Measuring Wright impact on Obama

Polls change dramatically over the coarse of any election cycle. This year, the nominating process is no different. We've seen Obama and Clinton come close to changing leads several times in most of the recent state contests and nationally.
Obama has weathered the storms of Jeremiah Wright and the last debate where he was jumped by Clinton loyalist, Stephanopoulos. These events provided voters incite into Obama's thoughtful, calm approach to leadership and crisis management.
The amazing thing about Obama run for President is that he is doing so well at this point considering that he did not over take Clinton until Valentine's day in national polls and had to handle the strong negative winds from the Clinton camp. Since then he has lead nationally, even during the Wright challenge.
He is now recovering his lost momentum as voters realize that Clinton will use any trick she can to win as exemplified by her joining with McCain on this bogus gas tax holiday scheme cynically being used to buy votes. Obama is wining this debate and rightfully so considering most all experts concur that the gas tax holiday is a terrible idea.
It is almost inevitable that we will have the best candidate running against McCain this fall and that candidate is Barrack Obama.

My god, haven't we had enough of the damn Wright controversy? There are so many legitimate news stories you could be reporting on. Why not focus on them rather than a retired pastor who has no influence on the political leanings of the man who once looked up to him... or spend equal time vetting Clinton and McCain's own religious support and the negatives associated with them? Do some actual work for a change!

Rev Wright did Barack a favor. He knew what would come out and he not only got it over with, he brought the attention onto himself - separating the two them and taking the controversy onto himself. The guy is not a dummy.

I find what Obama said appalling.
He sat around 20 years with this bigot and extolled his virtues. Now he goes back and says he is only his priest – not his advisor, not his mentor, although he said al these about him in the near past.

People have every right to make up their minds about this Obama charade.

If the press would concentrate on the issues more and leave this behind where it belongs the public would be better served. Rev. Wright behaved contrary to what his entire parish said he routinely behaved like and the media act like it is a story. The story is a retired minister lost it and behaved like an idiot in front of all the media scrutiny. He has NOTHING to do with Obama and his beliefs. Leave it alone and move on!!!!

Thank you FOON RHEE for showing me that the Boston Globe can produce balanced reporting at a time when it is hard to find a news source that reports the news and isn't trying to influence it.

Clearly, unbiased reporting. Thanks again,
Ken

The Politics of Fear
There is so much nonsense about this so-called "20 year relationship" with a pastor, that everyone is skirting the real issue. There are some people and politicians who try to lay out the case that voting for Obama would "set back racial relations for 40 years", or that a candidate for president like Obama would somehow lead to total anarchy; total division.

Really. Race relations are great now, right? A politician and her husband constantly denigrates an honorable man playing on the lowest common denominator of race baiting and fear mongering (he's not a Muslim...as far as I know...) or "He won South Carolina just like Jessie Jackson", or perhaps he doesn't share "our" values. All are racial code words.

Perhaps the whopper, "I would never stay at THAT church with THAT pastor", conveniently forgetting that Rev Wright was called TO the White House to pray FOR Bill Clinton in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Anything and everything has been insinuated to cause reasonable people to fear the "unknown Black candidate".

Unfortunately, racism, like any other destructive impulse or thought is based on fear. Ultimately fear of what is not familiar. This cuts both ways; ALL of us are guilty to a certain extent. Knowledge and understanding overcomes fear and bias. Willingness to address the common fears and overcome them in individual interactions, as well as between groups and nations; represents the best chance for humanity. Ignoring or pandering to fear only perpetuates the problem.

The problem with racism is that it is far more than the overt signs of the past. Everyone remembers the images of different water fountains, lunch counters, and protest marches. In today's world, those images no longer exist.

I believe there is a more insidious problem that is just below the surface. This is a fear that can be tapped in both sides by just the right spin or rhetoric.

Throw in the mix an egotistical narcissistic former pastor goaded into maintaining his 15 minutes of fame in front of a rabid ravenous press corps, and this fear of the "Black Candidate" comes to the surface.

If you truly objectively analyze all of the public (and private) statements of Obama, there is not one instance where there is the suggestion of vitriol currently being ascribed to him. What about the "bitter" comments? Who isn't bitter after 5 years of Iraq, 7 years of a tanking economy, 15 years of unaffordable bad healthcare, and scandal after scandal representing the "Washington way of doing things"? Clinging to guns and religion? Who among us doesn't retreat to familiar forms of comfort when times are bad?

Elitist? A man, raised first in a single parent home, then by his grandparents, is called elitist; while his opponents had privileged lives, made millions in bogus salaries, and are given a pass on this issue.

What is the real issue? The real issue is whether you will allow your vote to be influenced by fear or hope. If you are afraid of a "Black President", and you need "justification" by using the Rev Wright controversy confirm your previously held deep-seated opinion, by all means vote for Hillary Clinton. She has based her candidacy based on fear, and innuendo (remember the Bin Laden ad in Pa., 3 am phone call in Texas); you will be rewarded by the same in Washington by voting for her. Because whether she or McCain wins, there will be no help on the economy, no long-term health care plan, no change in Iraq (McCain), and most importantly, politics governed by lobbyist favors, back room deals, and personal enrichment of the politicians involved.

If on the other hand, you can see past the destructive fear and hate spin, and truly want to reform Washington, remove the influence of PAC's, lobbyists, political fat cats, foreign government influence (China, Colombia), corporations (Halliburton), lies (Weapons of Mass Destruction, Bosnia, Northern Ireland), and finally have a government that we the people can finally be a part of, then the choice is clear.

Senator Obama is a candidate that has real solutions for the economy and energy crisis, not a gimmicky gas tax "rebate" which will end up costing much more in infrastructure repairs and ultimately higher gas prices. What he offers is a real health care policy that doesn't punish those that cannot afford to pay; a coherent Middle Eastern policy that doesn't threaten to nuke Iran if they threaten the oil sheikdoms of UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan; a military policy that will focus on the real terrorism battle in Pakistan and Afghanistan; and an environmental policy that will create new green industry jobs through the aggressive support of new energy initiatives.
This is why there is huge grassroots and financial support for Obama. Support that neither Hillary; Bill, nor McCain can match.
The choice is Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.

wright aint of GOD. Wright is a haloween noise maker--The Gospels arent to be adressed in disrespect or in frivoulous comic of Wright's He should clean up his own act

Obama is clearly an imposter, The Wright Ties, The Reznko ties, The other American Terrorist he worked for and who donated to his senator campaign..and him dissing all minorities by saying "only blacks get it" (as far discrimination goes) and then dissing Blue collar workers with elitist comments...and as soon as things get a little though this man falls apart...who in their right man would vote for this joke of a policitian?

Obama is clearly an imposter, The Wright Ties, The Reznko ties, The other American Terrorist he worked for and who donated to his senator campaign..and him dissing all minorities by saying "only blacks get it" (as far discrimination goes) and then dissing Blue collar workers with elitist comments...and as soon as things get a little though this man falls apart...who in their right man would vote for this joke of a policitian?

It has everything to do with Obama, because that is all Obama has given us. No policy, no action plan, just a "look and feel" campaign, how he is the one to lead us, because he has good judgment, and he is of good character, that he can make "change". Since all he has given us is megalomania and rock star credentials, we have to judge him on them, not policy or ideas and how he will achieve them. And as to a connection, his campaign sent to Wright on the campaign letterhead months ago a letter telling Wright that they did not want him at an event as he was too controversial. Official correspedence acknowldging at that time what is know being stated is new. The guy must be judged this way as that is how he is asking us to judge him, on how we feel about him as a person. No policy, no plan, no numbers.
The absolute mockery he is making of people who have budgets and are held accountable for a plan, win, lose, or draw, is disgusting. He is playing business. An arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. Reminds me of Bush.

What did you know before primary?
What do you know right now?
Is not the time to reconize "The Emperor''s New Clothes"
Is not the time to end this drama?

Clinton has a lot more negative associations in her past than Obama.
Why aren't these things being discussed. Maybe it's because Obama wants to talk about the issues. The things that are really important.
First they started to send slamming him in e-mails, saying he was a Muslim,
Now he is a Christian but his pastor is a racist.
You can't have it both ways..... What ever happened to separation of Church and state? Bush extorted the Christian vote by throwing out wedge issues like Gay marriage and abortion. Things he has done NOTHING about in his eight year term.
I think Obama has proven that he is a true Christian by spending most of his life
working in community service. Judge a man by his "Fruits".

I too could not give a hoot about J Wright.

But I do care about:

the honesty
the judgment
the religion (thus values) professed

by the potential leader of the free world.

What about the Black Liberation Theology – the faith of Barack Obama… or Mr Rezko and his mafia family from which B Obama benefited significantly.

J Wright said: B Obama is doing what he is doing to get elected. B Obama said: no, I was sincere when I said: I am shocked, shocked there is hatred going on here.

Who is telling the truth? Mr Wright or Capitan Barack Renault-Obama at Rick’s café (aka the United Trinity Church) ?

Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much.
[aloud]
Captain Renault: Everybody out at once!

[Casablanca]

The Rev. Wright controversy is legitimate! Only hardcore Obama supporters want the news coverage to move on. Obama is nearly a complete unknown to American voters. He's a first term senator with virtually no experience running for the Presidency of the US. The other candidate are well defined (like them or not). As a voter, I want to know a much as possible about all the candidates - but esp. Obama , as I know so little. His associations help me define him as a person and a candidate. Also, the way he handles these controversies, helps define him as well.

Personally, I think actions speak louder than words. Obama's actions and associations show (at least) the possibility that he is a different person from the one he defines in his well rehearsed and well delivered speeches.

Americans have every right to know as much as possible about every candidate. Obama is no exception.

Wright's rants and Obama's 20-year delay in repudiating them and the pastor ARE issues, they have not been put behind, and they won't/shouldn't go away -- however hard the soft-on-Bubba press may try to dismiss them. The slow reaction of the press and the doesn't-matter attitude of countless slavering pundits and reporters are also issues that warrant scrutiny. From this morning's headlines, it looks like that's happening. But will it still be happening tomorrow? Voters in NC and IN will show tomorrow whether they are smart enough to see through these shams.

Senator Obama has no experience to lead this nation. The people he associates himself with have shown to be a hateful pastor, an alleged criminal, a terrorist, and a racist minister. There is no substance to his future of "Change". He clearly doesn't understand the impact of increasing taxes.

Why does anyone think that Sen. Obama is anything but ridiculous? I for one am not moving on. He would be a very poor candidate in the general election. Give it up.......

Too all of you people trying to minimize the association of Obama and Wright: Wright was an official member of Obama's campaign 3 months ago. Obama also said Wright never said anything Wright said was controversial. Obama is so full of it. Rev Wright sold DVD's of his speeches that included him saying that it is a FACT that the US government created AIDS and sent to Africa. Obama must have known that he had this belief, but STILL Obama put him on his campaign until being forced to repudiate him.

Obama is a fake. He fooled me. I was rooting for him up until February. His wife showed the families true values. "The first time in my adult like I've been proud of my country" was when her husband won a few primaries. That's disgusting coming from a very well educated, rich person with two nice daughters.

So let me understand this, first the rumors said he was a Muslim but now Senator Obama’s campaign might be derailed by his relationships with a Christian minister. Interesting. This from a country that allowed the GOP to lie to them and wrap an imposter into the guise of a savior while he led them blissfully to war in the name of God. Who’s kidding who here?

I read a quote several years ago that said “The 100 percent American is 99 percent an idiot. It would seem that Hillary and McCain have not only read the same quote, but have built their campaigns around that idea. Why else would they be running campaigns that appeal to emotionalism and not facts as in the gas tax holiday scam.

Senator Obama through his community grassroots is encouraging people to not only understand the democracy they live in, but to become actively involved. Imagine that, giving the power back to the people by helping them understand that being elected to office means you are elected to serve and is not your ticket to celebrity and exclusivity.

For better or for worse, whatever we think of Jeremiah Wright, Senator Obama has spoken the truth to the American people and has tried to show them when they are being scammed. One needs to look no further than at the number of economists who are telling us McCain and Clinton’s plan is nonsense. The sad part is that there are people I work with who don’t watch the news, don’t read the newspapers, don’t hold the media to any ethical standards, have not a clue what the issues are and are still relying on their ministers, spouses or sound bites from the likes of Glenn Beck, O’Reilly and Olberman to “give” them their opinions. If they don’t it will be 2000 and 2004 all over again and we will like Muggeridge said, get the government we deserve.

The Wright incidents have been admittedly embarrassing for Obama. All politicians have baggage and touch bases with people they'd rather not. Look no further than the Bushes and the Clintons. The Senator isn't an infallible judge of character. Everyone at one point or another is surprised by people they know. Even close friends.

Obama took a measured approach and tried not to hang the Reverend completely out to dry with his speech in Philly. It was an attempt to elevate the discussion. When the Reverend Wright jumped back up and made a new spectacle last week, then it was clear that they were on different paths. The Senator separated himself.

Even if Obama is elected President, I guarantee that he will make mistakes. HE'S HUMAN. His appeal is in the way he approaches problems. He isn't an "all-or-nothing" or "my-way-or-the-highway" type. We can't work on terrorism, global worming and food shortages while politicians just focus on caricaturing each other's characters and drawing partisan lines. (Never mind thinking that winning over other countries can be done just by throwing America's weight around.)

This is about finding a leader who gets people excited about contributing. No President can do anything without the rest of us. Black, Latino, White, Blue Collar, Office Worker, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim. Let's get over these petty differences. WE'RE AMERICANS. Remember the "melting pot"? Remember being the country known for taking a chance on a new idea? We all want freedom, independence and the right to try and make things better.

I know that last bit is starry-eyed, but we didn't get here by saying to ourselves, "Let's stick with King George. At least he's been vetted."

Barack Obama is no different than Deval Patrick. They use words without meaning. Barack Obama said he would no sooner disown Reverend Wright than his own grandmother or Black community. Think about that statement, think about how many people you would say those types of words about. I mean the number of people I'd hold up there to the level of my Grandmother, jeez, that would be a very select few. Obama knows the gravity and charge of words and he knows how to charge people up with words. Using bold words that he throws away a few weeks later makes people realize that his use of words is political and the integrity behind the words isn't there.

Deval Patrick put his name on a letter to ask a parole board to release a grandmother rapist. Wouldn't you want to be damm sure that you were 100 percent correct before you asked to release a grandmother rapist? Deval Patrick put his name on the line without meeting the rapist.

It's kind of like how you try to talk to a friend that say's that their boyfriend or girlfriend is "dreamy", it's like take a good look at someones track record. People know how to sweet talk, but you need to see a track record before you fall for it.

When is everyone going to "wake up and smell the coffee/latte or red bull" on this guy! The polls are FINALLY reflective of what the true sentiment is in this Country. No more lies, no more deceit...and no more EXCUSES for a poorly run campaign with a lot of rhetoric and no substance, plan of attack. I applaud Hilary for backing up her ideals with a plan of attack. Would I rather have experience and prosperity that she clearly had a hand in from the 90's? NO DOUBT!

Given the economic instability of the current situation...I don't see another choice.

Nobody seemed to care about Bush driving three businesses into the ground and his draft dodging before he was elected and look at the mess he got us into.

It doesn't much matter. Hillary Clinton has basically NO chance of winning at this point. Math doesn't lie and there aren't enough delegates left for her to catch Obama.
Even if Hillary wins all of the remaining primaries, she would still need to win about 75% of the remaining superdelegates to win the nomination.

At this point, Hillary has basically the same chance being nominated as Mitt Romney does. If the frontrunner drops out due to health or scandal, they're in. Otherwise, no chance.

Every four years, the mainstream media tells us how important Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania are to the Democratic nominees chances to win the Presidency, but now, that Sen. Obama has lost these contests, they say nevermind. Well, which is it? It reminds me of the saying, "You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time." Independent and honest journalism needs a comeback soon or we'll have four more years of same spin.

Manufactured issues = manufactured consent

Live free or die! Obama '08

The Wright question is nto about something Obama did or said himself, but whether he agrees with Wright. He says he doesn't.

Clinton's problem are what she's actually done and said herself: the gas tax holiday, 'totally obliterate Iran', NAFTA positions, Iraq war positions, calling economists 'elites', and so forth.

I think it's excellent that they keep reporting on this information. Polls and newspaper articles such as this go hand in hand with helping to shape the course of the election. I am loving all of this negative Obama information!!! It's more substantial than the rediculously arbitrary sniper issue that Clinton had to deal with. Clinton 2008!!!!!!

The media is keeping the topic alive to get more hits on their web site. DUH! The media is trying to controll the election so they can keep their readers till November. Wake up America. Quit clicking on the Wright topics and focus on the RIGHT topics.

I will never vote for Hillary and if she cheat, lies and uses the race card to win, I'll never vote Democrat again.
Obama said if he loses he ask us to vote for Hillary. Well sadly my vote is not his to give to a liar. I'll leave the Democrat party and help start a viable 3rd party free of bitter, gun loving, racist bigots. I think at least 15-25% will leave as we're as mad as hell and not taking it anymore.
The Cable News can play Rev.Wright all the time but Hillary will win a split party and if she thinks we'll fall into line....
I've never hated anyone so much as I hate Bill and Hillary Clinton.

The majority of Barack Obama's delegates were won in early February. It wasn't until the end of January when most candidates dropped out. Because Hillary was the front runner, she was attacked by both Democrat and Republican candidates. Obama was the media darling and really hasn't been challenged with any tough policy questions. At the beginning of the race, Hillary was bumped by everyone and since it has been a "match" race, one on one, she has done very well.

Obama was a long shot because he has no experience, and his words ring hollow because he has no history solving the problems that he speaks so grandiloquently about. In fact, John McCain embodies more of the "united" voice that Obama speaks of. What Obama doesn't understand is that those that stand in the middle of the road are often times hit by cars on both sides.

This election cycle should be entirely for the Democrats. If they elect Obama, I believe they will lose. If they lose this one, they are complete losers. It is funny how the most successful Democrat in 3 decades who did more for minorities and working Americans is being told to be quiet.

The Republicans were smart to put someone in who is more of a centrist; the Democrats got greedy and are putting in someone on the far Left. I think that was risky, and someone who has no experience on the far Left was just dumb. Now that we know that Obama is not sincere with his rhetoric we have a: far Left, inexperienced candidate that lacks integrity...

Obama is old enough to define the differences he might..or might not have with Wright. I have a BIG PROBLEM with his 'indoctrination' of his kids. If he is willing to subject his own kids to hatred and racism, what is he willing for your kid/grandkid to see and hear? Obama not only doesn't have a clear vision for his family and parental skills he is not even close to being responsible for the COUNTRY!

"Good job Brownie" defines Obama.

As someone said, shall we look into Clinton's baggage to compare with Wright? Shall we start with Mark Penn who is still in her campaign who was lobbying on behalf of Columbian government? Or more seriously Bill Clinton who got $800,000 from the same government? Or from other foreign government, China, Saudi Arabia to name a couple? Some shady lobbyists Clinton associated with or the prewsidenpardons, and the list of donors to the library

Obama's handling of Wright shows his exceptional ability to judge context and intent, not just words.

In 2002, Saddam Hussein provoked this nation in to war with just words - saying infamously this will be the "mother of all wars."
Today we have lots of inflammatory leaders, Iran's Ahmadinajad of Iran, N. Korea's Kim Jong Il and even Russia's Putin who are all trying to provoke America in various ways. We need a leader who can judge intent before he commits the country to action or even categorical condemnation. It gives a chance for more sane action on all sides.

“I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos,” said King in 1967 speeches on foreign policy, “without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today — my own government.”...LBJ and others in government saw this an unpatriotic. Was MLK a radical hate-monger? Nor war Rev. Wright, when he said similar things within a broader transformational message to his own congregation.

But there was a clear change of intent between Wright's first excerpts looped endlessly and his theatrics to a national audience at the National Press Club. Obama recognized this difference, unlike many who categorically condemn all inflamatory language regardless of intent or context. In that light, Obama's first response in Pensylvannia showed even more wisdom and restraint - it struck the correct balance between the needs of the congregation and the needs of the country, not allowing either to trample over the sensitivities of the other. His great disappointment was that Rev. Wrigtht could not do the same. By the time Wright spoke to the National Press Club, his motives had clearly changed to vindictiveness.

Obama was one of the very few who recognized Saddam's words as nothing but show-boating that would have grave consequences for the US. In 2002, he said
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Barack_Obama's_Iraq_Speech
"Now let me be clear, I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity....But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, ...I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda."

In contrast, Hillary talks about "totally obliterating" Iraq if they used nuclear weapons to attack Israel. Would her obliteration include 40 million women and children? Ahmadinajad used her statements to get sympathy from the UN and his own people, who generally thought of him as a nut-job.

I'm disappointed that Obama hasn't held Wright up high as an example of exactly the kind of insidious racial divisiveness and anger that needs to be a thing of past. He's a perfect example of what we need to overcome.

Unfortunately for Obama he wants to talk about "real issues" and keep race from defining his campaign. Too late buddy. The race cat is out of the bag. Define yourself or your opponents will do it for you.

Obama, I'm worried that your dispassionate nature, which will make you a terrific president, is hurting your campaign.

Its about TIME Americans stop being petty.... Obama is just like all of us a human and we are all bound to make faults, no matter our level of responsibility. How does someone have experience of being a President while campaigning to be President for the fist Time... it beats me... But Hey its your country you do what ever you wnat with it.

One thing i like about Obama ...the ... assumed biggest sinner... is that he accepts that he is human and the fact that he has made mistakes and has learnt from those mistakes.. what about someone who will tell you it was just a blip.. Amazing!! indeed.

As one person who is not American... i can safely say having read the blog and seen how angry Clinton supporters, i am glad i am not an American. In Obama i for one see a total difference from the usual Politics of America that we have been made to know in the past. Infact i have never followed an American election like i do this time around because of Obama... He really sticks out as a good person at and a True Christian compared to all the other two Presidential Hopefuls.

The Rev Wright/Obama combination going against John Mccain/VietnamWarHero combination is no match for the Republican.Voter tend to appreciate a Veteran War Hero than an Anti American Pastor in Revrent Wright.

Dear Fellow Americans,

Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America
is and will face very critical "Challenges" in coming,
months, years, and decades. It is very essential that
we pick out next President on following criteria.

1. A candidate with "Vision and Statesmanship".

2. A candidate with " Stable Character and Morality" .

3. A candidate with "Presidential Temperament" and
"sound Judgment".

4. A candidate with "little Washington exposure" and
"connectedness with New voters".

5. A candidate who "Inspires us up" rather than
"Tears
us down".

In my professional opinion there is only one candidate
left, who bears all the above qualities aand that is
Honorable Senator Obama.

As an independent registered voter since 1974. I voted
for Carter, voted for Reagan, voted for First Bush,
and second Bush in 2000. In the process last interest
and stopped voting.

This time we can not afford to stay on side lines and
let Washington stay the same.

We can not afford our Greatgreat Nation to become less
than what we are and can be.

We need to send clear and candid message to the world
and some 24 hour partisan hateful media. These media
outlets are trying to deprive, dupe, and derail us
from getting it right this time.

They are trying there best to deny us better rather
than bitter future. { Our Greatgrand Nations people
are
persistently and constantly subjected to Psychological
terrorism" thru these hatful partisan media outlets.

We Americans are not going to allow them
psychologically terrorized us and silence the masses.
I am sure that we will get it right this
time and elect Senator Obama our next President. let
us not get dragged down into racism and sexism.

Let us remember that our Greatgrand is constituted of
family, fellowships, friends, faith, funds, fun,
future with fairness and freedom and without fear or
favor.

We can not afford to lose any of above. Let us stand
up, be counted, save, build our Greatgrand Nation for
centuries to come.

God Bless our Great grandNation, its diverse people.

Our future needs stability, security, safety,
sustained progress and restoration of our due status
in this perilous Global World at all levels.

yours truly,

COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall
Forensic Psychiatrist.
Disables American Veteran.
Las Vegas Nevada.

You democrats should all be up in arms right now. Why? Because Obama is trying to court the Christian crowd, the very people you have come to hate over the last 8 years.

The only reason Obama is pandering on this issue, and yes, Wright was right when he said Obama is pandering. Obama is pandering so he can be that candidate to show that he is a God fearing Christian man. He needed to show a close tie to Wright in order to keep up that facade. Now that we have reached a point where Obama can no longer be associated with Wright, he is ready to throw him from the train.

Personally, I believe that Obama has the same types of beliefs that Wright has, no one can say they have attended a church for 20 years without having some of the same views as the pastor at that church. If you were a Church going Christian you would understand this.

But since most of the democrats in this country are not, then Obama can easily pull this wool over your eyes and blind you with the shiny exterior. Personally, I could care less who wins your nomination, but if you really want to run a racist against us in November, then go ahead and select Obama.

For everyone demanding a reason Obama has not disowned his Church due to his pastor making controversial remarks:

Actions speak louder than words.

Right now, Cardinal Law is living in the Vatican. Do you all expect ALL Catholics to denounce Catholicism and the Church for harboring and granting refuge to a convicted pedophile? He led Catholics in prayer! And he was abusing altar boys!
Why haven't all Catholics stopped attending? Do they all support pedophiles too!?!
They must! They're still going! Or is the judgment of every Catholic that bad? It would have to be if the same logic were applied.

How about "rev" Hagee's and Pat Robertson's assertions that America had brought on the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as god's wrath for tolerating homosexuals and promiscuity? Where's the outrage? You know Jesus, the name they're always throwing around, the one who is quoted more or less as saying "let the one without sin cast the first stone" You know that kind of person wouldn't tolerate homosexuality or prostitution... oh wait, he hung out with outcasts and prostitutes?
Where's the call to rid the airwaves of Hagee and Robertson?

And if you think Obama hasn't addressed the issues, you haven't done the research for yourself. Stop relying on mega-corporate-owned "news" media to cover the issues. They won't. They can't survive a radical change in the status quo, and Clinton and McSame represent the comfortable continuation of the status quo.

This is what we do in the US now. We ignore everything that actually matters, waiting for some delicious piece of gossip to come up. Obama's got an idea for our dying healthcare system? Obama has a plan for Iraq that makes some sense? Yawn. Obama may be a secret white-person-hating racist because the guy who preaches to his church has a big mouth? MEDIA TIME!

This. Is. Not. An. Issue.

Here's another non-issue: Is Obama out of touch with the "Bubba" demographic? I am sincerely praying that he is! Why in %^& do we want to elect a guy to the most powerful position on earth if he's NOT in at least the 90th percentile intelligence-wise!! The money required to run for presidency basically requires that anyone in the race comes from a silver spoon kind of background, so let's get over that and deal with something that matters.

Once again ... thanks US media.

If you want a repeat of the 90's, when economy was booming, federal budget was balanced, the country enjoyed prestige and esteem all over the world, Obama is not your man. He is not likely the one that will cut back on social spending and welfare. That is all he knows in his life. If you think Rev. Wright is troublesome, wait til Rev Sharp, Jesse James are all milling around the Whitehouse.

McCain is likely to take take the defense to the sky or leave it to Obama with welfare.

This man is all-talk empty vase.

The CBS/New York Times polls surveyed fewer than 300 subjects. It's a worthless poll. I can't believe the media is even reporting it as legitimate. What the media should be reporting on is the fact that it took shoddy methodology to produce a poll showing Obama with a commanding lead.

Everyone is responsible for his own actions. Just because big O was going to JR cruch it does not mean anything. What matters is he was ready to accept the fact that JR was out of his mind, which happens at this age, stupid guy JR. Obama has excellent plocies and is perfectly correct in all his plocies. Look at Hillary, she back on people with less knowledge and want to show them false dreams and dreams of her husbands term. But is not able to accept that fact that she has lost it and move on. many be 2012..

Thank you, Walt. That's the best summation of all the issues I've seen anywhere. Bravo.

It's amazing how different people see the same events in different ways.

I was on the fence -- Obama or Hillary? The Clintons' dirty politics were decisive for me.

Then there was the horrible flap over Wright. I thought Obama handled the situation honorably. I'm scratching my head, trying to figure out how others can see it so differently. Part of it is probably fear of "Black Liberation Theology" and simply not understanding what it is about. Part of it is the ridiculous and embarassing show that Wright put on. But for anyone who really does care about ACTIONS, not just words; who cares about digging below the surface, Barack's whole life and everything he has done in the political arena show him to be someone who is way beyond the the Black White Divide. He STRADDLES it. He has lived his life with one foot in a White world and one foot in the African American world, which is exactly what gives him the insight someone needs to move beyond that divide. Let's get on with the issues that really matter. Get OVER the nonsense and completely unnecessary hate and fear.

Thank you Robert A. Howard. Well said!!

My goodness. Barack Obama has told me all I need to know about the stuggle to form his character and person in his book "Dreams from my Father". It is not in his character to demean others, and his anger at Reverend Wright's latest is as much anger as you will ever see. He is a native son of Hawaii and that says a lot about learning to live with and appreciate others. His other book has clarified for me an understanding of the workings of a Democracy as it should be.

I find the labeling of him as Elitist the most fantastic distortion ever perpetuated. Hard for him to deny what never was or even came near the truth. Never, in the History I read, has there been an Elitist who admits to being imperfect and admits to not being always right. He has asked only that we reach out to him reaching back to us... and put this country back together. As for the Media, we desperately need to have Edward R. Murrow or Walter Cronkite back. Present journalists would have fallen in line behind the McCarthy of my youth ready to sign any document verifying their display of lapel pins.

I do think that for some people, the Rev. Wright controversy is a convenient way to write off (no pun intended) a black candidate. But, for others - and I think and am hopeful - the vast majority of people who have concerns about Obama and his associations with Wright and others - it's deeper and more thoughtful than that.

My guess is that Obama's association with TCC (Trinity Church of Christ - Wright's church) was born every bit as much from political expediency as from anything he saw from a personal/religious view. That church - and it's 8,000+ members - is a force politically in that part of Chicago. Having their backing has surely helped Obama win his senate seat. Likewise, I believe his association with Bill Ayers (unrepentant 70's terrorist) is also born from political desires. Again, a powerful, left winger in the area, whose support Obama wooed - to win the senate seat.

So, here's the rub. If Obama has associated himself with these less than stellar individuals for political gain, how does that help his cause of being a transendant candidate; somone who represents change from the status quo;someone who isn't going to play the same old politcal games? It appears to me, that Obama is every bit the same old politician as every other politician. And this speaks to his entire campaign.

If, however, he has associated himself with these people - not for political gain - but for personal reasons (i.e. he finds some amount of truth in their message), then I think his judgement comes into question.

Either way, they are legitimate issues that Americans have every right to be thinking about. Obama doesn't have lots of experience and hasn't been in the spotlight and media scrutiny for 20 years - like the other candidates. Most Americans have little idea who this man really is and what he really believes and how good/bad a job he might do as President.

In the beginning towards the middle of this campaign, Obama has been questioning Clinton's "Judgment" regarding her vote for the Iraq war. Now, many voters are questioning his judgment about his 20 year relationship with Wright. Before Wright made his last set of speeches, many of Obama supporters were blaming the Clintons for keeping the Wright story alive which was not true. Obma has no one to blame for this debacle than himself. When the story first broke, he should have "unequivocably" renounce Wright. Instead he gave this speech about race relations which everyone thought was a "great" speech. However the underlying question was " why did Obama stay in that church and listened to Wright for 20 years. Contrary to what Obama might like us to believe, he had to know about this man's philosophy. The sad part about all this is that Obama's young children's brains were soaking up this information. I know this for sure because although I no longer attend church, I can remember the rituals of my church going back to age five. For sure Wright has done humanitarian works for the black community, but he is not the best mentor when he incites people to think negatively about white people, and their country. Obama should have left the church and dissassociate himself from Wright. The reason why I left my church is because I felt my pastors over the years were all hippocrites.

Barack is getting a true battle test. So far, he has issued one of the finest speeches on the subject of racism ever and effectively separated himself from Reverend Wright. He has kept his cool under fire and shown genuine statesmanship skill in the process. i voted for him in the primary and he has maintained it.

Young Atheart (#34), you said "Obama's handling of Wright shows his exceptional ability to judge context and intent, not just words."

I was glad to hear someone thoughtfully and knowledgeably describe one of the characteristics I most appreciate about him I find it peculiar that many people get so worked up every time some leader makes an inflammatory remark. It's as though they have no capacity to judge what that leader's intent is. Fortunately, we may finally have a president who has this capability. It would be very welcome in these times.