Barack Obama Sets the Record Straight

At the gym today I saw Fox News on one of the monitors as the Republican mouthpiece constantly ran footage of Reverend Jeremiah Wright preaching followed by footage of Senator Barack Obama with the aim of creating a strong visual bond between the two men.

With Fox News apparently converted to the "all-Reverend Wright-all-the-time" channel, and the Hillary Clinton campaign throwing a "kitchen sink" worth of racially-tinged innuendo his way, Barack Obama gave a brief interview tonight with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC's "Countdown" where he set the record straight on his decision to distance himself and his campaign from the views of Reverend Wright.

Senator Obama spoke of the passion that many African Americans feel, including Reverend Wright, who were among the pioneers of the generation that fought for their fundamental civil rights in America. He implied, (in my impression of the interview), that the injustices of the Jim Crow South are fresh in the memories of many black civil rights activists, which sometimes leads to heated rhetoric. Obama acknowledged the debt he has to those activists who broke open the doors of opportunity for him, and he is clearly deeply grateful for their struggles and their contributions to American life. He reiterated his love for his country and his strong sense of patriotic duty, (which has led him to run for president).

Senator Obama should in no way be held accountable for the impolitic utterances of his former pastor. It is unfair to engage in guilt by association. Obama showed good judgment by distancing his campaign from the more radical views of Reverend Wright and relieving him of any formal connection to his organization, but Obama also showed an admirable character trait by refusing to denounce Rev. Wright the person.

Obama also acknowledged that Swift Boat 527 groups are sure to use Wright's fulminations against him if he were to win the nomination. His interview tonight and actions taken I think show clearly that Obama is better prepared to take on the inevitable Swift Boating than was John Kerry in 2004.

We should recall that the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who is honored with a national holiday and politicians including George W. Bush and John McCain have paid homage to his memory, in April 1967 called the United States "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today." In my opinion, Reverend Wright says nothing in the taped vignettes I've seen on TV that is untrue about America, despite the "tut-tutting" of liberals and conservatives among the chattering class. Obama showed that he is nimble in taking care of potential pitfalls in his campaign and that shows he would be a great candidate in the general election against the Republican smear-meisters.

Comments

[lboucher]

If Obama had more of a history and a track record we could give him the benefit of the doubt. But he does not. On top of now being kind of scary based on his choice of friends, Obama is unqualified, inexperienced and untested as well. No thanks. During this troubled time, we will not take a risk on that. We shouldn't.

BE CAREFUL --- BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER

[HaveyouPerspective]

Rush? It's been a long time my friend. How are things? Say hi to Ann and the gang from us... she is such a sweety!

[Fabienne]

Birds of a feather do flock together, which is why Norman Hsu, Mark Rich and all sorts of other unsavory people gather around the Clintons.

[shag11]

I am sorry my brother, but one of the worse things one can do is use the pulpit as a vessel for hatred. Dr. King didn't do it, and anyone who really believes and practices the essence of religion should not function in that manner. I don't avail myself of churches, spent alot of time around churches, working on campaigns. There is just way too much emphasis on sex and money, and that includes all religions.
Don't qualify what the pastor said, it was evil and Obama should not be involved with such. I am a few family and friends who don't function in socially acceptable manners. I love them, would give them anything, but don't keep their company. Way too many people enable others' poor behavior; it's just wrong.

[RallyRound]

Although race has been one of the most destructive forces in America, religion has been worse. Who needs these small-minded idiots on pulpits ? Right Wing, Left Wing. Black, White....I wish they would all go away.

[InformedMisery]

His pastor's views were well known BEFORE Obama brought him into the campaign... but he brought him in anyway. Was that good judgment?

[buzz]

The hatred that underlies Obama's campaign is evidenced by those with whom he associates. This is not “guilt by association.” This is a simple recognition of the truth: if you belong to the KKK, you are KKK. If you belong to a segregated country club, you are a bigot. If you belong to a hate-mongering Church, and if you, for almost twenty years, receive personal mentoring and guidance from the known extremist and racist that runs that Church, then you are rightly faulted.
Don’t write about Ferraro, and ignore this. Even the “net rots” can see the hypocrisy here.
Obama claims to inspire unity. Yet, he has been couched by a racist, he uses race to promote his candidacy, and he inspires rage and hatred in his adherents.
In other words, Obama is a classic demagogue. He studied organization in college, and he understands now how to emotionally appeal to different interest groups, in order to put together a “winning” coalition (a coalition that, BTW, will be unable to win in the general.) He inspires the “web rots” (haters), affluent white “liberals” and African-Americans to vent their rage against anyone, including Democrats, who opposes him.
Obama simply doesn’t inspire tolerance, open-mindedness, and practical compromise to accomplish real progress. That is just a demonstrable fact. All one needs to do is read this website to know this is true.
Obama is a pretender. Too bad that the sheep in the media can’t be stampeded into that realization the same way they are stampeded by a sex scandal or any supposed slip by a Hillary supporter.
For example, if the “media” paid attention to the real issues in this campaign they would report that the central bit of evidence of Obama’s so-called, self-proclaimed “good judgment” was nothing but a political calculation. When running for the state senate in a district overwhelming controlled by white, upper-middle class liberals and African Americans, Obama opposed the war (briefly.)
But, contrary to his boasting and self-congratulation about how great his judgment was in 2002, Obama did only what was politically expedient at the moment. His position wasn’t courageous. He consulted with political advisers about what position would enable him to win that state senate seat. He couldn’t have won in that district if he supported the war. Once in the US Senate, he voted to fund the war. Now, he claims he had no alternative. Do the “web rots” actually read their own stuff? They have been writing for years that there WAS an alternative, contrary to Obama’s claim.
Obama is a phony. He sometimes mimics MLK. He sometimes doesn’t. Sometimes, he talks like he’s on a street corner. Sometimes he doesn’t. He doesn’t make clear that he is acting, and that he is pretending. When he was in law school, he used to entertain his fellows by imitating Jesse Jackson. He borrows from Malcolm X speeches. He slyly puts it over on an audience, knowing that the sheep in the media will not notice.
Obama is a PHONY. He is a PRETENDER. What does he really believe? I would argue that people who support him have no real way to know.
Are we to believe that he never heard his “pastor’s” hateful speech? Where are the media now? Why won’t they investigate? It defies credulity to think that Obama did not know exactly what his “pastor” was saying, and he know it when the “pastor” said it. He went to this pastor to establish his bona fides with the black community. Now, he is claiming he didn’t know that the person he was relying on for mentoring and advice was a racist and bigot all along. Yeah, right.
Was that good judgment? Does that demonstrate Obama’s superior judgment? When he raises his haughty chin to look down on the mere mortals who challenge him, how will he answer?
He did: on Keith Olberman. He rejected and denounced. At least, that’s what he wanted Keith to hear. And Keith dutifully did not challenge him (after tongue-lashing Hillary Clinton for Ferraro, how could he?)
Instead, Keith let Obama get away with ACCEPTING this hate-mongering, vicious racist as “a member of [his] family.” Sort of like, “I really, truly and actually don’t like what Hitler said about the Jews, but he is my friend, and basically, Adolph is just LIKE A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY.” Wow. That’s some good judgment, there. The golden child really is precious. KO obviously loves Obama. Deeply.
Remember when politicians accused of belonging to all-white country clubs were excoriated? Could they escape responsibility by claiming that they didn’t agree with the racism of their OWN CHOSEN place to PLAY GOLF? How much more serious is this?
Rezko was his friend too. Obama couldn’t buy the big mansion he wanted, so he got a guy being investigated as a corrupter of politicians to buy the lot next door, so that Obama could buy his big mansion. Then, after guy being investigated for corrupting politicians improved the property next door, Obama’s WIFE bought from the alleged corrupter’s WIFE a portion of the property next door. Looks perfectly innocent, doesn’t it. Sure it does to those who don’t want to see.
Obama says all that was “boneheaded” judgment. But, I thought this was the guy with great judgment, right?
We are faced with a contest between two deeply flawed candidates. One has been thru the mill, and has probably proved her Democratic bona fides. The other hasn’t.
Wake up, Democrats.

[kunzarina]

Thank you for putting it into words so well. I feel like there are so few of us who will acknowledge that the Emporer has no clothes.

[dawgfan1]

MCAIN IS BACKED BY REV.JOHN HAGEE WHO CALLED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH A WHORE.
SO WAKE UP MCAIN HAS FAULTS HE WOULD BE A THIRD BUSH TERM.
OBAMA WILL MAKE A GREAT PRESIDENT.

[clevelandchick]

Don't forget that Tony Rezko has given hundreds of thousands to dozens of Democrats, including Hillary Clinton's husband Bill, for both of his POTUS races. He also donated a tidy sum to Hillary's California campaign chair Anthony Villaraigosa. Before this is over - few prominent Democrats will be able to say they do not have ties or have received money from Tony Rezko.

And don't forget we've got the Hsu trial coming up - he gave to Hillary. It never ceases to amaze me that Hillary supporters are soooooo foolish to go after Obama accusing him of shady deals when at this time her husband Bill just made a tidy sum (31 million dollars) for his foundation brokering a "deal" with the dictator of Kazakhstan! Talk about bone-headed judgement!

Puhleeeeze, for any Clinton supporter to go after Obama on ethics or shady deals is the most hypocritical and laughable premise in recorded history! At least he admitted he received the money publicly and is donating it to charity?

BTW has Bill donated the sum HE received from Rezko in 1992 and 1996 to charity? And just where are those tax returns Hillary? Hmmmm?

[MsNewton]

Rezco & Clinton? Where did you hear this?

[AreYouFibbing]

So now Hillary is responsible for who contributes to any pol who might help her? Interesting theory, but wrong. The big story is about Obama, but his supporters cannot resist trying to flip it by directing the spotlight to Hillary. Hillary has her troubles and she is not getting a free pass. So please people, get over yourselves. If Obama has done nothing wrong, what does he have to fear?

[RButler]

Thank you. You've pulled it all together as it's come about in a fragmented fashion. We can now see the whole picture at once. This comment should be read in ads in Pennsylvania for the next month.

As far as him being a pretender, we already had an actor as president. Do we really want another one as good as he is at it? One measure of a really good phony is how many people he's fooled and this guy is great. You gotta hand it to him. The job of the superdelegates is to prevent this kind of candidate from being the nominee no matter how popular he is.

[rwferr]

Best post I have read on here in a long time. This is why Hillary must stay in the race in the hope that the Superdelegates wise up by the convention.

[Griff66]

that goes for you too rwferr........


Watch what u say my friend.. hmmm , So that MUST mean... if you belong to the Catholic Church you must be a pedophile???

Watch what u say ... you might NOT like the answer.. Lets go ALL in...

Thats how ridiculous THIS whole thing sounds.. you cant possibly blame a church goer for what he pastor says OR does for that matter..

Or else, the Catholic Church pews would be Empty ... hmmmmmm

[1dogs2]

P.S. The comments in this particular thread suggest that you're not alone in your views. There may be worse to come, but there is less "idiotic mud-slinging" here than is sometimes the case. Maybe we just need to stop rising to the bait, recognize trolls when we see them and ignore them, while patiently reiterating the relevant facts.

[RallyRound]

I'm an Obama supporter and donor. I understand what you're saying and agree with you. But I also understand the realities of American politics. And in my heart, I always thought that it would be a race card that would damage Obama most. And here it is. And it's McCarthy all over.

I respect Obama for not throwing this pastor to the wind, though I think the guy is a jerk. But I also think the Obama run is probably over. I will still work for him and hope that he will maintain his spirit and character in the face of this.

I had already decided to end my 40 years as a democrat. That's the Clintons. If she is the candidate, I'll vote for her. What's the choice? But I don't want to be part of Democratic politics any longer.

I would hope that Obama --if he doesn't win this -- would consider working for not just a new kind of politics, but a new political party. This sewage to too deep.

[greejambri]

I agree with what you say about the Dems. If Hillary is the nominee, I will vote for Nader. I will never again vote for a candidate that is despicable out of fear that the other candidate is worse. This country survived 8 years of Bush; it'll survive another 4 of McCain. If Hillary bullies her way to the nomination, she, and the Democratic party, need to LOSE big time. The silver lining may be that the country will then spawn a legitimate, progressive third party. Let the DLC have the sinking ship that is the Democratic Party. Obama is the LAST chance of salvaging this party of old school, corporate-shilling, Republican-enabling, spineless dinosaurs. They deserve to die off if they do not move into the 21st century with Barack Obama.

[Erdgeist]

The Republican supported Washington Times, it should be kept in mind, is owned by Reverend Sun Myung Moon. By the way, a publication they owned was the first to spread the lie that Obama still had Muslim connections. That aside, now the question is, will McCain and the rest of the Republicans cut their ties--directly and indirectly--with the Christian nut case, Reverend Sun Myung Moon?

[kunzarina]

McCain did not spend 20 years with Moon as his mentor. McCain did not donate to Moon's church. Moon did not marry McCain or baptise his children. Can you really believe this is a valid argument?

[Ono4Hoopono]

Defending McCain while spreading disinformation about Obama on your other posts on this page?

OK, now I get it. You're either for McCain and are trying to hurt Obama because you fear McCain will LOSE TO OBAMA, and you are helping Hillary because she CAN'T beat McCain, or you are helping Hillary Help McCain because McCain gives Hillary a second chance in four years.

That's why Hillary has made an unholy alliance with McCain. Damn the democratic party, she just wants to get the nomination to torpedo Obama even if she CAN'T win, because if Barack gets it, she would have to wait for 8 years, whereas McCain will likely only be in office for 4 years because of his age. It is the Hillary Scorched Earth Policy.

That is why your whole post below is about how he can't win. Actually, you're very afraid Obama can and will win. It's related to the Clinton-McCain unholy alliance. Got it.

[kunzarina]

If you think this is going away, you are delusional.Speak to someone other than a fellow HuffPo blogger to see how this has affected the zeitgeist. This is a major setback for Obama regardless of whether Wright speaks a hard-assed version of the truth. There is no way in the world a candidate closely aligned with a black separatist militant church is ever going to be president of the United States. Period! Arguing about how classy Barack is and how it doesn't really matter is, in my opinion, ludicrous. The candidate is just not viable in the general election.

I actually agree with most of what Wright says about the sins of the US. But I know that 99% of the American public does not agree, will never agree, and will never stop and look into the nuances of our history. I know that the majority of those voting in the general election have NOT read Howard Zinn. I know that the majority of those voting in the general election are swayable by soundbites and good marketing. Obama has handed the RIght their marketing: just contrast an image of Obama against an image of McCain returning from Vietnam with Wright's "God Damn America!" as the only voiceover.

White America can not handle angry black preachers. It may not be fair and it may not be right but it's true. Right now as Democrats we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves about things not being right and fair and, instead, concentrate on what in the hell are we going to do to win the white house? The only way to make sure we can do anything good for our country is to actually get a Democrat into the white house.

I have been concerned about Obama for some time. He's been ensconced in academia for so long, I don't think he understands the real world. Maintaining a 20-year relationship with this man and this church shows extremely poor judgment if his ultimate goal was always politics. In order to GET to the white house to put forth your agenda, you have to win the votes of a lot of mainstream people, right? Mainstream people will never vote for a man who sat in a congregation of nodding people as their minister condemned the United States. You can be sure that there is video somewhere of Obama sitting in the congregation during a sermon. The Right WILL find it.

Another huge problem with Obama now is credibility. He swore up and down on all the news shows that he just didn't know this was the kind of stuff his minister preached. Either he is lying, or he is a fool. Wright is known for his stance on black separatism. Even I knew who he was before this story broke, and I'm an agnostic! His views are very common knowledge. At the very least, an association with him makes Obama look like a hypocrite. He gives speeches about all people coming together ... but belongs to a church that promotes extreme division. More importantly, to me anyway, his association with this church shows a complete disconnect with everyday people that is so common with intellectuals. THe halls of academia are filled with great Liberal thinkers who spend hours over lattes arguing the finer points of radical philosophies. I know ... I've spent a lot of time in academia myself. It's lovely there, as it is here on Huffpo, where I can be among those with similar education and similar views and we can all high five each other about how smart we are.

But the greater population is much more simplistic, and often jingoist, and the Right panders to them in ways Left seemingly can't comprehend. THey elected George Bush, people. TWICE. We can't win an election by forcing average Americans to sit through a lecture and a chart about exactly why, point for point, Wright makes some sense and how it's okay that Obama supports him due to African American historical perspectives and a cross-cultural identity that allows him to bridge white and black America...

Give me a break.

I don't know what disturbs me more, Obama's foolishness or his some of his supporters eggheaded, blind allegience when it has become abundantly clear that the man is wrong for our party because HE CAN'T WIN! People, would you rather be right or would you rather make sure a Democrat saves the Supreme Court and stops the war? The Democratic party can't afford to lose even 2-3% of its voters -- as we've seen by Nader's effect in 2000 -- without an election going to the Republicans. Do you honestly think that LESS than 3% of average Americans will be put off by this man's church association? Do you honestly think that mainstream white America -- who the Democrats have to keep in the fold -- will want someone who aligns himself with a militant who screams about Whitey? And if it comes out that Obama lied about knowing what virtually everyone else seemed to know about Wright, what leg will he have to stand on if he is supposed to the the "honest" candidate, the one "above politics?"

Hillary is no saint -- I'll give you that -- but she is so much better for our candidate, for so many reasons. I had a hard time letting go of Edwards who was my first choice. And I think Biden got a raw deal by the media. And I actually agree most with Kucinich. But I am a realist and I want to win.

We no longer have time to argue the finer points of Obama's vision. He can't win. He won't win. It's over. Please let's find a way to salvage something before McCain wins in a landslide election based on trumped up false patriotism and leftover white fear.

[RButler]

Great post. What has been bothering me about the 'black perspective' as expressed on this site and elsewhere is the that Wright can speak the 'truth' in that ugly divisive manner, yet Bill Clinton cannot speak the 'truth' about Jesse Jackson winning South Carolina without it being called 'racist'. So, blacks can only hear the truth if it's spoken by a black person and it's racist if it's spoken by a white person. And, I'm ignoring all that foolishness about people saying Obama is a Muslim as it's not true.

This 'only the black perspective' counts is not a recipe for unity. If Obama ran on a platform consistent with Rev. Wright's views that would be fine and he could rise or fall with it. But, to present himself as a uniter while participating in that church is a problem. It would be like a New York governor who has prosecuted prostitutes, well, visiting the girls on the side. It's an analogy. I'm not saying Obama visits prostitutes before any of his supporters jump on my case as they are prone to do.

[mawrm]

It's the "selective truth" that's the problem. Sure Jesse won South Carolina and did not go on to win the primaries. So did John Edwards in 2004. Why did Bill Clinton have to dig back 20+ years? And note he's speaking as a _former President of the United States of America_ whereas Rev. Wright speaks as a pastor of a church in Chicago - the context of who is saying what is extremely important. Note also Geraldine Ferraro's statements about Obama - she said the EXACT same thing 20+ years ago about Jesse Jackson, another candidate who happens to be Afr-Am who ran to completely different results. And that's the problem with the statements of these Clinton supporters - while I won't call them racists, what they both said is bigoted and intended to paint Obama as "the black candidate" being where he is due to some unspoken affirmative action.

And now this attempt to smear Obama with what his pastor said. Just days ago we were wondering whether Obama was a Muslim. Hillary Clinton suggested "as far as she knew" he wasn't and would "take him at his word" that he was a Christian. So now given the latest hoopla, we know he's a Christian and I'd have to assume we don't have to worry about the Muslim smear anymore - I'll take that as "progess". Now the problem becomes who the retiring pastor of his church is and what he's said in the past. Guilt by association. Funny I didn't see NEAR the rage in the media about Hagee. And the sad part is Rev. Wright's church is far more integrated than Rev. Hagee's could/would ever be!

So yes, Rev. Wright's quite critical of America. And given the history of our nation as it relates to people of color he has every right to be. He's someone who lived through the turbulent times in race relations in our country and I'm sorry if you think that some folks are just going to sweep that history under the rug. More importantly, if you deem his remarks to be "dangerous", why not judge him by the _fruits_ of his labour and not his words? Has he had folks going around committing hate crimes as a result of his sermons? No! Blacks and whites attend his church BTW. His church embraces people regardless of their sexual identity and an active ministry to care for people with AIDS, something the majority of other "Christian" churches don't do. Members of his church actively volunteer in their community, some serve in our Armed Forces (Rev. Wright himself is a former Marine), willing to give their lives for this nation, so while Rev. Wright is critical about his nation, his church community is one giving _service_ to its neighbors and this nation.

Yes, Obama's pastor said some pretty regrettable remarks years ago. Obama wasn't there to even hear them and he's denounced them. Does Obama have to now denounce ever human being he's been near who's said something controversial or regrettable in the past? Note, what Rev. Wright said was not even remotely associated with Barack Obama's campaign. Whereas the ignorant comments of Bill Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro are DIRECTLY connected to Hillary Clinton's campaign and were said as part of and in support of it. Again, context matters.

[loria]

First of you assume that all is fine in the world and there is no longer any racism in this country. Just a couple of days ago an African American reporter was attacked as she covered a story in a small town in SC. She was beaten by several white people as they shouted called her N******. Reverend Wright's views and statements are a part of the life he has experienced having grown up during the Jim Crow laws of seperate but equal and the subsequent struggle for civil and human rights. My 70+ year old parents and my in-laws still make racist statements because it is a part of their history and experience. That doesn't mean that I condone what they say or am in any way influenced by their beliefs.

No one says that only the black perspective counts, but you clearly speak as if only the white perspective counts. Those who have fought for civil rights see this world differently. Those who have been a victim of discrimination and racism see this world differently, and those of us who are white have no idea what it is to be of another color in this country today. We aren't as enlightened as many would like to believe. While I don't agree with the statements of Reverend Wright, I challenge you to find anything in Senator Obama's past (anything he has said or done) that would lead you to believe that he harbors the same feelings. You may think that Obama should have left this church long ago. But does anyone know from a few minutes of 36 years as a pastor if this is just a microcosm of sermons many of us would have otherwise have been perfectly fine with most of us? Personally, I have just as much of an issue with the hate coming from the Christian Fundamentalist who spend time attacking homosexuals, Muslims, those who are pro-choice and just about everyone else who doesn't believe the way they do. Yet, we are okay with politicians seeking out their support and endorsements. Mitt Romney appeared with Bob Jones to accept his endorsement. John McCain was endorsed by Haggee and that other guy who spews hate. It is sad that they have to seek those endorsements to be seen as acceptable to a group of people, but it is what it is today. Despite those endorsements I don't believe that John McCain is anti-Catholic or anti-Muslim, and I don't believe Romney espouses the beliefs of Bob Jones.

Senator Obama has rejected the words of Reverend Wright. Why isn't it enough? There is nothing in his history that indicates he believes those words. Do you think it's possible that the bonds with other members of this church are part of the reason he would stay? This is a large church in Chicago. Certainly it can't be inferred that every member of the church believes these few words of Reverend Wright.

[Ono4Hoopono]

"White America can not handle angry black preachers."


Please stop telling white people they are less than they are. Talk to the people all across the red states who voted for Obama. All those white people you write off as racists because you hope to continue that myth because you think it will help Hillary. Shame on you. And also, please stop with the conjecture and do some actual HONEST research. This is absolute propaganda, and beyond that, it is an attempt to corrupt people into voting for Hillary.


Like the Clintons and other collaborators in their desperate whispering campaign, you are out cynically inflaming latent racism that good and well-intended people have been trying to put behind them for years, and we have seen from this election cycle that many people have successfully put it behind them, and that is one of the amazing unexpected gifts that the Obama campaign has given this country. A chance to see who we really are with respect to race, rather than buy into the media's continual repetition of "concerns" over race that really serve to keep racism alive. By their voting, real people have spoken that they are willing and ready to put racism behind them.


One of the definitions of evil is to corrupt the innocent. Enticing people to reawaken their latent prejudices, or to try to create prejudice and fear where there is none, is corrupting the innocent who don't know why they suddenly feel these feelings; i.e., when a campaign tries to hijack people's higher selves and corrupt them by enticing the lizard brain to dominate. Many of these voters are trying to be good people; they are innocents in that regard, and Bill and Hillary Clinton, and now you, are trying to corrupt them. Please don't rationalize your bad behavior or the Clinton's by saying you are only "concerned" about electability. I bet more racism is concealed under the label of "concern" nowadays than any other means. It's too perfect. if you keep showing "concern," you keep it in the headlines making people think its an issue when it is not so much, and as a bonus you get plausible deniability because you're really just "concerned." Um Hmmm.


We see through the ugliness you put forth here, and we just don't want it. We're done with it. Obama can deal with the fear and smear; he's not shying away from it. He just released his earmark information, Hillary won't. Bring it on, but don't pretend what the Clintons are doing is OK or normal. There's a new normal in town.


People need to ask themselves, Is a whispering campaign a sign of strength? Or is it the desperate attempt of a pathetic narcissistic loser who can't win on the merits of her platform and her real record, [not the manufactured one that can't be checked because they won't release the white house transcripts or the tax records or the presidential library donor records, and now the earmarks...the equivalent of all of which Obama has released]?


If the Clinton's want to win, they need to get transparent. Release the records...All of them.

[kunzarina]

The white people in the red states who voted for Obama were white DEMOCRATS. He'll never carry those states in a general election. And he'll rarely sway a moderate white person there because he is perceived at best as insincere and at worst as a radical. I've spent my life arguing with those white voters. Now, all I want is a Democrat in the white house to protect the Supreme Court and end the war. All this philosophical arguing is pointless. The average jingoist voter doesn't read Huffpo or DailyKos. We are a small fraction of the American public. As a Democrat, I really want to appeal to the rest of the country so that maybe, just maybe, some Democratic ideals can be put into policy.

[kunzarina]

Oh, and I just realized that you vaguely accused ME of being a racist. GUess I'll ask my non-white husband and bi-racial daughter if they agree.

One thing you gotta love about Huffpo -- ad hominem RULES!

[Fabienne]

So the Pastor Wright footage has brought all the racists out of the woodwork and given them carte blanche to spew out their distortions and fear? Hopefully, the world will soon pass them by and they will be anachronisms. There is no reason why an African American preacher should see America as the land of opportunity and promise. It is time we all moved together past the divisions, and if the racists here spewing out their hatred don't believe racism is still alive in America, check out the post-Katrina television footage. If you can justify that, there's no hope for you.

[dawgfan1]

MCCAIN HAS WELCOMED THE SUPPORT OF REV JOHN HAGEE WHO CALLED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH A WHORE .
MCCAIN ALSO STOOD FOR AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE REV.ROD PARSLEY WHO MADE THE CRAZY COMMENT THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS CREATED TO DESTROY ISLAM.
BUT YOU WON,T TALK ABOUT THAT, YOU WOULD RATHER ATTACK SENATOR OBAMA.
WELL I BELIEVE SENATOR OBAMA OFFERS HOPE AND I AM TIRED OF ALL THE SMEARS AND LIES AND SWIFT BOATING IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH.
I SAY LETS TURN TO HOPE FOR A CHANGE.I SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA.

[clevelandchick]

What you don't understand is that Hillary has driven away the black vote with their not so subtle racial innuendo, 98% of whom vote Democrat. No Dem nominee can win without them. And they aren't afraid of McCain. They've lived through Bush and Reagan, hell they've lived through a hell of a lot worse. She's also driven away all of the white voters who support Obama.

You think picking on Obama's pastor is going to get them back? Without the black vote Hillary cannot win either. Indies and moderate Republicans do not like her, they will pick McCain. She's alienated the youth vote, so she will get no new butts to the polls.

I'll take my chances with Obama well over Hillary in this race any day of the week. If he is the nominee we'll have to see if a downward spiraliing economy affecting more white folks than anyone is going to trump their fear of a black man. My guess is, right now folks are more afraid of losing everything they have than Obama's pastor.

[HaveyouPerspective]

McCain winning in a landslide is what you and the other Republicans on these boards want, so why not have the integrity to be honest about it? Your post, and others on this comment, reek of the fear of right-wing stump speeches.

I could be wrong, but not likely. Your lack of knowledge on the facts point to more stoking of the flames of fear. Is this what you consider politics to be reduced to, a mere game of cleverly constructed aliases to spread the message? Here is a simple starting point for you; Obama- while a great, some would say brilliant, scholar- has more years in public office than Senator Clinton. Her "lifetime of service" and his widely held to be party defining "2004 speech" notwithstanding, of course.

[mensa999]

Check this piece out.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2004/07/b122948.html

[joehigashi]

I don't care if he was around or not around. They weren't his remarks, and I don't hold him accountable for them.

[Ono4Hoopono]

Also, for boomers, or anyone who has aging parents or grandparents, it should be abundantly clear that this man is aging, and there is a tragic time during the aging process when you see that your beloved senior person is not their usual vibrant self. Part of that is they lose their editing function and say inappropriate things. If you haven't gone through this with someone you love, you will.

This man is like an aging family member to Obama in some ways, though Obama has his own family now and that is the center of his life. Considering our own beloved parents or senior extended family or elderly friend, would we throw one of them under the bus because they got old and said some inappropriate things that were understandable in the larger context of their life's experience? Of course not.

Obama did what any of us would have done. He diplomatically managed the sad decline of someone he has known for many years, and he didn't sell him out.

[kunzarina]

With all due respect, Wright has been preaching the same philosophy for 20 years. I can not believe the apologies being made about this issue. Why can't everyone realize that this is a big problem and it can't be easily explained away? At the very least, Trinity promotes itself as a Black church promoting black values to the black community. Can you imagine if McCain had belonged to a church for 20 years led by a pastor who claimed to be a WHITE church promoting WHITE values in the WHITE community? Would ANYONE let that slide?

[Ono4Hoopono]

At this point in your life, I don't think you want it to be explained away, but I hold out hope that can change. For now, I think you are here to stir it up.


It is a big world, and there are many world views that are different from ours. If we always relate it back to the experience of our particular race, we aren't going to step out of our own shoes enough to truly empathize. If we truly respect our fellow man, we have to allow them to express their pain in their own way without being threatened by it. After that pain is expressed, dialogue can begin. But without it, to shut it down, we only add to it.


Having experienced some racial prejudice myself, I used to think like you a bit. I hear some bitterness in what you are saying, perhaps you've been burned by it too. I know that place. What healed me from it was realizing it wasn't personal, and it is more compassionate to let someone feel and express what they feel so they can get past it, without allowing yourself to be victimized by it. At the end of that, what you see is their pain. And having been heard, they are appreciative, and healing can begin. I'm telling you, it is a narrow world view you hold at the moment and it will lessen your joy and appreciation in life to hold it too dearly. I hope you get some experiences that lead you to the kind of healing empathy we need now.


Obama is from Hawaii. It is a cultural melting pot, where lessons are learned about race that are rare. Obama has learned them. That is part of his strength and why people of all races are embracing him. They feel it. He is past that. The great gift of living in Hawaii is that experience. He is bringing it to all of America, along with his creativity and his emotional intelligence that will heal our nation and make it stronger and more prosperous and more secure than it has ever been. Thank Hawaii, thank Obama.

[mawrm]

What matters is the DEMOGRAPHICS of who he's talking to. Ask yourself, why does Rev. Wright need to promote black values. Look at the stats in the black community, particluarly in Chicago where his church is based. 1 in 4 black males locked up. Functional family units are a rarity. The poverty rates. Black-on-black crime. Poor educational achievement. All these point to a fundamental lack of critical social values of self-respect, respect for fellow African-Americans, respect for your community, the desire to achieve, etc. THAT'S what Rev. Wright is trying to instill. We're not talking about a wealthy, successful demographic that has for the most part enjoyed the majority of the benefits of this nation for decades like the congregations of Hagee, etc. We're talking to a socially and economically depressed community with broken family structures, and therefore the talk of black values is intended to spur them to action to better themselves. While labeled as "black values", if you take time to read them, these are universal cultural values of family, self-respect, a desire to achieve, a knowledge of your history, etc. and the only thing "black" about them is who they're being applied to. Whites don't suffer these sorts of problems not even remotely near the severity that the black community does. Ergo there is no dire social and beneficial need for a white church of this severe an inclination. (note, white churches preach to the same values of family, etc., but since they tend to have good family structures in their congregations, there's no need to emphasize it as much)
As an Afr-Am, I too hope for the day when we don't need churches doing this sort of stuff to bring needed change to their communities. But the stark realitiy is there are often no other effective vehicles to communicate this needed knowledge. The parents don't have the skills and knowledge themselves, the school systems aren't in the business ot teaching families how to conduct themselves, much less properly educating the children. Government social worker clearly can't. Can't use the media for that. Save for a few non-for-profits whose reaches are limited, that often leaves the churches in the black community as the only viable option in most cases.

[loria]

How do you know that he has been preaching this same philosophy for 20 years? Have you been to the church? What we have is just a few minutes of 36 years as a pastor. I don't know one way or another what he has been preaching, but then I don't pretend to know.

[Hufffan]

Ono4...So the Pastor is an old nut and Obama is protecting him? I am sorry but nice try. Obama should have said that long ago or addressed this "crazy old Pastor". He knew this would be a problem. If he didn't, he showed really poor judgement by not seeing this coming. His whole campaign had to have seen this day coming.
I am so pissed that we are just being exposed to this now. What is abundantly clear is that this should have been dealt with openly a long while back. Now we will lose a great candidate and Hillary will be crushed in Novemeber. Pennsylvania will be a test as to whether Obama is doomed. He is projected to lose but if he loses by huge numbers will be a clear sign that it's over and the Superdelegates will jump the Obama ship.
The Democratic party regarding Florida, Michigan, Iraq, FISA, torture, etc, etc. is outright dysfunctional. These morons are incapable of doing much of anything we elected them for. I am so damn angry!

[jeffepops]

Fair enough. But do we use the same standards for Republicans, who may distance themselves for the comments of John Hagee or Pat Robertson, and the entire cadre of right wing religious extremists -- but do not "denounce...the person"? Let's make sure we do not employ a hypocritical double standard.

[FearlessFraz]

I weep for the citizens of America that spew so much hate instead of wanting America to strive to achieve the greatness that our fore-fathers tried to set up for us. Obama, this 70 year old white woman from Nebraska believes, will try to help all of us work towards that goal. Listen to some of the testimony of the 2008 Winter Soldiers taking place in Silver Springs Maryland, and you will perhaps understand why we need fresh new leadership in this country.

[editrix66]

I agree. I think in this campaign, especially, when race and gender will be emphasized more than in previous ones, we must recognize that the candidates are responsible for their own statements, although if their supporters say things that are out of line, they perhaps should not be part of the campaign any longer. But we can't expect candidates to throw older supporters, who have older ideas about race and gender under the bus. I understand that Clinton did not want to disrespect her elder, Geraldine Ferraro. She should have tried to prevent her from going on every news outlet on the planet, because it made people suspicious of Clinton's motives, that she was trying to capitalize on Ferraro's controversial statement to gain support in Pennsylvania. I think it was probably just mishandled. I don't think it helped Clinton at all. Similarly, Obama needed to distance Wright from his campaign but he did not want to disreprespect Wright, either, so he repudiated the comments but did not denounce him as a person. If we are going to confront this issue of race and gender, people will say things that are sensitive, but if people try to be too careful, truth will be avoided, and we end up with nothing but platitudes.

[Fabienne]

The comments here are mostly by people who have absolutely no understanding of American history or of many of the unpleasant forces still operating in this country today. They would never vote for Obama anyway and are only using this post as an excuse to spread their racist and distorted ideas. I would suggest everyone who has a broader vision stop commenting here and leave them to squirm around with each other in their own toxins.

[rwe]

comparing Wrights racist bigotry and anti semitism to Pat Robertson or Hagee is like comparing the bubonic plague to the flu , and Wright is a plague to the libs

[kunzarina]

We certainly would use the same standard if McCain had personally attended the church of Hagee, been mentored by him, named a book after one of his speeches, spent hours in discussions with him about philosophy ... see what I mean? Wright didn't just endorse Obama. Obama belongs to his church and has been there for two decades. There is a difference. And while I personally find Hagee repulsive and Wright to actually be on target in much of what he says, that isn't the point. Electibility and perception are the only things we as Democrats should be addressing this close to the convention. I hope the Superdelegates are really thinking this through.

[AreYouFibbing]

kunzarina....my guess is there is lots of talking going on behind the scenes by superdelegates today. Some of them, I am sure, will be kicking themselves for jumping the gun to make an endorsement for Obama. It's unfortunate.

[timothe]

Big difference between Hagee and Rev. Wright.

In his book the Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama called Rev. Wright his "spiritual mentor." McCain has not made any such statement of Hagee.

Obama had his children baptized by Rev. Wright. McCain's kids never knew Hagee when they were small.

Rev. Wright performed Obama's marriage ceremony. McCain had never even met Hagee until he became the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

Obama chose Rev. Wright's church and attended it for 20 years. McCain has never attended Hagee's church.

Obama had at one point stated that he hadn't heard the nastiness that is Rev. Wright. We all know that not only had he heard it...many times over a 20 year period, but he indoctrinated his children with it.

This is only speculation but I think it will come out that it was the wife's idea for them to attend this church. It is very unlikely that Obama went to a church like this when he was a child.

[loria]

Okay, so you are okay with McCain seeking the endorsement of Hagee simply because he doesn't have a relationship with him. To me that seems more calculated. He sought the endorsement of someone he has no relationship with, someone who has espouses anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim views. Personally, I find it sad that he even had to do this to increase his appeal with conseratives. It doesn't mean that he believes what Hagee says, no more that the words of Reverend Wright are the words and beliefs of Senator Obama.

As far as indoctrinating childrent to hate, it happens in white churches too. Well meaning Christians make sure their children know that homosexuals are going to hell. Well meaning Christians make sure their children know that Muslims are evil. There is much more to Obama's church than these few words of his pastor, just as there is more to the white churches who make sure their children know that homosexuality is a sin.

[jeffepops]

I'm would be more concerned about McCain's present alliance with Hagee than I am with Obama's past relationship with the minister of his familiy's church.

Obama has denounced Wright's extremist positions; McCain embraces Hagee as a political ally.

Ultimately, all of these media based hysterical sidebars distract us from the heart of this presidential election. Who do we believe has the best policies and positions on health care, getting us out of Iraq and regaining our stature as a moral leader of the free world; and overhauling our broken national economy.

Both Wright and Hagee are minor distractions.

[jorjan]

Barack Obama has shown incredibly bad judgement on a number of his associates. I maybe could give him a pass on his questionable contributors but when his MENTOR and pastor spews hatred of America and whites, and he has kept his association with him for nearly 20 years, that is a way more serious infraction. We cannot demand absolute perfection in our candidates but darn, shouldn''t we at least demand allegiance to the country that they will be representing????

[annis]

Why not read a little more before you write - AND, even better, give yourself a little time to absorb what you have read .

You have ignored evidently all Barak Obama has said about his allegiance to his country. You have chosen to ignore why he has in the main run for office .

You have not chosen to really assess what his relationship has been with Reverend Wright and you have not, I think, read about who really has influenced Barak Obama .

I don't see "perfection" EVER being claimed or even hinted or "nuanced" by Barak Obama supporters as a strong suit against Hillary Clinton - only "perfection" being an accusatory, sarcastic, and jealous epithet flung out with no mark. (Remember "voices" and "light from heaven" that Hillary Clinton shouted ....... before the VA primary???)

Do something for the country of your allegiance.

[Seral]

"At the gym today I saw Fox News on one of the monitors as the Republican mouthpiece constantly ran footage of Reverend Jeremiah Wright preaching followed by footage of Senator Barack Obama with the aim of creating a strong visual bond between the two men."

Just to remind, Obama and Reverend Wright have had a very strong bond for the last 20 years (ignoring Obama's words that were told the last few days). And, if two people had such a close connection for a long time, and not just at a personal level, but at a family level, to not know that person's beliefs is like living as a soulless entity, which simply is not possible. So, take Obama's words as you like, but, disavowing that person's words after sharing the same environment for a long time is nothing more than faking. (Cause, Rev. Wright most probably had done what was shown on the TV for a long time, based on the positive reactions he got from his listeners)

[loria]

Honestly, I don't even know what political party any of my pastors belong to, not even the one who baptized my kids. The one, who if I were to die today, would preside at my funeral. I know his family. I know his children, who are a party of my own family's life. I don't, however, know anything about his politics despite knowing him for almost ten years and hearing his sermons on a weekly basis.