Word" as preached by his minister. There's no defense that will work with most Americans. How do you defend going to this hateful, arrogant nut's church for 20 years--and referring to him as your "spiritual adviser"?

[jimmyjones22]

You forgot one major factor : the media likes obama.

Facts mean shit. Still, even if everyone knew about this, obama would still get more votes than hillary. Remember, to win an election you need at least some republicans. Hillary scores a fat zero in the crossover votes.

[rojo7449]

You might want to shop around for a new parish to attend.

[grlpatriot]

If you are a 20 year member of this church, you sure are accountable. Does anyone on Team Obama take responsibility? Why don't you take a look at the ABC News report and ask yourself that question again.

ABC New's report and clip of a sermon by Rev. Jeremiah Wright
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4443230&affil=wftv

[johnnyjust]

What's the big deal? I've been attending KKK meetings for TWENTY years, but it never affected me.

Sure, they're racist and anti-black, but I never believed a word of anything anybody said.

No, I never missed a meeting, but it was only because of...uh...­.the coffee and donuts. Yeah, that's the ticket!

[LindaJay]

Bingo. People need to realize what they are saying when they defend racist rhetoric, whether it is spewed by blacks or whites. It is equally repugnant on either side. Your comment basically gets to the core of it.

[hi5dud3n355]

Yeah, you're right... Obama is a blatant racist.

Asshole.

[brighid]

Yes, because so many white people have been lynched by Obama's church or had crosses burnt on their lawns or denied the right to vote.

It's so hard for white people in America. You think being a white person I might actually remember that. Thank god for people like you to remind me.

[lynnjss]

Obama has been an active member of Rev. Wright's church for 20 years and must have heard these sermons frequently and remained an active member which must mean he agrees with the racism and meanness of his pastor. Why doesn't Olbermann do a "Special Comment" on Rev. Wright and his 20 years member, Obama?

[OxyCon]

Well, it only took Obama 20 years to denounce this hate filled bigot.
I guess this is that Super Duper judgment Obama has been telling us he possess.

[johnnyjust]

C'mon, I've been attending KKK meetings for TWENTY years. I never listened to a word. Nothing they said ever affected me for TWENTY years. Sure, I never missed a meeting, but that's because...­uh....coff­ee and donuts?

[katyironkiller]

John, hope you don't mind, but I'm gonna borrow this to post on youtube, that's a good one

[thegreatgiginthesky]

When is John McCain going to denounce John Hagee? This is a man who prays for the destruction of another nation.

[realistxxx]

Reverend Wright is radioactive. As an Obama supporter I never want to see him associated with the campaign again.

The damage is done and the video is there, time to stop the bleeding.

This is probably the worst moment for the campaign. Let's see how they handle it.

[Mattie]

no, lets see how you handle it. He had a twenty year close relationship with this man. You don't associate with people like this unless you support their views, you don't title your book after a sermon this hate monger gave unless you really support this man. So the question is do you support this man, and the hate he spews.

[editrix66]

This post to Talking Points Memo by a reader discusses the problem of racism and the older generation more eloquently than I ever could. I hope the link works:

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/03/ferraro-and-olbermann-and-wrig.php

[misspeach2008]

Cutting the "old folks" in your family a little slack because they grew up in different times is different than taking your family to Rev. Wright's church. And no one "leaked" the tapes. They're for sale by the church so they are obviously proud of what the old guy says.

[JDWPS]

These should be of interest to anyone readying this post and interested in facts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioaChVw_pUw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY6qjeJ5mG8&NR=1

These people add another dimension to this church.

[OxyCon]

Thanks for posting those Obama campaign videos!
I feel so much better now about Obama's hate filled bigot mentor after watching Obama campaign propaganda!

[grlpatriot]

And this adds a 20 year dimension to the church of the anti-American, racism that Obama filled his head with.

ABC New's report and clip of a sermon by Rev. Jeremiah Wright
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4443230&affil=wftv

[shrake]

Well, I didn't see her in the audience during any of Wright's rants. She drops in sometimes to monitor things. So maybe she, like Obama, just happened to miss Wright's true beliefs. She probably wasn't present during those numerous but *isolated* sermons in which he bellowed how he "Loves the HELL out of his ENEMIES [white people]" or told children and others how Bill Clinton "done us like he done Monica Lewinsky." Great guy! Real man of God!

[gwhizz]

"The Obama campaign couldn't immediately say whether he'd remain on the committee.­"


Well don't that just beat all?

[Independentjunkie]

FINALLY found the video that shows all of the things. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-kD0QdRJk )

inludes where he blames whites for pushing AIDS! to blacks.

Some one said something interesting on a blog.

"What's worse , having a racists in your membership at a church OR belonging to a Racist CHURCH?

[itsafreakingame]

It someone associated with Hillary had made the same remarks as the Rev Jeremiah Wright maded, Huffington would have had this article on the front page. Shame on you Huff. It would seem the Huff is doing the same thing it accuses other news organizations of doing, report only good things for their party on the front page, and when they have to write something negative about who they support they bury it.

[Blazhay]

Someone associated with hillary has made the same remarks. Let's look at the pastors supporting her. The point is preachers across the spectrum have made controversial comments like Barrack's minister. the question is if that's the thrust of their message or their advocacy, then that's a problem. We don't want to start digging in through every ministers message or sermon, from the fallwells, to the black preachers, to the Ron parsleys and the La Raza preachers. there is a high degree of discontent (howbeit misplaced) comming from religious communities across the board.

Obama cannot and should not divorce himself from Rev Jeremiah Wright. Just as Barack doesn't demonize his opponents because of differing views, he can't apply a different standard to his preacher. That's family and you don't throw family away. Your parents have made statements unbecoming. You strongly disagree but you don't stop relating with them. McClurkin had made homophobic comments, Barack strongly disagreed but didn't throw him off the bus.

Finally, it might interest you to know that there are some in this country who have and continue to get shatfed by the system on a daily bases. for those folks, they display some degree of resentment to the system. barack knows and understands this. He's approach is to reach out to the folks and show that there's a better way....

[itsafreakingame]

B.S. if Hillary preacher had said anything like this jerk did, it would have been all over the front page. Show me the article. Back up the bs with some facts!

[EmJay144]

So when exactly did this "That's family and you don't throw family away" start to kick in for Bill Clinton? When he was out making his "racist" comments in SC, the Obamanaughts wanted him ridden out on a rail. Weren't we hearing all over the place that Bill might as well have been talking for Hillary? That she was responsible for his comments? How dare SHE say such things, and do it through HIM! And Bill, unlike Mr. Write, really *is* family to the candidate

The double-standard shines through, yet again. Someone under Clinton says something controversial and we're ready to throw them to the lions. Obama's surrogates get a free pass to say and do whatever they like.

Write is scary and dangerous and I shudder at the prospect of him having the president's ear.

[Mattie]

can you give examples of where Hillary's close spirtiual advisor said such raicist hate filled things. I doubt it. Where is all the outrage by Obama supporters. You sure were screaming racism at Ferraro, and she didn't say half of what this hate monger did. She questioned is obama was getting special treatment because he was black. She didn't scream racism about whites, or condemn her country. Give me a break!