I am distressed by Obama's response to the Farrakhan delemma and questions posed to him last night because, although, his words were appropriate, his emotional response appeared to be lacking. It seemed that there was no feeling behind the words. What distresses me even more is his alliance to his minister. How do you get spiritual guidance from someone who is deeply connected to Farrakhan?

Sent by Myra Goodstein | 2:40 PM ET | 02-27-2008

THE downing of Sen. Obama presidential
bid will not come form his failed
attempt to far distant himself from
minister Farrakhan, but from smear
tactics from both the Clinton and
McCain crowd. IF MR.Obama is forced
to literally hang our most out
spoken proud leader relating to
black issues, then his will send
a signal to what type of BLACK
president he will be.AN negro in
white mind and black body.

Sent by jerry a. myers | 3:03 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I do not see why every person of color must "denounce" and/or "reject" another minority leader who is viewed as extremely radical. I say this because Trent Lott, who was an ELECTED OFFICIAL has supported McCain and yet no ones even thinks to ask McCain a word about it. For those who don't know who Trent Lott is, he is a racist SOB from Mississippi who still if for SEGREGARTION among other things.

Sent by Johanna Wojciechowski | 4:04 PM ET | 02-27-2008

One problem with this topic: Farrakhan never called Judaism a "gutter religion." He DID use the term "dirty religion" but did so in reference to Zionism, not Judaism. While his comments are often inflammatory, they never condemn the relgion of Judaism or the Jewish people, only those he sees as betraying their religion (so called "false Jews").

Sent by Andrew W | 4:05 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Actually, i was wondering when this was gonna come ??? and it has. Home town boy praised by homeboy, not indorsed mind you, merely held high for what his is accomplishing. Then comes the Timid press guy asking the question not once, not twice, but thrice.
Of course the Hill slinger had to chime in for a bite.

Yeah, there is always a press guy who wants to go back to the boys and girls and say he was the one who undid the undoable.
I would say: too late.
But let us just see who goes for this guilt by distant, really distant, association ploy.

By-the-by, someone told me not only is Barack O related to the Cheney monster, but also the Queen of England. He seemed to be more concerned with the Queen connection???something about empire and all. I was not really listening just like i can not be bothered with this latest.

Sent by audiodramatist | 4:17 PM ET | 02-27-2008

He gave the same answer any other politician would have given. You have to ask yourself, "Is this the 'change' that we've been waiting for?"

Sent by Bill M | 4:58 PM ET | 02-27-2008

When Minister Farrakhan mentioned Obama's white mother.He referred to Obama's well-rounded background and understanding of the racial differences that make up America.Minister Farrakhan also made reference to the US foreign policy objectives and that he feels Obama was the man to do the right things needed to America in good favor with god and the rest of the world, by way of diplomacy.

Sent by c jackson | 5:00 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Minister Farrakhan, all due respect, the best way to support Senator Obama is to keep silent.

Sent by Hopkins | 5:43 PM ET | 02-27-2008

This is America! Minister Farrakhan is an american who has the right to endorse any candidate of his choosing, just like Opra or Steven Spielberg.

Sent by Hopkins | 7:35 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I'm old enough to remember when it was commonly stated, understood, and accepted by Christians that the Jews were the killers of Christ. In fact it was not until John Paul II that the Catholic church began to take responsibility for the disease of anti-Semitism and begin to reconcile with the Jewish community.

So Farrakhan is guilty of giving voice to the secret thoughts of many Christians when it was no longer popular to do so. Top it off he tried to instill pride in Afrian-Americans without the baggage of Jewish patronage.

So now Barack Obama should be forced to denounce a figure (Minister Farrakhan) who is, like it or not, beloved by many in the black community, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

He (Obama) has already stated that he would be willing to sit down and negotiate with any world leader, friend or foe. We accept that. Many of us like the idea. But he can't even accept a word of praise from Farrakhan? Even Bill Clinton recognized that the Million Man March was a good thing. So I have to ask, what's really going on here?

Sent by Miss T | 7:38 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Obama has, and has had, a clear choice. That he would continue to associate with a minister for 20 years who categorizes Farrakhan as "a great man," is disturbing. Can we expect Minister Farrakhan to be invited to the White House? Obama needs to unequivocally reject and distant himself from Farrakhan. I understand his campaign manager, and others in his close circle, are followers and disciples of Farrakhan. Can someone report on this?

Sent by Vox Humana | 8:02 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Pavlov's dogs! Total REACTIONARIES. The media can push your buttons wind you up and watch you go. Buzz-words, cliches and you buy right into these side-show antics.

We have what; 12 million Black Americans? And membership in the Black Muslims has never risen above...I'll indulge and say 50k!

The quote from above: 'our most out spoken proud leader relating to
black issues' PLEASE.

I just can't believe the level of discourse!

Sent by Jon J | 9:24 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Bill M
What actually was Obama's answer?
In fact no other politician would have been asked the question.

It's the CHANGE in us...that's the point. 'we are the change we've been waiting for'

The QUESTIONS must change for politicians to change. We must stop buying into the frames presented to us.

People sound foolish when they dismiss hope, change, dreams, etc. They end up sounding like old curmudgeons who don't believe in anything and have lost all spirit, courage and imagination. Like some parent who stifle the dreams of their kid; constantly telling them about barriers, obstacles, saying you shouldn't do that...you can't do that...you ain't going to..that ain't for Black folks...etc..etc.

Here's an old term that still fits: Luddites!

Again what was Obama's answer?

Sent by Jon J | 9:46 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Miss T, your dead on with your point. Thank you for your comment!

Sent by Leland C. | 9:55 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I have a question...was Farrakhan implicated in any way with the shooting of Malcom X?

Sent by MVParnell | 10:16 PM ET | 02-27-2008

The media is the Pimp and the reporters are the hookers. Disgusting!

Sent by C | 10:44 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Hey Vox,Obama and the minister are not drinking buddies,so stop with all the cliche fear mongering.Grow uo will ya? George Bush's granddad was Hitler's banker,and why do we have anything or any place in this country named after that nazi Charles Lindberg?

Sent by Ty | 11:39 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I am so sick of watching what I call the crab bucket, I guess this might be the 3rd time in history I have paid attention to the presidents race, JFK, BILL, and now OBAMA. Why is it so necessary to find any kind of dirt and try hard to throw it out there. I think Mr. Obama is our man to lead this country back to greatness and who his pastor is in the company of has NOTHING to do with how he can run the country and "so what" if the minister visits the White House if perhaps Obama get's in. WHO IS VISITING GEORGE W ?????? WHO CARES??????? Give me a break!!!!

Sent by Adrian Burrough | 10:35 AM ET | 02-28-2008

I wonder if anyone asks George Bush to repudiate the Klan, since I'm sure they supported many of his positions. Also Farakhan continues to be held to his earlier positions, ignoring his changing views.

Sent by Rael Sackey | 11:39 AM ET | 02-28-2008

I knew that this was coming sooner or later. okay we all know or may remember that louis farrakhan tried to support jesse jackson in the early 80s and people eyebrows were raised then. i m pretty sure that obama has learned from this and will not publicly support farrkhans views or accept min farrakhans support. we all know this and people are going on to say that when he publicly denounce farrakhan his gesture sent a different signal. this is just another plight to try to derail obama knowing that he is in a good postion in the race. and for all who would want him to accept louis farrakhans support and they are out there will you back this man. WILL YOU. 9 tinme out of 10 HELLL NOOO because you do not want that burden on your shoulders at all. period

Sent by michaelfrazier | 12:44 PM ET | 02-28-2008

I fully agree with Obama's first answer to the question regarding Farrakhan's endorsement. Everyone is entitled to support whoever they want to endorse. Obama should reject his anti-semitic views but should not feel obligated to denounce his endorsement. Obama has not accepted money or resources from Farrakhan's organization. It's ridiculous to reject support in the form of praise or admiration because this is how one feels about who he or she wants to support. Farrakhan is entitled to endorse anyone he wants to even if there are differences in their ideologically views.

Sent by LTN | 2:19 PM ET | 02-28-2008

Leland C regarind Miss T's point?

you wrote: Top it off he tried to instill pride in Afrian-Americans without the baggage of Jewish patronage.

How? By trying to deviate from it, he put 'Jewish patronage' at the center.

From N. Turner, F.Douglass, H.Tubman, Booker T., S.Truth, Jackie Robinson, P.Robeson, D. Ellington, MLK, to Malcolm; (familiar with any of them) Black pride pre-dates Farrakhan AND 'Jewish patronage'. Black pride was missing until Farrakhan (who shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as the above) came along?

Farrakhan isn't a world leader and there's nothing to negotiate. Bad analogy.

Beloved by many? Maybe a few thousand out of 12 million. Most merely found it amusing that Whites were so miffed & antagonized by him. Had they not employed fascist type intimidation tactics many more would have dismissed them. In the final analysis judging by the numbers they were background noise in the grand scheme of Black life.

You wanna know what's going on?
reactionaries with short memory; a miss reading of history; the media who is & has been more fascinated with Farrakhan than most Black Americans; a guy trying to restore his image & critical thinking hijacked by media low blows & sound bites.

Sent by Jon J | 8:28 PM ET | 02-28-2008