Clinton "Glad" Obama Gave Race Speech

By: Ryan Corsaro
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

PHILADELPHIA -- Hillary Clinton said she was pleased her opponent Barack Obama gave a speech on race today, but said she had not yet heard or read the speech.

"I wanted to start out by saying I did not have the chance to see or to read yet Senator Obama's speech," said Clinton. "But I am very glad he gave it. It's an important topic."

Clinton appeared alongside Philadelphia Mayor Joe Nutter, former ambassador Joe Wilson, and Wilson's wife, outed CIA agent Valerie Plame.

"Issues of race and gender in America have been complicated throughout our history and they are complicated in this primary campaign," continued Clinton. "There have been detours and pitfalls along the way."

She went on to note the historic significance of either a woman or an African American becoming the first presidential nominee of a major political party.

On the issue of economy, Clinton said that this weekend's purchase of Bear Stearns by J.P. Morgan was "not a bailout, it was a fire sale" and warned that the financial detriment in this country rested on the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

While Clinton focused most of her statements on the war in Iraq snd Wall Street's financial woes, many of the questions continued to ask about Obama's speech.

Clinton appeared to entertain the idea of making her own speech on these issues, but repeated that she would not agree to make a similar speech until she had viewed the one he made today, also in Philadelphia.

"I'll take a look at it," Clinton assured members of the press.

Tomorrow, the National Archives will release her White House schedules from when she was First Lady. Asked about releasing her tax records, a list of earmarks, and campaign donor information, Clinton said she is "the most transparent" when it comes to documentation of her personal and public matters, and that more would be released in the future.

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by ahepburn1 March 19, 2008 6:48 PM EDT: FINALLY, now we all have a reason not to vote for him! A black pastor uses less than eloquent language to address the plight of black americans. How dare he. How dare Obama, who in fact is a black man, listen to a pastor who expresses Christianity and at times over his 30 year career, speaks from a black perspective on racism. If you think this is hateful, welcome to reality. Welcome to a world where black male children must be instructed by their parents to fear police who are supposed to protect them. Welcome to this nations dark side. A side where you have never had to visit until they put Wright on YouTube to make sure we could never have a black president. Glad you all got your excuses early enough. I am so disappointed that racism has finally shot down this campaign. And in my favorite form, reverse racism against the man.; Reply to this comment


by siderchange March 19, 2008 9:42 AM EDT: It is true that that on CNN''s Anderson Cooper, Fox News, etc. Senator Obama stated that he was not in attendance during the more fiery sermons of Rev. Wright. David Berger stated to take the admission at face value, but as journalists one is permitted to search for the truth. Senator Obama made certain that this would NOT happen by quickly retracting his admission through his speech. Senator Obama''s speech was to, first, retract statements which he KNEW would come up later regarding not being present while the terse comments were being preached, provide his diverse background and story, mention his views regarding race, cite his published works regarding this, provide subtle jabs targeting the "divisive campaigns that do not promote unity", and most essentially, to promote his campaign of ''change'', ''hope'', and reconciliation of America to essentially follow him to the path of nomination and of the presidency. How coincidental%u2026.

Senator Obama is the only individual who could have addressed the topic of race. Hillary would be seen as one taking full advantage of the terse situation, and others would view McCain mentioning it as hypocrisy. There are professional concerns I have had with the senator. Here is an article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-galesburg_obama_webfeb01,0,7138122,print.story

Another creditable article with many different sources can be reviewed here:

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/PDFfiles/2008Election.pdf; Reply to this comment


by siderchange March 19, 2008 9:33 AM EDT: It is true that that on CNN''s Anderson Cooper, Fox News, etc. Senator Obama stated that he was not in attendance during the more fiery sermons of Rev. Wright. David Berger stated to take the admission at face value, but as journalists one is permitted to search for the truth. Senator Obama made certain that this would NOT happen by quickly retracting his admission through his speech. Senator Obama''s speech was to, first, retract statements which he KNEW would come up later regarding not being present while the terse comments were being preached, provide his diverse background and story, mention his views regarding race, cite his published works regarding this, provide subtle jabs targeting the "divisive campaigns that do not promote unity", and most essentially, to promote his campaign of ''change'', ''hope'', and reconciliation of America to essentially follow him to the path of nomination and of the presidency. How coincidental%u2026.

Senator Obama is the only individual who could have addressed the topic of race. Hillary would be seen as one taking full advantage of the terse situation, and others would view McCain mentioning it as hypocrisy. There are professional concerns I have had with the senator. Here is an article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-galesburg_obama_webfeb01,0,7138122,print.story

Another creditable article with many different sources can be reviewed here:

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/PDFfiles/2008Election.pdf; Reply to this comment


by agerb1 March 19, 2008 4:18 AM EDT: Ah, Ryan, you may want to proofread your article before publishing/posting it. Mayor Nutter must''ve changed his first name, or I must''ve campaigned for a different person.; Reply to this comment


by shredbetty-2009 March 19, 2008 2:23 AM EDT: To address another commenters question about white pastors, so many have espoused hatred against certain races, they are too numerous to count; as recently as two weeks ago, McCain stood beside one of the most bigoted racists on the planet. Ferraro clearly showed her colors in front of the world. Candidates cannot control other people -- they can only control their own words. I was undecided until I saw this speech. It''s clear that Obama has the courage to tell the truth, even in the face of adversity.; Reply to this comment


by hillsangels1 March 19, 2008 1:51 AM EDT: This speaks to Obama''s core values. When you expose your innocent children for years to these hate filled sermons, when you write a book inspired of this minister, when your wife accidently slips and says that she has never been proud of her country until now, then your actions speak louder than your words saying that you do not identify with your church. You do indeed identify with some element of that contempt that you would be able to sit through it for 20 years. That''s a long time to sit there and disagree.; Reply to this comment


by lordmi March 18, 2008 11:51 PM EDT: Why should he leave that church?
Wee have hard time now, so should we leave for Germany, where Euro is so strong?

He wants and will to deal with it.
If You prefer to close Your eyes and say %u2013 there is no any race problem, You have the right to do so (no matter what Your pastor said about that as well).
But problem is here. And he is going to work on it.
And he will.

What selfish Billary will %u2013 just play and flirt with all of You to get the power she wants the most for her most. Any possible way. If pastor would not work %u2013 she will create something else %u2013 that is her experience.

To trust her any word? If it comforts You %u2013 fine, trust.
But she has never said the truth, that is her famous feature.
By the way, what did she ever ever lead? Or, I forgot, she said %u2013 she led Bill to the White house.

Do not be surprise, when she will tell, that it was her leading Obama to Presidency. Like very old trusted friend.; Reply to this comment


by lordmi March 18, 2008 11:39 PM EDT: to askone : What did Your pasor said Third Sunday in November?; Reply to this comment


by askone-2009 March 18, 2008 10:57 PM EDT: Okay! Good enough. It seems that even though every question was answered completely. You get the liars saying they "were" going to vote, or the guys who won''t comment on his answers - but comment on everything else-but. No regard to Hillary or Mc. No asking. No questions for all. The next time there is a CBS article asking why America is still racist you''ll know why. Why does Europe and the rest of the world laugh at us. There was an article in a Danish paper waiting for us to completely go off the deep end. There''s probably more that i can''t read. Ask yourself, then read yourself. As far as ''steady charges of racism''. What is it if you want one man judged, and not the other for the same thing. Hillary and Mc are going to say that the speech was pretty good. Hillary already said it needed to be done. She''s talking to you.; Reply to this comment


by emsupset March 18, 2008 10:33 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