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There's a lot of thing that these "experienced" politicians need to answer for but will we get answers...
probably not.
Black Americans, wake up! You are being played, don't vote for these clowns in November, if they bend Barack over a chair. Groom independent candidates and bring this government to its knees.
Cut off the purse strings to the Democrats and Republican's corporate pimps!
This type of analysis is reserved for someone like Barack.
Try as we may, the MSM will never address these very REAL issues.
This is horrible horrible horrible!
MSM has been wanting this to happen since day 1!
Hey,
I don't know that he is completely without a church. I believe there are many at Trinity that still support him.
I think it was said somewhere that Moss asked that Wright not do what he has done.
He will probably have to find a new church anyway once he is the POTUS.
I agree, but this should be a call to all Americans who want to move forward with real issues and aren't fooled by the destractions provided by the MSM and their corporate sponsors and benefactors.
Don't you get it?
Catholics, Clinton and McCain don't have to explain anything...
Why?
BECAUSE THEY SAY SO.
They don't have to EXPLAIN themselves to you.
It doesn't matter if you're uncomfortable with something they do. They don't care if you see them as hypocrites. You'll get over it. You have in the past. Why stop now???
What is it conservatives like to say. . . "Life's not fair?" Well, there you go.
It's really that simple. It's like what your mother says to you when you're five years old. Don't question the double standard. You have no authority to do so.
It didn't seem to affect anyone on the panel.
That one won't work, we saw it coming.
The DNC and Hillary will not get to use Wright as the scapegoat.
Hagee doesn't hate America. He just hates certain people in America. See, that's okay!
i'm sure once the media finds out about the horrible statements by john hagee or the shady operations of hillary's church or the actions of thousands of catholic priests, why i'm just sure they will spare no expense in holding those candidates to the fire as they did with obama.
he's just lucky they got him out of the way first.
you need to have more faith in your media overlords, sir.
What?! And interrupt nightly coverage of the Miley Cyrus "OMG she's acting like a teenage girl!" scandal?
I think not!
You must REALLY be a member of the United Colors of Bennaton Generation!
YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO LET A N##GGA RUN OR PRESIDENT AND BE TREATED FAIRLY BY THE MEDIA?????
And YES what MAINSREAM MEDIA HAS SHOWN ALL OF BLACK AMERICA IS EVEN YOUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST WILL BE NIGGERIZED IF WE SO CHOOSE!
Yo! You've been working at the Obama campaign too long...
Obama has OFFICIALLY GOT HIS N#$GGA WAKE UP CALL! As Comedian Paul Mooney calls it.
The American Media has let Obama know.."Hey boy, you thought you had us fooled with all that transcending race bullshit, but now we KNOW you a NI#GGA no matter HOW MANY Ivy league degrees you have... Now behave accordingly.."
Black folk who complain about the double standard of the Media coverage of Obama really make me laugh.. THIS IS AMERICA FOOL!!!
If they give Clinton the nomination she will not win the general.
Rachel Maddow is at it again, she wants to know why they're still talking about Wright.
MSNBC need to just give Maddow her own show and get it over with.
I feel ya' Jack it looks like the double standard coming into play yet again. Actually it doesn't just look like it, it is, but it's also deeper than that.
IMHO, the closer Sen. Obama gets to becoming the Democratic nominee the more fired up the right and a part of the democractic base is to bring him down. The magic negro is just a little tooo magic for some folks.
My theory on this dumb ass Faux News manufactured controversy from right-wing professional nut-job Hannity goes like this: Hannity finds the Trinity tapes and carefully pores through them realizing that his demographic will be shocked and titallated by the preaching style. Then discovers with some editing he can get a bigger bang for his buck on the "chickens coming home to roost" and the "G-D America". Thus is born his carefully edited, out-of-context Wright's greatest hits clip. He takes it on air last year and tries to get some traction going. At first, and for most of last year,it was ignored by the larger MSM media -so how come this got all this traction now? And why won't it, for the love of God, die?
This controversy won't die because the MSM is as much a part of corporate America as lobbyist are and corporate America does not want this negro anywhere near the White House. You all saw the shameful performances of ABC Clinton shills at the debates and wasn't it here that I was seeing CNN refered to as the Clinton News Network? Sen. Obama is running on a platform of taking their ball away. Of course they are going to throw as much dirt and ish up on him as they can.
Enter Hannity's Rev. Wright tapes -it may not be as good a scandal as the proverbial "dead hooker or live boy" but at this stage in the game it will have to do.
They are trying to hamstring him before it goes to convention. If they can do it now, during the season of primaries and caucus, they can use the "will of the voters" as cover. If they don't stop him now, they will have to do it at convention out in the open in front of everybody - and of course we've all vowed to watch that convention carefully.
This Wright controversy is not dying, it won't go away unless they can come up with something bigger and better. Some will ride this dead horse all the way to the convention, others will be riding it all the way to the damn election in November.
For sweet mercy's sake - someone call the ASPCA already.
You're right. I forgot how the media overlords work.
Someone mentioned this earlier: First they'll screw Obama out of the nomination. Then they'll make a documentary lamenting the very smear job that they created.
People loooove a black martyr! The media will repent just in time for black history month, 2009.
Will Smith's playing Obama. But who gets to play Michelle?
He was on Hannity's America on Sunday and Sean Hannity explained how and why this BLACK CONSERVATIVE felt the need to expose Jeremiah Wright to America.
Eric Rush said, " I wanted America to ask themselves whether they would want a man with a paster like this to be President of the United States."
Obama Got his campaign destroyed by TWO black men...
Eric Rush
and
Jeremiah Wright
It just hurt to see Barack go through this. It's not an easy thing to leave your church!
I once went through a break-up of my church & it was devastating!
All MSM had on him was Rev Wright & they wanted him denounced from the beginning!
Sean Hannity is the instigator in this in order to try & bring down Barack's candidacy! He has so much hatred & can't stand the idea of a black man for president!
Which would be typical of some so called Hollyweird liberals.
Yes I'm rather "bitter"
::
They're either being optimistic or they know something we don't.
My heart is broken! I'm tired tired tired of the Media with the Wright story day after day!
I refused to listen to them yesterday! It was a bit too much for me! Now today--This hits one right smack in the face!
You will never see Hillary apologizing for anything.
You will never see Hillary throw anyone in her inner circle under the bus.
Obama is pandering to the very people who aren't going to vote for him in the first place!
The media put the knife in Rev. Wrights' back and Obama twisted it.
This is a sad day in American history. The media has proven it has the power to make or break candiates. Has the media apologized for letting the Pentagon lie us into a war in Iraq? Has the media apologized for letting Bush lie us into an war? The media is against Rev. Wright because he spoke the TRUTH. The media can't have anybody hearing the proof, they would RATHER the America people be lied to over and over again.
The double standard is clear. We don't even know who Hillary and McCains' pastors are, or even if they have one. We know Cindy McCain was hooked on drugs. We know Bill Clinton cheated on Hillary, but the media would RATHER focus on Obama's preacher because that's all they have.
IT'S the G*D&M; MEDIA!
The media wants Hillary to be the nominee so they can swiftboat her. The media wants our troops to stay in Iraq for 100 years.
Obama should have just said, Reverend Wright is my pastor and not my God.
One things for sure. Reverend Wright will still be a minister on November 5 and Obama will be a footnote in history.
You want to know who we have to thank for the right wing smearmongering media we have today? President William Jefferson Clinton. He allowed the media consolidation monoply to take place on his watch.
Wouldn't it be funny if Bill and Hillary step up to the plate and defend Rev. Wright and the black church? This is not about Rev. Wright it's about the black church and trying to shut them down.
I hate to quote Alan Keys, but he said in 2000 that elections were being held of the media, for the media, by the media. We might as well stop having elections and just let the media pick the candidate.
WHY does that remind me of the night of the Presidential Election, 2000?
Bush sitting with his family (surprisingly calm and high-spirited given the circumstances). . .
reporter: "Hey Governor Bush, the results are in. The networks have called it. You just lost Florida to Al Gore."
Bush: "No I didn't."
reporter: "But, the results are already in. Al Gore is going to be our next president."
Bush: "No he isn't."
reporter: "Wait. How do you know? Where's your proof?"
Bush: (crickets)
reporter: "Guess he knows something we don't know."
If the Clintons and their political team had the keen political abilities the media and others attribute to them they wouldn't be in the position they are in.
Hillary has not led a single day in this nomination race. Not one day.
Folks forget that Obama has beat her in every possible way pretty much from the beginning.
This thing is over and has been for a while.
What MSNBC is quoting are the desperate rantings of fools who have nothing to turn to once this nomination fight is over.
You do NOT get into a cage match with another Black man and allow the media to manipulate you. You do not fall for the BS that you somehow have to win "real Americans" i.e. White working class voters to win the nomination.
Like I said yesterday this is all a setup to ensure that Hillary gets the nod. Her people have been saying it will be decided on June 15. Please don't think that's an accident.
I will still vote for him if he is the nominee but I have lost much of my respect for him. You DO NOT throw Wright under the bus. If you can't stand u for your Pastor than who the hell can u stand up for? If you can't validate the beliefs of millions, without calling them "ridiculous or destructive," than what the hell do you stand for? I guess only White working class values matter...huh?
Like I said Black folk...are ya'll prepared for when they give this election to Clinton? Because that is what they are trying to do.
I refuse to give up. As hard as it is. This election has been especially hard to watch as an African American - really it's been heart wrenching and not because Obama is black, but because I have been consistenly reminded of my place in this society - our place at the table.
Part of me really thought the Wright thing might work for some good, but that bubble has burst.
I'm going to some Obamaholic freak site so my spirits can be lifted.
Let's not take a defeatist attitude here. We were talking about this over at Field's blog the other day.
The math is the math. And THE MATH DON'T LIE.
I don't care what Hillary does. Unless she can magically create a pledged delegate lead (near impossible at this point) the super delegates would be suicidal to give Hillary a nomination she didn't earn.
It's one thing to be scared of the Clintons. But that doesn't mean the supers are gonna alienate the black vote and piss off a generation of young (would-be) Democratic voters just to give Hillary her "entitlement."
But if they do....if for some crazy reason this talk gets a little more serious...it will be our responsibility as the activist Democratic base to finally stand up for ourselves and teach them a lesson.
You're right about Rachel - she should have her own show.
She is one of a few who deals with reality and keeps trying to focus on reality - but they don't hear her.
She looked as discouraged as I feel today.
Go review the tape before you accuse someone of inaccuracies.
I'll accept your apology.
The full transcript of Obama's remarks on Wright are at the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/us/politics/29text-obama.html?em&ex;=1209614400&en;=d2ddde5f2a0b02e0&ei;=5087%0A
Take it for what it's worth. We've come too far. There's no room for doubt.
"I'm going to address this criticsm to Obama supporters as a whole. Not anyone in particular. So, please, don't take any of this personally. I also apologize in advance for the long comment:
As a general concern, I continue to be disturbed by the defeatist attitude I hear from some people.
Calm down. Obama lost a state that everyone said he was going to loose. What's the big deal? We've been here before. Remember March 5th? EVERYONE said Ohio and Texas were going to change the game and give Hillary the momentum she needed to win the nomination. Two weeks later, people looked at the math and realized that there's no way she can catch Obama in pledged delegates. People started calling on her to drop out.
But we're scared because Obama lost PA? Might I remind people that Hillary lost 11 straight by an AVERAGE of 33%. Not ONCE did I see her, her campaign or her supporters doubt themselves. They've been in debt, had campaign shake-ups, you name it. But they never had a defeatist attitude. They dismissed their losses and moved on.
My goodness, they're so happy in their state of denial that they have the audacity to say things like, "the math isn't important." WTF?
Michelle Bernard hit the nail on the head when she said that the Clintons will easily dismiss a 15-20% blow out in NC as "just another black state." You want to know the sad part? A lot of us will buy into that. In the least, we'll let her continue to say such things without ever thinking to challenge her on her BS.
Time after time, we allow the media to scare us back in our "proper" place. You've got the media convincing Obama supporters that he can't win the general election because he lost PA white men by 10%. But no one says a damn thing about the fact that Hillary lost 90% of the black vote.
Rep. Clyburn said that tells him that the media is comfortable to say that black folk don't really matter. Why? Because, if we did, the media would be hounding Hillary about how "out of touch" she is with African-Americans. She'd be forced to play spades and dance the electric slide just to show how "in touch" she is with the black community.
Sounds rediculous, right? Yet we're comfortable seeing Obama drink beers and bowl a 37 just to get the white man's attention. That's an insult to him and the working class white voter.
I've seen far too many Obama supporters cede the terms of engagement to Hillary's side. A state is "important," because SHE SAYS SO. A voter is more important because SHE SAYS SO. It's ok to change the rules and count FL and MI because SHE SAYS SO. It's ok to mistake familiarity for experience; to mistake scorched earth tactics for "toughness" because SHE SAYS SO.
Do we really want to change the way things work in this country? Or are we going to continue to reward bad behavior?
For 8 years we lamented the cowboy politics of George W. Bush. Now some of us have the gall to praise Hillary for being just as "tough" as the Republicans?
She's telling you that she's going to "obliterate" Iran. Her voting record matches her hawkish stance. But I gaurantee you we'll be sitting here 3 years from now, after having invaded Iran, wondering how we ever elected a Joe Lieberman Republican who has us fighting 3 wars at the same time.
Let's forget this hype about being "tough." Americans rarely elect a President whom they DON'T think is tough. I've never seen a voter come out of the voting booth and say, "Yeah, I voted for the punk-a*s."
And look where it gets us. All of that bravado and chest thumping gets us absolutely nowhere.
Obama isn't perfect. He's missed out on political opportunities to control the media narrative and put Hillary on the defensive.
But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that he's WINNING. The rules and math say this thing has been OVER for a long time.
Yet we're the first one's to believe the hype . . . to believe the spin that this thing is a close contest, or that Obama is in trouble. Hillary would kill to be where Obama is right now.
But this is a sad sight to see. Supporters of a WINNING campaign with a loser's mentality.
Did we ever believe in this "hope" for "change" or were we always waiting for the other shoe to drop?"
I imagine they are banking on the "House versus Field" thing working out for them.
Me? I'm staying in the field. Although I will keep working, writing, and giving to the Obama campaign (though I am pretty hot right now), I have to say if Gore couldn't win fair and square, an "Arrogant Uppity Negro" has to be destroyed by the press and "The House".
Fantastic post and yes, I believe very much needed. lets all try to stay focused. Please don't throw in the towel and I say this, from a place of being guilty in the past of sometimes feeling doubtful, myself.
Stay strong and as optimistic as possible.
There's got to be another way.
Karma can be a bitch. Obama and his moonies shouldn't have thrown Bill Clinton under the bus as a "racist" for doing nothing more than calling Obama a "kid" (which is when the accusations started, way back in Iowa). That race-batiting bull$hit by the Obama crowd looks even more ridiculous in the wake of this Wright mess.
Playing the race card has come back to bite Obama and Co in the ass - big time.
I dunno what's going on behind the scenes...but maybe it's dawning that the black vote is in jeopardy if Hillary is the nominee. Maybe they're realizing that Republicans fear Barack and he's under siege from every corner. Dare I hope?
I've noticed it too. Begalia was extremely nice today.
Stop being such a whining pussy!
I sort of feel the same way and am very conflicted by this. I would like to see O win as well for the good of the country and to change the direction we have been headed in. I understand his methods and for the most part agree with them but the Rev. Wright deal and the Clinton debate deal bother me. I know the Rev. acted out yesterday but I could feel some of his anger as well. I mean, the one reporter who asked whether Obama had been a regular church goer couldn't even answer when Rev. asked her what her pastor preached on last week. The hypocrisy of it all left me fuming.
My question is what will Obama have to renounce or answer for next? The Black Snob blog put it in better terms yesterday, saying that next they'll want an apology for ICE T bodycount and Barry Bonds. How many more hoops will he have to jump through? I just hope in the end it'll be worth it and we won't all end up very disappointed.
Re: the debates, I think he should debate Clinton anytime, anywhere with no moderators. I don't think she'll take him up on it but it can't hurt to call her bluff. By him not firing back, it plays into her theme with "working class" (redneck) america that dude is paper mache.
You can certainly agree with Wright's comments, but the way in which Wright went about expressing them was ridiculous. Obama knows that. And this guy is running for President. You want his entire campaign to burn in flames because Wright wants to revel in the spotlight so that he can sell a few more copies of his upcoming book?
"whining pussy" ...sounds like a ride at the amusement park ;)
ms.martin,
Yeah, could be they're shifting into general election mode to present an example of unity for Democrats. There could be something brewing.
Regardless of anything Wright said or will say, it should not be attributed to Obama. But it will. Because he's black.
He will still win, because he is that good. But in the unlikely event that the malignant Clinton dynasty steals this nomination...well, pigs will fly from my lily white ass before that race-baiting, war-mongering pathological liar will ever get my vote.
Sometimes getting rid of the cancer can almost kill you. You still must get rid of it. If she steals it she will lose.
Truthseeker,
I'm telling you, it's the Rasmussen poll that was dropped.
For the first time, in print, they have evidence, that a Democratic Candidate would get 59% of the Black vote.THAT is her CEILING.
It goes in the face of that ' party unity' bullshit they've been spouting.
First Clyburn makes his remarks.
Then this poll comes out.
They know the math as well as I do;
Blue states in the Midwest and Out East are Blue because of Blue Cities. Blue cities are Blue because of BLACK FOLK.
PERIOD.
This is the first proof of what some of us have been grumbling for awhile.
Plus, it's just begun, but the word is about to spread about Wright being invited by a CLINTON supporter. Black folk are way too paranoid by nature to EVER believe it's a coincidence. They shouldn't have been so fucking obvious about it.
They shouldn't have had 3 events. If the NPC had been the only thing, there might be some fuzziness where Black folk are concerned. But, seeing as there were three events, and he found a way NOT to clown for 2 of them....the clowning at the NPC was pretty obvious.
Where was the unity when she was scorching every piece of earth her foot landed on.
She's a fighter - no - she's a fucking troublemaker, a liar, she's fake and she has teamed up with the Republicans.
I don't know why they aren't running her ass out of the Democratic party!
Family...
obviously you all choose not to do anything about that and only want to whine about what you think are injustices re Obama.
If you want to sit back and whine, I don't have any sympathy for you..
this is from an elderly Native American who is sick and tired of people who don't stand up and fight for what they believe in.
how does info about Hillary's religious affiliations help us fight?
I think Barack would have to be willing to feed it to the media and/or superdelegates. I don't think he is. Are you saying we should send this info to the media ourselves?
A lot of people know about this, unfortunately isn't getting any traction with MSM.
Period.
He should have NEVER gone on Fox news. He should have NEVER responded to the pundits. He could have responded directly to the voters. He could have realized that those mythical "white working class voters," were NEVER going to vote for his Black ass.
He could have shored up his base. A base by the way that is made up of an awful lot of Black people who feel in many ways that Wright does. He could have DISAGREED with Wrights statements WITHOUT dismissing them. Which is what he did.
He's being played for a fool and is too stupid to realize it. His strength was his ability to NOT get caught up in hyped up manufactured BS. The MOMENT he responded to the BS he gave these fools the upper-hand.
Its not about agreeing or disagreeing with the comments. It's about controlling the narrative and your campaign. His responding makes all of this seem legitimate when its not.
It was a stupid ass, destructive move. And these fools know they got him.
I have already given the source of this information...
If you choose to discount the facts..that is your choice.
maybe Obama really does mean to bring people together. Also, remember that he is half white. Obama understands that the power to transform the lives of African Americans lies in forming a coalition between blacks and whites for change.
He says it all the time, that the white guy in rural PA has to care about the inner city kid and visa versa. They've got to march together for change. Have faith JJ and HOPE. :-)
Fox News is the most highly rated cable news outlet in North Carolina.
Independents and moderates also watch Fox News.
Obama did exactly what he needed to do. He talked to his enemy, just as he said he would.
Obama did not throw Wright under a friggin bus. He told the truth. Wright's rhetoric, some of which was true, disrespected who Obama was, how he was raised, what Obama stands for, and he used Obama's campaign to get a platform to disrespect Obama's campaign.
The fact that it took so long for him to do just goes to show how difficult it was. And anyone who saw his press conference could see how painful this was. Obama is not an actor.
Betrayal is betrayal. Pastors are human, too. And Wright showed his ass, pure and simple. He is ot the Black Church. And while there is truth to the claim that the media was attacking the Black Church, it was false that it wasn't an attack on Obama as well.
Crabs in a barrel.
If Black folks can't see that, then they won't vote for him in the upcoming primaries. They can vote for Hillary Rodham Nixon, who certainly has their best interests in mind, or stay home.
Highlight of my day.
Apparently the MSM is afraid to bring up The Family. They talk about everything else which the bloggers write about. I wish Rev Wright had brought it up. Then at least he would have served some good.
Interesting thought.
Answer the question please - no speeches about your candidate. I love it.
But the problem is simple: the Clintons are corporatists. The media is run by corporatists. The Family is corporatist and dominionist and many members of the right wing are in The Family. If they tell on Clinton, they tell on themselves. What would be the point of that?
Obama is anti-corporatist. Doesn't mean he doesn't take money from rich executives, but he doesn't take money from registered lobbyists. An Obama presidency would be a disaster for corporatism because it would prove that top down politics as usual can't continue unfettered.
The "general public" will have to get The Family story from the Internet or from a book. Many people don't believe it unless it's in the MSM.
If it gets there, I'll be shocked.
He said he proved to him today that he is not an old school candidate.
He said he is decisive, has character and will take risks.
It's taken Obama how long to denounce Wright?
Obama's the first candidate who's gotten burned by paying homage to this happy horsesh*t, but as we progress as a species I don't think he'll be the last. A long thinking critique is needed over what our so-called spiritual leaders are teaching from their pulpits, their synagogues, their mosques. Somebody who doesn't have a little humility in their beliefs in the afterlife or a personal sky God probably isn't a real inspiring candidate to speak truth to power. They got way too much baggage.
So from my point of view, I think this is probably long-term a healthy discussion for us all to have. And if it's making some people who are planning on making a run for high office in the future think hard about the church they just joined and the inane messages that really don't jibe with reality that they hear - well, that's a good thing.
Personally, I think Obama has a greater sense of spirtuality to him than those small ideas of Rev. Wright can nourish, but that's just something I feel rather than know. But he just seems to me like someone who has the capacity to take this lesson and make new discoveries about what religion really does mean to him. I think he's also smart enough to find a way to handle this ridiculous discussion about a ridiculous pastor that has everyone twisted up into knots.
Lanny Davis' face almost fell off.
comparing judgment on war to judgment on 3 dvds
Mythology.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/opinion/30wed1.html?_r=1&hp;&oref;=slogin
Re: McCain/Hagee
2/29/08 McCain said:
“Yesterday, Pastor John Hagee endorsed my candidacy for president in San Antonio, Texas. However, in no way did I intend for his endorsement to suggest that I in turn agree with all of Pastor Hagee’s views, which I obviously do not.
“I am hopeful that Catholics, Protestants and all people of faith who share my vision for the future of America will respond to our message of defending innocent life, traditional marriage, and compassion for the most vulnerable in our society.”
4/24/08
McCain, asked by reporters about Hagee's remarks on his campaign bus Thursday, called them "Nonsense," repeating the word eight times.
"I reject that categorically," McCain said. "And I would point out there's a lot of people who have endorsed me. They support my views. It does not mean that I support theirs...I repudiate as strongly as possible those remarks and those on the Catholic church as well."
___________________________________
I think Obama supporters are splitting hairs here and only dragging out the story.
Most of us will not be basing our votes on who the candidate's preacher is/was. We will, however, be basing our votes on a candidate's forthrightness and candor. And for Obama, the latter has taken a beating lately.
"If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me," Mr. Wright said with a shrug. "I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen."
_____________________________________
The Philly speech did not silence the critics, so Wright gave Obama a 'do over' and his shills in the MSM are only too happy to oblige.
Wright can attack America all he wants but attacking Obama's electability was the last straw!
This is the real farce.
And we're supposed to trust Obama to be able to communicate effectively with terrorists and rogue states?
There is a certain audacity there, but it's not one of "hope."
I have had some confusion about this myself at times. So I have been reading The Audacity of Hope and trying to really see where he is coming from. It's hard for me because it's not where I am coming from. But I have to respect him for having integrity. It is driving me nuts to see anyone saying Senator Obama did what he did because of political expediency right now. This is who he is. Maybe that diverges from some expectations of who he is, but from everything I can tell, the press conference today was about standing solid in who he is and what he believes.
And he was speaking this out loud when he said:
I have spent my entire adult life trying to bridge the gap between different kinds of people. That's in my DNA, trying to promote mutual understanding to insist that we all share common hopes and common dreams as Americans and as human beings. That's who I am. That's what I believe. That's what this campaign has been about.
and when he said:
But what I do want him to be very clear about, as well as all of you and the American people, is that when I say I find these comments appalling, I mean it. It contradicts everything that I'm about and who I am.
And anybody who has worked with me, who knows my life, who has read my books, who has seen what this campaign's about, I think, will understand that it is completely opposed to what I stand for and where I want to take this country.
and at other times during the press conference too.
I don't mind anyone disagreeing with where Senator Obama is coming from. I disagree with that in some ways myself. But I support him because his words and actions align. I don't say this lightly. Seems to me that when people have expectations of him based on their projections of him, he is very likely to disappoint. But he is who he is and that's totally 100% obvious to me now that I am focusing my attention on it. And yes I disagree with him in some ways, I do -- it's seared into me to not see/feel the world as he does. But that is me and he is him (and I am not running for president).
"So, was Obama just as naive as a child for 20 years, or as disingenuous as any major political figure of the last forty years when he denied knowing the real Pastor Wright this morning?
Either way it creates a huge issue for voters. Is Obama a dupe, or just duplicitous? Do you want him in charge of the nation's security, making judgments about our enemies?"
A commenter on one of the tennis forums I frequent said this:
Now...I'm notoriously not a Dem, but this is fascinating to me. My sister, who is also not a Dem...called me today, just livid, for Obama's sake over this. We're both shaking our heads about how Rev. Wright could not know that his speech would hurt Obama. Just what is going on here? I don't intend to vote for either, but I have been surprised at how much empathy I have felt for both Dem candidates this season.
I don't like Hil, but she's had it tough, too. Though I think she makes her own problems...just fascinating.
Just sharing.
Clinton bootlicker
-Riigght.
We could put Rocky of Tuzla in charge...just as soon as she stops dodging Bosnian snipers while drinking Crown Royal.
I don't know if my perceptions are on point, but I notice that some whites may use blacks who don't support Barack...but they don't like them. I get the feeling they're thinking after all black people have been through, how could they not support Barack. They know that they(whites) would fiercely support their own - right or wrong - if they had our history. They may use those blacks to achieve their ends against other blacks...but they don't trust or respect them.
My opinion, McCain clearly and unquestionably denounced the questionable aspects of Hagee's ministry.
-Nonsense.
Thank you for your comment. The reasons you describe believing Obama while not sharing his views or policies are exactly the reasons millions of people support him.
He has integrity, he means to bring people together for the good of all. He would never throw you away because you don't believe or pretend to believe everything he belives (that was Wright).
Your analysis is on point - I can speak to that as a witness
David Gergen is echoing your comment earlier today. He said that if Wright speaks again, that some black supporters should speak up in support of Obama.
"Is there more to this than Rev. Wright? Is there a generational struggle over black political leadership between the old leaders of the black church, who have tradionally filled that role, and the new kid on the block, Sen. Obama? Certainly Hillary has found surprising support there among the old leadership. Does Obama's ascendency threaten the old guard?"
I have often thought this myself.
You must have missed our many discussions regarding the old guard.
Thanks for that info - we need encouragement.
The NYT editorial is a must-read. It talks about the double standard many of us have outlined here:
Mr. Obama and Rev. Wright
I read the article and it's about time this was all said.
I wonder what is bringing on the change. I don't think it was the denunciation though - there's something else going on.
Obama has been abandoned for the second time by his Black ' father'. This time, for all the world to see.
And some folks don't think the pain on that man's face today was GENUINE?
Today was a tough, tough day for Obama and it wasn't just about this campaign.
People who don't see that are simply blind.
There is something about Barack Obama that always tugs on my heart. I think we all know inside that his early life was painful and yet he manages to stand up with such grace. We have people calling him "boy" and suggesting he's a weak..and yet, he stands up.
I hope this campaign doesn't destroy the goodness in him.
Rev. Wright stated that he is a Man of Faith and that his service is to that of GOD where as Obama is a Politician who must speak to the people and has to say whatever it takes to be a Politician.
I agree with Rev. Wright on this point, and thus Obama's dilemma for Being All Things To All People. People are saying that Rev. Wright is playing to the media, the truth is he is being who he always WAS and that is making Obama and his camp nervous. You can't tell a Man of faith to stop doing what you are doing because their PURPOSE is interfering with a Politician, at least not here in the USA.
Your comment is profound. I didn't think about the father son aspect and I certainly didn't think about him having lost another father figure. I'm so glad he has Michelle and his daughters.
I can't imagine how brutal this had to be for Obama.
On one hand he has a campaign he has devoted his life too and people who have invested millions of dollars, thousands of man-hours and their hopes and dreams.
On the other he had a friend and mentor who, for a variety of complex reasons, threatened that.
So what do you do?
I mean seriously what the f*ck do you do?
It was like the way he described Iraq, no good choices, only bad and worse choices.
I mean damn he is only human. And I think he needs his supporters now more then ever.
When did he say he no longer believed what he previously believed or that he had lost his faith?
I don't get this statement.
THAT is despicable.
Obamba used Rev. Wright, his church, his connections, and anything else he could get to jumpstart his campaign. And NOW he actually thinks that he can just screw him and split?
Think again.
Obamba's chickens will come home to roost for this one.
Look to see Rev. Wright come out and mock Obamba and worse for feigning shock and disgust over his speech. He is NOT going to let Obamba screw him without so much as a kiss. That’s RAPE in my book. And Worse, he insists we WATCH.
Rev. Wright is a lot of things and I've been one of his fiercest critics, but he's not a LIAR like Obama.
I'm on Rev. Wright's side on this one.
-MoniQue
Pastors are human.
Spare me the faux outrage. Now you don't have Rev. Wright to beat Obama, you now resort to using his rejection of Wright ro beat Obama.
The last thing I want to see is 2 gifted black men tear each other down!
It's time for forgiveness & reconciliation!
This Media is on a feeding frenzy! They're like Vultures!
I hope it doesn't matter, but I'm an avid white (working-class? what does that mean anymore?) Obama supporter.
I'm an independent voter. I started out this primary season preferring Obama, but willing to vote for either "top" democratic nominee because I am sick and tired of what republicans have done to this country.
Now, I have to say, I can not vote for the Clintons. I was first old enough to vote in 1996, but I did not care. 2000? Still didn't care. By 2004, I was an avid anti-bush person and shored up all the support I could amongst my friends to vote against him. 2004 was the first time I voted. By 2005, after a lifetime of ignoring politics, I started paying much attention after the disaster that was Katrina (having a girlfriend from NO definitely didn't hurt). After witnessing the Clintons' tactics, I cannot take it anymore. Please, no more Clintons and Bushes!
Additionally, I live in NC. All of my friends (black, white, asian, greek, etc...) are HUGE Obama fans. Please pay little attention to the polls, talking heads, etc. Although there is some Clinton support (ie my boss who is voting for Clinton simply on the fact that she (my boss and Clinton) is a woman) it is overwhelmingly Obama territory. At least in Charlotte.
Sorry, guess I'm ranting here. There's a lot of support for Obama in NC and I can't imagine HRC getting a < 10% loss.
Just noticed a few people in my neighborhood put up HRC signs in their yard. Time to put up my own Obama sign. (FWIW, there are Ron Paul signs up as well.)
"Actually, Wright has lied. He told Moyers that he and Barack didn't talk politics. But in an Obama biography, he talked about how happy he was to have a young Black man come to him who could talk race and politics with ease.
Pastors are human."
This is a case of Wright helping Obama. They probably did talk about politics. We all know that Obama knew his pastors views but we fall in line when he acts suprised.
He also attacked people constantly saying "Barack Hussein Obama" using it as a fear tool.
Say this after me-
Obama is human.
Truthseeker-
Wright is not only religion but also of black political thought. I believe that neither would be our undoing.
Now we are seeing who BO really is.
Media Hype!
Media Hype!
Media Hype!
Media Hype!
Media Hype!
and the brainwash continues...
People, this is not going to hurt Obama.
I probably have a different opinion because I have turned off the TV since yesterday morning.
This country is a joke.
This is the course of my campaign fatigue, the media...their coverage, their spin, their character assasinations.
This is hegemony and captialism at its best and I want no part.
I'm thinking about that trip I missed for my course because I cannot afford to put gas in my car.
Thanks, y'all!
we tried that. It didn't work. Black people need to handle their own business.
Monique and Nakim are right. And did anyone ever consider that Wright is feeling betrayed by all of this? That he viewed Obama as a son and for him to throw him under the bus calling him an old, out of touch, "crazy uncle," might be construed as a knife in his back.
For him to act like his sermons, were cuckoo? Destructive? What about the pain Wright felt? About his church, his ministry being vilified and ridiculed? Him being called a "wackadoodle" in the nation's top Newspapers...this after being a "spiritual adviser" to the Clinton's?
But I guess he's supposed to put all of that aside so Obama can win the presidency.
That's the media, not Obama. Obama spoke of Wright with respect and understanding. What would you do if your pastor said things you profoundly disagreed with? In church you might ignore it...but what if he came to your job at a battered woman's shelter and talked about how women should submit to their husbands? At that point, I think I would draw the line. At that point I'd realize he's trying to f*ck with me.
Yeah, I can't wait for that. But actually, they will do what they always do. They will say how sad the whole episode was without taking any responsibility themselves.
But that's the thing, Obama did not throw him under the bus. He emphatically did not throw him under the bus. But it seems to me that Wright cannot take any criticism whatsoever.
Just stop with the madness. If Obama was just pandering for votes, I would think he would have done this at the beginning of his campaign, not at the end. Use some logic. But then again, if you think Hillary or McCain would be better for this country, then I don't know how much logic enters into your thinking
Please check this out.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html
DITTO, DITTO, DITTO.
Now I wonder how many votes does Hillary expect to get. This is the card that Bill has been playing all along, they just threw out their ace!
Terry McAuliffe, Hillary's campaign manager said this race will be over by June 15. Now what do you think they have waiting for poor old Obama, who has played along to get along and with all his bending over he still can't get no respect.
June 15: Obama's wake up call to the reality of living in the good old US of A, the one Reverend Wright talked about and the one Obama said didn't exist anymore. Okay Obama, now June 15 will be your time to truly be offended, outraged, disappointed, etc.. not from Reverend Wright, but your unwillingness to believe what he said, or your kissing every white person's ass! You been played!!!!
Barack Obama at Selma, March 4 2007:
"… I got a letter from a friend of some of yours named Reverend Otis Moss Jr. in Cleveland, and his son, Otis Moss III is the Pastor at my church and I must send greetings from Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. but I got a letter giving me encouragement and saying how proud he was that I had announced and encouraging me to stay true to my ideals and my values and not to be fearful.
"And he said, if there's some folks out there who are questioning whether or not you should run, just tell them to look at the story of Joshua because you're part of the Joshua generation.
"So I just want to talk a little about Moses and Aaron and Joshua, because we are in the presence today of a lot of Moseses. We're in the presence today of giants whose shoulders we stand on, people who battled, not just on behalf of African Americans but on behalf of all of America; that battled for America's soul, that shed blood , that endured taunts and formant and in some cases gave -- torment and in some cases gave the full measure of their devotion."
...
"I'm here because somebody marched. I'm here because you all sacrificed for me. I stand on the shoulders of giants. I thank the Moses generation; but we've got to remember, now, that Joshua still had a job to do. As great as Moses was, despite all that he did, leading a people out of bondage, he didn't cross over the river to see the Promised Land. God told him your job is done. You'll see it. You'll be at the mountain top and you can see what I've promised. What I've promised to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. You will see that I've fulfilled that promise but you won't go there."
---
What if Moses wouldn't let Joshua get something that he'd worked so hard for but wouldn't get to see the fruits of? That's how I feel a lot of Baby Boomers seem to be treating this election. When I hear older Hillary supporters say that they want to see a woman President in their own lifetimes, it strikes me as fundamentally selfish -- about their own ambitions, not what's good for the nation. I haven't heard that same feeling from the Black community. Strangely, Wright seems to prefer the exact inverse: no one should see a black President in any lifetime…