Obama Suggests Ex-Pastor Is Contrite

WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama seemed to suggest in an interview aired Friday that his former pastor has acknowledged that his controversial remarks were inappropriate and hurtful, although there are no public accounts of the minister having done so.

Obama discussed his relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright on ABC's "The View," which was taped Thursday and aired Friday.

"Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church," Obama said.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the senator's remarks did not imply that Wright has expressed misgivings about his statements.

"Sen. Obama was clearly saying that were Rev. Wright not retiring, he would need to be assured that the reverend understood why what he had said had deeply offended people and mischaracterized the greatness of this country," Burton said.

Wright, who officiated at Obama's wedding and his been his spiritual mentor for years, recently retired from the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He became an issue in Obama's presidential bid in recent weeks when videos circulated of Wright condemning the U.S. government for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. In the videos, some several years old, Wright called on God to "damn America." He also said the government created the AIDS virus to destroy "people of color."

In a highly publicized speech last week, Obama sharply condemned Wright's remarks. But he did not leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said was like a family member.

Wright has not spoken publicly since the campaign controversy flared up. He canceled plans this week to speak in Florida and Texas.

Obama said Wednesday he has spoken with Wright since making his speech on the controversy in Philadelphia.

Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, said this week she would have parted ways with a pastor who made the remarks that Wright had made.

Comments

[SocialConscience]

After 20 years as a parishioner at Wright's church, Obama states after Wright's retirement, that he would have left the church if Wright stayed on. Who believes this? He didn't denounce anything that Wright preached until he was called on the carpet about it. Those inflammatory sermons were on youtube for a year prior. How can he say, one day, that he was not aware of any controversial statements by Wright, and then, in a speech the next day, he confesses awareness of the inflammatory sermons? Obama is dishonest and pandering for votes. What else is he not truthful about? How is he to provide CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN? Too many people are seeing through the smokescreen. He will not be able to win the general election.

[DesertLight]

This is the guy who is going to sit down with world leaders and discern what they are saying, right? He didn't get racism and hate after 20 years. Very perceptive!

[NewRiver]

Yep, they'll all sit down, hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

[AnninCA]

A surrogate says he's contrite?

Hmmmmmm*

Let him show up like Hillary did and apologize. Over and over.

[JeffinIllinois]

Wright stayed for 20 years and so did Obama.

[cblcar]

It's certainly easy for him to say that now, since the reverend did retire. Just like it's easy for Obama to say he wouldn't have voted for the war since he wasn't there at the time. Never mind that he's voted for every war funding bill in his very short time as a senator. God, this guy is so full of crap.

[alamoscout]

I just want to thank the Rev Wright. He has just relieved the white people of any guilt. There is no doubt that in the past Blacks have been dealt many injustices. For years whites have had this fear of that if a black was put into office; they would use the position to seek revenge. Finally whites came to the idea that Blacks don't hate whites and it's OK to elect blacks to high office. Now after hearing Rev Wright; whites now know; Oh Realy. Is that how you realy feel!. Thank you Rev Wright for setting the record stright .

[ndolomar]

"Obama had 20 years to walk out when Rev. Wright spoke about the atrocities of Sept. 11 and Katrina. "
Do some of posters even know how stupid that is? Other than the fact it shows you have zero grasp of continuity, because you're willing to believe those events happened 20 years ago, it shows how willing you are to believe that 30 seconds of a compilation of 20 years' worth of sermons equates to someone's lifetime of feelings for 20 years. What's worse is the person isn't even the one who said them.
Let's try that game with every one of your friends whose told a racist or bigoted joke. Let's compile 30 seconds of clips of all the "Two ___s are on their way to..." and "Why do ____ always..." jokes and have the media play it repeatedly.
Let's make sure the clips omit when rvme's friend says, "I heard this joke the other day and thought it was tasteless..." or "A black friend of mine told me..."
And although your buddy, garnetwood -- who donates to charities and has Jewish or gay friends -- is a good guy who doesn't believe or support these "jokes," everyone who sees those clips immediately decries he's a a bigot, a homophobe, anti-American.
Better yet, let's admit you never would have liked Sen. Obama, and because you couldn't find anything concrete to base that on, you latched onto this Rev. Wright nonsense like a calf on a teat.

[SocialConscience]

You are really assuming an incredible capacity to suspend disbelief if you think those clips were not indicative of what Jeremiah Wright believes. Those sermons were written, taking quite a bit of forethought. This is hardly the same as telling an off-color joke and then blushing at its inappropriate nature.

How about Jeremiah Wrights' praise of Louis Farrakhan. To Wright, he "epitomizes greatness". He showered him with an award and highlighted his work in the Trinity newsletter. All these things take forethought and a certain belief system. The Black Value System, to be exact.

[Mattie]

lol what a liar

[rojo7449]

I wonder if Rev Wright feels the betrayal.

[DesertLight]

Not a chance. He was rewarded with a vacation in the Caribbean. As long as he promised to keep his yapper shut!

[rojo7449]

It's Obama's MO. "If the Rev had stayed, I WOULD HAVE left," "If I had been a US Senator when they voted on Iraq, I WOULD HAVE voted 'no,'" If I had gone to work the day the Senate voted on IRAN, I WOULD HAVE voted 'no'." He's very careful to avoid weighing in on the topics he wants to have some freedom to manipulate depending on what happens.

He watches for what works for others, then uses a sleight of hand to incorporate those ideals into his campaign. People have gotten to where they just take him at his word and don't demand he back them up with action. You can always tell where Obama has just been based on the new words that start coming out of his mouth...."Bataan Death March", "what she said, but I would be able to bring people together". He hasn't done a great job of bringing the majority together in his own party, but his supporters are going to continue just taking his word for it.

[nazirmo]

It is easy to now say that I would have left if the Pastor was not retiring. What a poor excuse ?
Obama goes on The View and talks and talks and more talk - free time to convince voters.
For more than 20 years one is associated with this Pastor and Obama attends the church many times for sure and for him to claim that he was not there to listen to the derogatory remarks - how can anyone in their right mind accept this weak excuse. So Obama gives this speech and everyone forgives him. Some who were supporting Hillary are now supporting Obama. Sherri on The View who was supporting Hillary even told Obama when he made appearance on The View that she was now supporting him. She said that she made the decision after his speech. How stupid she can be.
Obama is even leading in the polls released today. Imagine what more there is that is still to come out. If he gets nominated you will see the Republicans come out with more dirt on him.
But for now I just want to make a point that how can anyone even support Obama - one who attended and listened to his pastor's damn America remarks.

[cblcar]

Let's not forget that Sherri also thought the world was flat and didn't know that "B.C." meant before Christ.

[BruinTwin]

It's called marriage - "for better or worse" and it's none of your business. What is our business is a man who is running for president - thus representing the interests of all Americans - will not disassociate himself from his spiritual mentor of 20 years who is an anti-white, anti-American hate speaker. I am concerned about whether or not this man will represent me since I am white and don't hate my country. This isn't about marriage. It's about deciding if this man is an appropriate candidate for the presidency. Comparisons like the one you make are completely irrelevant and are simply efforts to deflect from the issue.

[JavaCityGal]

I personally believe that BOTH marriage and religon are no ones business. But if people insist on bringing in religon, then all bets are off to also bring in marriage. Can't have it both ways -- Hillary not walking away from what any strong woman would have dumped in a second is ok - but Obama is not -- just a double standard, wrong and doesn't fly. Nice try.

[Mattie]

you don't eve make sense!

[ritenow]

I heard that!!!!

[DesertLight]

If you don't hate your country you stand in the minority here. That is your first mistake.

[ergoth]

easy for barry to say now. 18 years of listening to a hate-monger, racist nutcase was finally enough once the media caught on. obama is just another lying politician.

btw, is that big mouthed wife of his locked in an attic somewhere?

[pkrishna]

Twenty years ago as a Chicago community activist, as he sat in the church listening to Rev. Wright until 1997, Obama must have thought - geez, unless he retires, I should quit this church.

Later as an Illinois state legislator, as he sat in the church listening to Rev. Wright from 1997 to 2004, Obama must have thought - geez, unless he retires, I should quit this church.

Still later as an Illinois state legislator, as he sat in the church listening to Rev. Wright from 2004 through 2008, Obama must have thought - geez, unless he retires, I should quit this church.

Finally, about a few weeks ago (or whenever it was exactly), Rev. Wright did retire (or was he "persuaded to"?). So finally, Obama says - see he retired, I don't have to quit! The audacity of patience!

Chalk another virtue to Barack Obama. He is a very patient man.

Obama says Rev. Wright is contrite. Why can't we hear from the horse's mouth? Why is the Reverend being held incognito, cancelling one speaking engagement after another? Who is muzzling him?

[NewRiver]

LOL, the audacity of patience. That's the best post on this topic I've seen, wish I'd thought of it. Impressive post pk, and definitely fan worthy.

[ginnypoo]

I don't believe him.

[BigLib]

“Had the reverend not retired, and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn’t have felt comfortable staying at the church.”

I’ve searched high and low and I cannot find anywhere that Jeremiah Wright “acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate.” Forgiveness and understanding is reserved for those who admit they are wrong, not for those who won’t admit it but have a surrogate say they did.

In addition, how have Wright’s words been “mischaracterized”? There’s video. We all heard his words and saw him say them. For Obama to claim that Wright has been mischaracterized is disingenuous at best. All reasonable people know what statements like “God Damn America” mean.