Jeremiah Wright Part of Obama Camp; Needs to Resign [UPDATED W/VIDEO]

This morning, I've been reading the comments about Jeremiah Wright's wrong comments about the United States of America ("God **** America" and "U.S. of KKK A.") and how Sen. Clinton has never been called a ******.

Some of Sen. Obama's supporters have defended their candidate saying that Jeremiah Wright is not part of the Obama for America campaign.  It's a shame, however, that their assertions aren't true.

Politico.com has learned that Jeremiah Wright is a member of Barack Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee [Source:  3/13/2008 Politico.com blog "Wright's committee"].

So Jeremiah Wright does have a role in Obama's campaign and he needs to be removed immediately.  Wright's wrong comments were completely inappropriate and the longer Sen. Obama keeps Wright on as a member of the African American Religious Leadership Committee, the more it makes me question Obama's judgment.  

Here's the video:

•  Tip jar for not damning America...

  ...And for not believing that America had it coming when we were attacked on 9/11.

  by Andre in Atlanta on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:41:10 AM PDT

  •  He sounds just like Pat Roberson & Jerry Faldwell

    and I agree.  Senator Obama should renounce and reject Wright for all his crazy talk.

    by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:43:51 AM PDT

    •  The problem is

      this is his pastor so Obama has prumably been listening to this ugly shit for years.  It's not like he can say that he's SHOCKED, SHOCKED.

      by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:46:05 AM PDT

      •  This man is an old man with 60 era problems

        so you are saying Senator Obama (who just as White as he is Black) has the same views because he is a member of the Church?  I reject that completely.  You can easily take in the Spiritual side of the semon and reject the radical crazy stuff that his man says.  

        by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:48:56 AM PDT

        •  I'm saying what I am saying.

          Sheesh.  I am saying that this is a problem for Obama because he cannot plausibly claim to be surprised.

          by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:50:17 AM PDT

          •  I'm saying what I'm saying too

            Just because I don't agree with your way of saying it doesn't make it wrong.

            He has NEVER tried to cover-up what Wright's radical crazy talk is, he has said he doesn't agree with him.  What else should he said?

            by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:52:26 AM PDT

            •  I don't think he can do anything

              This is the man from whom he has taken his spiritual guidance.   He has to live with the values of that man and answer for them

              by ActivatedbyBush on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:07:35 AM PDT

              •  Don't you think answer for them is a little

                over the top? I'm not a church goer, so I don't know, but I have to assume that pretty much everyone does not agree with every position their pastor takes.

                But if he does not distance himself from him, that is another matter. Wouldn't it be enough to say that he does not agree, and make sure that the Rev is not part of the campaign?

                by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11:05 AM PDT

                •  I don't think it's enough

                  This is his main spiritual advisor.   Fair or not, it fits into the view that Obama surrounds himself from people who don't like this country.  Michelle Obama's "for the first time" comment didn't help this either, nor did Farrakhan's endorsement (not Obama's doing, and he handled it well, but it doesn't help).    

                  Wright's views are quite extreme.  While there might be truth in some of what he said, overall he comes across as a spiritual leader who takes an "us vs. them", race-first, and anti-US position.  

                  Granted Wright has now resigned from his position at the church, but presumably the church ideology remains the same -- yes, preaching empowerment for the AA community, but finding it necessary to be divisive, anti-American, and anti-white in the process.    

                  Obama's affliation with the Church, like his association with Rezko, undermines his authenticity as a candidate.

                  by ActivatedbyBush on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:20:01 AM PDT

                  •  Excellent points

                    that Obama supporters don't get. And when you throw in Ayers into the mix, it compounds the problem that Obama has been surrounded with people who, at the very least, "seem" anti-American.

                    by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:34:37 PM PDT

              •  I watched the video

                And I don't remember seeing anything about "America of KKK".  Nor do I remember him saying "Goddammed America".

                Instead, he mainly went on about how hard it is being a black man.  From what I read elsewhere, these remarks are over two months old.  Rev. Wright has since retired from his church, and Obama has rejected his more inflammatory remarks.

                This is an old story being brought up anew by Fox News, since their last two or three attempts went nowhere.

                by existenz on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11:17 AM PDT

                •  Did you see the ABC version?

                  I haven't seen either the FOX or ABC version.  I've heard about the Minister but haven't heard any of his remarks.  I guest all this stuff has to bubble to the top eventually.

                  by Char on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:26:30 AM PDT

    •  Roland Martin schools Lou Dobbs (and you)

      DOBBS: You and I have mentioned -- we've discussed the minister here. He is obviously very controversial,
      Afrocentric. Give us you're -- you know the man. Give us your take.

      MARTIN: Well, actually, a couple of things. First, Lou, Trinity United Church of Christ is not being investigated
      by the IRS. The United Church of Christ denomination is where Obama spoke at their national conference. So the IRS
      is looking in to the denomination, not the church.

      DOBBS: Right.

      MARTIN: All right. But in terms of -- in terms of Reverend Wright, first of all he's been the pastor since 1972.
      He just retired on Sunday. In fact, one of the reasons why he is not talking -- I even tried to get him on my
      radio show. He's not talking this whole week because they have services every night, celebrating his years as a
      pastor.

      And so, he is considered one of the preeminent pastors in the nation. "Ebony" magazine named him one of the top 15
      black preachers of the entire 20th century. So we talk about Afrocentric, what that also deals with, frankly, is a
      relationship between the church, the black church, historically, as well as the continent of Africa. And so that
      is one of the reasons why -- so he is considered one of the top experts on the whole issue of the Afrocentric.

      And so, he is clearly one of the top pastors of the city. Trinity is one of the most influential churches in city
      of Chicago, black, white, or whatever.

      DOBBS: And to that, how in the world does end up that a magazine published by the church ends up putting Louis
      Farrakhan as a -- basically canonizing the man in -- not in the literal sense?

      MARTIN: Well again, another little detail that -- "Trumpet" magazine was indeed published by Trinity Church. When
      they chose to become a national, they became independent of the church. Jerry Wright, the pastor's daughter, she's
      a publisher. But the magazine is no longer under the arm of the church, it's now an independent publication.

      But again, one of the things that people don't realize in terms of -- first of all, Chicago is a home of black
      nationalism. So when you talk about the Nation of Islam, when you talk about the National Black United Front, you
      talk about various groups along those lines, it has a rich history in terms of that particular group.

      So you have a combination there of black nationals in Chicago, in terms of being involved in the political area
      here -- when Harold Washington ran in 1983, he put together that coalition in terms of all your traditional black
      politicians and black nationalists, white liberals as well. And -- wants Hispanics to become mayor of Chicago. So
      it's not uncommon, frankly, for the relationship to be there between Christian churches, as well as the Nation of
      Islam here in Chicago.

      DOBBS: OK, that's a lot of words between --

      MARTIN: That's just the truth.

      DOBBS: No, no. I'm just saying, it's a lot of words between Pastor Wright, the magazine, the canonization, if you
      will, of Farrakhan by that magazine and the relationship between Pastor Wright and Senator Obama. What is going on
      here?

      MARTIN: It's very simple, Lou. And that is, Obama is a member of the Pastor Wright's church. And so Pastor
      Wright -- he was one of the endorsers of the Million Man March in 1995. But here's what is very interesting, Lou.
      When I watched the debate last night, when Senator Clinton made her comment about he should go further, what a lot
      of folks don't realize, also, is that in 1995, President Bill Clinton had some positive words to say about what?
      The Million Man March -- that was led, that was created -- and the key note speaker there, Louis Farrakhan.

      The Millions More Movement took place in 2005. President Clinton had some positive words to say about that as
      well. And so what you have here is a very interesting situation with Farrakhan. There are a number of people who
      do not like Minister Farrakhan, that is very obvious. But there others who do respect the fact that what they have
      done in terms of dealing with black men who have been in prison, who have been abusing drugs and alcohol.

      And so, you have a different viewpoint of Farrakhan based upon the various deeds. Keep in mind, Jack Kemp in 1996
      got in a lot of trouble as a V.P. nominee, Lou, when he praised Farrakhan's focus on self reliance. Jews said wait
      a minute, hold up. This is Farrakhan you are talking about. So he knows what it feels like to be in a presidential
      campaign and say anything good about Farrakhan.

      DOBBS: Well, the issue here I think, too is -- much of -- I'm going to say it this way and I'll probably get into
      all sorts of trouble. But much of white America doesn't understand much of black nationalism, the role of Pastor
      Wright and the Afrocentric movement within the United States, which has been very important as we have seen the
      emergence of a black middle class in this country.

      http://transcripts.cnn.com/...

      by Nellcote on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:50:04 AM PDT

      •  THANK YOU

        by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:02:45 AM PDT

  •  Smear Jar for being a Jerk

    by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:45:35 AM PDT

  •  And John Hagee who says the Catholic Church is

    anti-Semantic and hilter learned his hate from the Church.

    by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:46:14 AM PDT

    •  Wright is no Hagee

      But I agree he should resign from the religious advisory board.

      Wright doesn't sound hateful, and he doesn't seem to denigrate anyone.  Instead, he pushes a hard version of the old time black point-of-view that whites have been oppressing blacks for a long time.

      There is, of course, some real truth to this. But whites don't like to hear it anymore.  Barack has already expressed his deep disagreement with Wright's thoughts on these matters.

      by existenz on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:01:02 AM PDT

      •  Maybe I looked at the wrong tape

        I didn't see anything on there that Wright should have to resign for. He basically is saying that Hillary has never faced the kind of prejudice that Obama has. That's true. He may be saying some uncomfortable things, but I don't see any reason for him to resign.

        by atlliberal on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11:47 AM PDT

      •  "Whites don't like to hear it anymore"

        Awww, poor babies, get all cranky if they have to acknowledge the moral consequences of their own attitudes and actions.  I guess the entire whte race is moving into the category of "The truth?  Yuo can't handle the truth,"

        by ActivistGuy on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:13:56 AM PDT

    •  anti-semantic = anti-semitic

      though I think Hagee is anti-semantic (pro non sequitur).

      by crankyinNYC on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:04:27 AM PDT

  •  How about posting some links?

    Your diary is absolutely insubstantial.

    by Scoopster on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:45:32 AM PDT

  •  Brave to post this

    Thanks. Sometimes dKos needs a reality check. They stay in the Orange tower too long.

    by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:19:58 PM PDT

•  ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

  This must be the smear of the day.  It's not a very good one.

  by bincbom on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:42:10 AM PDT

  •  you are right and wrong

    It is the smear of the day, but it is a good one - it would be a huge mistake for Obama to sleep on this.

    by forgore on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:48:38 AM PDT

•  i am so sick of all this petty

  fucking bullshit tit for tat
  horse crap...

  blech

  by Statusquomustgo on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:42:55 AM PDT

•  Fair is fair.

  He should go.  Ill be happy is if this flakejob is never heard from again.

  by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:44:06 AM PDT

  •  Yes, I'm sure you will.

    You're so well known for your dedication to fairness, bugscuffle.

    by Pager on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:50:40 AM PDT

    •  I assume you want all

      Catholics to renounce and reject the Pope too.

      blah.

      by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:54:37 AM PDT

      •  Which?

        Which Catholic is running for president, exactly?

        Way to miss the point.

        by stonesean on Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 06:49:50 AM PDT

    •  He actualy is known for that n/t

      by Osiris on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:07:10 AM PDT

      •  Indeed he is. Thus, my comment. n/t

        by Pager on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:16:17 AM PDT

  •  You're not an Obama supporter so why do you care

    if he goes or not?  You don't have to listen to him or watch the videos.  No one is forcing you.

    by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:56:22 AM PDT

    •  I am an Obama supporter.

      That's why I want his flakejob preacher to go away.

      by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:59:11 AM PDT

      •  Hi Buggy,

        is it just me or are some of your fellow supporters of Sen. Obama starting a purity purge?

        by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:00:43 AM PDT

        •  Thank you for you concern. n/t

          by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03:01 AM PDT

          •  Wow, that's oringal. Did you think it

            up yourself?

            by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03:54 AM PDT

            •  But I will give you credit for

              apologizing. It does address my comment to Bugscuffle. That is a classy thing to do.

              Cheers,

              by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:04:53 AM PDT

            •  Yes, it's an "original". n/t

              by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:05:22 AM PDT

              •  Cool! I always wondered who started that!

                Nice zeitgeist capture! ;~)

                by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:06:34 AM PDT

                •  Mystery solved! n/t

                  by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:09:36 AM PDT

      •  Please forgive my error. n/t

        by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:01:59 AM PDT

•  Enough fucking smears

  Go away, troll.  This is not an issue.

  by El Yoss on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:44:11 AM PDT

  •  How is this not an issue?

    This is going to be a serious problem for Sen. Obama in the general, isn't it better to address it head on, especially when we have just seen the Ferraro show in all its sick making glory? No, his comments are not racist, but they are the kind of thing that hangs around on a candidate.

    If Sen. Obama does not do this, doesn't it reduce his abilty to hammer Sen. McCain on Rev. Haggee?

    by Something the Dog Said on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03:05 AM PDT

  •  Actually, it is an issue

    I'm a longtime Obama supporter, as you can see from my comment history, etc.  As much as we'd like to pretend that Rev. Wright is not an issue, for a small segment of the voting public he is.

    This is a guy that Obama considers a great mentor.  And so many voters might be uneasy that Obama's mentor thinks that white people are keeping black folks down.  

    What's ironic is that Obama's views are completely different than Rev. Wrights.  Where they agree is on moral matters, the beauty and necessity of hope, the pride of one's history.

    But these videos of Rev. Wright's sermons wouldn't play too well in many parts of the country.  The less connection Obama has to him, the better.

    by existenz on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:04:42 AM PDT

    •  I agree

      And I am not supporting Obama in the primaries.   This is not the guy that I would want our President calling for advice on spiritual matters.   And his world view seems so different to the public world view that Obama expresses.  It just reinforces the theme of inauthenticity (see NAFTA-gate, Powers-Monster, and comments on Iraq).   This may or may not be a reality issue - I have not been able to decide whether or not I think that Obama is authentic -- I think that he is -- but it hurts him from a perception standpoint.

      by ActivatedbyBush on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11:31 AM PDT

    •  Bingo

      Heartfelt Obama supporter here -- the Obama campaign should have seen this coming a mile away.  Obama should have stopped taking this guy's calls a long time ago.  Why give folks ammunition against you?

      by teyigdhk on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:14:07 AM PDT

•  Lemme guess - AndreWalker08 from myDD the smear

  merchant?

  NHPR’s Laura Knoy: "So, if you value the DNC calendar, why not just pull out of Michigan? Why not just say, Hey Michigan, I’m off the ballot?"

  Hillary Clinton: "Well, you know, It’s clear, this election they’re having is not going to count for anything"

  Here’s a link to the short (edited) sound byte with the interviewer’s question and the response:

  http://www.jabberwonk.com/...

  Here’s a link to the unedited longer byte with her full answer:

  http://www.jabberwonk.com/...

  Here’s the link to the full original NHPR interview on 10/10/07 :

  http://www.nhpr.org/...

  I think that is it pretty clear that she has "changed" her position on this now that she is not winning.

  by Jimmy Crackcorn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:45:07 AM PDT

•  The ABC video much worse than the one Fox showed

  Obviously, this is a coordinated attack on the Obama campaign by the established media, and I gotta admit, they found some powerful footage.

  by MemphisD on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:45:45 AM PDT

•  I agree with Wright

  So there.

  by ceti on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:46:00 AM PDT

  •  As so does the UN

    http://www.commondreams.org/...

    Only people who get defensive over "rich white men" can't handle the truth.

    UN Panel Finds Two-Tier Society
    by Haider Rizvi

    UNITED NATIONS - The United States government is drawing fire from international legal experts for its treatment of American Indians, Blacks, Latinos and other racial minorities.

    The U.S. is failing to meet international standards on racial equality, according to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Last Friday, after considering the U.S. government’s written and oral testimony, the 18-member committee said it has found "stark racial disparities" in the U.S. institutions, including its criminal justice system.

    The CERD is responsible for monitoring global compliance with the 1969 Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, an international treaty that has been ratified by the United States.

    by ceti on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:49:14 AM PDT

•  I think Wright was hired

  in 1996 to sway 2008 superdelegates to Hillary.  That's his effect, anyway.

  by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:48:07 AM PDT

  •  Bill Clinton was hired in 1992

    to sway 2008 voters to Obama. That's his effect, anyway.

    by ben masel on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:53:14 AM PDT

    •  :)

      by bugscuffle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:54:51 AM PDT

•  So, to be fair

  where's footage from Hillary's minister for comparison's sake?  Or does she even have a regular minister?

  Get real!  Members of a congregation aren't responsible for remarks by clergy.  I'm sure there are many who have been made uncomfortable during sermons.  I remember thinking of fleeing the church at my own Mother's funeral because the minister was so over the top.

  by Fineena on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:48:59 AM PDT

  •  Hillary's minister is so demonic

    he doesn't show up on film.

    by ben masel on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:54:08 AM PDT

    •  Actually

      Mother Jones did a piece on Hillary's faith a few months back.  Apparently she goes to these Morning Prayer Breakfasts with some of the most right wing nutjobs in Washington -- Sam Brownback, James Inhofe, guys like that.

      They basically believe that Jesus is tasking them to do things for the country.  Sort of like how George W. Bush believes that Jesus wanted him to attack Iraq.

      I find Hillary's faith much more disturbing than Obama's.  Of course, McCain is even worse.  He recently switched from Episcopalian to Southern Baptist, just in time for the election.  How's that for political maneuvering?

      by existenz on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:08:32 AM PDT

  •  Fair to a point

    This is more than just Obama's pastor.  He is a close spiritual advisor.  And we have freedom of religion in this country.  Obama could have found another congregation.

    by ActivatedbyBush on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:13:10 AM PDT

    •  Exactly and why this is a problem

      Obama has a 20 year relationship with him and the church. Obama has dismissed any questions about Wright by saying something along the lines of Wright is like an uncle that you don't always agree with. Once folks get a good listen to Wright and the anger he espouses, Obama's description isn't going to hold up anymore.

      by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:51:02 AM PDT

•  Andre and Sean Hannity

  are they the same person?  Wright is Hannity's Obsession. Nite after nite he recites the same charges.

  Last nite he started doing the same litany on Wright to Jack Kemp and Kemp shut him down...by saying he does not believe in guilty by association and then proceeded to ream Hannity for focusing the shallow stuff nite after nite and ignoring substantive issue stances of the candidates.

  The look on Hannitys face was priceless.

  The nite before Dick Morris did the same..saying that Wright ,and Ayers ect was simply dumb and that there was plenty in Obama's liberal positions to rip him on without going to this meaningless crap.

  Then Hannity reponds by saying..

  ''Sure, the McCain campaign should focus on his liberal record but it is up to us in the media to hit him on his pastor,his farrakan connection,his being buddies with Ayers the terrorist..''

  The Hannitys and Limbaughs are concerned when they hear that McCain does not want to go dirty, so they assume that is a message that they have to do the dirty work like Andre here.

  by Hawkjt on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:49:50 AM PDT

  •  He's a rich white man

    by ceti on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:51:31 AM PDT

•  HOW ABOUT WE GET EVERYONE TO RESIGN?

  Let's start with Hillary.

  by DWKING on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:50:21 AM PDT

•  When Will Wolfson Resign For The Ken Starr Thing?

  Until that happens, there's no need to worry about anything Reverend Wright might have said.

  by bincbom on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:52:47 AM PDT

  •  So you support Wright's wrong comments...

    ...Including saying "God Damn America?"

    by Andre in Atlanta on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:53:48 AM PDT

    •  I do, absolutely.

      The American legal system is a form of legal lynching.

      So yeah, g'd America.  And its imperialist wars.

      I notice how you don't provide much context or contest that truth or falsity of any of the claims but rather just want to point out that Obama is guilty of black militant extremism by association.

      Could this hurt him in the general election?  Sure.

      Like my signature says

      by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:59:35 AM PDT

      •  HR'd for gd'ing America. Please tell me...

        ...you are NOT representative of Obama supporters at this site in your hatred of our country.

        by Larry Bailey on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:04:01 AM PDT

        •  Hatred?

          No, just tired of Americans thinking this is the land of the free and the home of the brave, when in fact we torture, spy, overthrow democracies around the globe, have a corporate media that is more interested in profits than investigative journalism, and generally are a blight on the earth at this point.

          Feel free to defend "your country"that is 80% owned by about 3% of the population, which denies health care and housing to millions, underfunds schools, has racism embedded in its juridical apparatus, etc.

          Thanks for the TR.  You're a Rethug is Dkos clothing when you equate criticism of America with hatred of the country.

          by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:09:54 AM PDT

          •  To you and your tipping supporters here...

            ...Having plenty of criticism of my country when it's appropriate (and having amply expressed it over a long period of DKos activity, activity you didn't bother to check before calling me a "Rethug"), I -- like most if not virtually all Kossacks -- express that criticism WITHOUT calling on some god or fate to "damn" the country, as you did.  And, yes, what you expressed was hatred for the entire country, which has to make people wonder why you joined Daily Kos recently and what your purpose is here.

            by Larry Bailey on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:16:47 AM PDT

            •  Right because

              when I say "g'd that coffe table" I really, really
              want the Tetragrammaton to spite it to you know where.

              Please.

              That said, I don't have a problem with Wright's positions.

              Obama does.

              I caucused for Obama despite his disagreement with Wright.

              Again, criticizing the country isn't unethical or unpatriotic, but "loving" a country that tortures and spies on its citizens with a fraudulently elected leaders most certainly is, I think.

              Censor this comment too.  Censorship is fun!

              by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:21:50 AM PDT

              •  No need to waste any further HRs on you. (eom)

                by Larry Bailey on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:24:17 AM PDT

                •  Thanks, I get it: people who disagree

                  with you are unworthy of engaging in dialogue or, if they say something you really disagree with, just censor them.

                  Good day, Larry.

                  by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:34:51 AM PDT

    •  have you walked in the man's shoes?

      until you have, you've little basis for taking short phrases out of context, the way Limbaugh, Hannity, and their ilk would do

      by wystler on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:00:52 AM PDT

•  get him off the campaign and end of story..

  there are folks all over with radical views but still part of society, tolerance isnt that what we have learnt but that doesnt mean these are your views. so get rid of the guy and end of story...well hope so unless msm beats this to death to make everything about race and whatever else they can smear him with.

  by mechlife on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:53:45 AM PDT

•  I agree

  I think it's one thing of Wright was simply Obama's pastor but to have this kind of rhetoric attached to the campaign is just not smart.

  by genxerd71 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:55:37 AM PDT

•  Holy God

  This is all so tiring.

  Wright is an idiot, and most likely, if this thing gets more legs, Obama should say something.  I'm a fervent Obama supporter, but Wright makes me nauseas.  

  And while I respect people of faith, Obama's membership in that church is one of the few things that irks me.

  Certainly, if we expected a statement from Hillary on Ferraro, Obama will be expected to issue one on Wright.  Same goes for McCain on Hagee.  We haven't liked anyone's responses on this garbage, but nearly everyone has had crazy idiots in their closet.

  Of course, in my tin foil hat moments, it feels and looks to me like the Ferraro comments were orchestrated, or at least tolerated and encouraged on purpose.

  It must be clear to all (I would hope) whether you agree with the above or disagree (and I won't push to strongly for either position) that Obama has nothing to do with Wrights comments, and they certainly aren't a political move.  The serve no function.  There is no contingent of black votership that Obama needs to plant a seed of bigotry in:  he's already getting the vote.

  So, for me, while these comments are rephrehensable, they have no connection with the Obama campaign.  Hillary's to my eyes and to many's eyes, do have a connection to her campaign (for the record, I don't believe Hillary is racist, just far far to politically calculating).

  Anyway, this whole thing just gets worse and worse.  The next six weeks are going to suck ass.  It might be great if everyone in both camps has to resign and we can just be left with these two candidates.  To my eyes, while Obama's surrogates have said some things and done some things I don't agree with, when I look at the candidates themselves, Obama has always always been the cooler cat, staying above the fray, remaining steady and intelligent.  I haven't seen similar behavior from Clinton.

  by Particle Noun on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:01:42 AM PDT

•  Yes and Hillary should turn in the Keys

  by army193 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:01:45 AM PDT

•  HRC and YOU are creating HATE

  You are a fool and I think it is about time we put our foot down and not stand for this any longer!  

  by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:05:34 AM PDT

  •  How am I creating hate?

    I didn't say "God Damn America."  I didn't say America had it coming when the terrorists knocked down those buildings in 2001.

    Wright said all that and Wright is wrong.

    by Andre in Atlanta on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:06:56 AM PDT

    •  You heard him say this?

      Or was this just repeated?  I read the story, wasn't impressed!

      by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:09:03 AM PDT

      •  ABC News has the footage...

        ...And I'll post the link to the video here

        by Andre in Atlanta on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:10:52 AM PDT

        •  Yup Watched It!

          I am white and I am telling you this so that you know this is not from someone who is not part of the African American community. It is people like you that create HATE!  I heard what he said and he has some very valid points. I know you don't want to hear this, but you are looking for things.  He has a right to be mad at how we treat AND have treated people of color! Do you really feel that people of color are treated the same????  Do you really think that BUSH & Co. have not made it ok to be a racisist???? Are you part of the KKK????  You spew hatred!!!!!!!!!!   You are foul!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes he is a little over the edge and I don't believe in discrimination of any kind!  White, black, brown, light brown, etc. I also have never walked in the shoes of a person who is hated due to the color of their skin.  I don't know what that OLD man had to live through.  Have you had to sit in the back of the bus, not been able to eat in a place, stay in a motel/hotel, been treated worse than an animal all because of the color of your skin?????  I am ashamed of people like you.

          by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:30:35 AM PDT

          •  And I am ashamed...

            ...That you support hateful comments such as "God Damn American."

            by Andre in Atlanta on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:32:29 AM PDT

            •  YOU ARE AN BIGOT

              by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:50:06 AM PDT

              •  Hold up a minute

                Actually nothing that Andre in Atlanta has said makes her a bigot. This is a valid news story about Christian pastor that has been an influence on someone who might become President.

                by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:55:54 AM PDT

            •  Watched the ABC link

              . . and you are taking it out of context.

              He is clearly NOT hating on America for no reason, but for the institutional racism which has resulted in the outrageous incarceration rates for black men.

              Do you EVER step outside your world and wonder how others live? Cuz I don't see any evidence of it in how you have approached this issue.

              by Myrrhis on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:05:46 AM PDT

              •  And we're to trust who

                to make sure it's not taken out of context by the indies that Sen Obama needs to win the election.  Should we trust the non-biased press to do that?

                by leftynyc on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:13:41 AM PDT

                •  The best counter to context issues

                  . . is to replay in context. Nothing stings like the truth.

                  by Myrrhis on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:15:47 AM PDT

                  •  I agree to a point

                    This pastors soundbites are going to be made into an attack ad (probably by a 527 group), millions will see it on TV - how many of those are going to bother to find out the context?

                    This plays right into people's emotions about this country.  They are already attacking Sen Obama's patriotism - saying he wont wear a flag pin (puke) or put his hand over his heart.  They're playing back Mrs. Obama's words about not being proud of the country before now (I know I'm not providing context - neither will the 527 groups) - hearing his pastor say we had 9/11 coming to us is going to be a real problem.

                    by leftynyc on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:58:28 AM PDT

    •  YOU HAVE ME SO MAD I COULD SPIT

      by believeinhope on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:32:53 AM PDT

•  I don't think that Barack Obama can walk away

  from Wright.  He is his longtime spiritual advisor.  He married Obama, and baptised his children.  Wright is close to being a racial separatist, and at minimum takes a race-based view of piblic affairs.  Quite interesting given the approach that the Obama campaign has tried (but thus far fallen short) to take with respect to race and politics and the fact the Obama's mother was white.

  by ActivatedbyBush on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:06:25 AM PDT

•  To my knowledge, Ferraro was a surrogate for

  Clinton's campaign.

  Wright is on a larger committee that supports Obama's candidacy, but is not a surrogate.

  I have no idea how that committee is managed, but am also not sure what Obama needs to do, here.

  Despite the fiery rhetoric, it's true that Clinton's campaign cannot claim Obama is benefitting from being black in the USA . . . it's obvious that Clinton has never been called a black slur and been dealt an inculturated setback to her personal life or career due to such pervasive, racial demeaning.

  So, for a direct surrogate of the Clinton campaign to presume that Obama gets general passes and support from US voters, instead of obstructions and kneejerk judgements, based on his skin colour . . . well, Wright is noting that the people making these assertions in the Clinton campaign probably have not walked in Obama's shoes.

  I don't excuse Wright's own divisive-toned rhetoric, but on this point he doesn't seem off.

  And, I don't know how his NOT being a surrogate means he needs to be removed from the referenced committee of religious leaders - it might be that Obama's campaign has no control over its membership or rhetoric, since that committee is apparently oriented towards influencing folks in their associated congregations.

  Or, maybe they do have some say in the membership.  Perhaps somebody who knows can speak up.

  "Damning America" ?  Gosh, how faux patriotic to mention.

  by wader on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:06:28 AM PDT

  •  Ferraro NOT a surrogate

    Wader, Ferraro was not a surrogate. She was a volunteer on Clinton's Finance Committee and was a fundraiser (btw, GF resigned yesterday). You cannot compare the two, nice try though. Wright is not only on Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee, Wright is Obama's pastor and spiritual adviser for 20 years. No wiggling out of that one or deflecting on the Clintons this time.  

    by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:05:37 PM PDT

    •  Ferraro was Finance Chair

      officially known as, "Honorary New York Leadership Council Chair".

      She was far more than a mere supporter.  She took a surrogate role, unambiguously and without apparent Clinton campaign reservations, by representing the campaign in television interviews, radio interviews and written reports.  For more than a couple of days.

      I'm not sure what the "resigned yesterday" comment is meant to imply - of course she resigned.  Because the campaign couldn't afford to be formally represented by her any longer, as she clearly noted that resigning will allow her more freedom in speaking her mind.  So, if she wasn't perceived and reported as a surrogate for Clinton's campaign, then why would that be necessary?

      Of course you can compare and contrast the two situations - that's exactly why this past footage of  Wright has been brought up by Politico, to ABC News and beyond: the "Ferraro climax" was yesterday.  Oh, suddenly on the heels we see a convenient swipe at Obama's relationship to . . .

      1. His ex-Pastor and original spiritual advisor

      2. The ex-Pastor's implication that a Clinton campaign pattern of dog-whistling reveals that has never had to endure the racial bias inherent against black people in still many areas of modern society

      3.  The ex-Pastor's fiery sermon of past US aggressions being a likely catalyst for awful things like the 09/11/2001 terrorist attacks, and that we can be said to have damned ourselves by past actions which need to be turned in different directions

      etc.

      Of course, the context for all this is a private congregation that wasn't to Obama, with an audience expectation for strong oratory, to an audience apparently quite receptive to the laments of black people being biased against, among other things.

      It wasn't representing Obama's campaign in any capacity, but a personal opinion to parishioners.

      It was in the vein of Wright's views that Obama has differenitied himself from recently and over a year ago.

      To that purpose, Obama actually pulled Wright from March, 2007 event because he didn't want to confuse any of his ex-Pastor's personal views with the campaign.

      So, what's to wiggle out of?  Do you understand Obama's relationship with his faith, his Church and this particular Pastor?  Have you heard what Obama learned from Wright that brought him to the faith?  It has little to do with uncontextual videos of Wright as his ex-Pastor commenting on the laments of being black in the USA that the Clinton campaign seems to not show they understand.

      And, of course, this is just noise in the wake of much reporting on Ferraro's official resignation to leave the Clinton campaign.

      by wader on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:48:40 PM PDT

•  Hannity has an Obsession with Wright

  I agree.  He talks about him everyday.  He might have a man-crush on him.

  by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:14:25 AM PDT

•  I think Wright (who is retired, now) should issue

  a statement.  Apologizing for the evil remarks, resigning from whatever roll he has in Senator Obama's campaign and telling the American people that his Politically views are just that HIS VIEWS and that Senator Obama's place at the Church was strictly for Spiritual growth, only.  If Wright is concerned about Senator Obama's future Presidency he should do that now.

  I think Wright has hurt Senator Obama in the view of those who are just trying to find something to hang around Senator Obama's neck.  Wright could go along way in fixing this problem.  I hope he does the right thing.

  by Lady Bird Johnson on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:26:56 AM PDT

  •  He will not be taking this back . . .

    . . . people need to accept this. He clearly has a pattern, and one that is a familiar one, of using the pulpit as a place from which to address issues of inequality.

    No, he is not an MLK. Yeah, his comments are going to irk white voters, but denying the truth behind what he says is ignoring the truth of racism in America. Obama's campaign cannot distance itself from these realities.

    It is an issue. It must be an issue. And that means looking it in the eye and calling it for what it is.

    You see it as a weakness, I see it as an opportunity to re-engage the national debate on racism.

    by Myrrhis on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:20:06 AM PDT

•  Ok lets talk about everyones crazy beliefs

  Hugh Rodham was know for saying the "n word" in front of Bill Clinton

  The Methodist Church (Hillary is a member of) has a long history of racism. Will she stop attending her church.

  William J Fulbright was Bill Clinton's mentor.
  He was a well known racist.

  You see how stupid this is..

  ARGGGGGGGG!!!!! I cant wait for this to be over..

  by TennesseeGurl on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:46:39 AM PDT

  •  And all that means nothing

    when Sen Obama is running in the general against McCain.  Stop focusing on Hillary and think ahead.  I would have loved to hang Pastor Hagee around McCain's neck - now we can't.

    by leftynyc on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:15:29 AM PDT

•  This guy scares the s**t out of me!

  Information about him has been around for a while and I am surprised that Obama apparently does not consider his minister a problem and that this story has taken so long to begin to break into primetime.

  Oh, yeah.  I forgot.  When it does, the disclosers of the information will be labled racists and it will all be blamed on Hillary's campaign.

  by The Smoldering Crone on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:53:13 AM PDT

  •  LOL, they'll try to blame the Clintons for it

    Obama dismisses this as Wright is like an uncle that you don't always agree with. I'm sorry that is just bullshit. Obama is a long time member of Wright's church.

    by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:12:07 PM PDT

•  An excerpt from Religion News Blog

  Religion News Blog:

  An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright’s sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.

  "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing ‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, God damn America, that’s in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

  In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda’s attacks because of its own terrorism. "We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.

  "We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America’s chickens are coming home to roost," he told his congregation.

  Obama was not present for the 9/11 sermon, and has denounced it.

  by Ekaterin on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:54:40 AM PDT

  •  Lame

    Obama was not present for the 9/11 sermon, and has denounced it.

    I'm glad to hear that but did Obama stop attending the church. No. Did he stop associating with Wright? No. Is Wright part of his campaign. Yes.

    by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:16:41 PM PDT

•  I don't have ONE FREAKING PROBLEM with . . .

  what this man is saying.

  Is it truth? Hell yeah. Is it ugly? Yup. And are people mistaking the parallel he is drawing between the relationship of the Romans-Jews and the white establishment-blacks? Damn skippy. IT'S A FREAKING METAPHOR!

  He not calling modern Italians racist, he is, however, saying that being white and privileged is to escape the prejudices that are well estabished as existing for black Americans.

  You might notice that this sermon was given AFTER GFs remarks, no doubt in reponse to them. Does it take 2 brain cells to figure out that he is addressing the idea that being black is somehow an advantage, the crux of Ferraro's parade of BS.

  As other people have said, we cannot get past the racist BS until we own it. This is the NOT pretty part of taking hands with our neighbors regardless of color. We have to acknowledge that prejudice still exists.

  And when we work together to eradicate it, THEN we can move on.

  by Myrrhis on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:59:34 AM PDT

•  This better be dealt with, and quick

  I know people are passing this off as a "concern troll" and a "smear" and stuff, just because it's unpleasant to hear, but... I'm an Obama supporter, I want to see the man elected, and I'm not going to bury my head in the sand:  Wright is a MAJOR problem, and what he's saying WILL cost Barak the election if it's not addressed, and forcefully, and convincingly.

  I know there are a few who "agree" with Wright, but, whether you do or not, you're far from the only one voting.  The rest of the country will see this, and it will NOT play well with most of America.  And if most of America doesn't vote for him, then Obama won't be president.

  So, how can we defuse this?  Obama is so tightly tied to this man that I don't know if rejecting him will be strong enough.  I know that Obama has denounced what he said, but I don't know that that will be enough.

  Let's not ignore this because we don't want to hear it, or downplay it as "trolling" or whatever - it's an actual problem that will definitely hurt him, so let's face it and find some way to address it and minimize the damage.  If we want to see Barak become president, we'd damn well better.

  by shadetree mortician on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:10:26 AM PDT

•  Not a peep

  After I saw this and the other sermon on Politico, I don't want to hear another word about Ferraro's comments. Not another peep.

  by grlpatriot on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:46:20 AM PDT

•  Rev Wright and Mr. BO

  This should be a wake up call for America. This approach is divisive and not what unity is all about. Mr. BO has been influenced by this man for 20 years. I think we need to start asking some tough questions...

  by Susanclare on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 05:33:49 PM PDT