Obama And Trinity Church: Why Did He Join In The First Place?

stumble digg reddit del.ico.us news trust

The New Republic   |  Michael Crowley   |   April 30, 2008 11:18 AM

Read More: 2008 Campaign, 2008 Elections, Barack Obama, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Trinity Church, Breaking Politics News
Show your support.
Buzz this article up.

The question is worth revisiting now that his ex-pastor is threatening his entire campaign.

I've heard two basic theories since the Wright tapes first surfaced in March. The first is cynical: Obama was a black politician in Chicago with an exotic background and intimidating credentials. He needed a home in a black church to gain credibility with his less educated, less affluent, more parochial-minded constituents. Trinity offered him the requisite cred.

Read the whole story here.

 
 

Comments
136
Pending Comments
0

Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to

View Comments:
Page: 1 2 3 Next › Last » (3 pages total)
- Rocky4356 See Profile I'm a Fan of Rocky4356

Really can any pastor make you into someone you are not. My wife wishes my pastor to get me to stop cussing. I like cussing so i continue to cuss. I think its all bullshit this hate speech crap. But we American love to wallow in the dung while the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Fort Bragg should be top story on every newscast. For us to bring our guys back from war and force them to live in a building that should be condemned is appalling. But we would rather argue about flag pins made in China with lead paint.-Go figure

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:50 AM on 05/02/2008
- condieshoes See Profile I'm a Fan of condieshoes

What I fail to understand is Wright obviously getting in the way of Obama's campaign....why? What on earth could Wright be thinking?

I've been a member of churches, sat in pews listened to sermons, did not agree with everything said. Religion and society is a huge mix and any parishoner does not agree with the pastor all the time. When it becomes evident that as a parishoner you don't agree on 3/4 of the message, time to leave.

I simply don't understand Wright's motivations. Not spiritually motivated is my guess.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:02 PM on 05/01/2008
- dgscol See Profile I'm a Fan of dgscol

Michelle Obama would like to call the "White House", the "President's House" instead. What differnece does it make?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:13 AM on 05/01/2008
- iranter See Profile I'm a Fan of iranter

the president lives in/at the white house!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:39 PM on 05/01/2008
- fourex See Profile I'm a Fan of fourex

A better question would be, why did McCain seek out Rev. Hagee's endorsement. Would this be an example of what Hillary claimed to be McCain's good judgment?

Hagee,
America is also collectively cursed for specific reasons, such as legalized abortion and a Supreme Court decision against sectarian Bible classes in public schools but also, more generally, for rebelling against God. As a consequence of America's disobedience and rebellion, according to McCain-endorser John Hagee, God's has cursed America and that curse has caused American military defeats, in Korea and Vietnam, plagues such as AIDS and social blights like violent crime. God's curse on America has also led "hundreds of thousands" to secretly sacrifice children to the devil.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:27 AM on 05/01/2008
- geneven See Profile I'm a Fan of geneven

I wonder what McCain thinks about Bush's strong friendship with Vladimir Putin, a probable killer?

As for Hillary, I used to support her, for years. Now, however, I think about her idiotic support of the gas tax "vacation" and her support of the anti-flag-burning law with disgust.

I think that even Obama has forgotten that his friendship with the Reverend is entirely consistent with his statement of long ago that he would talk with anyone in an attempt to bring about progress. He was primarily talking about talking to countries such as Syria and Iraq, but the principle is the same. He should continue with that approach. A politician should have many friends with many opinions. That is a politician's job.

But actual policies such as the dumb gas tax vacation and the absurd flag-burning law? These "ideas" of Hillary, apart from her position on the war in Iraq, are good reason to have doubts about voting for her. Who are her friends? Who cares?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:46 PM on 05/01/2008
- antaeus See Profile I'm a Fan of antaeus

And neither of the other candidates spent 20 years attending this nut's congregation.

The argument that Wright is an extremist, but so was Falwell, and so are others, only matters if there exists an analogous relationship between them and the other candidates. But the other candidates don't belong to extremist congregations.

Senator Obama immersed himself in Wright's congregation.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:19 AM on 05/01/2008
- iranter See Profile I'm a Fan of iranter

seems that this concept is really really hard for the obamagasmics to grasp.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:40 PM on 05/01/2008
- Peteyman See Profile I'm a Fan of Peteyman

You can't say anything about Reverend Wright without jeopardizing your credibility.
(Hint: Bill Clinton)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:42 PM on 05/01/2008
- fourex See Profile I'm a Fan of fourex

McCain sought out Rev Hagee's endorsement. McCain took himself and the country in that direction. Citizens need to know where the McCain/ Hagee relationship is going? Will they prepare us for the Rapture?
How will McCain/Hagee handle the conversion of Jews? These questions need to be answered no matter when the McCain/Hagee relationship was started, because it hasn't ended.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:39 PM on 05/01/2008
- bentenrai See Profile I'm a Fan of bentenrai

Heh, I guess you were in that church long enough to make that kind of judgement. Your conceit is ridiculous.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:39 AM on 05/01/2008
- antaeus See Profile I'm a Fan of antaeus

What I am is fed up with the self-serving rationalizations from people associated with both Black Liberation Theology and Farrakhan, as well. When confronted with criticism about extremist and absurd rhetoric--about whites, or gays, or Jews, or the U.S.--the justification is always, "Well, we do good in the community." But language of the kind we've been hearing only serves to foster greater alienation and isolation, so I hope this affair prompts a lot of folks to question their allegiances.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:10 AM on 05/01/2008
- Dustee See Profile I'm a Fan of Dustee

So what if he "immersed himself in Wright's congregation".

Rev Wright wasn't always extreme as you would make him out to be. I know you don't know the man personally, so don't make any assumptions and make yourself to be a fool.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:17 AM on 05/01/2008
- antaeus See Profile I'm a Fan of antaeus

None of us has first-hand knowledge of all of the events and people that impact our culture. We all go by what we read and learn from reports--and that includes the criticism from more mainstream black ministers who have been speaking out about this.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:05 AM on 05/01/2008
- gomonkeygo See Profile I'm a Fan of gomonkeygo

What's so "cynical" about joining a church to make connections? I think this is the main reason why people join churches, to make social networking connections. I know I'm out of the loop, as an atheist, but in the small-town America world I live in, one of the first questions you are asked by a stranger is "What church do you belong to?" It defines you as a person! A talking head last night on MSNBC said exactly the same thing, in that when she moved to Chicago, she was told that she needed to join one or two specific churches, to make connections and network - one of them being Trinity! Obama, however it happened, actually had a religious conversion moment and became not just a church goer but an actual Christian church goer! And now we crucify him for this. Ain't Amerikkka grand?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:45 AM on 05/01/2008
- fourex See Profile I'm a Fan of fourex

So many writers, commentators, have an agenda, point of view, opinion, allegiance. it's hard to tell who is who nowadays. I wonder if the Huff could post Bio's on every blogger, everyone, at the top of the article. I stopped reading and listening to MSM during their Iraq War cheer leading, so I have no idea what the New Republic does or who's Michael Crowley. So for better or worse here's Wiki's slant.

"The magazine's outlook is associated with the Democratic Leadership Council and "New Democrats" like former President Bill Clinton and Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, who received the magazine's endorsement in the 2004 Democratic primary." For me to know this, pro DLC, Lieberman, Clinton, prior to reading the piece would have been a great help.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:26 AM on 05/01/2008
- Daisy1111 See Profile I'm a Fan of Daisy1111


You know -- HuffPo is just as guilty of keeping this Wright story alive as MSM and cable news.

Seriously Huffpo - why all these Rev. Wright articles? Slow news day in politics?

Now people are psychoanlayzing Obama?

Jeeze. I'm a Hillary supporter yet even I agree this is too much on Wright.

The media is controlling this election -- first they build Obama up then they take him down.

Just like they did when they played Howard Dean's "scream" over and over and over to knock him out of the race.

Remember when Dean seemed "liked" by cable news? Then they turned on him.

Could it be even the "liberal" media is looking to make the Dems lose in November?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:24 AM on 05/01/2008
- janeadams See Profile I'm a Fan of janeadams

I couldn't agree with you more, Daisy1111. And I really appreciate it coming from a Hillary supporter. It was this kind of junk that got our last Dem president impeached. Our economy is in the toilet, 5 years in Iraq, gas prices through the roof, terrible health care and the media go on and on and on. It does seem like the media wants to ruin dem chances.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:01 AM on 05/01/2008
- dollars2donuts See Profile I'm a Fan of dollars2donuts

Good point, Daisy, my favorite posters are the ones that can see both sides of an issue. TOTALLY appropos comparison to Dean Scream, which was even more or a non issue. At the time I supported Dean and I was outraged that this MSM manufactured issue cost him the nom. It almost seems as though they pick their candidates in advance. Then they build up the other guy, and when a small issue presents itself, they collude and play it 24 hours a day for weeks until that candidate is shredded and on his knees. we must ask ourselves why do they do this...oh yeah, they (like GE) profit from war and military industrial complex, corruption, etc. BUT the flaw of Dean, Kerry, and Obama is that they responded like b*tches. Where was their manhood. Where is BO's smarts, fighting spirit, and manhood? REgardless of the MSM racism and myopia, I as a black woman cannot support a candidate who is not a strong man, who is not a fighter, and neither can white blue-collar dems apparently.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:33 AM on 05/01/2008
- Daisy1111 See Profile I'm a Fan of Daisy1111


Dollars2Donuts -- you make good points.

I like Obama. I was really on the fence between him and Hillary.

I seriously went back and forth for a long time. But as this dragged on I got the sense from Obama that he's either too refined a man to do what he has to do to win a General Election, or he's just getting bad advice from his advisors, or he's trying to please everyone at the same time.

When you try to please everyone you're still bound to piss off someone so why not just do your thing and let the chips fall where they may.

Now this will make the Clinton haters angry but -- Obama needs to look at how Bill Clinton first won the White House as a virtually unknown governor. He needs to study how Bill was able to come across as likable and strong at the same time.

And the one thing Obama MUST do is stop the "um, um, um" when he answers questions. It makes him sound unsure of himself. It's probably just a nervous habit but it makes some people wonder about him.

If you went to a surgeon because you needed an operation and the doc kept going, "um, um, um ..." wouldn't you get a little concerned about his abilities?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:05 AM on 05/01/2008
- MRb1000 See Profile I'm a Fan of MRb1000

THIS IS STUPID ASK YOURSELF ONE THING WHY DID YOU JOIN YOUR CHURCH!!!! OK GIVE ME A GOOD ANSWER.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:15 AM on 05/01/2008
- whizkid See Profile I'm a Fan of whizkid

Has anyone else noticed Huffpo always posts pictures of Obama in front of the flag?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:52 PM on 04/30/2008
- iranter See Profile I'm a Fan of iranter

that way he doesn't have to buy a lapel pin!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:42 PM on 05/01/2008
- vippy See Profile I'm a Fan of vippy

Has anyone noticed that this thing with this renegade preacher is dragging on and on and on.
I am sick of it. Let us move on and address real problems of today, not the bandaids proposed
by Hillary. She praises her husband but he was not good for us as we can see now. Do not
repeat the same mistake.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:03 AM on 05/01/2008
- Zhonni See Profile I'm a Fan of Zhonni

Why are people so gullible?

1) Wright has preached thousands of sermons and has been narrowed into 30secs.
2) Wright preach 3 SERMONS every sunday.
3) Must have been level headed in the mornings and a little too blunt in the evenings.
4) Obama was not there on any of those sundays.
5) He did not see the tapes and after he was told about some of it he denounced the words.
6) But the spectacle that he made of himself in front of the news-people was WAAAAAYYY OVER THE TOP.

Rev. Wright has not been preaching this conspiracies all his pastoral life but he did in 3 and Obama was not there but all of a sudden we equate 3minutes to 30years of sermons. This doesn't make any sense and any body who believes that Obama knew about these statements and did nothing are mistaken. Obama only denounced him in stronger terms because he FINALLY got to watch Rev. Wright and was Disgusted by what he saw. Even Rev. Wright admits Obama has NEVER HEARD the sermons. SO HOW DO YOU VILIFY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AWARE OF THE SERMONS?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:48 PM on 04/30/2008
- Lesjoan See Profile I'm a Fan of Lesjoan

Huh, Obama was well aware and when push came to shove it was CYA time!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:09 AM on 05/01/2008
- vippy See Profile I'm a Fan of vippy

and you agree with your priest or preacher every time LOL?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 AM on 05/01/2008
- dollars2donuts See Profile I'm a Fan of dollars2donuts

to you & jazzcomedian. America is very very backwards in regards to so many things such as dealing w/religion, race, etc. BO inspired me and I thought, believed he would be able to change things and I was so proud of him. And your theory may be correct, probably is. BUT he knew about the stuff Wright said a while ago and did absolutely nothing to get out in front of it. He should have waited 4-8 yrs to run when it would have been behind him. I'm so mad for putting us (black community, especially) through this ordeal. It was supposed to move us forward, instead it has set us back by at least 2 decades in terms of dealing with racial issues. Why because he was too impatient to get his experience, seasoning, and his ducks in a row. Now he has pissed me off, but I still hope he can keep his senate seat because God knows we are ridiculously underrespresented in the Senate; women have made far more progress in this area because as this primary has demonstrated, racism is far more potent than sexism. Tribe always comes first, blood is thicker than water, and thicker even than ideology.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:20 AM on 05/01/2008
- Jazzcomedian See Profile I'm a Fan of Jazzcomedian

Obama's current situation is an unfortunate outgrowth of religion taking a more central and influential place in American politics over the last forty years. We've gone from John Kennedy having to prove that his religion (Catholicism) would not have any affect on his decision making, to one's religion/faith being a litmus test for being seriously considered for national political office. Everyone has to know who your "spiritual advisor" is, or how "Jesus helps your decision making" before they vote for you. How good and moral have "born again" Dubya's decisions been? What ever happened to separation of church and state?
I lived in Australia for seven years. In Australia, religious beliefs are off limits to the press and public. The Aussie public considers one's religion a personal matter not relevant to politics/government. I've seen politicians over there actually say "none of your business mate" when asked about their religious beliefs by the media with no repercussions or outcry. Agnostics, and atheists, along with trye believers hold high office--which is as it should be. That can never happen here. No matter how kind, decent, moral, or compassionate you are, you'd never get serious consideration here without publicly declaring your faith or "personal relationship with God". This church/state paradigm shift with respect to national politics in our society is why Senator Obama is in the predicament that he is in.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:58 PM on 04/30/2008
- dollars2donuts See Profile I'm a Fan of dollars2donuts

Yes, we are stuck in the dark ages big time. What is it about our country? That's why I love traveling to Europe and Canada, the contrast, the intelligence and progressiveness, is very refreshing. Just hate being cold all the time, LOL.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:23 AM on 05/01/2008
- harriscrl3 See Profile I'm a Fan of harriscrl3

Because they do good work they actually go out into the community to help the people they dont just sit into the pews and Pray to an invisible god. They take an active role in helping others They are progressive my kind of church if I was relgious I can see why someone who believes in helping others and that our destines are tied together would want to join an active church. The church is more than its pastor.

Carol

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:41 PM on 04/30/2008
- moda31 See Profile I'm a Fan of moda31

because it's a church just like any other. why does anyone go to the church they attend? i for one happen to attend the catholic church that is nearest to my house. maybe it's just not that deep, it's not like joined some crazy cult or anything.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:42 PM on 04/30/2008
- ajax2 See Profile I'm a Fan of ajax2

"Why Did He Join In The First Place?"
To get to the other side.

Crowley is on to something.? Shake it twice, and let go Michael.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:07 PM on 04/30/2008
- debwarot See Profile I'm a Fan of debwarot

Oh Boy! Just what I was hoping for - more coverage on Rev. Wright! Goody - goody! I am so glad that I don't have to be bothered hearing about that awful war or how bad the economy is - I can listen to the talking heads analyze Rev. Wright once again. Whoopee!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:38 PM on 04/30/2008
- antaeus See Profile I'm a Fan of antaeus

For all of you who want to label the Wright story "obsessive":

The media didn't open Wright's big mouth--he did that.

The media didn't force the Obama's to spend 20 years at an out-of-the-mainstream congregation.

Republicans are going to POUND Obama in the fall if he's the nominee, and Dems ought to have a better response to the question of why they could attend such a church than "Oh, just drop it."

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:02 PM on 04/30/2008
- imapundittoo See Profile I'm a Fan of imapundittoo

I beg to differ. The media has a major part in the Wright fiasco. If the problem was Wright "opening his big mouth" why is it that though Rev. Wright has been preaching across this nation and world for 40+ years and you were totallly unaware he existed until about a month ago? (At the earliest, most people heard of Wright when Senator Obama announced his intent to run for the presidency.)

Wright has been preaching at my church at least once a year for the past 17 years. I have been a member there for 8.

As far as repugs "pounding" Obama in the GE regarding this non-issue, if the only "dirt" they can find on Obama are comments his pastor made 3-6 years ago and discussed 2 days ago, they are in a world of trouble.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:34 PM on 04/30/2008
- dollars2donuts See Profile I'm a Fan of dollars2donuts

Sorry but you're wrong. GOP willl shred Obama, and he is acting like a little b*tch and not defending himself which bodes ill for the general IMO. Where's your manhood BO, defend yourself or drop out, I really really don't feel like being subjected to the stress of a summer and fall filled with racist ads, and Im doubt other AA's do either, as much as we like him.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:26 AM on 05/01/2008
- vippy See Profile I'm a Fan of vippy

Okay, time to get professional about this. Attacks on such matters which
have nothing to do with our problems we are facing today should be ignored.
Don't we have serious problems to address, those who affect both you and me?
So where does this church thingy fit in. Do I care if someone is a Christian?
Look we have the devil in the White House now and once again, we were fooled,
but did we get smarter yet, NOPE!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:10 AM on 05/01/2008
- imapundittoo See Profile I'm a Fan of imapundittoo

Yes the GOP will bring this up. Yes the run it until it's threadbare. Yes it will effect the Obama campaign, but if this is all they have, it's simply not enough. It can't get much worse than this, and I personally believe it is already showing its threads.

The Obama campaign has weaknesses. The Clinton campiagn has weaknesses. The McCain campaign has weakness. Who do you think has the most?

If Obama wins the Democatric nomination, we will see racist ads all summer & fall. What will we see if Clinton wins it.

Voting Democratic in 08!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:08 AM on 05/01/2008