Rev. Wright On Obama: "Them Jews Aren't Going To Let Him Talk To Me"

HAMPTON, Va. — President Barack Obama's controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, blamed "them Jews" in an interview this week for keeping him from speaking to the president, but later apologized.

Wright, the former pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, said he hasn't spoken to Obama since he became president.

"Them Jews ain't going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter that he'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck, or in eight years when he's out of office," Wright told the Daily Press of Newport News following a Tuesday night sermon at the 95th annual Hampton University Ministers' Conference.

"They will not let him to talk to somebody who calls a spade what it is. ... I said from the beginning: He's a politician; I'm a pastor. He's got to do what politicians do."

Wright issued a statement Thursday that he was "disturbed and deeply saddened" that his comments were stirring discussion again.

"I apologize for the way I framed my comments. I mis-spoke and I sincerely meant no harm or ill-will to the American Jewish community or the Obama administration," Wright said. "I have great respect for the Jewish faith and the foundational (and central) part of our Judeo-Christian tradition."

Obama was a longtime member of the church but resigned from it and cut ties with Wright after videos surfaced during the presidential campaign showing Wright's sometimes provocative sermons. Wright's incendiary comment included shouting "God damn America" and accusing the government of creating AIDS.

In the interview Tuesday, Wright also criticized Obama for not sending a U.S. delegation to the World Conference on Racism held recently in Geneva, Switzerland, saying Obama chose not to for fear of offending Jews and Israel.

"Ethnic cleansing is going on in Gaza. Ethnic cleansing (by) the Zionist is a sin and a crime against humanity, and they don't want Barack talking like that because that's anti-Israel," Wright said.

The White House declined to comment to the Associated Press on Thursday on Wright's remarks.

Comments

[YumYum]

10:11 AM on 06/12/2009

AMEN REV WRIGHT!! LOL

[YWC]

09:05 PM on 06/11/2009

LOL!

Rev. Wright didn't cost Obama the White House, but...

...Palin cost it for McCain!

THINK ABOUT IT!

[YWC]

08:58 PM on 06/11/2009

If you go back on YouTube and listen to Rev. Wright's press conference or interviews or even the "G.D. Amerikka" sermon, knowing full and well now none of this would sink Obama's campaign, its almost the funniest sh*t you ever heared - totally ridiculous rhetoric!

Look, Rev. Wright never lied...He just isn't 'candy-coated' for mainstream America. There's a lot of brutal honesty in his speak that isn't for everyone but the guy isn't preaching hate or violence like Hannity or Rush does everyday (who, btw, make millions for their BS)!

[Ben017]

07:50 PM on 06/11/2009

Is it surprising he has these views? Wright's Church gave an award to Louis Farrakhan as a man who
"truly epitomized greatness."

[ssg13565]

08:00 AM on 06/16/2009

Given the way I have seen the MSM sell their propaganda campaign against Rev. Wright, it makes me rethink my anti-Farrakhan opinions. I wonder if the campaign that the MSM has waged against Farrakhan is as false as the one they are waging against Wright. Maybe Farrakhan actually does deserve the award and maybe he does truly epitomize greatness. Since many of Farrakhan's speeches predate YouTube, I am not sure there is any way to find out the truth. Although one does have to wonder why so many people see him positively despite what the MSM claims he is.

[Ben017]

07:46 PM on 06/11/2009

This comment isn't that surprising. In 2007 Wright's Church gave its 'Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award' to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness", Louis Farrakhan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/14/AR2008011402083.html

[JackRusselTerrier]

05:26 PM on 06/11/2009

The message Rev. Wright is trying to get across is lost due to his hate speech. Anti semitism is racist, just as any other kind of racism. He is correct when he points out the atrocities committed in Gaza. Unfortunately, the way he says it closes off people who might otherwise listen. Fanning the flames and stoking the fire is not necessarily the best thing to do in a heated situation.

As a preacher, Rev. Wright has shown he can be a bully from the pulpit. Can he be a peacemaker and a force for positive change? This still remains to be seen.

Unless he has access to information otherwise unavailable to Obama, or he has a way to solve the problems in the Middle East, in a peaceful way; why would Obama want to waste his time?

[Kathryn Maver]

05:03 PM on 06/11/2009

I once respected him, but now this man does nothing but offend me.

[joe107]

04:59 PM on 06/11/2009

this man is crazy. and try to remember(the media makes it hard sometimes)that obama went to his church for 20 years

[EducatedObserver]

10:02 AM on 06/11/2009

Given the political slant of this newspaper, I am suprised that this story was even mentioned, so I must therefore congratulate the editors first.

Secondly, I have to say that this latest nugget from everyone's favourite neighbourhood pastor is hardly surprising; it is fact it is entirely consistent with the kinds of statements he has made throughout his long and illustrious career.

What is dismaying is that such horrendous declarations as Rev Wright spewed for years, as well as his indelible links with the man who is now President, were not more closely scrutinised when there was an opportunity.

[Zenfull]

04:57 PM on 06/12/2009

I respect Barack Obama for publically breaking with Wright's hate speech. It was very hard for him because of his long association with his Pastor and his respect for many of Wright's views which he shared on social activism and justice. He was attacked by the far left for his public divorce from Wright's views. I can only hope that that key Republican leaders would have the fortitude to criticize or break with their close allies and associates who use hate speech. Interesting that when a few brave GOP'ers have done so, they have found themselves the subject of ridicule and ostracism by the far right.

[Bubba Wayne]

08:39 AM on 06/11/2009

Racism is racism. It matters not the color of the messenger. All people should be held to the same standard, regardless of their religious beliefs or race. No one race or religion is better than any other. And for one class to be demonized and the polar opposite class to be given a pass for whatever reason, is hypocrisy and is WRONG. White racists and racists of color are not any different from each other, except for the target of their hate. To preach about coming together, but making that coming together exclusive based on race, religion or any other factor is counterproductive and disingenuous. Rev. Wright is no better in his hate speech than a white, Southern, fundamentalist preacher. His message may be correct and spot on, but the way he delivers it is inflammatory and shows how he really feels about people who are "different." Remove color from the equation, and it's the same hateful rhetoric, just in a different packaging.

[Stokes]

08:27 AM on 06/11/2009

To those who profess to be believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ, ( all others buzz off) why do you feel that you must be silent when it comes to mentioning the truths about the Zionists. They are running our country. They are in charge of all of the monies in the world. They do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who has already come and is now preparing to come again. Their God is Greed, Money and taking what belongs to others Why do all of trhese so called Christians from almost every denomination continue to enable them to continue to do their wrongs? EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD .

[CarlyHope]

07:24 PM on 06/11/2009

Racist much?

[PalmG]

09:06 PM on 06/11/2009

What's "racist" about what Stokes said? Do you have anything to refute his/her claim or is it just easier not to dissect reality?

[JoshieB]

08:31 PM on 06/11/2009

What antipsychotics would Jesus take?

[Halter]

06:11 AM on 06/11/2009

Very sad.

[TheBaffler]

02:32 AM on 06/11/2009

He still has 50,000 times more integrity and decency than the fraud that threw him under the bus.

[Hollywooddeed]

09:35 AM on 06/11/2009

Reverend Wright has no one to blame but himself and his ranting mouth.

[TheBaffler]

09:26 PM on 06/11/2009

His honesty and backbone, qualities Obama lacks and resents Wright for, got him into trouble.

[RumiSouth]

02:16 AM on 06/11/2009

Fifteen minutes is up in 5, 4, 3...

[zakwouldhave]

01:34 AM on 06/11/2009

I'm so glad I don't feel the need for any reverend in my life. Live free here and now or be a little lamb....just following.