Huckabee Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Via Ben Smith:

An assist from an unexpected quarter:

"[Y]ou can't hold the candidate responsible for everything that people around him may say or do," Huckabee says. "It's interesting to me that there are some people on the left who are having to be very uncomfortable with what ... Wright said, when they all were all over a Jerry Falwell, or anyone on the right who said things that they found very awkward and uncomfortable, years ago. Many times those were statements lifted out of the context of a larger sermon. Sermons, after all, are rarely written word for word by pastors like Rev. Wright, who are delivering them extemporaneously, and caught up in the emotion of the moment. There are things that sometimes get said, that if you put them on paper and looked at them in print, you'd say 'Well, I didn't mean to say it quite like that.'"

Later, he defended Wright's anger, too:

"As easy as it is for those of us who are white to look back and say 'That's a terrible statement!' ... I grew up in a very segregated South. And I think that you have to cut some slack -- and I'm gonna be probably the only conservative in America who's gonna say something like this, but I'm just tellin' you -- we've gotta cut some slack to people who grew up being called names..."

Watch the video:

Comments

[joebaggadonuts]

11:34 AM on 03/25/2008

Well, this is just another example to show that the R's can't really vote for a man of conviction and truth, eh?

[wonderingstar]

01:19 AM on 03/24/2008

Watch this video again, and see how the interviewers want to draw Huckabee out to say something controversial about Wright. Instead of playing along, Huckabee talks about growing up in the segregated South, and says had he been treated the way Blacks were treated, he would be angry too, and maybe even angrier, so let's not throw stones. Look how his response changed the interviewers' demeanor, and dissipated the atmosphere of attack that had prevailed a moment ago. I wish I would have the courage, wisdom and eloquence to say something like that in a similar situation. In fact, I think Americans of good will on either side of the political divide wish more of our public life were in the hands of people who behave in this manner, whether overtly religious or not.

[mamamay]

06:37 PM on 03/25/2008

Hucklebee appears to be credible, and I think if folks replayed the wright Sermon tape, Their views would come out as Hucklebees. Many folks think that that life was okay for those folks, including Hil they think the snippet message of the Rev was hateful, hurtful, etc. Folks need to listen to the entire message of Rev Wright and get the facts. The facts that Rev was quoting scenarios of the Bible vs similar scenarios in real life. Fall of Roman Empire, Pharoah's Army, the tribes of indians vs early settlers, aka Immigrants. This was an educating sermon delivered so that even a child could understand, and that the chld would NOT grow up hating in America.. Folks the message replayed 7/24 is spliced and diced to bring a group of words as an ugly message that depicts the Rev as a hater. This is so un american. CNN has the Full sermon and message that Rev really said, that they played a couple of times but they appear to want to play the ugly tape more. The 5-10 min words from the full sermon agrees with what Hucklebee stated about people taking 30 secs of a tape and making it what ever message a smearer would prefer to deliver instead of the truth. Thanks to Mike Huckebee, the truth goes on not the smear, and not a demand for Obama to leave his church home.

[OrganizersWin]

12:00 AM on 03/24/2008

The Huckster!!! Speakin' some truth.....
Ol' Huck has some neato populist economic policies, a charming personality, and a real concern for open dialog, even though he is insane when it comes to religion and politics. (Similar to the oddity of Dr. Ron Paul whose foreign policy and monetary concerns are right on, despite his insane and contradictory libertarian underpinnings). These are only my surface views, such as, that Joe Scar----- is painful to watch WTF. ...................................................................................................................................................................

As for the "hucksters" standing up for Rev. Wright... he was correct and courageous to do so. Rev. Wright never said "gays caused 9/11" like some folk have. NOR did he say "America deserved it"... he mentioned geo-political 'blowback', and the typical American (black and white) attitude towards the hypocrisy of American policies. He also wasn't calling for "god" to "damn" this country... but was making the suggestion that the Bible (he was in church btw) makes reference to God's attitude towards those who would destroy their brothers. Despite the media's lack of context.. the HUCKSTER was wise enough to realize, the "SLACK"--- I am white, and am so tired of listening to 'white people' on my TV explain to me... 'black issues', by projecting "their" experience into it. Then Obama mentions a 'typical' white, and they get SOOOO offended, haha.... and Obama is half WHITE....... SORRY MY COUNTRY IS INSANE... I broke my TV twice already, and am moving to Europe soon, I believe.

[Knowledgeseeker]

12:45 AM on 03/23/2008

Dear fellow Hoffington Blogers, lets send a letter to Governor Huckabee asking him to endorse Obama...

I think is a good Idea

[mamamay]

06:46 PM on 03/25/2008

We need to stop being haters and speaking out of facetiousness as a manner passing on more hate.
Delegates, voters, American people can endorse and vote for the candidate they chose, and support to be the best candidate based on the candidates values, beliefs, knowledge and ability to work with the resolving our issues, not based on the color of their skin. Believing a person of no color, will be a bbetter candidate than Obama is a reflection of how one makes decisions. This is not a basis for SOUND judgement which is needed to lead America safely and restore the values we as Americans sshare.

[Knowledgeseeker]

12:42 AM on 03/23/2008

By way Governor Huckabee, can you please endorse Senator Obama. I'm sure your endorsement will help him.

Democrats would greatly appreciate it

[Bacowall]

12:40 AM on 03/24/2008

Huckabee need not endorse Obama, but his honesty and witt as a pastor himself, is appreciated. This issue has been blown out of proportion. Really, I never heard the same upset when Falwell talked about 911 and who were responsible.
Ironic what gets us upset these days!

[earnesttruthseeker]

12:40 AM on 03/23/2008

While I don't agree with all of Huckabee's politics - he's struck me from the very beginning as a decent man. Thank you, Huck, for not only showing that a 'populist' message can gain some traction in the Republican party - but also for being open-minded and honest on this issue.

[Knowledgeseeker]

12:22 AM on 03/23/2008

Well done Governor Huckabee this proved to me that you are not like the other republicans....I wish I could shake your hand.

[Knowledgeseeker]

12:17 AM on 03/23/2008

I respect Governor Huckabee, this is one honest guy...
Remember when he Attended the Church Service for the Martin Luther King birthday in South Carolina
Guess what.? there was no other republican attending....
I always know a good man when I see one, and thats Governor Huckabee...

[Meah]

07:14 PM on 03/22/2008

A very decent thing to say. Thanks Governor Huckabee. I admire you for your understanding and honesty. We need that so much in this country.

[grrrfren]

06:30 PM on 03/22/2008

Good for you Mike Huckabee. But, i suppose you won't be invited back on Morning Joe since he thinks you are full of it for making a comment like this.

[KarenSL]

06:25 PM on 03/22/2008

TO THE MODERATORS OF HUFFINGTON POST ONLY:

My most recent comment posted has appeared before the one I initially posted about 2 hours ago. Please can you post my previous comment ahead of my last comment. Unless I am over looking it somewhere. I was looking forward to having some feed back from fellow bloggers - negative or positive whichever - to help me understand the whole matter better.

My initial comment when posted said it was being held and would not be posted until approved by the moderators - what happened to my post.

[KarenSL]

06:18 PM on 03/22/2008

One further thought: I wonder if Mr. Huckabee has questioned Rev. Wright as to why he has not been able after 36 years of being a Pastor and then leader of a Church with a congregation of upwards of 8,000 members found it in his heart to "forgive those who have trespassed against him" or his entire race and why his anger and resentment toward white people seems to be just as strong today in the year 2008 as he makes out it was for him in his early life growing up. Perhaps Rev. Wright needs to take the time to reflect on his life and his relationship with God in this regard. It is just too bad that he has ended his career obviously the same way he started it - with alot of built up anger, resentment and hatred for his fellow man. Also, I wonder how Rev. Wright feels about the fact that Barack Obama bases his whole campaign on change and uniting ALL of the American people together - does he resent Barack Obama or does he feel proud having been is Pastor for 20 years.

Sorry people, but I just cannot help but wonder about these things.

[Meah]

07:11 PM on 03/22/2008

I assume you are white. Easy to say what you have said. Why don't you wonder about your own judgementalism while you are at it? Religion does not belong in politics. There was a reason for the separation of church and state. As for Pastor Wright, I think whatever he is feeling now it is between he and his maker, not you.

[KarenSL]

07:38 PM on 03/22/2008

Now a man is not only judged by the color of his skin but by the innocent words he writes. Wow - amazing! And you accuse me of being judgemental.

Assume what you want. Are you telling me that what was contained in my above post are thoughts that can only be wondered by a white person and that a black person could never come up with such thoughts - now that is just a plain ole racist remark Meah - should I now assume that you are black then -- since it seems we are playing the "Assuming" game (and you know what "they" say: when you assume anything you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me").

Forgive me, but this whole Rev. Wright scandal has come about by the very fact that Rev. Wright himself has mixed religion with politics. All his references to the United States Government, his references and bodily movements when he spoke of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, his reference to Hillary Clinton, Government infecting black people with the HIV virus, USofKKKKA, etc. etc. etc. Please Leah - get your head out of your .... - the sand.

Your response is of no help to me in trying to understand what I NEED and want to understand about the black/white race relations in the year 2008. The here and now is what affects me and my children NOT 50/200/300 years ago.

[KarenSL]

12:41 AM on 03/23/2008

Please feel free to assume anything you want to about me but are you saying that a black person is not capable of or would never wonder about any of the things which I raised in my comment to which you have replied.

I agree religion does not belong in politics but I also believe politice does not belong in religion, particularly not in sermons preached from the pulpit and particularly not in a church where perhaps the next President of the United States of America is a member and is or maybe sitting in the pews to be a part of such rhetoric. Isn't that a part of the whole controversy with Rev. Wright - because he mixed politics with his sermons from the pulpit: USofKKKA, not God Bless America but God Damn America, the Government .... the HIV ..., the Bill Clinton comment regarding doing "the dirty" with Monica Lewinsky, the Hillary Clinton comments, etc.

If it is so easy for you to say that whatever Rev. Wright is feeling now is between he and his maker, then is it not the fair thing to do to afford every other person whose words offend another the same benefit, especially if they publically or privately have apologised for their offensive words.

[Seattlelite]

11:15 PM on 03/22/2008

Karen Sl - did it ever occur to you that because of Wright's opinions is the reason Sen. Obama was able to determine why unity and healing is so necessary in this country.

[KarenSL]

12:05 AM on 03/23/2008

No it never did occur to me Seattlelite, but then that might be because I took into account the length of their close relationship and the fact that Rev. Wright was Sen. Obama's mentor.

I guess also because I have known so many people over the years who have left their churches, and in some cases denominations, for far less reasons, and because they found their Pastor/Father/Elder's to be hypocrits based on the content of their sermons from the pulpit during worship hour and their conduct once off the pulpit - they just were not getting the spiritual food they so desired in order to feel closer to God.

Also because of Barack Obama himself being half black and half white I figured he would have come to that realisation long before now.

[KarenSL]

04:56 PM on 03/22/2008

Honestly, I would expect Mr. Huckabee to display such an understanding and forgiving heart - he is a man of the cloth isn't he, but I think I would have liked to hear him say that the House of the Lord is not an appropriate place to spew such hatred, especially in the front of children - children who have not the foggiest idea why their Pastor is carrying on like a crazy person to begin with.

I am curious how having a "man of color" as President of The United States of America in 2008 (assuming that Barack Obama is indeed elected President) would then play into Rev. Wright's style and the content of his sermons preached from the pulpit of his church. In 2008 until 2012 will having a man of color as President instantly erase ALL the pain and suffering which Rev. Wright apparently still feels as a black man in America. Will Rev. Wright still then preach "God Damn America" instead of God Bless America for all the Country's past "sins" up until October 2008. Will Rev. Wright still refer to the United States of America as "the USofKKKA? In Rev. Wright's way of thinking does he believe that The United States of America in November 2008 will be a "born again Country" and the slate will be wiped clean because a man of color has been elected President.

Exactly what are Rev. Wright's expectations of this man Barack Obama and his Administration (his Government) should he be the next President, and what would be the consequences (if any) for Barack Obama to suffer if he is not able to satisfy completely the needs, expectations, improvement in living condition, etc. etc. etc. of ALL his fellow black Americans.

What does anyone trully expect to be changed, given the present day circumstances and evils in the World today, in four years by having a Democratic man of color as President of what still is the Greatest Country in the World. Hope we all can just remember that he is not GOD, and neither would Hillary Clinton or John McCain be either, for that matter.

[littleblackcat]

02:32 PM on 03/22/2008

Thank you, Mr. Huckabee, for being a gentleman and person of honor in standing up and speaking out about the stupidity of this entire thing. Too many white people will not admit that black people have the right to be angry about a lot of things. I did not grow up in the south but I grew to young womanhood reading ads that began with "Attention: Colored, For Colored Only, Colored section of town," etc. These ads were for apartments or houses for rent. There were jobs listed as well "For Colored" that paid significantly less than jobs for white people. I am very fearful of what your republican party is going to try to do to Mr. Obama. When you have no lesser personality than Bill Clinton insinuating that only his wife and mccain "love this country" it opens doors to those without scruples or morals to try ANYTHING to smear Obama. I lost a lot of respect for Bill Clinton when he made that speech. I hope you continue to speak up loudly for Senator Obama, because this country and the world needs him. Thank you again.

[ObserverinVancouver]

06:47 PM on 03/21/2008

RE: Huckabee's take on Wright & Obama compared to silence from the Clintons. Did anyone else think about the parable of the Good Samaritan while they were reading this?