Obama Pastor Michael Pfleger Apologizes For Mocking Clinton

CHICAGO — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Thursday that he was "deeply disappointed" by a supporter's sermon at his church that mocked Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, a Chicago activist, also apologized for last Sunday's sermon at Obama's church, in which he said Clinton's eyes welled with tears before the New Hampshire primary because she felt "entitled" to the Democratic nomination and because "there's a black man stealing my show."

In video circulating on the Internet, Pfleger said the former first lady expected to win the nomination before Obama's sudden popularity.

"She just always thought that, 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white.' ... And then, out of nowhere, came 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama." And she said, 'Oh damn, where did you come from? I'm white. I'm entitled. There's a black man stealing my show,'" Pfleger said at Trinity United Church of Christ.

He then went on to parody Clinton, sobbing and wiping his face with a handkerchief.

"She wasn't the only one crying," he said. "There was a whole lot of white people crying."

Obama won the Iowa caucuses, the first contest of the nominating season, in January. Days later, Clinton's eyes brimmed with tears and her voice broke as she talked with New Hampshire voters on the eve of the primary, which she won.

Obama said he was "deeply disappointed" by Pfleger's comments.

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"As I have traveled this country, I've been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that that unites us," he said in a statement. "That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."

Pfleger, the white pastor of predominantly black Saint Sabina Roman Catholic Church on the city's Southwest side, said he regretted his choice of words.

"These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them," Pfleger said.

Clinton's campaign denounced Pfleger's comments.

"Divisive and hateful language like that is totally counterproductive in our efforts to bring our party together and have no place at the pulpit or in our politics," the campaign said in a statement. "We are disappointed that Senator Obama didn't specifically reject Father's Pfleger's despicable comments about Senator Clinton, and assume he will do so."

In March, Pfleger invited Obama's embattled former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, to speak at Saint Sabina, embracing Wright in the church.

Obama recently broke with Wright, who had been his longtime pastor, after video of his sermons blaming U.S. policies for the Sept. 11 attacks and his calls of "God damn America" became fixtures on the Internet and cable news networks and created a political problem for the candidate.

Pfleger, known locally as a community activist and organizer, was arrested in June 2007 with the Rev. Jesse Jackson during a protest outside of a south suburban Chicago gun shop. The criminal trespass charges were later dropped.

He also has hosted Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, at St. Sabina and has called him "a gift from God to a sick, sick world."

___

Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[MrRavini]

Interesting that this topic has become a favorite for response. Over 1800 at this point.

Can we just say that, even as Obama supporters, this sexist, even racist rhetoric is out of place and needs to be put aside if Barack is going to win in November? I dislike the Clintons at this point as much as most of you, but you have to see that this kind of clown-like disrespect serves no one but the McCain machine? Did you find what the Priest said amusing? Appropriate? Well -- millions didn't (obviously). Quit trying to score political or philosophical points -- this is about getting Obama in the White House in November. Everything else is empty rhetoric. We need these jokers out of the spotlight until the inauguration (and then maybe beyond). There's healing that needs to take place in a serious way, and rubbing salt in the wounds does no one any comfort...particularly the Obama campaign. Take the sanctimonious posturing and stick it....!This isn't about the value of your rigid position ...this is about how do we get control of the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[sky2blue]

"Can we just say that, even as Obama supporters, this sexist, even racist rhetoric is out of place and needs to be put aside if Barack is going to win in November?"

Sure, I'll say it needs to be put aside so Barack can win. But it's neither racist nor sexist.

[MrRavini]

If you listen carefully to the "Father's" comments, it is, unfortunately, both. It may be amusing on one level -- but it's also one more major reason why the centrist white folks (of which there are a few) may find to not vote for Obama. I'm not advocating obfuscation, but c'mon -- anyone with half a brain will watch this video and say "uh oh, this isn't good for Obama." I'm just saying -- put aside your own self-interests and think about what we need to do to get Obama past the Repub hate machine and into the White House. We don't need to be handing them the friggin' ammunition, do we?

[Amminadab]

You're the reason Obama will lose in November.

It's not the color of your skin, it is the color of your heart.

[Amminadab]

Obama cannot win the White House because too many of his supporters agree with Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger. They think it is okay and humerous to mock and deride white people. This is the religion of black rage..... and many Obama supporters wish to empower this. Thus the acceptance of Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger.

America will not support this hateful bigotry.

I do not believe that Obama is a hateful bigot..... but a great many of his supporters and associates are.

He stayed in that church for 20 years.

[dorkenergy]

"I do not believe that Obama is a hateful bigot."

Good.

Then, instead of focusing on statements by associates which Obama has forcefully condemned, wouldn't it serve us all better to focus on, say, e.g., the future of the Supreme Court?

Arguing about statements of supporters is even more diversionary. We don't have time for that.

[steamboat]

A lot of these Black racists don't realize they may cost Obama the election. Like it or not, "7 out of 10 voters come November" will be White...So by keep insulting Whites and name-calling them alot of Whites will start getting tired of that sh!t and , as a result, vote against Obama.

[VSamuels]

It would be helpful for those of you who are repeating Sean Hannity's phrasology "he stayed in that church for 20 years" to actually address the veracity of accusations meant in your argument. I would submit that most, if not all of those good white folks here who repeating this line, haven't ever been inside a so-called black church, much less Wright's church. And, of course this is at the center of why this attack is silly and basically motivated by racial bias and fear.

I would also like to point out that there are somewhere between 500 and 600 white member of Trinity, and unless one of them are remarking about what has happened over the past 20 years that points to racism, you folks simply don't have a case.

[Seattlelite]

Name one group in our country, be it blacks, whites, Latinos, Asian, gay, women, the handicap who won't say in some form they've haven't felt they've been discriminated against. Whites feel they are discriminated against because of affirmation action. Blacks are discriminated against because of their race as are Latinos, Asian's and Native Americans. Gays because of their sexual ordination. Women still feel it's a man's world etc. What Sen. Obama is trying to get us all to realize is, the importance of seeing ourselves as one instead of individual groups. How many times has he said, we all have the same needs and wants doesn't matter what "group" your in. When it comes to education, health care etc it affects ALL OF US. United we stand divided we fall.

[Seattlelite]

I couldn't agree more. Fact is what most people call racism is really discrimination. Every group in this country can claim they've been discriminated against. People judge and discriminate against people for all sorts of reasons skin color, where a person lives, their backgrounds, education you name people will judge you by it. Heck people even discriminate against people in their own GROUPS. I know this is true because nothing amazes me more as an African American, then the rife that exists between blacks who are light and dark skinned.

[linaya]

On what planet is this bigoted, sexist talk acceptable? On what planet to pastors talk like this??

Obama needs to explain what he is still doing in this church. I'm sick of hearing his excuses. This is racist, divisive stuff and the Republicans are going to have a field day with this in ad after ad after ad this summer. What is he thinking?

[truthseeker111]

you are right linaya!

Apparently a lot of people here tend to think that bigoted, sexist talk is acceptable!!
If Obama stays in this Church I see no way he can win the election in November!!
I do not understand how he can expose his kids to this kind of circus and call it religion!

[Seattlelite]

I think it's fair to say that of the millions of sermons that were preached in this church the only one's that the media seem to have interest in are the ones that are controversal. That being said these pastors don't seem to care enough or the common sense to know the damage they are causing for Sen. Obama. But that's what's happens when your ego is to big. This priest had to know he would wind up front center news for his comments, but then as I said, that's what happens when you let your ego get the best of you.

[sky2blue]

It was neither bigoted nor sexist.

Mocking a woman isn't sexist. Mocking a woman BECAUSE she's a woman is sexist. And the fact that so many people don't understand the difference is disturbing.

[Lucille]

Of course the purpose of the Black church is to teach the gospel, but the modern Black church has also become the great psychoanalyst that helps Black churchgoer emotionally get through the work week. Sometimes the Church is very serious and other times it can be extremely funny like the Rev Pfleger's performance. Personally, I laughed out load after seeing the Rev. Pfleger performance as he has Hillary Clinton down perfectly.

There is an article in the New York Times dated May 29, 2008 call “Racial Shift in a Progressive City Spurs Talks” about gentrification in Portland, OR and how their government held community meetings not to stop the gentrification that has displaced Black and Native American residents from their neighborhoods, rather the purpose of the meetings are to inform White people (who are gentrifying their neighborhoods), know how they feel about it - big deal. Hears a quote from the article:

“That’s been our history,” Norma Trimble, who is Native American, said during the question-and-answer session this month. “They take all you’ve got. They take your land. Now they want your stories.”

So it’s o.k. to take advantage of people as long as you are sympathetic to them while doing so.

It seems truth of what Revs. Pfleger and Wright said apparently hurts, or not I don't really know. Perhaps the outrage is just another excuse for some White people to hide behind.

[truthseeker111]

So essentially you are saying that Hillary is a racist and you find that funny!
Also according to you, Black Churches are an outlet for racist and sexist jokes and mockery.

Well I have a lot of african american friends and they are also disgusted at these type of comments! I guess Chicago is not NY!

[Beowoof]

I have friends, family, and Flight of Conchords this weekend. Truthseeker, I wish you well. Goodnight

[Seattlelite]

Talk to any African American born after the 60's and I bet they'll tell you they don't understand nor do they relate or care bout anything Wright nor this priest has to say. But many of them might just have heard such a sermon in their church. I know. They sit there out of respect and think, this guy is from the OLD school.

[VSamuels]

Your response to Lucille's post, truthseeker, illustrates how quickly and easily you have transfered you own personal interpetation on race unto her premises, which has nothing to do with your insipid attacks. You claim that Lucille has assigned racism and sexism to black Churches when she doesn't do such a thing, but moreover you offer no credible evidence that you yourself have ever had a relevant experience to draw upon to understand what Lucille has stated.

You, like some other folks here are just find with black folks as long as they agree with you, but the moment they suggest there is a different way of looking at something, you immediately become disrepectful and ignorant. I'm unsure why you felt a need to identify that you have some black friends, this doesn't mean they actually do feel the way you've cited, nor does it mean they feel the same way you do for the same reasons.

[VALiveOak]

Honestly, Pfleger's rant humors me. Not the message, mind you, but the delivery. I liken it to an over the top, satirical Saturday Night Live skit...but of course, the problem IS the message...and the fact that it was delivered in Obama's church....well, that's just deja vu all over again.

I allow that different churches have different standards, but outside of a comedy club, I can't imagine being affronted by such outrageous behavior or sitting through it for one second. Pfleger's ridiculous and inexcusable outburst has caused a considerable amount of damage...perhaps even more so because what Pfleger said amplifies the very stereotypes and resentments about which Obama felt compelled to speak after that other zealot caused him similar trouble earlier this Spring. Of course, it isn't fair to hold Obama responsible for what other individuals say on his behalf, but I suspect regarding political opinions, most people aren't fair at all...and it's why rather than laughing, some are still upset about inappropriate remarks offered in a Chicago church last Sunday.

It would be a heart-breaking loss if the first black man to have serious consideration for the presidency should lose because some of the people surrounding him are acting like bigots and racists. Most certainly, that wouldn't be funny.

[truthseeker111]

Well if he wants to become president of the United States of America he needs to get out of this Church. Period. Racism, hateful mockery and sexism have no place in our society and that is not how we are going to build a better stronger united America!
And that is especially true if you want to become the President of this Country!!!

[VALiveOak]

I see you and raise you.

If he loses, it's because his campaign will have neglected and/or offended too many white majority voters. There are plenty of reasons Obama lost PA and WV and OH and IN and KY...and it's not simply because Hillary is white or that most of the Democrats there are racists.

[sky2blue]

"It would be a heart-breaking loss if the first black man to have serious consideration for the presidency should lose because some of the people surrounding him are acting like bigots and racists."

Neither Pfleger or Wright are bigots. What would be heartbreaking is if Obama lost because our society is rought with white supremacy that criticizing it leads to people being called racist and bigots.

[VALiveOak]

sky2blue, I don't believe for one moment that Wright and Pfleger are bigots, nor did I say that, but whether they realize it or not, they are certainly coming off that way...and THAT is exactly what Obama has talked about.

I thought his speech, necessitated by Wright's outrageous remarks, was brilliant. He spoke with eloquence and passion about a topic long ignored. But his speech wasn't only about black anger, it was also about white resentment...which is also real.

How many of those speeches do you think Obama will have to give? Or, for that matter, how many of those speeches do you think people will want to listen to, simply because too many Obama supporters apparently can't recognize the harm they're causing his candidacy when jumping up and down making fools of themselves in front of a camera?

Obama honorably defended Wright and then we all saw Wright insult Obama and further inflame the situation with additional outrageous remarks at the National Press Club. Obama promptly cut Wright loose. My concern is that too many white majority voters might be inclined to cut Obama loose because of people like Wright and now, Pfleger making racist remarks.

[CALISCHOLAR]

once u decode the code words, what people are really saying is


LOOK, AMERICA DOESNT OWE YOU OR OBAMA ANYTHING


more decoding: If McCain jokes about bomb-bomb-bomb-bomb-IRAN, its a joke cause hes a war vet...If Wright says the truth about what America has done, OBAMA must be a racist


more decoding: JIMMY CARTER is unpatriotic and unamerican......DECODED: palestinian lives dont mean as much as isreali lives


Trinity United is a racist church.....DECODED: so what that we teach about how Native Americans were so glad we took their lands and slaves loved working for free instead of being in Africa, but HOW DARE that church ridicule our white sister HILLARY


and by the way, it is the arrogance of so many that listen to PFLEGER that makes them say he is "trying to talk black:" (confused look)


AMERICA stabs black people with a 9 inch knife, pulls it out 3 inches, and think we dont recognize the knife is still in our back ....

[truthseeker111]

Let's see code word: it seems any attack on Obama is racist!

That, to me, is a form of racism!

The way you are explaining the Trinity church part shows you think that racism justifies racism.

[Daisy1111]

Look, it's not all of "America" .. its the top 10% of the power-holders/money people.

Top 10% of 280-million people control all the wealth and have all the power.

Working-class, middle class and poor whites, AAs, Hispanics, Asians, immigrants -- we all get screwed by the top10% of the country.

Like what they're doing to us with the price of gas.

90% of us - we're in their strangle-hold.

When father Phlegle was taling about "trust funds" he wasn't talking about the top 10% of the country.

I don't know anyone with a trust fund.

[hardsun]

Amminadab and Truthseeker111: please step down from your self righteous soap boxes. Honestly, you are beginning to sound like the same person.

I can only assume that you were just as vocal and morally outraged by Pastor Hagee's remarks. What? You didn't even bother to comment on that thread?

[Beowoof]

Hillary has run a very negative campaign as opposed to Obama's positive one. They(AMM and TRU) refuse to look at something right in front of them.

[truthseeker111]

Yes, Obama has not been negative? Like calling Hillary the politician of the past? That is not negative. Calling her likeable enough, that is not negative? Stating that the Clinton 8 years had no new ideas, that was not negative? Calling her the candidate of status quo, that is not negative? Sending flyers lying about her NAFTA positions that is not negative?? Ridiculing her health care plan, that is not negative??? Bringing upi her wall mart days in a debate, that was not negative???
Do you want any more???

[truthseeker111]

Pastor Hagee is even more of a Jerk than Wright in my book!!
His comments are even more disgusting, and he is a fake hiding behind religion to make money and obtain political power.
But, the fact that Hagee is worst, still does not OK Wright or this priest!
Interesting you use self righteous!! Now you would not ne self righteous yourself, no way right?

[Amminadab]

I was outraged by Pastor Hagee's remarks...... but I can't really comment on every article on HuffPo.

Sorry.

[CALISCHOLAR]

this is SO MUCH BIGGER than huffingtonpost.com, Obama, Hillary or any god for saken political office

what this election shows is what ALWAYS has been THE issue

and the fact that SO MANY, of all races, call matters of racism, which stems from a systematic institutional racist society, including our politics, dont want to discuss it, IS THE PROBLEM

and even if you support Obama, you too need a wake up call

there is this PERCEPTION that him winning the election washes away REALITY and it proves how far America has come. so i get it, 1 in 43 over 300 years, and thats JUSTICE right?

i watch how people, even black folk, dismiss racism, and i know why....

its too painful, its too difficult, u cant change peoples opinon ? yada yada yada

and u wonder why the OJ case, Rodney KING, political elections are seen through different prisms


Obama, Clinton, Republican, Democrat....it dont matter, they all tip toe AS DO WE IN GENERAL around the fact this country was built on racist principles, it continues to be guided on racist doctrine (thats why we have amendments....duh), a justice system which in itself is racist and an educational system where after 50 years after Brown v Board, schools are more segregated and children where predominantly Black and Latinos attend are under funded, crime ridden and teachers who often are not even credentialed !

but of course that stuff doesnt matter right....too busy voting on American Idol

[lisac63]

The only thing wrong with what he said was where he said it. The pulpit is for preaching the word of God. That being said, if he was doing stand up in a comedy club somewhere I would pay to hear him because what he said was funny. And everyone knows its true about Hillary....I've been hearing pretty much the same thing for months.

[truthseeker111]

Lisa,
racism and sexism are not joking matters. That is exactly the biggest form of them. Cracking jokes at someone because of his race or sex is not funny, no matter where it is done!! Sexist and racist jokes hurt people and they are unacceptable! Look at what happened to Imus on MSNBC for his sexist, racist remarks!

Obama must leave this Church, there are way too many outrageous things being said there! Why doesn't he feel his kids should not see this as God's Word?? Why does he not mind these statements? Why is he still a member of this Church??

[LettuceB1]

Cracking jokes about race isn't funny? Tell that to Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. Sound out appearances would dispute your comment.

[Amminadab]

Not everyone knows that it is true about Hillary..... a great many of us don't believe it is true at all.

Do you enjoy racial hatred at comedy clubs?

[vaberella]

I wonder if you're a New Yorker? In the Daily News of New York, on MSNBC, CNN, and yes, FoxNews---they ahve all said that she has this sense of entitlement. All of them have mentioend this. Check out MSNBC, when it was brought up they all agreed.

This is nothing new and every newspaper from conservative to liberal has said the same thing about Clinton based on how she's run her camp. This is nothing new...Hillary wasn't screaming "divisive" then, nor was any of her fans..when it was everywhere in the media and all over any left wing board.

[LTinCali]

Let's talk about racism for a moment.

How many of you had a customer tell another bank teller that they don't want to go to your window because you are black and all black people steal? The best part of this personal story is that the lady who said this could barely speak English.

How many of you have gone into a store and been followed around wordlessly by the store staff just because your skin is brown?

When they rioted here in Los Angeles, all the Korean store owners put signs in their windows saying their establishment was "black owned" just to avoid the rioters. They just assumed that only black people were rioting and that they would only be saved if they used these signs.

What I find funny is that throughout my childhood, I NEVER saw anyone's skin color. Even as a young adult, I did not. It did not really hit me just how racist people were until I was well into my 20's. Why? Because that is how I saw people. I still do to an extent until someone gives me a reason to see them differently. Racism was all around me for so long and I did not see it until I was slapped in the face with it.

Now, can we move on to the actual issues or are we really going to go on and on about this non-issue?

[Amminadab]

Apparently, racial hatred is a BIG issue.

Especially in Obama's church.

[vaberella]

Is white on white hatred = racism?

[Beowoof]

So do you also think that it's racial hatred that has kept your candidate from winning?

[truthseeker111]

Your point seems to be:

Some people are racist therefore Obama and his Church goers can make racist and sexist comments and spread that as the Word of God? Interesting reasoning!

[LTinCali]

No. That is not what I was saying but if that is how you take it, that is on you.

I was attempting to spark a conversation about racism in general. I was sharing the fact that even though I have been treated in a negative way, I don't think that all people of different races are all the same and therefore I don't treat them all as racist because of what a handful do.

As for his church. I have never sat in his church so I cannot say that all the sermons were racist sermons. I cannot say that they were not because I live in California and have never been to their church.

Now, if the day comes when I decide to travel to Chicago and check out their church, then I can give an opinion of the church as a whole.

[Beowoof]

It was the ridiculous exaggeration that I was amused by. I deal with racism every day and don't need to be lectured on the subject. Hillary has waged such a divisive campaign along with that walking negative virus called Hannity/Fox that once again has spread to the masses.

[barbwiregrrl]

Truthseeker are you talking to me because that is NOT AT ALL what I wrote...I wrote that the racism and sexism actually seems to be coming directly from Obama and his campaign ....

The rest of us sit and go.....my g-d these morons actually think it is ok to attack women and make fun of her and all women.....

We all know what they did to Geraldine Ferraro and just about any woman who speaks out abotu these attacks.

[barbwiregrrl]

Well the real issue that Obama's folks at every turn have used a sexist conotation to attack Hillary and then Obama stands upa ns says "I can't support these devisie messages...."

Hence his foregin policy person callingHillary a monster-- the constant comments about that she is old politics yet he keeps playing the same old politics of slach and burn via his surrogates.

Finally, a few words about sexism---

Ever have two women go into a nice resturant and be seated near the bathroom or kitchen always "Women are lousy tippers"

Every have a woman walk into a bar and order a drink and have either men all all over her if she is "pretty" or call her a dog or fat if she does not give them the time of day?

Every wonder how it feels to be a highly qualified woman working in a "mans" job and getting paid a great deal less?

YOu might say all of this is because the women see themselves as victims--well if they don't then they are seen as castrating B*TCH or worse.....man hating lesbians....

Frankly the whole Obama campaign has been based on lets have innuendos of racsim spread all the time and then blame anyone who calls them on their sh"t.

[riverhouse]

This is getting silly. The guy is a great stand up comedian. He has nothing to do with Obama. It's so nonsensical as to be needing medication.

[truthseeker111]

Silly! Yes, that Church is what is Silly, and hateful ! What is Obama doing there and why does he think that his kids should listen to this kind of non sense?

[vaberella]

You keep spouting out information that is incorrect. He is not part of the church. He wa sin the past. Further more that priest is a guest speaker. Get ti ttogether.

[barbwiregrrl]

REallynothing to do with Obama? Then why did Obama bother to distance himself from the sexist pig? Could it be that all of these actions are orchestrated by the campaign or even worse...that the campaign does not vet its surrogates or even worse--that they actually attrack people like this because they beleive it themselves?

[CALISCHOLAR]

i really LOVE this site, cause it exposes just how UNINFORMED people are

my words are MY WORDS, but some things are just UNDERSTOOD in general amongst the MAJORITY of black people


UNLIKE Obama, im not running for president, cause if i was, i would have told a whole lot of people what i REALLY think of them

UNLIKE Obama, black people in general may not have spoken themselves like WRIGHT or PFLEGER, but now ask US if we think they were telling the TRUTH ...ha !

UNLIKE Obama, the majority of black people will tell you the only thing that is WORSE then a racist, is a racist who PRETENDED at our expense that they were not, and then became exposed

UNLIKE Obama, most black people, and MOST people in general who stand on PRINCIPLE, would NEVER apologize for the TRUTH

UNLIKE Obama, most black people take high offense to people who think they can punk us, in particular in public, and have the nerve to tell us who our friends can be..ha !


and truth be told, Obama made many white folk, until they heard about REV WRIGHT, comfortable...and now that you dont think Obama fits your BLACK CRITERIA, u wanna send him back to the ghetto (figuratively and literally)

truth is, even if he does NOT become president, trust me black folk will get over it...we've had 400 years of practice...we will NEVER get over the CLINTON INSINCERITY

[truthseeker111]

Wether you are black or white there is no excuse for racism nor is there any argument justifying it.

I didn't have black criteria I have african american friends and fellow workers that I respect and that I see no differently than my asian or white friends!!!

Why is that a problem??? Why should there be special criteria for african americans, asians, hispanics ... and whites ???

What is the reasoning for that?

[VSamuels]

Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another race and then creating a system which incorporates this belief into real and everyday practice. Secondly, whites by virtue of their position and power in America, historically are the ones who can be racists, as they can exclude blacks from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Blacks can resent whites or even hate their guts, but this does not rise to the charge of racism; since, this would necessitate that blacks had the power to exclude whites from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

When some whites come out here and accuse blacks of racism, they are mixing up bias and hate with racism, as would be someone who accused poor whites of being racist; since neither group of people would have the power to actually execute the system needed to discriminate. Racism, then is a system based on racial assumptions to deny civil rights and civil liberties, it is not as some whites here comfortably flaunt: some personal and deep dislike of others.

Hate is the force that drives racism, but in and of itself, it is not racism.

[Beowoof]

Just the framing of the debate "Obama is having trouble with white working class voters"was the discussion for the last two months as compared with "Hillary has lost her appeal to virtually all black voters". Knowing that Hillary can't win in the general without the black vote is conveniently left off the table.

[johnfoirdfw]

Divide and conquer, old tried and true stategy. You can all gather and jerk in a circle denigrating two great Ameicans, Hillary and Obama, and ensure that McBush sails into the White House in November.. Wake up fools!

[vaberella]

Good point.

[vaberella]

Especially considering this is coming from the Right wing camp. However, Hillary saying that McCain would be a better candidate doesn't make us that much more united.

[ailbhe]

You should put the video up. It is hilarious to watch him trying to mimic the speaking style of black preachers. Love the fake accent....ha ha.....Father Pfleger beats Ali G any day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H11x6bMu4Y

[truthseeker111]

What is hilarious about racism and sexism??

[ailbhe]

Father Pfieger is THE joke, I can't believe people take him seriously. Yes his comments were disgusting but he is too ridiculous not to laugh at.

This particularly vile individual was also in the news a while back for publicly threatening to 'snuff out' a shopowner to the cheers of baying (african american) mobs. On youtube also.

People should hold this idiot to ridicule and contempt and the same goes for the morons who cheer him on. Disturbingly Obama previously held him as a friend and has worked with him for years. And sat in church, socialised and got his support from the same people who were cheering this idiot.

Watch the video though if you haven't seen it. He is a parody of what he wants to be.

[VSamuels]

Stop tossing around words so loosely; they stop rational discussion; especially when they are misused in the way you have so choosen to do. There are plenty of words which denote dislike and hate, without resorting to two words which imply an institutional bias that prevents individual from expressing their rights as citizens. To whit:
an individual can hold racist beliefs (meaning he believes his race is superior to another race) or he can hold sexist beliefs (meaning he believes his gender is superior to another's gender) but neither rise to racism or sexism without institutions which have codified these beliefs in law, statue and code.

It is mere miseducation and its close sister folly to describe folks in such a manner, unless you have some evidence that such a person has created policy to bring either racism or sexism to fruitation. Oversimplification, defensiveness and self-denial affects too many folks here who so easily misuse words.

[VALiveOak]

Honestly, Pfleger's rant humors me. Not the message, mind you, but the delivery. I liken it to an over the top, satirical Saturday Night Live skit...but of course, the problem IS the message...and the fact that it was delivered in Obama's church....well, that's just deja vu all over again.

I allow that different churches have different standards, but outside of a comedy club, I can't imagine being affronted by such outrageous behavior or sitting through it for one second. Pfleger's ridiculous and inexcusable outburst has caused a considerable amount of damage...perhaps even more so because what Pfleger said amplifies the very stereotypes and resentments about which Obama felt compelled to speak after that other zealot caused him similar trouble earlier this Spring. Of course, it isn't fair to hold Obama responsible for what other individuals say on his behalf, but I suspect regarding political opinions, most people aren't fair at all...and it's why rather than laughing, some are still upset about inappropriate remarks offered in a Chicago church last Sunday.

It would be a heart-breaking loss if the first black man to have serious consideration for the presidency should lose because some of the people surrounding him are acting like bigots and racists. Most certainly, that wouldn't be funny.

[DofG]

It's unfortunate that there is so much ignorance in this country, in high and low places. We have the "greatest" country known to history. Yet, we are equally the poorest in the knowledge of ourselves. We have the largest library in the world. Yet, so many can't find their own state on a map, or find the very country laid waste, in our name, for an ideological "wet dream"! There's even a video showing people not able to name a country that starts with the letter "U"! Yet, we go back and forth about racism, while not even knowing its true meaning, or objective.

Let it be said again. Racism is a system, realized from an ideology of social theory.

www.timwise.org is a good start.

[truthseeker111]

Racism is simple:

discriminating against or judging someone due to his racial features. Obama's church does that contantly! Therefore they are encouraging racism in the USA!
That is plain and simple. Wether the people doing it are black, half black, half white, caucasian, eurasian or hispanic it doesn't matter. Racism is racism. No excuses for it.

This has also tumbled down to Obama personally when he uses statements like typical white people. That is racism too and has to be called what it is. He is not exempt from racism because he is half black half white!!! What a bunch of non sense and rationalisations!!

[LTinCali]

I just have to ask, how many times have you actually sat in that church?

Also, did you actually listen to the complete sermons of Rev Wright that the media only played snipets of? I did get to see the post 9/11 one and the part after the snipet, he told his congregation that these were the words of a politician that he was sharing. He was telling them what he had heard, but you would not know that if you did not see the WHOLE sermon.

Also, if you had seen the whole sermon, before the repeating of the story, he talked about his love of his country and the love of his church members and encouraged them to all turn to the person next to them and tell them they loved them.

[sf94127]

Lots of posts here even though you need to use the SE to find it.

For those Obamamanacs who refuse to look at CNN and FOx, here is the latest

video on Pfleger introducing and embracing Farrahhan and hugging each other, literally
Obama sponsored funding for Pfleger's church projects, hundreds of thousands of dollars

This is the tip of the iceberg

NoBama

[obamasOHangel]

Ed Rendell supports Farrakhan....and Hillary never renounced him. Aint that something?

http://www.youtube.com/v/P48VQ5xOfOQ&hl=en

There are plenty of icebergs on ALL sides to tip.

[CeeLee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXum_-8I1TA

Take another gander of your heroine "white candidate" HILLARY's SUPER SURROGATE GOV.RENDELL slobbering over Farrakhan.

There are TOO MANY mis-steps, lies, and distortions available in "You Tube Moments" of John "McNasty" available to post them all for you. You may have to actually take your hands from the bottom of your chair to access them.

[obamasOHangel]

CeeLee great minds.....

....that's why we support the great political mindset of Senator Obama. ;-)

[vaberella]

Get a clue, do you know what Father Pfleger has done for his community. That was what Obama supported. It doesn't matter about the priests personal political views, that's him. But his mission in life is to benefit his community. He adopted two destitute children----the Catholic church allowed him. He's obviously well loved and is a fixture in his community, he's gone as far as putting his life on the line for his community and it's those projects for the betterment of the community that Obama has supported.

You should get your facts together before you spout out your silly nonsense. I don't care what his friends are about Farakhan may be a hateful man, but he has had no power to hurt anyone and hasn't hurt anyone. This goes double for Father Pfleger, but I've done my reading on him, if he has a goal and it was in line at the time with Obama, why wouldn't Obama support it's success?!

You people need to get your data together and do some studying on the people their demonizing. I don't agree with a few things Father Pfleger has said, but nothing he's said is nothing the bloody medai has not done to Hillary Clinton. I won't even go into what the Daily News of New York has done to Ms. Clinton, she's the bloody joke of New York.

[MiraMcB]

If he did all that stuff, that's just great and good for him. In the sermon he comes across as a nutcake, and a mean one, at that. If he's going to keep up his saintly ways, he's going to have to confess his nasty, unchristian, ridiculing characterization. Very unbecoming of a priest, I must say.