Obama Plans Major Address on Race

By: John Bentley
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley

PHILADELPHIA – As the issue of race continues to bubble to the surface of the presidential race, Barack Obama has decided to confront the issue head on by giving a speech called "On Race, Politics, and Unifying Our Country" later today. "I think we've got to talk about it (race), and I think we've got to process it, but we've got to remind ourselves that what we have in common is far more important than what's different," said Obama. "If we're going to solve any of these problems, we've got to come together and bridge our differences in ways that we just have not bridged them before."

The main impetus for the speech is a desire to contain the story about Rev. Jeremiah Wright, according to a campaign adviser. Wright is Obama's controversial pastor from Chicago, who has said that blacks should say "God damn America" because we are a "country and a culture controlled by rich white people," and that the U.S. brought 9/11 on itself because of its foreign policy. Obama has repudiated Wright's statements and removed him from his spiritual advisory council. "Truth is that this is somebody who has been a pastor for 40 years he's said some very offensive remarks I have denounced, he's now in the process of retirement," Obama said. "I had not heard him say those things, I was not in attendance." He added that he doesn't "want to continue to kick [the pastor] when he's down. My feeling is to go forward and the church family continues to be welcoming."

But he did attend Wright's church for nearly 20 years, and the two became close friends. Obama is expected to talk about how he got to know and admire Rev. Wright, and about the unorthodox theology he preaches, according to the adviser. Obama is concerned about Wright being caricatured unfairly, the adviser said, and hopes the speech today will be able to move the discussion forward and past the controversy over his statements.

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by starpost March 18, 2008 3:08 PM EDT: What makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to talk about race? Because mom was white, dad was black? My cousin has the same genes but he''s not yet a moral leader. You have to lead from the heart, not from your bloodlines. MLK was qualified. He connected heart to heart. His dream was/is for all of us. He spoke in a time of strife, a time when it took daring/faith from blacks/whites to accept his message. MLK never asked us to follow him. Yet people of all colors ended up marching alongside him. He was a man of substance, conviction, compassion. Like his spiritual mentor, Ghandi, MLK never confused himself with "the movement." But Sen. Obama insists he''s qualified to "unite" us. Eager to dazzle with words. His spiritual mentor is Pastor Wright. What a long strange trip from Ghandi to Pastor Wright. Apparently, there are many people eager to listen to/follow Sen. Obama. Today''s show isn''t about race in America, it''s about Sen. Obama. The words will be beautiful, even seductive. I''ve heard enough. The "gradual" distancing from Pastor Wright (to see how much was really needed in lieu of a clean break), "gradual" distancing from Tony Rezko (waiting long enough to close on the mansion and as late as last Friday, beginning to admit the Rezko contributions were a lot more than originally stated) ... "gradual," steady charges of "racism" directed at anyone who dares to challenge him. Enough.; Reply to this comment


by starpost March 18, 2008 3:06 PM EDT: What makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to talk about race? Because mom was white, dad was black? My cousin has the same genes but he''s not yet a moral leader. You have to lead from the heart, not from your bloodlines. MLK was qualified. He connected heart to heart. His dream was/is for all of us. He spoke in a time of strife, a time when it took daring/faith from blacks/whites to accept his message. MLK never asked us to follow him. Yet people of all colors ended up marching alongside him. He was a man of substance, conviction, compassion. Like his spiritual mentor, Ghandi, MLK never confused himself with "the movement." But Sen. Obama insists he''s qualified to "unite" us. Eager to dazzle with words. His spiritual mentor is Pastor Wright. What a long strange trip from Ghandi to Pastor Wright. Apparently, there are many people eager to listen to/follow Sen. Obama. Today''s show isn''t about race in America, it''s about Sen. Obama. The words will be beautiful, even seductive. I''ve heard enough. The "gradual" distancing from Pastor Wright (to see how much was really needed in lieu of a clean break), "gradual" distancing from Tony Rezko (waiting long enough to close on the mansion and as late as last Friday, beginning to admit the Rezko contributions were a lot more than originally stated) ... "gradual," steady charges of "racism" directed at anyone who dares to challenge him. Enough.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 March 18, 2008 2:41 PM EDT: Dear GOP Evangelists:

How can your church maintain its non profit exempetion from the IRS when Pastor Wright blatentley supports Obama from the pulpit?

THis is a severe violation for any non profit to support any candiate, much less in the manner of Pastor Wright.; Reply to this comment


by emsupset March 18, 2008 2:25 PM EDT: one more thing...
Dear UCC Officers:

How can your church maintain its non profit exempetion from the IRS when Pastor Wright blatentley supports Obama from the pulpit.

THis is a severe violation for any non profit to support any candiate, much less in the manner of Pastor Wright.; Reply to this comment


by emsupset March 18, 2008 2:22 PM EDT: Dear UCC Church Officers:
It is difficult to see how a Harvard Grad "didn''''t know"? !
But let''''s forget Obama''''s comments on whether or not he knew for a second. He is toast. Had my vote. Lost my vote.

For UCC to defend Pastor Wright''''s comments is outrageous as the racist comments the Pastor has made. Not once. Not twice%u2026who knows how many times%u2026so many examples on You Tube alone. The Pastor''''s comments are very offensive, divisive and sickening and undermine any of the good works he or his congregation have done.

Please explain to me how your church can support this Pastor and his congregation for giving a lifetime achievement award to Farrakhan and the Pastor''''s highly inflamatory racist remarks?; Reply to this comment


by starpost March 18, 2008 2:21 PM EDT: What makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to talk about race? Because mom was white, dad was black? My cousin has the same genes but he''s not yet a moral leader. You have to lead from the heart, not from your bloodlines. MLK was qualified. He connected heart to heart. His dream was/is for all of us. He spoke in a time of strife, a time when it took daring/faith from blacks/whites to accept his message. MLK never asked us to follow him. Yet people of all colors ended up marching alongside him. He was a man of substance, conviction, compassion. Like his spiritual mentor, Ghandi, MLK never confused himself with "the movement." But Sen. Obama insists he''s qualified to "unite" us. Eager to dazzle with words. His spiritual mentor is Pastor Wright. What a long strange trip from Ghandi to Pastor Wright. Apparently, there are many people eager to listen to/follow Sen. Obama. Today''s show isn''t about race in America, it''s about Sen. Obama. The words will be beautiful, even seductive. I''ve heard enough. The "gradual" distancing from Pastor Wright (to see how much was really needed in lieu of a clean break), "gradual" distancing from Tony Rezko (waiting long enough to close on the mansion and as late as last Friday, beginning to admit the Rezko contributions were a lot more than originally stated) ... "gradual," steady charges of "racism" directed at anyone who dares to challenge him. Enough.; Reply to this comment


by michelle1156 March 18, 2008 2:06 PM EDT: I''m sure You did. Nobody really listens.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 March 18, 2008 1:48 PM EDT: "Those who vote for this man will live to regret it."
Posted by michelle1156 at 10:30 AM : Mar 18, 2008

After 5 years and $503,537,345,606 US $dollars (for what it%u2019s worth now) spent on the Republican Party in Iraq, I sure wish someone would%u2019ve said that same thing to America about George W. Bush!

Happy Iraq Invasion Anniversay!; Reply to this comment


by michelle1156 March 18, 2008 1:30 PM EDT: Anyone who BUYS this explanation wouldn''t bat an eye even it he named Farrakhan as his running mate. Those who vote for this man will live to regret it.; Reply to this comment


by starpost March 18, 2008 1:13 PM EDT: What makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to talk about race? Because mom was white, dad was black? My cousin has the same genes but he''s not yet a moral leader. You have to lead from the heart, not from your bloodlines. MLK was qualified. He connected heart to heart. His dream was/is for all of us. He spoke in a time of strife, a time when it took daring/faith from blacks/whites to accept his message. MLK never asked us to follow him. Yet people of all colors ended up marching alongside him. He was a man of substance, conviction, compassion. Like his spiritual mentor, Ghandi, MLK never confused himself with "the movement." But Sen. Obama insists he''s qualified to "unite" us. Eager to dazzle with words. His spiritual mentor is Pastor Wright. What a long strange trip from Ghandi to Pastor Wright. Apparently, there are many people eager to listen to/follow Sen. Obama. Today''s show isn''t about race in America, it''s about Sen. Obama. The words will be beautiful, even seductive. I''ve heard enough. The "gradual" distancing from Pastor Wright (to see how much was really needed in lieu of a clean break), "gradual" distancing from Tony Rezko (waiting long enough to close on the mansion and as late as last Friday, beginning to admit the Rezko contributions were a lot more than originally stated) ... "gradual," steady charges of "racism" directed at anyone who dares to challenge him. Enough.; Reply to this comment