Jason Linkins

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Jason Linkins

The Huffington Post

Kerry Rips MSNBC On Wright: 'You People Need To Let Go Of This'

April 30, 2008 04:41 PM


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Today, John Kerry officially became the 87,436th person to receive one of the three or four versions of the same Reverend Wright question MSNBC has been asking everyone it comes in contact with, including their plants and pets. Kerry, who's maybe a little sensitive toward these sorts of issues, wasn't having it, and his displeasure manifested itself in the closest thing Kerry does that resembles losing his ever-loving mind. That said, it sort of worked! Kerry changed the conversation all right, but Alex Witt opted to just ask one more question ("I would like to get your concerns about the unity of the Democratic party as the Republican party was able to coalesce around its nominee, John McCain. How concerned are you?") before shutting the whole thing down.

[WATCH.]

WITT: Okay. He said it. A 20-year relationship. Reverend wright married him. He is the one who baptized a god parent. How personally painful is this for him?


KERRY: Can I say something to you? Obviously it is painful and he said it. You folks need to let go of this. Television needs to stop dwelling on something that is in the past. I thought Barack Obama yesterday gave America his second big presidential moment of this campaign. The first when he spoke out about the issue of race. The second yesterday, when he made it clear, every one of the statements of the minister are just unacceptable. They're not the person that he knew before. Now let's move on to how we'll put people to work. How are you going to give people health care? How are you going to create jobs in america? What Barack Obama is offering in this gas price issue is real leadership. I mean, do we want people who sort of put their fingers in the wind and throw out an idea for the short term that is sort of politically pleasing, or do you want a here who stands up and says, no, what we need is to really lower gas prices by having a real energy policy, an intelligent policy that puts in place the incentives for renewable fuels and alternative fuels. That's what Barack Obama is doing. And it is you guys have to focus on the thing that really matter to the American electorate. The other thing is just worn out, old history now. This guy had his narcissistic moment and it is finished.

WITT: Okay. Point well taken. Did I say to begin, can I just say, sir, I knew you weren't going to like that question. On the record.

KERRY: Let's move on to the thing that really matter to people. I think people in America are tired of this stuff.

WITT: Okay.



 

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To All Americans...

Don't you get it?

All of this harping on character has no place in American politics.

We need to be concerned about gas prices, and free health care and surrendering Iraq before we win.

So drop the scrutiny about the looney Reverend, and the scam land developer, and the terrorist.

There is no place at the Democrat table for casting the first stone.

Let's just get our guy into the fall and watch the fun when normal Americans get to consider him.

BHO '08!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:47 PM on 05/05/2008

Yeah, why should be be concerned about the character of the person who will be President of the United States. We didn't care about character too much when Bush was elected, and that turned out OK. It is not Obama's character that is important, it is what he says in his teleprompter speeches. Yeah, that's what we should be focusing on.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:57 PM on 05/05/2008

Character matters. But the American people are quite capable of making those determinations on our own. The problem is that the MSM have been doing it for us-- and they're crappy at it. Who decided that the important question in 2000 was who you'd rather have a beer with? Who manufactured the storyline that Gore was dishonest and would say anything to get elected? Who decided that Kerry was an elitist? That Edwards doesn't really care about the poor because he's wealthy? That McCain is a straight-talking maverick rather than a career flip-flopper willing to become George W. Bush to be president? The media should give us substance and let us make character judgments. Instead they do the opposite.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:29 AM on 05/07/2008

Fox News, has been the pied piper of the Barack Obama/Rev. Wright story. The other news media FOLLOWED. Sean Hannity, who also has racist ties to Bob Grant and Hal Turner, had his VERY OBVIOUS reasons for attacking Barack 24/7. Sean Hannity, was clued in by Erik Rush, who is a black Republican that hates Barack Obama with a passion. Erik Rush, probably has never even met Barack Obama, in his life. The MSM, cannot help themselves but to follow Fox News' lead of the 24/7 trashing of Barack ....for ratings!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:19 PM on 05/04/2008

If we had seriously focuced on energy the way we did during 1977 to 1985, here is where we might be today.

The United states last paid attention to oil during 1977-85, spurred by the 1979 "second oil shock," which raised prices even more than the 1973 Arab embargo had done. In those eight years, the United States proved it could boost its oil efficiencies faster than OPEC could cut its oil sales: the U.S. had more flexibility on the demand side than OPEC had on the supply side. While U.S. GDP rose by 27%, oil consumption fell by 17%, net oil imports fell by 50%, and net oil imports from the Persian Gulf fell by 87%.

Excerpt: "Winning the Oil Endgame" (from a Pentagon grant)

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:47 PM on 05/04/2008

It's so fixated on Wright, it can't focus on the economy or the fake gas tax fix proposed by Clinton.

Even with the Wright issue, the MSM can't do simple research, which discloses that Wright's former church is under the United Church of Christ. The same group that had the commercials a few years ago about inclusion. Don't rely on the MSM to tell the truth about anything. Go to UCC.org, which is actually governed by white ministers. United Church is Christ is not some anti-white, black only, group.
If the media had even a 1/10 of a brain and a 1/10 of integrity, the public would already know this.

So, pass this on - www.UCC.org (the official site of the United Church of Christ (which is the umbrella of Obama's church))

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:43 PM on 05/04/2008

Please do not disparage the UCC by claiming that Obama's church is representative of their theology; it is not. As a result of exposure by the press of Wright's statements and positions, there has been great controversy in the national UCC regarding Wright's church. There have even been calls for the church's expulsion from the UCC.

http://tinyurl.com/4z8z9n

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:01 PM on 05/04/2008

Mr. Kerry, the media and specially the right wing media cannot let go of the Wright issue, it would be like telling them to close shop for good. They are a tool, a machine. Foolishness of the Wright sort is what they need to keep them going. Part of their agenda is to continue the dumbing down of Americans while reaping in cash. They're pretty successful at what they do (give or take last few months). Slide Fox and MSNBC laugh to the bank at the end of each day while the morons mesmerized watching such non-sense fall sleep with their drink containers resting nicely on their belly.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:48 PM on 05/04/2008

Very interesting how quickly Obama supporters have done a one-eighty where MSNBC is concerned. They had nary a complaint when MSNBC was one endless anti-Hillary Obamamercial. A Google search for "Jeremiah Wright" yields over a million hits. That wouldn't be because nobody is interested in Obama's "former" pastor and what his influence might have been on Obama over (dare I mention it) twenty years, now would it? I case you haven't noticed it, Kerry is one of those "old school Washington politicians." Isn't that what we are supposed to be moving away from by following Mr. Everything New Obama? Lastly, why should we listen now to the man who conducted one of the most inept presidential campaigns in history?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:03 PM on 05/04/2008

Yep, you are so right. So very very right.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:53 PM on 05/04/2008

The MSM is facing an addiction problem here- and they need help. They are still rehashing this over and over ad nauseatum. It has been a week ago, and at least once a half hour-sometimes more- this whole disgusting subject gets mentioned by some pinhead on MSNBC or CNN. Just get over this or we will be forced to send you all to Betty Ford for therapy.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:59 PM on 05/04/2008

The Illusion That Is Barack Obama

http://tinyurl.com/54bb2f

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:41 PM on 05/04/2008

The above is a link to an article in an Australian newspaper, The Australian, founded and owned by Rupert Murdoch. The article is written by Fred Siegel, former political adviser to Rudy Giuliani. One might be forgiven for assuming Mr. Siegel may be a well-practiced illusionist. That he has the same view of Sen. Obama as do most other writers drawing a paycheck from Mr. Murdoch is probably just a coincidence.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:42 PM on 05/04/2008

Why don't you dispute the substance of the article, rather than cast aspersions at the writer? Which of the points made in the article, in your opinion, are incorrect?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:31 PM on 05/04/2008

Actually, since I took the trouble to look at the article you referenced, my claim that I don't bother with screeds isn't 100% accurate, is it? Also, a little snotty. Mea culpa.

I would argue, however, that merely pointing out Mr. Siegel's political associations, the ownership of the publication in which his article appears, and the similarity of his opinions with those who find themselves similarly situated doesn't actually constitute "casting aspersions." It's more like context setting. Equating setting the context with casting aspersions is an interesting take that probably says more about your biases than mine. But, perhaps not, since, frankly, I take the above associations to be fairly damning in themselves.

I applaud your provision of the link to the article rather than just making similar claims. Rather than make a point-by-point refutation of the article -- for which this is an inappropriate forum -- I would rather extend readers here the same courtesy you provided, of reading the article and making their own evaluations.

Best wishes.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:00 PM on 05/04/2008

I appreciate your very civil reply. Civility has become an increasingly rare commodity in this nomination process.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:05 PM on 05/04/2008

Here's some more interesting context from the Huffington Post's own Fundrace2008 website, which tracks FEC reports of political donations.

Mr. Seigel made donations under that spelling of his name and also as "Fred Siegel," same address. Under that spelling, he and his wife donated $9,200 to the Clinton campaign in 2007 plus $10,000 to the DNC. As "Fred Seigel," he also donated an additional $4,600 to Sen. Clinton's campaign, which may or may not be a violation of Federal election laws.

Mr. Seigel (or Siegel) has been a long-time Clinton donor, bundling $3 million for Bill Clinton in 1995-1996, plus donating $185,000 personally. Perhaps in return, then-President Clinton appointed his company, Energy Capital Partners, as the Department of Housing and Urban Development's federally assisted housing program major lender, inserting a provision that ECP be repaid ahead of the government if housing-development owners defaulted on loans. (http://tinyurl.com/6g72b6)

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:11 PM on 05/04/2008

Speaking of bundling, did you know that through that process, Obama has secured over $62,000,000 in donations from special interests so far? Sort of shoots a hole in the impression he tries to give as a politician who is not beholden to the special interests.

http://tinyurl.com/6dtgq6

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:53 PM on 05/04/2008

Sorry, don't waste time of screeds.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:38 PM on 05/04/2008

Just as I thought. It's hard to dispute the accuracy of the article, isn't it :)

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:59 PM on 05/04/2008

What "accuracy". The article is an opinion piece. And of course just like "behinds", everybody has one. There's nothing new here...just SOS.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:28 PM on 05/04/2008

The article makes various assertions. In your opinion, which ones are incorrect?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:48 PM on 05/04/2008

Unfortunately due to the lack of proper education there are plenty of people in this country, who will follow the lead of the MSM without thinking.
They elected Bush twice because they wanted to have a beer with a dry drunk.
Now they elected Hillary in Pennsylvania because she was downing shots and told everybody she likes guns from the back of a pick-up truck.
Any candidate who dares to portray himself as an educated, thoughtful, intelligent and sophisticated person is branded an elitist and out of touch with that uneducated, beer-guzzling, gun-waving, pick-up driving average guy. People like Gore and Kerry were made fun of.
Presidents in this country are created at Madison Avenue. They are sold like hamburgers , promising you instant satisfaction without mentioning the enormous gut you will acquire from eating them.
The media is only interested in keeping the nomination process going. Every day means more money in their coffers as unfortunately more money than ever before is spent in this campaign. And all this money goes into advertising, that means the media profits from it. They have absolutely no interest in the well-being of the average citizen. The big corporations who own all of the media nowadays, make money all over the world. They do not care what is going to happen to the U.S. Like Halliburton they will change their headquarters to the Middle East or somewhere else in the world, where they can make more money.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:35 PM on 05/04/2008

THE REV. Jeremiah Wright issue is not just a distraction from Senator Barack Obama's campaign for president, and its importance is not as a reflection of Obama's own views. As a voter, I am looking for any and all indications of the candidates' character and leadership. It seems that Obama's strength, his ability to appreciate multiple viewpoints, is also a dangerous weakness when it degenerates into naive moral relativism and paralysis instead of action. If Obama has trouble handling the petty demagoguery of Wright, who just has a big mouth, how will he handle the truly dangerous demagoguery of tyrants such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who may back up their toxic views with violence and horrific weaponry? This gives me pause.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:31 PM on 05/04/2008

Let's look at this from a clearly clinical observation. We are not talking about just any preacher. This is a man who has been a part of Obamas personal existence for many years, someone he considered a friend for nearly 20 years. This is a highly personal matter. I was a personal betrayal. It frays emotion and taxes trust. In the light of this, i think that his reticence to just toss this man out the window in 20 seconds and just keep smiling. The struggle that we have seen in him on this issue is personally painful. And it shows more strength than you wouldI would rather see a thinking, feeling human being in the Whitehouse who weighs issues carefully than a SixGun toting,six pack drinking Annie Oakley cartoon who is touchy feely one second then when the wind shifts ever so slightly becomes Gorg,conqueror of worlds,slayer of Iran.
PS. Don't you think he just might be wise enough to differentiate between a petty Dictator and
a freind by whom he was personally betrayed? I somehow think he does.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:21 PM on 05/04/2008

I agree. It is amazing how long this relationship lasted between Obama and Rev. Wright. That's all the more reason to question Obama's character and judgment. I don't know about you, but if I walked into a church and the pastor started making negative statements about "black people," I'd be out of there in a minute. It sure as heck wouldn't take me 20 years, and until such relationship was exposed by the press, to leave.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:33 PM on 05/04/2008

Hinnis, if I walked into any church and heard someone say "G** D*** A*******" from the pulpit, I'd be out of there without waiting to determine the "context". As far as I am concerned, there is no acceptable reason for uttering this from the pulpit of a church. Even if the speaker claims to be quoting someone else, there are ways to convey the exact meaning without uttering profanity from the pulpit. Twenty years and Obama did not know about and agree with Wright's opinions? And where does Wright find the chutzpa to claim he is speaking for the black church?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:51 PM on 05/04/2008

Excuse me, should be "where does Wright find the chutzpah to claim he is speaking for the black church?"

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:55 PM on 05/04/2008

Isn't Alex Witt the same asshole who said that Senator John Conyers should be "appeased" that John McCain just recently acknowledged his lack of brain cells in not voting for a Dr. King holiday back in the 80s? Is she really a journalist or just another big dirty-haired blonde that MSNBC thought was cute and said let's put her on camera? Senator Kerry is absolutely correct in that they need to let go of this whole Rev. Wright thing. There are far more important issues to talk about. Oh snap, what am I thinking? We have to keep this Rev. Wright thing going so we don't have to deal with the fiasco that is the US of A.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:13 PM on 05/04/2008

BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY: Learn about the so-called "religion" that Obama has been soaking up for the last 20 years. The Internet is a great source for researching this topic...

+++++++++

From Obama's Church Website:

"The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone"s book, Black Power and Black Theology."

http://www.tucc.org/talking_points.htm

James Cone defines the theology as thus:

"Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love."

Liberation Theology on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_theology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_theology

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:41 AM on 05/04/2008

Shame on you Huffington Scanners ....see my blogs about your scanning abilities and I am reporting you to your boss on Monday......Again, and this applies to Kerry's comment? If I had written the above comment...would I have put on the pending awaiting for approval? ......as this above comment is offensive...does not apply to Kerry's comment and I am telling Scott on your posting this blog and not mine which are NOW applicable to the articles....this is not.....shame on you scanners

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:07 PM on 05/04/2008

If you find the theology of Obama's church offensive, you should take it up with Rev. Wright, or the primary founders of black liberation theology, James H. Cone and Dwight Hopkins.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:34 PM on 05/04/2008

and this applies to kerry's comment...how? OH that's right, you're obsessed. sorry about that.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:52 AM on 05/04/2008

Because Kerry wants us to ignore an issue that speaks to Obama's character and judgment.

If Hillary Clinton had attended a church for 20 years, and considered its white racist pastor to be her "mentor and spiritual adviser," and if that pastor made denigrating remarks in sermons about "black people" and followed a "white theology" premised on the "destruction of the black enemy"; and if that church had given an infamous white racist a "lifetime achievement award";

would you consider it germane to her character and judgment? Be honest, now . . .

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:59 AM on 05/04/2008

I'm Catholic, Should I quit my Church knowing this church hired child molesters?
Infamous "lifetime achievement award for child molesters" in YOUR quote.
Would you consider it germane to her character and judgement to "Obliterate Iran" when Iran has not voiced war to us?
Would you consider it germane to her character and judgement to "Hillary's words"I remember running from snipper fire in Bosnia"?Videos proved her lying.
Would you consider it germane to her character and judgement to "have a close Association with a well-known lier, Bill Clinton, "I never had "S"with that woman?
Would you consider it germane to her Character and judgement to "gas tax holiday" that ALL economists report is pandering and ridiculous.?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:02 PM on 05/04/2008