NPR: Obama Condemns Comments Made By Wright

Obama Condemns Comments Made By Wright

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Sen. Barack Obama said he "profoundly disagrees" with statements made in 2003 by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of his church in Chicago.

In a 2003 sermon, Wright said:

"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. 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."

Here is the section of the sermon in question:

The Tribune-Review asked Obama about the "God damn America" line.

A: I haven't seen the line. This is a pastor who is on the brink of retirement who in the past has made some controversial statements. I profoundly disagree with some of these statements.
Q: What about this particular statement?

A: Obviously, I disagree with that. Here is what happens when you just cherry-pick statements from a guy who had a 40-year career as a pastor. There are times when people say things that are just wrong. But I think it's important to judge me on what I've said in the past and what I believe.

Michael Weiss at Slate.com has a spectrum of comments from the blogosphere about this latest controversy involving Wright.

Roger L. Simon writes that Obama has some explaining to do. "[W]e don't choose our family," writes Simon, "but Obama chose this racist demagogue as his pastor for decades. It's not funny. Barack is running for President of the United States."

But Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo says this is all a result of the interjection of race into the campaign by Hillary Clinton. "I'm not sure there's much in [Wright's sermon] that doesn't come out of the sermon tradition of African-American Christianity with a 60s twist ... Particulars aside, the political relevance is to show Wright as angry black man; and to tie him to Obama."
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Update: The Obama campaign releases this statement this afternoon, written by Barack Obama, which originally appeared on Huffington Post:

"The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.

"Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

"Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.

"As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

"Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

"The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

"Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.

"With Rev. Wright's retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good. And while Rev. Wright's statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States."

4:16 PM ET | 03-14-2008 | permalink

Comments

I appreciate NPR carrying this story, however your caption is misleading. Mr. Obama did not truly disagree with his Pastor then in 2003 and still hasn't in 2008. It would appear that Mr. Obama has and continues to draw motivation from an individual (Mr. Wright) who is bent on propagating racial problems rather than being a catalyst for positive change.

Sent by Ed | 4:31 PM ET | 03-14-2008

"I profoundly disagree with some of these statements."
"There are times when people say things that are just wrong. But I think it's important to judge me on what I've said in the past and what I believe."
I don't think Obama could have made his position on Wright's remarks any clearer than that. If vested interests want to try and burn him by association, they're welcome to it.

Sent by George de Man, Rome GA | 4:39 PM ET | 03-14-2008

I don't believe in condemnation, but I agree with the spirit of what this guy says in the quote as printed above.

Our society has been hijacked, raped, and turned into a prison.

Sent by Jody Sol | 4:54 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Barack Obama's lack of experience means that he can ignite a race war in America, but he can't stop the race war.

Goes to the heart of his immature and inexperienced followers who chant that experience no longer counts in America.

Once there is a nuclear incident caused by sheer inexperience, there is no going back.

Look at your children and ask yourself if this is the gamble you are willing to take on Barack Obama's inexperience.

Ask yourself if Barack Obama should have spent more time studying Martin Luther King than Jeremiah Wright.

"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him....Man must reject for all human conflict a method which rejects retaliation." Martin Luther King

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 5:22 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Has this election cycle not proven to anyone how important it is that we eliminate this obsession with our candidates' religion from our public discourse?

Sen. Obama doesn't write this preacher's sermons. Just because he attends the church doesn't mean that he completely agrees with everything that Rev. Wright says. If the same logic held true in everything, then I guess the whole country agrees with everything President Bush says because we all still choose to keep staying here, right? But we know that's not true, since he currently enjoys a sub-40% approval rating, yet I haven't seen a huge run for the borders (at least not outbound).

This discussion, both around Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama, is ridiculous and asinine, and distracts us from the real issues that matter in this election. I expect better of NPR.

Additionally, why is it that Sen. Clinton seems to be avoiding this "guilt by association" treatment? Is it because she doesn't attend a church, or because no religious leaders endorse her? I'm sure someone completely unrelated to her except in the most superficial way has said something stupid that we can drag out and bludgeon her with at some point in the last 60 years.

Sent by Pete Wann | 5:27 PM ET | 03-14-2008

A society cannot enjoy a healthy and honest middle ground without profound extremes. Ideas pushed to the limit help to stretch the imagination and build maturity when we respectfuly push back to a new and enlightened center.

Sent by Chris Hartbarger | 6:06 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Barack Obama's sincerity, integrity and honesty around this issue are abundantly clear. It saddens me how such religious critique becomes a big political issue. A candidate of either party is not responsible for everything their religious leaders say. We Americans should not be so quick to judge and condemn especially based on excerpts taken out of a whole context.

Sent by Sandra | 6:39 PM ET | 03-14-2008

The issue here is not about religion or race, but rather about making good choices. Typically when a person ???profoundly disagrees??? with a position of a leader, a boss, or a spiritual advisor, they don't continue to listen to their teachings, thoughts or sermons for over 20 years. Most people gravitate to people with similar views. I can't help think that someone who has remained a member of this congregation and asked this man to preside over his marriage, does not share at least some of those views. It also speaks to Obama's character, he supported this Pastor for over 20 years and now when the chips are down he now chooses to distance himself for political gain.

Sent by Ed | 7:51 PM ET | 03-14-2008

Hold on there ED. I can see where you are going but i think what you are failing to see here is everyone is not you. Some of us can disagree with some of the parts of the message but understand and get the jist of the whole of it. Furthermore I can't think of any famous preacher White or Black that hasn't at one time or another expressed concern over the declining importance of common morales in our country even reverend Falwell. It is the nature of religion to worry about those things but politicians have to be able to balance there personal religion with what works best for the people as a whole.

Another point that often gets overlooked is many people would like to forget what created people like pastor wright. I just love how beautifully Fred Cammora quoted Dr. King. But there is another part to the issue. Blacks who are old enough to remember segragated America do still harbor tremendous resentment and frustration and paranoia towards whites. We cannot allow ourselves to forget what they went through because it helps us to understand why they are who they are. To even begin to say that the rev is wrong or unjustified in the way he feels towards white people is to pretend this country wasnt where it was just 50 years ago. There are some out there who say they never did anything personally to harm black people but how many refused to use the whit only bathrooms or restaurants. Furthermore which ones fought the good fight and went out there and had the dogs sicced on them and edured the fire hoses. I believe that until you have walked in a man's shoes you should be very careful in judging how he walks and i am not defending reverend wright but he is doing his best to empower black people the best way he knows how. I think it could be done differently than what he does but that is another story.

Sent by J.A. WILSON | 12:36 AM ET | 03-15-2008

Some of these comments are amazingly simplistic, particularly the claim that Senator Obama lacks integrity because he didn't leave his church over these few comments by his pastor. My recently retired priest said plenty of things with which I profoundly disagreed. She also confirmed me in the church. She baptized my son. She provided pastoral care to my wife and I during several particularly difficult times. She loved me as a mother loves a son, and she sustained my faith. While it could have been politically expedient for Sen. Obama to sever ties with his church, such a decision would have been a cold-hearted political calculation, and would have lacked honesty, decency, and, yes, integrity.

Sent by Jonathan | 1:08 AM ET | 03-15-2008

It's very concerning to hear these public inflammatory comments from Senator Obama's Pastor of 20 years. Obama himself has described his minister as his mentor and spiritual counselor. So how can someone who claims his expertise is in "bringing people together" belong to a local church for 20 years that is not only rooted in ethnic separatism, but has a minister who is extremely divisive? It is illogical to me!

Sent by Susan S. | 7:52 AM ET | 03-15-2008

These statements and activities of Obama???s former minister which have been aired are shocking and inflammatory, no doubt about it. However how many of us will buy in to the picture which this video segment paints? Although I have never been to this church, common sense tells me that, there could be more to its minister then has been presented to us. Do we really believe it fair to take several 10 second video snips and piece them together and think that this is a true representation of that church, community, and pastor? I wonder will the media dedicated an equal amount of time to show more then just the controversial side of this church and it???s former pastor, or would you leave us to believe that the reality of this is obviously contained in the 1 or 2 mins of material we have been shown.

Sent by Daniel H. | 10:45 AM ET | 03-15-2008

How insulting is this to the American people to think we are that gullible to believe that this the first time Wright has preached this type of sermon. Obama has listened to this before and obviously follows these words now heard by millions. He is still a member of that church right? It is out in the open now and that???s the only reason why Obama denounces these beliefs now. Awaken people; Obama is not your savior he is the wolf in sheep clothing.

Sent by Terri | 10:56 AM ET | 03-15-2008

To Mr. "Bamorra" (or is it "Bama-rra) up there: Since we took a chance in the so called "experience" of a born-again Christian, and reformed alcoholic to boot, and he got us into a war from which we are collecting great pyrrhic benefits (check Cheney's et al.'s bank accounts), I don't see a problem going now for a man who doens't have the experience of being "born again". May be he'll do it while he is in the White House, and get drunk while he is at it. And Jonathan above, you are totally right! I have atended church and have had wonderful, saintly priests all my life an a practicing Catholic. I suppose then that by now I should be a Saint myself. What is illogical to me, Susan, is how you take words out of context, think in pre-operational ways, and throw out the more obvious evidence, the fact that this man called Barack Obama has shown to all of us already his great ability to transcend colors, creeds, races, and, above all hate.

Sent by leonel a urdaneta | 11:43 AM ET | 03-15-2008

I have heard so many people talk about empowering others. Empowering blacks, empowering hispanics, empowering women. It seems to me that all of the different groups being empowered here have one thing in common. They are American. It seems that rather than empower your particular race, gender or whatever else you choose, time would be better spent empowering all Americans. Given the troubling times we live in, this seems like a nobrainer. People who come to America don't think to them selves "let's blow something up, but not that building. That is where the black people gather. And not that one cause it is where the women play bridge." They don't care what color your skin is. They don't care what church you attend. All they care about is that you are American. All they care about is causing as much death and destruction as they possibly can.

Sent by Jack | 3:32 PM ET | 03-15-2008

It strains credulity to believe that during twenty years' membership in Reverand Wright's congregation, he did not hear similar comments. The man is, in the Obama campaign's own terms, a "spiritual advisor". The "spirit" which could motivate comments such as Reverend Wright's is clearly not that which I would want "advising" my President.

Why have Wright's comments not received detailed scrutiny in an NPR broadcast? Geraldine Ferraro's comment received far more coverage. Very curious.

Sent by Les Smith | 3:57 PM ET | 03-15-2008

FDR's mentor was the war monger TR. Richard Nixon's was the arch enemy of the military industrial complex, Ike Eisenhower. War monger George W. Bush's mentor-via-proxy was father of Pax Americana himself, Ronald Reagan.

You can share a roof once a week, but that doesn't mean you need to share everything that's said or consumed under it.

A church is a community. In it, there are heroes and there are rogues. If you choose to abandon it, you've got to have a pretty strong reason. So what if Obama and his family had quit the church in protest? Today, it would be argued that the man did it for politically strategic reasons.

This is classic guilt-by-association BS, not unlike those who say all American Muslims are suspect unless they openly denounce al-Qaida (never mind that radical Christians bomb abortion clinics and picket the funerals of war veterans; do right-wing critics therefore criticize a Christian like Obama?). It all amounts to cheap, shamless Know Nothingism.

Sent by George de Man, Rome GA | 4:13 PM ET | 03-15-2008

Are we really responsible for what people around us say? What if Obama attended a class in college where controversial views were made? What if his wife gets angry at a reporter and makes an off-hand rude remark? So if a church leader makes outrageous claims then Obama has to defend them as his own? Please people, its a little ridiculous. As to the race war comments above, its pretty clear that the Clinton's are playing that card. The Clinton's play hard and they play dirty when they feel like they are losing. They make statements to attack and then try to not be held responsible for them 'I was just a little hot (and frankly its pretty scary that a presidential candidate would admit that when she's angry she makes vicious, of-the-cuff attacks, great for foreign policy huh?)' or they don't actually deny statements when their mouthpieces make racist comments. Hillary has done that repeatedly during the campaign. In addition her comments are fairly unsubstantiated. She claims to have experience, but having tea parties for world leaders during summits, is NOT experience. She flip flops on foreign policy issues, she absolutely failed at helping the health-care crisis when she had a clear mandate because of her inability to compromise. As a physician I know people have died as a result of her serious personal failings. There is a reason that educated people are NOT voting for the Clinton's - its that their claims do not stand up to a credible review. Obama is solid, consistent and honest.

Sent by J. Cornelius | 9:47 PM ET | 03-15-2008

Wow... Thank you Dr. Cornelious...For aa while there i was a little nervous about people not seeing what i see. All we have to measure someone on what the believe and how they behave. So far I have seen no inconsistencies in this guys character to lead me to believe that he is a racist. which is proof that he is more than?? likely not lying when he says he doesn't agree. But still it's so much more fun to ignor what he has said and has shown us and try to find something, anything negative that we can tie him too.

Sent by J.A.WILSON | 10:35 PM ET | 03-15-2008

NEW MEDIA RULE:

Democrats are now responsible for everything their pastor has ever said, also they have to explain any endorsement that was never requested or sought.

Republicans continue to get a pass (See W. at racists, anti-catholic Bob Jones, McCain embrace of Rev. Hagee antisemitism, ethnic cleansing the middle east.)

The NPR and the Media is going to be worse than the last two elections.

Sent by Ron Gordon | 11:32 PM ET | 03-15-2008

J. Cornelius..yes, yes, it's always about Hillary..never about the messiah Obama. Great deflection! My God, now you are actually blaming deaths on her? You people are unbelievable!

Sent by Barbara | 1:02 AM ET | 03-16-2008

I see nothing consistent and honest with obama. I agree with everyone who finds him guilty by association! If you want to know someone, know their friends.I think he is clueless to the plights of african-americans as well as a lost soul who has identity crisis. He is of a white mother and an african father who was NOT American. Obama was raised by his white grandparents who moved to Hawaii because their grandson was black (not african-american in the same sense as the black people of our country - who have endured so much hardship). Obama is a shape shifter and has only his persuasive communication skills, but nothing else! Not even an identity! If push comes to shove, and obama is the democratic nominee, McCain will take the office (I will vote republican) and we are going to be at the mercy of incompetent republicans again, the same one that brought our country down for the last 8 years!

Truth goes through 3 stages, according to Schoppenhauer:
1. It is ridiculed
2. It is violently opposed
3. It becomes self-evident

Obama says he wants unity but will cause a division! I am a democrat and will vote republican if Obama is the democratic choice! Wake up people!

Sent by Nina | 2:12 AM ET | 03-16-2008

First of all, I think it's time to forget the past and go on and live in the present and future. Forget about who is black or white and live side by side with each other. The Rev. Wright is not a person who should be leading or advising anyone. It is quiet apparent that he is predjudice and will always cause problems between the black and whites and one day cause a Civil war
right here in America. I don't believe that Mr Obama could belong to a to a Church and not know his mentor and advisors beliefs. He stated that he didn't but Rev. Wright clearly shows his hate for whites. Turn the coin over and let a white minister make such statements and see what happens. I don't think there is a person who is alive that was a slave. So, forget it. It is time for us to go on in unity. It's time for us to wake up both black and white and know that Obama is not the person he portrays to be. He can look million of people in the eye and lie with out blinking and eye. I don't want a president that is so deceitful. I say God Bless America and all the people in it.

Sent by Donna Layman | 1:15 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Smoke Screen and Misdirection.

Lets hope intelligent American voters are able to seperate a shock value story that the Enquier is likely to run. The saddest part of this story is that Obama actually has to respond and release a statement about this nonsense. What about real issues - the Iraq war or the economy. Does anyone remember those??

Sent by Garth | 3:54 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Obama's going to have problems dealing with the Wright fallout for the rest of his life. It's not the comments of Wright that will sink him, it's his contention that he didn't know this was being preached, and that somehow excuses this matter. This was even stupider than his deal with Rezko and makes him look foolish or dishonest. His election in November is dependent on winning votes in white working class America. This is exactly what has been the weakest aspect of his campaign. Now, these votes will probably be impossible to win. How can this voting block be told Ferraro's comments were out of line but Wright's were just the typical Sunday sermon in Black America and nothing to worry about? Such reasoning is ludicrous. Someone is going to have to explain why coded racial comments are worse than blatant anti-white, anti-American hate bating. And explain it to an audience that is already extremely skeptical and apprehensive about the future.

Sent by Tim | 8:04 PM ET | 03-16-2008

There seems no coincidence that a four year-old speech is suddenly unveiled the first week race comes to the fore as an issue in this campaign: combine Ferraro's color-focused theory and the racially polarized results in Mississippi and you now have the independent white males primed to reawaken dormant suspicions of Barack's "black" side. Should a man whose message resoundingly preaches unity and a shared responsibility for our nation's future be replaced in the minds of the independents by a bitter, old black man buried in the segregated past, then we as a nation are not ready to embark upon Obama's unifying vision. Should the race come down to the myopic perceptions of race, where right-wing media conglomerates darken the man's complexion and past--enough to make the idiots among us forget he was raised by his white mother--I feel we've deservedly lost the privilege of seeing a much needed visionary at the helm of a country in crisis.

Sent by dstrait | 11:17 PM ET | 03-16-2008

from what I understand it was fox news that were the first to jump on this story. Surprise surprise.
Every neo-con I work with now won't shut up about this tabloid garbage.

Sent by joe k. | 11:47 PM ET | 03-16-2008

Obama didn't just occasionally attend this church. He attended for 20 years. No one with a brain could believe that he didn't fully understand and know that his pastor is an America hating and racist person. Obamas own wife said, For the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country. It is obvious to me that the pastor's beliefs are ingrained in the Obama family.

Sent by Faye | 7:29 AM ET | 03-17-2008

Wright is Obama's hero. Obama sat for 20+ years nodding his head and applauding in the pews while listening to this vile, racist hack Wright.

If Obama disagreed with his views, he would have walked out years ago. But he stayed. Because he clearly likes it. He agrees with it. What kind of man is Obama?

Obama's strong affiliation with Wright, Farrakhan and domestic terrorits Bill Ayers is very telling of Obama's true character.

Given he has little substance and experience, Obama has attempted to move discussions toward his supposed good "judgment."

What kind of human being supports Wright's church for 20 years and listens to this filth about HIV being created by the American goverment to eliminate African Americans?

What kind of human being support's Wright's church for 20 years and listens to this filth about America deserving the tragedy of 911?

Who wouldn't get up and walk out of the church after hearing this kind of racial hatred?

But our man Obama stayed day after day, week after week and month after month, lapping it up.

And now he's trying to con his way into the presidency.

Wright is Obama's "spirital leader." He married Obama and his wife. What terrible, horrible judgment Obama exhibits. Obama is a con man. Nothing more.

Sent by PATTY | 8:09 AM ET | 03-17-2008

unveiled the first week race comes to the fore as an issue in this campaign: combine Ferraro's color-focused theory and the racially polarized results in Mississippi and you now have the independent white males primed to reawaken dormant suspicions of Barack's "black" side. Should a man whose message resoundingly preaches unity and a shared responsibility for our nation's future be replaced in the minds of the independents by a bitter, old black man buried in the segregated past, then we as a nation are not ready to embark upon Obama's unifying vision. Should the race come down to the myopic perceptions of race, where right-wing media conglomerates darken the man's complexion and past--enough to make the idiots among us forget he was raised by his white mother--I feel we've deservedly lost the privilege of seeing a much needed visionary at the helm of a country in crisis.

Sent by this boy pasted | 8:36 AM ET | 03-17-2008

Sent by What that guy said | 8:36 AM ET | 03-17-2008

Look, the issue is, can we believe what Obama says about himself when he tolerated Wright's vicious nonsense for 20 years?
If my pastor were a Klansman, I would leave that church! If I chose to stay in the church, I could only expect people to believe I was not overly offended by the message.
That's the real disappointment here. I want to support Obama. I want America to put racial division behind it once and for all. But what disturbs me is that Obama may not be the unifier we are looking for.

Sent by Paige | 1:47 PM ET | 03-17-2008

Please ask and insist on getting answers to the following questions: Do your children go to Sumday School at this church when you are in Chicago? Has obama spent time with his pastor away from the church and in a relaxed social atmosphere? Has he ever, during that time, heard this spirtual leader and mentor talk about these ideas? Remind obama of the pledge statements that profess black this and black that. I saw a clip in which Hannity read these statements to the pastor. What came out was the question: If you replace the word black with the word white, would these statements be considered racist? Ofcouse they would be. I find it offensive that you and obama think that we, the American people, will believe that he has never heard these ideas professed by this guy before. That he can just say, "I disavow these comments," and that is enough. You all have stayed on top of Ferraro's comments, but with this guy you just want to get back to the issues that are important to America because obama did not say these things. Don't give him a pass because you already support him and are afraid to change your mind. After 20 years you have got to think that he thinks similar idas, and possibly accepts them. Isn't that enough to be able to point the finger at him? This church may be a hold out from the 60's and 70's era that pushed the black power movement. You know what is important to America? That you in the Main Sream Media not ram another bad president that will do more harm than good to this world down our throats. We don't need another bush. NPR should find out if obama's 20 year association with this church has infulenced/molded his thinking on social issues at all. You should get as many tapes of the guy as possible and review each of them. He did not say these things in a vaccum. These words have been practiced. He has said these things before and often so as to be able to say them so well when he is on stage. Investigate, talk to people in and around the church. See what is really going on in there and what they are teaching the people who attend. Don't be afraid to insult the black community. They will understand and forget about it after only a few days. You know like you expect the rest of us to do. Do your freakin jobs and protect America from itself and from its leaders!

Sent by Jorge Gutierrez | 3:24 PM ET | 03-17-2008

This whole discussion is infuriating. We are beginning the sixth year of a war in the Middle East with over 135,000 Americans stationed in Iraq. As Republican Senator Chuck Hagel asked during the testimony of Gen. Petraeus last fall, "For what?" What exactly have we gotten out of this war - nearly 4,000 dead, tens of thousands wounded, hundreeds of thousands if not millions of Iraqis displaced, declining American power, increasing Iranian power, and a swell recruiting tool for Al-Qaeda. Oh, and by the way, the American military families are paying an incredibly high price for this, bearing the burden for the rest of us while we have arguments about what Barack Obama's pastor said. Also, take a look at our economy. From the government to regular citizenry, we are out of control. Our current account deficit is enormous. Our politicians can't solve Medicare and Social Security, which account for enormous and ever-increasing sums of the federal budget. As individuals, we've leveraged what little value we had in our homes to the extent that many of us now have homes worth less than our home loans. We have a negative savings rate in this country. We live in a hedonistic society where we send someone else to fight our wars and where we spend like there is no tomorrow. Unfortunately while we're all arguing about what Obama's pastor said or about what a Clinton supporter said, tomorrow's arrived. Under these circumstances, perhaps one would think that we'd be focused on the real issues facing this country. The next four years is not going to be about race, about gender, or about religion. It is going to be about the American role in the world economically, diplomatically, and militarily, American domestic economic priorities, the rule of law, the United States Constitution, the Geneva Conventions, and the environment. This is gut check time for the American people - we cannot come down on the wrong side of these matters. Please elevate the level of debate during this election above the level of "who would I rather have a beer with", to who is best equipped to help us find solutions to the significant problems we face. While I am an Obama supporter, I can live with the results of any election conducted on those terms. I cannot, however, stand this frivolous debate.

Sent by Jonathan | 1:40 AM ET | 03-18-2008

We must have a president that will bring us together not divide us. It is quiet shocking the way Obama can deny knowing how radical his pastor Wright is. When I think of a mentor I think of someone who will have an impact on my beliefs and character. I believe if Obama is elected president we will have a civil war right here in the United states. I believe he will divide our country.

Sent by Motown | 10:16 AM ET | 03-18-2008

I think it is absurd that the media won't let this die. I can't help but wonder who orginally put this information out as if it was something secretive and that no one could have access to. These sound bites are DVD's sold to the public. What are the motives of the people who discovered these sermons? I see this man, Barack Obama, as any other American trying to find his own identity through spiritual awareness. Pastor Jeremiah Wright obviously offered him the information he was looking for, Jesus. Now, whatever personal conviction Pastor Wright has is his own issue. Why focus on a man, Obama, that is trying to make a change for all man kind? Barak Obama has a black father and white mother. He was raised by a white woman. So that in itself speaks volumes of this man's character and his deep roots in different cultures. He can relate to black and white alike and use this to unite all people of all races. Obviously, America continues to focus on issues of race and division instead of unity. This man has presented an agenda of hope and change for all people- white and black; however, it still can not be accepted by all. This political race has proven how much further this country needs to improve on overcoming racism. In conclusion, the comments of Pastor Wright can be used to help us reflect on our own views and try to make the necessary adjustments to improve race relations and for all of us to live as Americans and not as white and black. Thank you and God BLESS America.

Sent by John Alexander | 8:30 PM ET | 03-18-2008

Sent by John Alexander | 8:32 PM ET | 03-18-2008

Comparing Rev Wright to his white grandmother is prepostrous. Obama can no more pick his grandmother than his middle name. However, he chose to attend Rev Wright's incendiary sermons for 20 years. His wife's lack of pride in America makes much more sense now in this context.

Sent by Bob | 12:04 AM ET | 03-19-2008

John Alexander-THE MEDIA SHOULD NOT LET THIS DIE! WHY PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE VOTING FOR! PEOPLE SHOULD BE INFORMED! IF THIS WAS MCCAIN THE MEDIA WOULD LET IT LIVE FOREVER, YOU REALLY MEAN "GOD DAMN AMERICA", RIGHT!

Sent by PATTY | 9:13 AM ET | 03-19-2008

As impressive as Senator Obama's recent speech was, it raises many questions regarding his conduct as it relates to his involvement with Rev. Wright: (1) What does it say about Senator Obama that he reversed his earlier assertion that he was unaware of his pastor's radical sermons? (2) Since we now know that he was present, why did he choose to remain in the church and continue to expose himself and his family to such toxic beliefs? (3) Why did the senator not challenge Rev. Wright on these appalling statements? (4) What does this say about his discernment and willingness to create change in this divisive forum? (5) And, finally, if Senator lacks the moral courage to confront wrongdoing in his own church, how can we expect him to act differently as president?

Sent by Uncle Sam | 9:47 AM ET | 03-19-2008

Johns Alexander-You need to get your head out of the sand!! Obama sit under Rev Wright for 20 yrs and must agree with his views other wise he would not have stayed at his church looked up to him as a mentor or advisor. Obama made a beautiful speech but what did he really say? He didn't admit that he lied to us about not ever hearing Wright's sermons. He made a good speech and that's what he's good at.He has no emotion when speaking to us and is very arrogrant. I can gurantee you that this is not the first lie he has told us.

Sent by Motown | 10:01 AM ET | 03-19-2008

Hope that the American public, regardless of their ethnicity, will wake up and see what kind of a politician Barak Obama really is. Can we believe that he is a good American and will uphold the office of the Presidency of America according to the essence and nature of the Constitution? He claims that he has attended this church for most of his adult life and has been mentored by its pastor, yet he does not espouse the belief system of the Pastor or the church. Why is he there if not to receive and give back? Is it not his Christian duty? Does this mean that he has grown up in America, gone through the formal educational system which has furthered his career, yet he disagrees with that as well? This is really scary stuff to me! And about the racism issue; TRUE Christianity is about 1 race - the HUMAN race. Christians believe that we are all created in the image of God. We all have an obligation to live godly, to love one another, to respect and honor one another regardless of the color of our skin or economic status or level of education or abilities, to repent where we have hurt God and man, to do justly, and to bring about healing and reconciliation. Christians believe that we are to be a part of the solution, not to create bigger problems because we have been marginalized. The Gospel is all about a Man Who was brutally murdered, forgiving those who murdered Him, and bringing healing, not retaliation and revenge. He can not be the people's President of The United States of America. Please people wake up.

Sent by PATTY | 12:19 PM ET | 03-19-2008

SHOWS OBAMA HAS BAD JUDGEMENT!

Wright, Obama's longtime spiritual adviser and pastor of his Chicago church, was off Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee as of last night, said campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor, who didn't elaborate. The move follows calls for Obama to sever connections to Wright after news outlets began airing some of the pastor's past sermons.

Obama said he knew Wright to occasionally be a fierce critic of U.S. policy and that the pastor sometimes made controversially remarks in church that he disagreed with, but he said he never heard Wright talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms. The comments that have become a source of debate recently "were not only wrong but divisive" and have raised questions among voters, he said.

FUNNY A FEW DAYS AGO HE SAID " HE DID NOT KNOW"?
Obama said he knew Wright to occasionally be a fierce critic of U.S. policy
SO TELL US OBAMA YOU DIDN'T KNOW OR YOU KNEW? OH THATS RIGHT AFTER YOUR SPEECH NO QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA OR ANYONE!
SO I TAKE THE COMMENTS WRIGHT MADE ABOUT THE US (911) YOU HEARD!

Sent by PATTY | 12:21 PM ET | 03-19-2008

Garth GOOD LORD MAN WAKE UP! HE IS RUNNING TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! NOT SOME FACTORY!

Sent by PATTY | 12:28 PM ET | 03-19-2008

I think this thing will help him more than it hurts him. We are not responsible for the things our spiritual leaders say. You'll never be committed to anything if you run every time you disagree, I don???t know about you but this is a quality I want my President. Yes this may have been one of many messages he has preached that aren't a good representation of who Christ is, that's why God gives the ability to discern. We don't have to agree with all of it & most importantly we should stay planted in the house where God has called us unless He says move. Just because a man of God has a man moment, yes, that's right at the end of the day he is still a man, doesn???t mean you compromise your integrity. So if his wife doesn???t agree with his comment should she leave also? I think Obama staying reflects his loyalty, not to the man but to the commitment he obviously made before God. The funny thing is I was not an Obamah supporter until reading your comments! I say you have my vote!!!

Sent by God's Child | 4:08 PM ET | 03-20-2008

I thought I would post here my answers to Thabiti Anyabwile???s various questions regarding Rev. Jeremiah Wright???s controversial sermon, ???Confusing God and Government.???

1.What passage of Scripture is the preacher considering?

Luke 19:37-44 ( Thesis: y???all looking to the government for only what God can give. A lot of people confuse God with their government.???)

2. What are the major points of the sermon?

A)Governments lie.
B)Governments change
C)Governments fail

3. Do the major points/content of the sermon grow out of the text itself? Are the preacher???s points the same points made by the text?

???Well the major points of the sermon did not directly derive from the Lukan passage. Nonetheless, the major points of the sermon are consistent only to what the preacher wanted to communicate with the tex, but not in accordance with the message that Luke endeavored to communicate to th early christians ( his audience). Luke???s ultimate goal in this passage was to certify Jesus??? messianic status (v. 38; ???Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!) , his royal personage ( He is the Son of David, He is King), and his messianic role as the Coming one predicted by OT prophets . Luke also developed the nature of Jesus???s kingship ( i.e. they set Jesus on the colt; he rode along???) . He also told us about Jesus??? sentiment about the people, the society, and the religious system??? Jesus wept over the moral decadence of the society and religious system of his time.

???Talking about Rev. Wright???s major points: we might suggest that perhaps this particular text ( Luke 19: 37-44) bears some imperial overtones. In this regard, Rev. Wright???s points on the nature of Goverments in generally are consistent with what we know about the Roman imperial system . For example, in verse 43 Jesus predicted that, ???For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you.??? Christian Church historans informed us about a host of christian martyrs in the hand of Roman Goverment. We also know about Nero???s persecution against Christians, those who professed the Lordship of Christ. We also know that the Roman emprie promised peace to his people. That Rome and its citizens were the natural home of freedom and liberty. ???They had established a democracy, the pretense of which was kept up throughout the early imperial period??? ( N.T. Wright, Paul in Fresh Perspective, 63)
. So Freedom, justice, peace and salvation were the predominant themes of the Roman imperalism (ibid). So Rev. Wright might have a case here but not according to Luke???s salvific message, it is rather based on the implications of the social and political structures (ramifications?) of the text.

4. Does the preacher adequately situate the text and the sermon in the context of the chapter, book, and Bible?

This is not clear in the sermon.

5. How does the preacher illustrate his points? Are the illustrations helpful?

When one studies this sermon carefully it becomes clear that the illustrations substantiate relatively all the major points of the sermon. They are as follows:

???Government lie (Point 1)
A) Then he gives a number of examples: (1)???This government lied about their belief that all men were created equal.. The truth is they believed that all white men were created equal. The truth is they did not even believe that white women were created equal, in creation nor civilization. (2) ???The government lied about Pearl Harbor. They knew the Japanese were going to attack. (3) ???The government lied about the Tuskegee experiment. They purposely infected African American men with syphilis. (4) The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of colo. (5) The government lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq being a threat to the United States peace.???

He follows a coherent pattern in points 2 and 3.
???Government change ( Point 2)
Examples ,(1) ??? Prior to Abraham Lincoln, the government in this country said it was legal to hold African in slavery in perpetuity???when Lincoln got in office, the government changed. (2) Prior to the Civil Rights and equal accommodation laws of the government in this country, there was backed segregation by the country, legal discrimination by the government, prohibited blacks from voting by the government, you had to eat and sit in separate places by the government, you had sit in different places from white folks because the government said so, and you had to buried in a separate cemetery . (3) ???Where governments change, God does not change. God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. That???s what his name I Am means. He does not change.???

???Government Fail ( Point 3; so the Roman Governement failed)
Illustrations, (1) And the United States of America government, when it came to treating her citizens of Indian descent, she failed. She put them on reservations. (2) When it came to putting the citizens of African descent fairly, America failed. She put them in chains. The government put them on slave quarters. Put them on auction blocks. Put them in cotton fields. Put them in inferior schools. Put them in substandard housing. Put them scientific experiments. (3) Tell your neighbor he???s (going to) help us one last time. Turn back and say forgive him for the God Damn, that???s in the Bible though. Blessings and curses is in the Bible. It???s in the Bible.Where government fail, God never fails. When God says it, it???s done. God never fails. When God wills it, you better get out the way, cause God never fails. When God fixes it, oh believe me it???s fixed. God never fails. Somebody right now, you think you can???t make it, but I want you to know that you are more than a conqueror through Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

6. What are the preacher???s main applications? Are the applications clearly related to the main point of the passage? How would you evaluate the usefulness of the applications?

My suggestion is that Rev. Wright wanted his audience to know that although the Government (might lie) has lied to us, (might fail) failed us and (might change) has changed or is subject to change ; God does not lie. God does not change, and God does not fail. It is also evident that the applications verify his major points. GOD NEVER FAILS is the main idea of the sermon. Rev. Contextually, Rev. Wright upholds the consistency of God in his dealings with mankind , in the midst of a changing world or government.

7. Does the preacher make the gospel clear and urge his hearers to respond to the gospel?

According to Roland Martin???s observation, ???He (Rev. Wright) then went on to talk about the salvation of Christians through the death of Jesus Christ. The sermon ended with a song proclaiming, ???God never fails??? ???

8. What improvements might you recommend?

Follow the message of the TEXT! In this particular case ( Luke 19:37-44), let the message of the text consume you: your heart, your soul, your mind with the message of the cross, then you can communicate this same message to the people of God.

I also want to add that the media has failed to read Rev. Wright in context.In the same way, Rev. Wright???s sermon has failed the message of the cross, which , Luke communicated in the relevant passage.

Sent by Celucien Joseph | 12:26 AM ET | 03-24-2008

He is a disgrace to this election!
Pastor Wright Falls Short of Obama's 'Don Imus' Standard
After all, it was Sen. Obama himself who set the standard. As Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby noted, "When Don Imus uttered his infamous slur on the radio last year, Obama cut him no slack. Imus should be fired, he said. 'There's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group.'"
I understand this standard. When I first became speaker of the House, we hired a House historian who turned out to have written very controversial things. We asked for her resignation within 24 hours of learning what she had done.
Clearly, when it comes to Pastor Wright, Sen. Obama has fallen short of his own standard by about 20 years.

Sent by PATTY | 8:29 AM ET | 03-24-2008

You know what I'm sick of. Everyone trying to explain this! All but Wright and Obama themselves! Obama's speech did not satisfied. Not to mention this;
SHOWS OBAMA HAS BAD JUDGEMENT!

Sent by PATTY | 8:34 AM ET | 03-24-2008

Hi, I think the public is missing the much larger picture as is the media regarding the issue of Obama's connection to his pastor and his incendiary statements and how it might be viewed by our enemies abroad. What do you think is going through the minds of the perpetrators of 9/11 and their supporters, watching the American people nominate someone who aligns themselves with a man of the cloth who just five days after the most devastating day in American history says, "God Dam America", basically blaming America for this tragedy, as well as other numerous tragedies. Obama's union and 20 year association with this man, it could be argued, simply through appearance if nothing else, that he, Obama, and his close friend and adviser may in fact support the views of those who seek to harm us. Obama's steadfastness to stand by his friend, though not his statements, still troubles me greatly of how it is being viewed abroad and specifically in the Islamic Community. He accuses the press and others of character assassination seemingly trying to diminish the strength of such statements, while at the same time having us believe that his friend is just misunderstood, he is a good man! Well there is no mistaking his advisers comments and Obama's lack of judgment in not disassociating himself and his family from this man, and for so many years too. As Americans what kind of message is this sending to our enemies, and the Islamic community as a hole, that we are pushing to nominate a man, (who's father is Muslim), and who aligns himself with someone who makes such incendiary comments against America, and that we want him as our next president! How do Muslims really view this? And, why is this not a concern amongst the pundants and all those who are driving this election in Obama's favor! And, what does this say about "US" as Americans, and a people! Giving Obama a pass on this brings into question our own judgment as Americans and how we want to be seen around the world. Just how far are we willing to go to achieve the change we so desire in this country?
God Bless America!

The Invisible Citizen

Sent by The invisible Citizen | 7:37 PM ET | 03-26-2008

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