Obama Gets It Out In The Open: Looking To Get Past Rezko, Wright and Turn Up Heat On Hillary.

Chicago Sun-Times:

In an extraordinary day in his more than yearlong quest for the presidency, Sen. Barack Obama on Friday sought to put behind him two raging controversies jeopardizing his bid: his relationships with his minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and with his friend and political patron, Tony Rezko.

Obama held two extensive, separate sessions with journalists from the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. An unassuming Obama entered a 10th-floor Sun-Times conference room for a conversation Friday, not as the hotshot at a rally. It was his moment -- his time, as he himself might say -- to try to bring this to an end.

"I think it's really important to make sure that you guys feel like you've got it all," Obama said.

The meetings with the Chicago papers had been planned for several days, with Rezko the main agenda item. Obama was finding himself on the defensive over Rezko, now on trial in a Chicago courtroom on corruption charges.

His campaign was also responding to another swelling crisis. Videos and news stories of Wright's inflammatory sermons and his slams of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hit mainstream media outlets and zoomed through the Internet.

Friday afternoon, the Obama campaign sent to the Huffington Post -- unsolicited -- a 591-word statement from Obama. He said he learned of Wright's charged rhetoric for the first time at the beginning of his presidential campaign but, with Wright on the verge of retirement, "did not think it appropriate" to leave the church where he was married and where his daughters were baptized.

Keep reading.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[milo9]

Rev. Wright's sermons are offensive. The America that he is damning is the America of my children. That's not acceptable. No one, of whatever race, can invalidate my revulsion at viewing these video clips. And it frankly, it is unbelievable that Obama didn't know about the tenor of these sermons. It looks like hate speech, it sounds like hate speech, It's Hate Speech.

[meneghin]

What a person is does not reside in his or her skin but in the soul, mind, heart and judgment and if those are good there is hope. Hope that he will have wisdom and the necessary humility to listen to others, including those who disagree, and to do what seems right. No amount of experience can make up for good judgment.

[VOTER]

Why isn't Hillary meeting with newspaper Editorial Boards?

Fear of questions about issues such as, tax returns, WH Diary Datebooks, earmarks, Ferraro,

Ickes, her shortage of volunteers, her loss in Texas and likely in California­??????????­?????????

[cjbushwacker]

Carl Rove's plan is going pretty much the way he wanted The Clinton's have been demonized and branded as racist and evil people and Obama is moving closer to being the democratic nominee. Rove has a history of rigging elections and influencing who the democratic nomination. This happened to Howard Dean in 2oo4. When he gave his famous yee haa, which ruined his chances to get the nomination because it made him look like a out of control wild man. The only problem is that someone filtered out most of the background noise at his rally. When you hear the actual soundtrack, you can barely hear the yee haw behind the roaring crowd.Of course then we were stuck with a weaker candidate John Kerry who refused to fight the swiftboaters OR the voting fraud in Ohio. Now we have the possibility of having a weaker nominee in Obama that will come under fire from the GOP slime machine with TRUE RACISM, not the mild manner racism the Clinton's are being accused of. They will have tons ammunition to attack him with. The Rezco trial will become the Rezco Scandal and may end up finding something embarrassing or incriminating that may hurt his chances of winning. In addition, you have Faarikon and Omama's pastor making inflamitory remarks and the fact they WILL show pictures of Obama in a turban 6,000,000 times from June to November.

If you want to be enlightened in Carl Rove's ways read the Village Voice article http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811,374100,374100,2.html

[MRb1000]

SOME OF YOU NEVER BEEN TO CHURCH BEFORE!!!! OR MAYBE ON CHRISTMAS, EASTER, NEW YEARS OR SOME OTHER DAY (HOLIDAY CHRISTIANS). YEAH, I DO NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING MY PASTOR SAYS, BUT I DO NOT DISAGREE WHEN HE SPEAKS FROM THE BIBLE. SO LET ALL OF US NOT TRY TO ACT LIKE WE HAVE BEEN GOOD ALL ARE LITTLE LIVES. SO IF ANY OF YOU ARE OUT THERE WITH OUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. YEAH THERE WERE MANY TIMES I WANTED TO LEAVE MY CHURCH, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THIS STUFF HAPPENS IN MOST CHURCHES BECAUSE WE ARE MEN AND WOMEN. WE ALL FALL SHORT AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS TO BECOME IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH GOD. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN ALL CHURCHES. SUNDAY IS THE MOST SEGREGATED DAY IN AMERICA. LOOK WE ALL FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. WE ARE NOT PERFECTED YET UNTIL WE GIVE OUR LAST BREATH. THEN IT IS FINISHED. SO WHEN YOU JUDGE BARACK OBAMA, YOU MUST JUDGE HIS CHARACTER AND CONDUCT. NOT WHAT SOME BODY ELSE SAID, BECAUSE WHEN WE ALL ARE JUDGED BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE ABOUT WE. IT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT ME. WHAT DID I DO. DID I RUN THE RIGHT RACE? THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. MOST AMERICAN SAY THEY BELIEVE IN GOD. SO LETS ACT LIKE IT. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY IT IS WHAT YOU DO!!!

EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPEN IN YOUR CHURCH YOU WOULD BE CHURCH HOPPING EVERY SUNDAY. WE MUST HAVE MUSTARD SEED FAITH.

BARACK HAS ROLL UP HIS SLEEVE MANY TIME IN HIS COMMUNITY. ASK OTHER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. WHEN WAS THE LAST THING YOU DID IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!!!!

[liz3]

Of course they sent it to the Huffington post (better known as the Obama blog) let's see Obama knew him for 20 years, he was his pastor for 20 years, he was his religious mentor for 20 years, he was appointed to his campaign but asked not to speak at any events. WOW I guess when Obama came to church Wright pulled out the OBAMA come to Jesus sermon??????? WHAT A CROCK

[MRb1000]

YEAH AND WHAT GOD DO YOU SERVE!!

[kingshmoopy]

Why does this matter so much? Millions of Americans belong to churches that have inequality as part of their doctrine (women can't be priests, if you are gay you cannot lead a congregation,if you are gay you are commiting a sin, etc.). Because they preach one thing and do another--preach equality and love while meaning equality and love for only certain people--how is that any better than what Wright said in his sermon?

Is it because he was speaking about white people, or rich people? I'm not excusing anything he may have said that is thought to be hateful, I'm saying it is complete hypocrisy for people to pass too much judgement against what Wright has said when so many of those passing judgement belong to churches that are based on inequality and prejudice.

[researcher]

oh politicans being in bed with capitalists that take advantage of other people. thats news. hey folks would find something wrong with jesus. in fact they did he worked on sundays and let people go that committed a capital offense and went after the money changers for cheating the people.

we are a nation of teen about to learn some tough lessons in life. hopefully we will learn more than we did from vietnam.

anybody got some bear sterns stock they want to sell cheap. bet the taxpayer will have to bail t hem out also. then the banks. aint deregulation wonderful. mc war wants to give us more of the same and guess what the american people will go for it hook line and sinker. teen mentality.

[patriotscholar]

Hillary will not release her tax records, nor her earmarks, and is stalling on the White House papers.
She is secretive. Too secretive. Reminds me of Bush.

[dmthurman]

Obama's biggest blunder was going into the house deal with Rezko. That was and is the issue. If purity from Questionable donors is the criteria for running for President, then I suppose the Mitt Romney might be the only canidate that would be running right now. I'm not sure it's possible to eliminate all questionable donors and become president. As far as the house deal, That was an istance of taking advantage of political position for personal Gain. In this case it wasn't illegal but questionable on an ethical basis . I understand the emotion driven by wanting the best for family but that conflicts with the public trust which I think he broke in this instance, and one that he wouldn't deny.

As far as Reverend Wright's comments, they are based in a strong social justice theology that we can all agree and yet can condemn the language that is divisive. As a white latte liberal middle aged white guy I am infact finding it very entertaining watching the Feminist's and African American Community go at using the same devisive tools that have worked so long on the established white male dominated social structure. They both are finding it difficult to talk without coming across as either racist nor sexist and both are finding themselves in defensive posititions. Ferraro was being intentionally racist when she made her comment, and or she really doesn't fully get it, in that Clinton is only where she is at because women are voting for her. Take away the Female vote and she is gone.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

No, you are incorrect. Romney was rife with scandal, he just never came under much scrutiny because the Republicans seem to get a free pass with their dealings, compared to the Democrats.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/08/10/major-romney-fundraiser-indicted-for-fraud/

http://www.wickedgood.info/detailed/4533.html

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/08/22/beware_romneys_insurance_scam/

http://www.realchange.org/romney.htm

http://dotan.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/more-romney-scandal-blackwater-usa-chaired-by-romneys-security-advisor-expelled-from-iraq/

[hank48188]

We all know the corruption involved in raising money to fund a run for public office, but when you accept "Favors" to help you buy a House you can't afford that IS CORRUPTION. You need to understand this House and lot was all one parcel and the owner wanted $2.2 million. Rezko and Obama came up with the plan to have the owner split the parcel, with the help of Barack and Michelle's city hall connections. Obama was then able to afford the House at $1.65 million and Rezko's wife bought the lot for $625,000, both sales closed on the same day because the owner demanded it. Seven months later the vacant lot was split so Obama could buy 1/6 of the lot, those City Hall connections sure help.

[zorrobozo]

How different in character--and intelligence--Obama is from Hillary!

Go, Obama!

[thnk4self]

To correct Ms Sweet: The Pennsylvania Primary is April 22. North Carolina's is May 6.

Good article. Sen. Obama is not perfect (what a relief!), but he is trying to give this election some integrity.

[brenner21]

12 soldiers were blown up last week. There's a WAR going on, remember? For Christ's sake, get beyond your ideology and get behind the only major candidate who was against this mass-murder from the beginning. "Oh God, he's black!" You know something, young people don't care about race or gender. Barack Obama has more integrity and character than John McCain and Hillary Clinton put together.

[changeishere08]

Good point. It is time to focus on the real issues and not this flimsy. Oil prices, the war in Iraq/Afghanistan, foreclosures, job losses, FISA, impending recession are real issues. Hey if Bill and George can be elected for despite their past, then I don't see why not Obama? he has more integrity than the both put together. This latest development hasn't shaken my face, but the high tech lynching in the media has.

LEt's ban together and vote for Obama!!! GOBAMA!!

The great thing about the younger generation is that they aren't hung up on race nor do they care about color. That is their greatest gift, to be the most diverse generation we have. Thank God for that.

GOBAMA!!

[ByersL]

we're over it man, you should get over it too. America wants to move on to issues and are SICK of these divisive attacks! You need to study your history to understand that the black evangelical church has always been a social and poitical pulpit, and has given strength to those that needed it along with a bit of theatrics. Obama did come out against some of his sermons a year ago and has now come out against others. Grow up!

[AjicNYC]

So Obama came out againts these statements a year ago when he decided to run for President and tried to through his 20 year relationship under the bus to get where he is in life. Come on the guys is a Snake.

[changeishere08]

Like the previous poster said, you need to study the history of black evangelical churches instead of listening and eating up the garbage from the talking heads. Educate yourself. take a history class, sociology. All that information is at your fingertips.

And Obama on his worst day will never sell the American people down the river like Bush and Clinton has. Sexual scandals and baseless wars will never happen under Obama's administration.

And Obama didn't throw his Pastor under the bus, get it right. The pastor knew it would come back to hurt Obama, so he removed himself from the situation, knowing how scared white people are when racism is addressed by blacks.

[GBecker]

Ever notice how blatantly angry and hateful HRC's fans are? Not to mention acrimonious, disdainful, hostile, malevolent, malicious, nasty, sarcastic, venomous, and virulent. Guess the supporter doesn't fall far from the tree.

[firstdawg]

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=076fd56f-4aca-4683-a9d1-3c55d748946e

Here's your snake

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

Does anyone have an explanation for the different versions of this controversy the Obama is telling?

Olbermann asked him if he knew about this kind of sermons from his pastor before the tapes emerged and Obama said "Frankly No". Then Olbermann asked him when he became aware of them and Obama said "recently".

But, if you read this article, Ms Sweet reports that he told the Chicago paper that he became aware of them over a year ago, prior to announcing his campaign for the presidency.

When was the last time you used the term "recently" to describe something that happened over a year ago? And if it was over a year ago, what was the "Frankly No" answer to Olbermann's original question supposed to mean?

Also, if youlisten very carefully to Obama he is very careful in his wording when asked about Wright's statements. He always makes reference to "these particular statements that have been shown". It makes it sound as though he is being very careful not to say whether or not he is aware of any other statements that we haven't seen the video of yet.

[foreffectivegovernment]

NoGoodNamesLeft:

And we probaly never will. Obama's campaign bought all of the tapes from the church.

Hello, Richard Nixon.

[GBecker]

Where did you get that nonsense from?

[GBecker]

It's hard to believe that sooooo many people are sooooo mad at Obama over what SOMEBODY ELSE said!! Yeah, yeah, 20 years member of Wright's church, married him and Michelle, so what!! All the "evidence" that anybody needs to be certain that some or all of Wright's fire and brimstone has soaked into Obama. What a crock! Get over it people. Focus on what's really important right now: climate change, $4/gal. gas, jobs, young people dying in Iraq and Afganistan, our veterans coming home to no decent healthcare. This pettiness is what Obama is trying valiantly to get away from. It's a shame his efforts and the efforts of his supporters will always be lost on the narrow-minded. I'm glad they're so outnumbered.

Obama '08!

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

was this your position on the Geraldine Ferraro incident? How about the Shaheen drug comments? How about the comments by Bob Kerrey?

This pastor held an official position on Obama's campaign. Obama claimed the man was his mentor. As his pastor, he was his spiritual guide for all these years.

Obama seems to have a difficult time figuring out how to deal with bigotry and hate when the source is from religion. He dealt with the Pastor Wright incident in the same manner he dealt with the Rev Donnie McClurkin incident. He says he doesn't agree with these particular views ofthese men. But, they are otherwise fine, upstanding Christians.

There have been two recent incidents in the Bush Admin where people were accused of racist actions. ONe related to a halloween party where someone came dressed in black face. The other were an official made statements about how blacks die younger and therefore don't somehow get a bad deal out of social security. Both of these individuals apologized. But, that wasn't good enough for Obama. He called for both of these people to resign.

So my question is, why does Obama think that racial bigotry is so much worse than the religiously based anti-gay bigotry of Rev McClurkin or religiously based hate like that of Rev Wright?

Of course the answer is easy. Obama doesn't want to offend religious voters. It's pandering, pure and simple.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

If you wold like some more inconsistent statements from Obama on this, listen to what he told Anderson Cooper.

While talking to Anderson Cooper, he explained that he found out about these Wright views just prior to announcing his candidacy. He said that had he known earlier, he would have left the church. But, since Wright was on the verge of retiring, he didn't think it would be necessary.

Wright has just retired. So, again Obama shows he has some sort of problem with understanding the concept of time. The Rev Wright wasn't going to retire for over a YEAR.

Wen talking to Olbermann, he used the term 'recently' to describe when he learned of these views. And, that ended up meaning over a year ago.

But of course the reason Obama couldn't leave the church right at the same time he was announcing his candidacy was because that would have caused all kinds of questions to be asked. It would have also offended all kinds of religious voters.

If this information about Wright, along with the videos, had come out earlier in this campaign, I doubt that Obama would have won anywhere near the number of votes he has gotten now.

[BrianZ]

LOL Didn't he do this extensive tell-all interview session about his Rezko ties in the past? And weren't we told how his pastor was his mentor, friend and spiritual advisor for the last 20 years?

Sounds like another go at a snow job to me. Talk away, Barack, talk away!