I suppose it is best to get stupid stuff like this out now. Someone within 6 degrees of separation of a candidate says or believes something stupid and a candidate is supposed to comment. Praise for LBJ is stretched ridiculously to be interpreted as demeaning to MLK. A quaver in the voice turns into a gushing river of tears. This stuff is really stupid.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 2:37 PM ET | 01-15-2008

This message got out in NewsMax and it makes Oboma sound like a Farrakhan enthusiast. Do I see another "Swift Boat" in the works? I'll be looking forward to seeing how he handles this. He certainly can't afford to be perceived as antisemitic or for that matter as an anti American black race revolutionist. This is sad, and I hope he's able to fight back.

Sent by Christina Daly | 2:50 PM ET | 01-15-2008

So ' "While Wright works his magic on enormous congregations, with the basic message of liberation theology, that we are everywhere in chains, but assured of deliverance by the living Christ,..." '

There has in the past on some of the right wing blogs and talking head shows an accusation that Obama is a Muslim. If he attends this church where Christ is taught to be the deliver, he is a Christian or at least a non-Muslim as they would not listen to such a teaching.

Sent by Randy T. of Lewisville, TX | 3:02 PM ET | 01-15-2008

I disagree with Mike Fleissner's comment. Statements are taken out of context, but Wright has been Obama's spiritual advisor for the last 20 years and is largely responsible for his religious orientation.
I can't vote for a Republican, but I'll have to think about my vote in November if he's the nominee.
Democrats should deal with this issue before the Republican hate machine brings it up -- and they will.

Sent by Matt H | 8:20 PM ET | 02-07-2008

until he severe his ties with Rev. Wright and the church, known as extremist and racist, i will vote for Hillary. this is big, we should not give him a pass for this info. dangerous.

Sent by josephine1954 | 1:20 AM ET | 02-29-2008

Ok, lets all reach back and get our panties out of our behinds. Black churches are SUPPOSE to focus and serve the BLACK COMMUNITY.(just as Latino, Asian, and White churches serve their communities) It seems that some of our White brothers and sisters are terrorified by self loving Black folks. NEWSFLASH...just because Black folk love ourselves and believe in building BLACK communities, supporting BLACK businesses, and building BLACK institutions, does not mean that we hate White folk...we just love ourselves. If we truly understand Black history (the portion of American history that was omitted from the textbooks), then we know that historically, whenever Black folk rose to a certain level, there were attempts to knock them down. There was a reason why enslaved Africans were not allowed to learn to read and write, a reason why Black men were not allowed to own land...that reason is power, and the fear of power. American's shame is the reason for this fear, and when we hear of Black folks like Rev. Wright or Min. Farrakhan, who cannot be bought or sold, and who speak truth to power, we tend to get nervous (some white and black folk as well). The concept of Black Power has been seen as dangerous, because historically in America,(the land of the free) who kidnapped, raped, and enslaved over 100 million Africans for over 300 years, Black Power is a rejection of White Supremecy. Black power is simply self reliance, self determination, and self love of, for and by Black people. Go back and look at the history of American and its relationship to Black folks...look at who participated and benefited from the enslavement of Africans (Jews and Catholics particularly), and look at how Christianity was use to justify America's shame. Look at the history of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and the events of Rosewood, Florida and countless other places where White communities destroyed Black communities who were gaining Black power. Men like Min.Farrakhan and Rev. Wright give hope to a people who historically were denied basic rights. They teach true history and work to raise Africans to their original greatness. They preach self reliance, self determination and self love...and I would suggest that those who listen and learn, are better human beings for it. It's awesome when you love yourself, and its nothing wrong with this. For those of us who love ourselves, are no longer victims of the willie lynch syndrome. We are always productive citizens. However, I do understand the fear of Black power, and how it can be a dangerous thing (in the eyes of some) for a Black man and Black woman to love themselves. By the way...for those who question why race is always an issues...ask yourself this...do you ever HAVE to think about race? Have you ever seen images of people who look like you dangling from a tree with a rope around their neck? History tells an amazing story. We should take time to read and research our true history and cease from always acting on emotion.

Sent by Dr. Nzingha Adekeke | 5:39 PM ET | 03-02-2008

Dr. Nzingha Adekeke said American's shame is the reason for this fear, and when we hear of Black folks like Rev. Wright or Min. Farrakhan, who cannot be bought or sold, and who speak truth to power, we tend to get nervous (some white and black folk as well).

Well, doctor, since you believe that Farrakhan speaks "truth to power" does that mean that you, too, believe that Judaism is a "gutter religion," as Farrakhan has said in the past. Please don't tell me that Farrakhan has revisited his statements and has softened his stance. He is just good with his words.

Sent by Jeff | 1:36 PM ET | 03-13-2008

Condemned if you do, condemned if you don't. Why is always a fact that a black person has to defend everything about themselves. They have to defend their speech, their walk, their hairstyles, their life. Why can't blacks enjoy the freedom of being black. Why is it that we are always under the microscope? First of all, how can someone be anti-semitic? Can anyone define semitic please? Plus, everyone who claims to be a Jew is not a Jew; everyone who claims to be a Christian is not a Christian; and everyone who claims to be a Muslin is not a Muslin. Please do your research thoroughly before you throw out allegations that bring others down. That's what wrong with the world now ---everyone wants to rule over someone else. No one has territorial right over this universe -- no one. May be, just may be if we can get over some of the labels and self-righteous attitudes we can get about the business of saving ourselves from self destruction. When it boils down, we're all going to perish and no one person, no one religion will be able to stop the destruction.

Sent by Cathi Young | 9:51 PM ET | 03-13-2008

It's outrageous to have somebody like him speak to a community. I am not white nor black, I am a legal latin inmigrant and I'm embarrased when latin leaders speak "for the latin community" and say stupid things. It must be very embarrasing for successfull black people to listen to this awful comments, plus poison innocent minds. I can't believe this country is so divided. I'm in America and I respect and love this country and I believe that if you live here, you should embrace the culture and the traditions that make the U.S. the great country it is. I think Americans should really value what this country is and stop being anti-americans. By the way it's unfortunate to see how a lot of people abuse the "freedom of speach" privilege they have.

Sent by Blanca A. | 9:41 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Here we go again. The patriotism of black people being called into question because they dare to shed the bright light of truth on the "un-Christian-like" behaviour of OUR country.

Our country has acted with impunity for so long and in so many instances that we apparently believe that we have the devine right to do so. From the annihilation of the Native Americans,to the enslavement of African Americans, to the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki right on up to so-called pememptive invasion on Iraq. Only an egomaniac could believe that such behavior deserves to be blessed. And if a man of God can't speak truth to power, then who can. Such is the tangle that Rev. Wright and yes...Min. Farrakhan find themselves in.

As far as I know, the people who listen to the sermons of each of these men are not prone to, nor are they incited to assault their country in any way. They are however, encouraged to be more disearning and to take pride in their uniqueness.

Barrack Obama could be such a transformative figure for all of us if he is allowed to be and do what only someone with his special gifts can do. He embodies what we as a nation would like to believe we have become. But instead he is being forced to distance himself from men who are beloved by many in the black community in order to allay the unfounded fears of the white community. He is the right prescription for our time, someone who can bring calmity and respect to our foreign policy. And would be the ultimate role model for young black men.

It should be a no-brainer that people who have a history of oppression would have a decidedly different world view than the heirs of the oppressors, even though we share a common history. And that is why a lot of black people can sympathize with the Palestinians even though we appreciate the Jewish people who participaed in the Civil Rights movement. We are not anti-semitic, just anti-brutality. Let's not get it twisted, to be anit-semitic we would have to be anti-Arab...the real semitic people. And furthrmore it was the Europeans the Catholics and then the Protestants that fermented the whole anti-Jewish fervor. It was Hitler and the Germans who committed the holacaust, not Farrakhan and his followers nor the Arab Muslims who are facing a collision with the Israelis "God's Chosen People" and western society because of this misconception. Remember too, that most of the men who committed that terrible act on 9/11 were Saudis not Iraqis. But any Arab was ripe for an American ass kicking after that event. Yet, according to the Bush administration, the Saudis are some of our best friends. Go figure. Better yet, how 'bout we take the blinders off, stop scratching our heads and think.

Sent by Miss T | 11:27 PM ET | 03-14-2008

These are such dirty politics strategies that I can't help but believe it all comes from Hillary's camp at some level. It has become obvious that she can ONLY win by whittling away at Obama. The Clinton machine is good at this. I'm just waiting for a Willie Horton-type ad.
It almost makes me feel that IF she gets the nomination I'd rather see McCain win than vote for Hillary after these dirty tactics. I hope Obama doesn't lose his momentum.

Sent by Taliba | 12:44 AM ET | 03-15-2008

So this is all Clintons fault. What a joke. I have listened to Rev. Wright so called sermons and they are about hate. If Obama was a memeber of this chruch for 20 years I can't believe he didn't know or hear these sermons. This has given me a whole different viewpoint on who should be our next President.

Sent by susann | 12:15 PM ET | 03-15-2008

This is not dirty politics at all. I have been an Obama supporter up to this point, but I did not know much about this "reverand" and the influence he has had on Mr. Obama. This is a chance to learn about the candidate and the people who influence his views. Obama has benefitted a great deal from most not knowing alot about him personally. I never for once thought I would support Hillary(I admit to getting caught up in Obama's so called appeal for change) but I can not support a candidate who admires and has received such personal guidance from a person like Mr. Wright.

Sent by Jason | 3:27 PM ET | 03-15-2008

jeff asked "Well, doctor, since you believe that Farrakhan speaks "truth to power" does that mean that you, too, believe that Judaism is a "gutter religion," as Farrakhan has said in the past." Problem is, Farrakhan never said that. Farrakhan did say that the killing palistinians in the name of religion is "practicing" gutter religion. Just as Pastor Wright said slavery under the banner of christianity is wrong or just as genocide of countless numbers of nation groups under the banner of christianity is wrong. It is blatanly clear that most of what Pastor Wright has said is being ignored for how he said it. Of chourse ther is damnation for a nation that enslaved its people for 200 years and participated in the killig of anywhere between 6 and 100 million people in the middle passage alone. The true shame would be that there would actually be Africans in amerika, so out of touch with their own self, that they couldn't see the truth in that damnation. Amerika does have a prision industrial complex that is feedig of its so-called war on drugs. the same drugs that amerika helps supply into inner city communities. African amerakons do have a greater enemy outside of its communities that is being ignored by brothers who commit so-called "black on black crime". Pastor Wright is right and its just to bad that 1) the collective white ego can't rationnally deal with the truth,and 2) some Africans in amerika suffer from that same eurocentic mind frame.

Sent by itcanbeifuwillit | 4:16 PM ET | 03-15-2008

If a person is known by the company he keeps, I cannot support Senator Barack Obama for president. I have voted for the Democratic candidate for president for almost 50 years, but will not if Obama is the candidate. His affiliation with Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright and the vision statement of the Trinity United Church of Christ is deeply disturbing to me. For 20 years Obama has called Wright his "moral compass" and his "spiritual mentor." Wright has irrationally blamed the United States for the 9/11 attacks. He blamed the attacks on violent American policies including the decision to use the A-bomb to end World War II. I guess he would have preferred the estimated one million American casualties and probably even more Japanese casualties necessary to invade Japan. The giving of the "Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Trumpeter Award" to the rabid reacist and anti-Semetic, Louis Farrakhan, is very troubling. This award by the Trumpet Newsmagazine was given to a man who "truly epitomized greatness" -- not my description of this hate-filled Black Muslim leader. In 1984 Wright accompanied Farrakhan to visit Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, a man hardly a friend to the United States.

The vision statement of Trinity Church also bothers me. Why does its vision contain a "non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA (but not to America) and why does a red, black and green flag of the pan-African movement stand by the pulpit? According to the website of the church, the congregation remains "true to our native land, the mother continent, the cradle of civiliation" -- in other words, Africa. I want the election of an American with a "non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AMERICA and I don't think that Obama shows such a commitment by his 20-year affiliation with Wright and the Trinity Church.

Sent by Be Green | 9:36 PM ET | 03-17-2008