Obama has written a blog at HuffPo on his church, his faith and the controversial comments made by Mr. Wright.
The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.
Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.
Check it out.
Quick Update: As an interesting aside, Al over at The Field thinks this controversy could help Obama inasmuch as it will debunk the "closet muslim" slurs.
The bottom line: The more controversy around Obama’s Christian pastor, and his refusal to throw him under the bus, the less Obama will have to beat back the (more potentially destructive, ‘though false) Muslim smears in the fall. One might even say that the Wright controversy is, for Obama, a gift from a god that "speaks in mysterious ways."
Once again, people are worrying too much about "what might offend others," a signature of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s politics. But beyond the partisan feigners of outrage, or the "concern trolls" fretting aloud about how "others" could be turned off, who is really offended out there?
We’re in the 21st Century now, when a certain amount of crazy is expected from all religious leaders.
MAJOR UPDATE: Obama apparently to go on FOX to discuss this (to be interviewed by Major Garrett), as well as CNN and MSNBC.
OBAMA'S TV APPEARANCES: It appears that Obama will be on 'Countdown' at 5PDT, H&C at 6PDT and AC360 at 7PDT.