Obama addresses faith

I am waiting for Clinton to "walk out" of her church after her pastor wrote a letter saying Clinton was wrong about Rev. Wright.

McCain should keep his mouth shut unless he wants to make a plank of his campaign "religious intolerance". I can see it now, McCain standing with Hagee and Parsley saying "the Catholic church is a great prositute" a "cult religion" and how Islam is a "false" religion and should be "exterminated". These should make great political ads for him.

This is simply more distraction thrown up by Clinton and McCain to avoid the real issues like the war, the economy, health care and illegal immigration. I don't know why the media does not run a story on the inane proposal they are now pushing for a gas tax holiday. Hey we just borrow more money right and the best part is we don't have to pay for it, our children do.

The problem with Wright is that he is putting words into Obama's mouth. He does not speak for Obama and should not attempt to do so. It is for this reason Obama should repudiate Wright. "Obama distanced himself out of political reality." Obama distanced himself because he does not believe everything Wright says and is a free thinker.

It appears Wright is seeking to validate his own belief that a black man cannot get elected President.

it is all a sad commentary on the U.S. as a whole. We have an opportunity to elect an inspiring president who tryes to call us to our better selves and offers us hope. We seem to prefer the blood letting type of politics that wants to destroy rather than build up a nation. I am sorry for all of us.

No the problem is people are putting Rev Wrights words into Obama's mouth.

I hesitate to address Jeremiah A Wright as a Reverend. He is nothing but a bigot. Is he trying to destroy Barack Obama's reputation and his chances for the presidency???

Obama has not taken a strong stand against Rev. Wright's ignorant statements from the pulpit. Religion is about healing and uprising. I'm Black and find the sermons disgraceful and not indictive of all Black churches. Is is insensative to discuss 9/11 only 5 days after the deaths of Americans. There is no excuse for Rev. Wright's statements and justifying them is making the situation worse.

Obama has not taken a strong stand against Rev. Wright's ignorant statements from the pulpit. Religion is about healing and uprising. I'm Black and find the sermons disgraceful and not indictive of all Black churches. Is is insensative to discuss 9/11 only 5 days after the deaths of Americans. There is no excuse for Rev. Wright's statements and justifying them is making the situation worse.

Obama has not taken a strong stand against Rev. Wright's ignorant statements from the pulpit. Religion is about healing and uprising. I'm Black and find the sermons disgraceful and not indictive of all Black churches. Is is insensative to discuss 9/11 only 5 days after the deaths of Americans. There is no excuse for Rev. Wright's statements and justifying them is making the situation worse.

A moron is a moron regardless of the color of his skin. The Reverend Wright is obviously unconscious of his victim mentality.....his identification with being the perpetual victim. I am not saying that whites did not oppress blacks...because we did and we ought to make serious amends. But how could a bright guy like Obama miss this? How could anyone with half a brain not pick up on the fact that this guy is venomous and racist? I support Obama and I will continue to support him but he needs to firmly reject Wright and his pathetic victimhood and racism. For the first time in history America has evolved a few steps beyond our usual collective bigotry and is poised to elect a black leader. This clown is providing fodder for the right wing nut jobs.

>> It appears Wright is seeking to validate his own belief that a black man cannot get elected President.

Wright does not need to try hard to achieve that. The Clintons started this as early as during the New Hampshire primary and both have not lost an opportunity to inject race in the race since. They are the ones who are making the electability argument through race baiting insinuations and suggesting that the republicans will be attacking Obama on those statements which he didn't make as if the American people were idiots who could make voting decisions based on rational argument.

Wright didn't call the media to give it the sound bites and other snippets which are deliberately taken out of context. I have not heard Clinton ask Macain to disown his right wing pastors who said as outrageous things as Wright did if one takes the view that freedom of expression in the pew is limited to blaming the poor and means praising the powerful. I don't share those views.

Wright is right to explain himself and present to those who want to know what the black church really is. Those who don't want to know, like the Clintons and their MSM allies won't know.

The good thing about this campaign is that the Clintons are really exposed for who they are.

I don't know if racism in America will ever fade away, but I do know that it won't fade away until we speak openly about it. Obama's campaign, despite Obama not wishing it, is helping America speak openly about America's racism.

For that alone, I am glad that I voted for him.

Seeing Clinton and McCain gleefully making political hay out of Obama's race makes me double glad I did not -- and will not -- vote for either of them.

Peace.

Rev Wright came across to me as a hateful person and I have a difficult time seeing him as a "Spiritual Leader" for any church. He has done more harm to the Black Church just by his demeanor never mind the Anti American statements. He was catering to the black people who were present and I am sure they loved him showing out. Barrack Obama should disavow him completely or it will really impact his run for the President of the United States of America.

I completely agree with friends and mentors like that whgo needs enemys

How is Mr. Wright putting words in Sen. Obama's mouth? Mr. Wright is a pastor. Sen. Obama is a politian. That is his profession. He is a Senator running for president of the United States. Just like Sen. Clinton and McCain. How we even got to this point is really mind blowing. Really absurd when you think about it. Since when is someone else responsible for how another person thinks! And I really don't see what the big deal is. I watched Mr. Wright's speech with Mr. Moyer and his speech last night on CNN with the NAACP and this morining at the National Press Club, and I found him to be very intelligent, amusing and wise. Not at all like the lunitic that the media has tried to make of him. I'm glad he has come out and taken up for himself because this story was not going away. Sen. Obama made his speech about race weeks ago and the media and pundits are still bringing it up. This is America the last time I checked and he has a right to say whatever he wants to say. Just like everybody else! And just like everybody else and in everyday life, you either agree and disagree, but you keep moving. This man's church has gotten bomb threats for Christ's sake! Sounds to me like 1965 all over again! His life and his church members lives have been threatened. Where is that story? Why are they not reporting that?? But yet, they give a pass to McCain and the endorsement of John Hagee who calls the Catholic religion a "whore's religion" or that Hurrican Katrina was done because of the gay people in New Orleans. How absurd is that? Where is the media outrage on this?? Why is McCain getting a free pass?? The truth is, Sen. Obama has won this primary and has beaten Hillary at her own game. She is trying to smear him and so are the rethuglicans. But just like Mr. Wright said on Mr. Moyer's show. Out of the worst conditions or bad situations, GOD has a way of turning that around and making something good or positive come forth. And the good is that we are finally having a dialog about race in this country. That's great no matter what happens. And as for Sen. Clinton and McCain trying to dig Sen. Obama into a grave, just like my grandmother used to say, "if you are going to dig a ditch for somebody else, you better dig one for yourself too." And my grandmother was a wise woman!

If Sen. Obama thinks that he can solve all his problems by just saying that 'he is his brother's/sister's keeper,' then he is naive in the extreme. In case he was not listening, Rev. Wright just announced in his speech at the Press Club that Sen. Obama's statements about religion are merely designed to say 'as a politician' 'what a politician needs to say.' He also seems to think that joking not once but twice about 'running for VP' with Sen. Obama is appropriate for a pastor.

Does anyone really think that none of this is going to raise any questions about Sen. Obama's credibility and ability to deliver 'unity,' 'hope,' and 'change'?

Wright simply needs to retire so he can enjoy his mountain of money and the beautiful mansion provided by his people. Obama doesn't need any more of his assistance.

Obama is as transparent as a wet white sheet...Go figure.

I am AA and I loved the speech Rev. Wright gave until he started taking questions. I wanted to just die at that point. Not all AA Churches are like this. Obama is a spiritual follower of his Christian faith. I will not hold him accountable for the ravings of his pastor because he is a grown man, not a child that is easily molded. I know Obama love this Country otherwise he would not be running for president and helping the poor in Chicago after finishing college. Obama will always have diffrent views then his pastor because he is half WHITE he understands white America because his White family raised him into manhood. He understand black because his wife is AA. Let's move on!!! Go Obama 08!

Obama is a fraud. There is NO WAY he did not know about Wright! This Rev. Wright will not shut up and this is to those that NEVER attended his church. You bet Obama knew! 20 YEARS! This guy makes sure everyone knows about black liberation theology and Anti-American rhetoric. Obama needs to drop out of this race!

Any church I ever went to in my life, 51 years, always spoke about love. Rev Wright spoke truths that he believes and the bottom line to all this controversey is Obama has spent twenty years listening to him believing in him. Now because of politics he denounes what he has always believed, that is as bad as his wife saying "For the first time I am proud to be an american." There is a lot of, for no other word, lies and deception. Does Obama so quickley have no loyality to Rev. Wright what does that tell you about a loyality to the American people.

I like Reverend Wright. His only shortcoming is the one Barack points out when he says he isn't embracing the current view of race and opportunity in America. I tend to think we are more divided along socio-economic bounds than race in America today.We are all a product of our upbringing and Reverend Wright is speaking through his personal perspective.
I think Barack Obama should pull some different, less incendiary, more typically palatable excerpts from Reverend Wright's sermons. And everyone should be encouraged to listen to the sermons in their entirety to understand at what point and for what point statements are made. OBAMA '08!

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I agree that we are not holding McCain of Hillary Clinton to the same litmus test that we are holding Barack Obama. McCain's history with the Rev. Hagee and Bill and Hillary's welcome of Wright to the White House are getting no air time whatsoever. Why is all the focus on Rev. Wright? Why are we looking at William Ayres? Obama has said that he, Obama, is living proof that someone from his background has the opportunity to rise to the highest position in America. Let us all prove that he is right instead of pulling him down. Let us hear what he has to say instead of letting it be drowned out by the cat calls from the McCain and Clinton camps. I am glad that Obama has resisted Clinton's call for a "stump" debate. What she wants I believe is a down and dirty fight. How on earth is that going to help the country. What Clinton and Obama need to do is focus on emphasizing that McCain is a third term of Bush, however much McCain denies this. Look at the mess we are in because of the two terms we have had of Bush. Do we really want another term?

I'm amazed at the ignorance of some. Rev. Wright's joke about running for VP was a shot at those who are trying to equate him with Obama. Wright is not running for office. Obama is running for office. To try to smear Obama because of his pastor's imperfections is hardly fair. And anyone that does not think this is about race is deluding themselves. White pastors damn America all the time for what they see as its many sins. and no one screams bloody murder. Rev. Wright's problem isn't that he said God Damn America, it's that he said it while looking, acting and sounding "black."

The fear of the "other" never ceases to amaze me. For those that didn't see it, Rev. Wright gave a profound and impassioned speech last night at an NAACP event in Detroit in which he spoke on the theme that different was not deficient. He talked about the hope for the future and coming together to make a better world for all of us. But people seem to ignore Wright's uplifting speeches, his decades of charitable works, his military service, his PhDs, his presidential commendations, etc., choosing instead to judge the man based on one or two jarring comments that they vehemently disagree with. We should all challenge our own prejudices and look deeper before we judge. I certainly would not want to be judged solely on the most outlandish comments I ever made. Would you?

I'm amazed at the ignorance of some. Rev. Wright's joke about running for VP was a shot at those who are trying to equate him with Obama. Wright is not running for office. Obama is running for office. To try to smear Obama because of his pastor's imperfections is hardly fair. And anyone that does not think this is about race is deluding themselves. White pastors damn America all the time for what they see as its many sins. and no one screams bloody murder. Rev. Wright's problem isn't that he said God Damn America, it's that he said it while looking, acting and sounding "black."

The fear of the "other" never ceases to amaze me. For those that didn't see it, Rev. Wright gave a profound and impassioned speech last night at an NAACP event in Detroit in which he spoke on the theme that different was not deficient. He talked about the hope for the future and coming together to make a better world for all of us. But people seem to ignore Wright's uplifting speeches, his decades of charitable works, his military service, his PhDs, his presidential commendations, etc., choosing instead to judge the man based on one or two jarring comments that they vehemently disagree with. We should all challenge our own prejudices and look deeper before we judge. I certainly would not want to be judged solely on the most outlandish comments I ever made. Would you?

Barrack Obama will be the next president of the United States. I believe that.
He is the servant God is going to use for this country, this country that belongs to God. God is still in control of this world that He created. I just want to tell President Obama and his wife Michelle and daughters that no matter what negative statementsare being
stated. Remember daily the verse in Isaiah 54:17, No weapon formed against you shall prosper. And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their
righteousness is from Me." Says the Lord. Yes We Can!

Folks need to listen to the entire sermon of the "sound bite", until that happens ignorance will run rampant.

If I hear one more Clintonite or right wing nutjob talk about Obama's 'decisions and character' because of something his pastor says I'm going to tell them to suit up for Iraq. Will humbly listen to them explain their logic once they show me deployment orders.

Whatever candidate wins, this country has lost the little sense it had.

Rev. Wright is very astute. By saying an attack on him is an attack on the black church, he is warning Republicans: if you attack my words in order to smear Obama, you will rightfully paint yourselves as bigoted and intolerant.

I was impressed with Rev. Wright's speech last night and it actually left me with a very favorable opinion and rating of him. From a scholarly standpoint, his intellect in the field of theology cannot be questioned or disputed.

However, today I am sad to say that he lost me and my good opinion of him.

Here is the thing, . . . in another setting I could go with most of what he is saying. He does have some good points, but he needs time to have a full and complete discussion on them. Today he came across as arrogant and cocky. . .

The problem is he sadly does not have the intellect to know when to leave well enough alone. Last night at the NAACP function he hit a home run. Today he negated all the positive advancement he made last night.

With all his education, he does not appear to have the intellect to read and understand the political climate and mainstream America. This is a most serious and historic campaign in our Nation and he is more concerned about fighting with the media and white America (as it comes across) than remaining below the radar until the political season is over.

Well I can say this, though. Rev. Wright has been consistent in his tone and viewpoints and people will most likely not change their negative views about him.

The good thing is that if you have watched Obama these last fifteen months, he has also been consistent in his populist, mainstream America message of Hope and Change. My hope is that people will honestly be able to see that Obama is not Rev. Wright and Rev. Wright is not Obama. They each are their own individuals. Hopefully people will see this and not change their positive view point about Obama. There is no way anyone can claim that Obama resembles Rev. Wright in his writings or oratory presentations

Racism will always be an issue until the baby boomers generation cease to exist. Sorry but it's true. There's a reason that younger voters and educated people are overwhelmingly behind Barack Obama: younger voters because (thank God) they are the product of the civil rights era and educated people because they do not allow the "Dumb Down the Electorate, Here's a Soundbyte Enjoy" Media to do their thinking for them. Reading over the comments, it's not hard to tell those who actually watched the Bill Moyers interview and those who opted to watch Family Guy reruns. This sort of thinking is exactly how chants of "flip-flopper" and wind surfing granted George W. Bush four additional years of thrashing the Constitution and the country. We never learn!

Shouldn't people be judge by their moral and values? Senator Obama does not have control over Rev. Wright. I think that we need to judge Senator Obama on what he do for the country and what he has done to help the poor and middle class. Senator McCain is suddenly a champion for the middle class. Check out his voting record on bills that can help the middle class and the poor. We can not afford to put this man in off.http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-mccain-468

I had to read to Comment #14 before I found someone who heard the same things I heard in Rev. Wright's presentation to the NAACP and at the Press Conference today. Immediately after I heard both of those speeches this morning, I felt greatly relieved for Obama...............that finally the Rev.'s 'sound bites' that have been aired constantly for a month were put into context. I was impressed with the biblical scholar that Rev. Wright seems to be, felt better informed regarding Black History in this country, and enjoyed his humor. CNN couldn't wait to butt in, causing us all to miss the final question that was posed. Then I was astounded that CNN came back with such a negative spin; it was as if they hadn't heard the same words I had.
But , regardless of the obvious differences in perceptions about what Rev. Wright was saying, the fact remains that Rev. Wright is NOT running for office (that VP item was part of the humor) and stated several times that he is not speaking from a political platform. I found most of the questions posed to him this morning to be intentionally badgering and thought he responded concisely - a feature we rarely see anymore - with confidence and humor. This focus on Rev. Wright needs to go away. We need to pay attention to Obama, the candidate.................a man of integrity and vision, who seems to be our greatest hope as a nation right now because we need to come together to be the best that we can be and, YES, WE CAN.

I am really sorry for Obama. I was sure he had dodged a fatal bullet with Wright. Like a horror film where the monster won't die...my god...Rev Wright comes back to life, and the media are there like the blood suckers they are. Waiting for the show. Oh my god...and a show they got. This man is a fool and just ruined the chance of a intelligent African American's chance of accomplishing the unthinkable in America. Who has an excellent talent in negotiation that could of helped us with our problems at home and around the world. Now...Hillary will get the nomination and lose to McCain. Why? The Republicans have so much dirt on Hillary and Bill Clinton that it will make Rev Wright look like a choir boy. Just wait until they unload on Hillary's sex scandals, her terrorist ties and the contributors to the Clinton library, just to name a few. Then all American and the World will see why the Republicans wanted Obama out of the race. Sadly...the result is going to be at least 4 more years of Bush.
If I may use the words of the ignorant, who allow the media to do their thinking for them. Congratulations to FOX News and the other networks. You did it! You took down Obama.

God help us all.

Wright has been ticked off for a long time. As far as Obama, after listening to Wright for twenty years, he is going to have a bigger problem in life. It does seem that there are a few of us non god people and heaven help us non black or white people. We just want to fire up the bar-b-q and live good lives without some mythological god hovering over our beloved nation.

For other saying Obama should drop out of the race because of Rev. Wright's just make me laugh. If that is the case then all those we voted for the war in Iraq which has killed over 4000 troops should drop out of the race.
Rev.Wright did not vote to send anyone to die for a lie. Now who do you think God will judge harshly.

Don't blame Hillary for Obama's mentors, friends, associates or anyone else in Obama's circle....He needs to stand up and be accountable for the people he choses to associate with. Hillary doesnt tell him which church to go to, who to do his business and real estate dealings with, or what friends to have. These are his choices. Talk about Spin......

command respect do not demand respect obama commands it the others demand it ...deep inside every human being is the same and knows what is right and what is wrong ,,,,they have eyes and see not they have ears and hear not ,,,you can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all of the time ...obama is ready for america but is america ready for him,,,will the haves really want to lose their status quo
to really heal the have nots. Noone can take away what God gives them,...great people are remembered by the deeds they not by how they look or what color they are how they effect the lives of others not what they promise to do ....the religion of politics is the religion of selfishness ..greed..heartlessness ..duplicity ,,dishonesty...it is a blessed person who can unite the religion of the creator and politics

This election is not about whether you happen to be a woman or a man, or whether your father was a black man or a white man, an Asian or a Hispanic. It is not about remarks made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. or anyone else. This election is about the future of our country and is about whether the majority of Americans are ready to elect as their next president an individual with integrity, intelligence, and fresh ideas, a 47 year old biracial man who is much less interested in political games than he is in seriously addressing the significant problems facing our country and the rest of the world.
We are at a historic moment in America. Barack Obama is a very special individual who as president will bring a much needed breath of fresh air to Washington and help ordinary Americans begin reclaiming their democracy.

I thought the job of a pastor was to give hope and inspiration to followers that daily need a shot of what is right and what needs to be thought about. Wright is all about pointing out every single pimple and wanting the RIGHT to stay bitter and preach hate against those that caused the bitter to begin with. So really there is no moving on at all. The NYC police acquittal has really fanned the flames. The problem is that it is not a racist problem at all but a policy decision that needs to have everybody's full attention. The police officers involved were both black and white. So this is a NYC police matter which includes all races. It looks like Barack really doesn't know his pastor at all. If I had caused grief to my pupil because of my words, I would shut up and stop worrying about my very own ego.

While 'haters' take 30 second sound-bytes out of context and attempt to analyze things that they don't even understand, gas prices tick up even further, another one of your neighbors' homes goes into foreclosure and another family has to explain to their children why they can't have rice for dinner...come on people. Since you believe the lies and misrepresentations that the talking heads on the 24 hour news channels present to you, I guess you also believe that O'Reilly, Cavuto, Limbaugh, Hannity...will show up at your door and provide what you and your family needs to survive. Get a grip and a brain....deal with the REAL issues! Oh and by the way, who ARE the pastors or spritual advisors/supporters to McCain and Hillary...educate yourself, do your own research!

I am a black man. Yes injustice is rampart in America, but now it is going both ways. Rev. Wright should have followed the callings of a Pastor. Preach love, forgiveness, redemption and restoration. No matter what this nation had done to Black people, forgive, forget and move on. Pulpit should be used to ensure hope for the present and future generation. No true Americans should ever ever wish or preached that GOD should damn AMERICA. That is wrong. Jesus prayed for HIS enemies. He loved them and us as HE was hanging on the cross. Rev. Wright need to go back to the theology of Jesus Christ.

I can't help but blame the media for the hype. We should judge Obama and others by what they say, not what someone else has said. I do not know what more could be said or done by Obama to repudiate the words of Rev. Wright. What I don't understand is Rev. Wright, he must truly want to Hillary to win the nomination because he is destroying someone I thought he cared about. Can't the media focus on the real issues and not that of a ranting and raving man who obviously doesn't care about a member of his own congregation?

I am white, middle-aged and Catholic. I will vote for Obama. Clinton is the white bully in the school yard. Is her bullying an example of how she will handle international affairs? I am voting for Obama, because he strives to be above the fray--it is a shame that Clinton stives to pull Obama into the mud. However, the Clintons have always used any ploy that serves them. President Clinton was impeached for lying to the courts. Could anyone else with a background for lying to the nation be admired? No. The Clintons are slick and slippery. S. Spargo

The fact is McCain did not sit in Jerry Falwell's pew for 20 years. I understand a situation where you get endorsed by a "crazy" and upon further review " distance yourself". The issue is these long term relationships like wright, et all.

You just can't trust someone who is making these "polarized" relationships over and over again. If a president can't be trusted to surround him/herself with the right people...... run the United States? Obama doesn't even sound like he was a good local legislator. He makes bad choices!

Talk about someone who is over his head. This guy would be eaten alive in Congress, by Hamas, by Korea, by Iran..... he's clueless.

Educate yourself on who is really in this race for the people. It's not McCain and Hillary is about herself and personal desires.

Senate
John McCain(R-AZ)
McCain's Middle-Class Grades
2008 Final grade to be released 03.2009
2007 Grade INC
2005 Grade F
2004 Grade F
2003 Grade C
To learn more visit the website below.

http://www.themiddleclass.org/legislator/john-mccain-468

For most people church is where they go to express themselves and to receive support in their daily lives. Therefore, many people believe the church is a lot like their own home. What you say to one audience is not necessarily meant for a broader audience, as it will be taken out of context by those who do not know or understand the point being made.

Rev. Wright and others can preach about what they wish. But having it used for political gain by airing snippets, is a deliberate attempt to disparage his character and that of his parishioners.

No one outside of the African-American community has a right to comment on conversations, speeches, or sermons without 1st attending an African-American place of worship. Opinions should be informed opinions and not based upon sound bites.

I don't comment on Hispanic, Native American, or Asian traditions, because I am not qualified to do so. I don't pretend to know enough about their worship practices. What I hear about any of them is what is filtered through the media, which I don't count on to make any sound assessments or judgments!

My son has had a Mexican caregiver who was fantastic with him, and he has had a white teacher, who adored him. He has flourished under the guidance, supervision, and love from people of different races, colors and nationalities. But this does not give me any authority to critique any of them outside of my personal interactions with them. I'm not qualified to comment on their church practices, religious sermons, and conversations and then make judgments!

Rev. Wright must speak out when the media and politicians are attacking him. He has a right to defend himself and his legacy. He does not have to keep silent while Obama runs for president. Obama is a grown man; he can handle himself just fine.

There is enough room in the world for the Obama's and Rev. Wright's and everyone else. The African-American community is what it says it is, a community. A community is comprised of everyone.

Furthermore, African-Americans are not one-dimensional, instead multi-dimensional is more accurate, and the notion that one person has to shut up and let others speak is ridiculous. AA are not of one voice, but are comprised of many voices, just like a family.

Does any one person in your family speak for you?

Obama and Wright are two tasteless angry persons.