Obama Tries To Move Past Controversial Pastor
(CBS)
From CBS News' John Bentley
PLAINFIELD, IND. -- Speaking out against his controversial pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama said Wright made statement that were “incendiary and that I completely reject,” but that he would not allow them to derail his campaign. “If all I knew was those statements that I saw on television, I would be shocked,” Obama said. “It just reminds me that we've got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country.”
The fiery pastor at Obama’s church has been quoted as saying that blacks should condemn America for “treating our citizens as less than human,” and that the U.S. brought 9/11 on itself because of its foreign policy.
Hoping to put the controversy behind him, Obama invoked Bobby Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. “He said, at that moment of anguish, we've got a choice in taking the rage and bitterness and disappointment and letting it fester and dividing us further,” Obama said. “Or we can take a different path that says we have different stories, but we have common dreams and common hopes.”
This is the first public visit to Indiana for either Democratic candidate, but it could become a battleground state during their May 6th primary. The northern part of the state is in the Chicago television market, where Obama is frequently on the news, and two of Indiana’s largest cities, Indianapolis and Gary, both have significant African-American populations, which have voted overwhelmingly for Obama. But there are also a number of blue-collar employees in the state, who tend to vote for Hillary Clinton, and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind, is actively campaigning for her.
Aware of the 72 delegates and 12 superdelegates that are at stake here, Obama opened his speech by thanking Indiana’s newest Congressman, Andre Carson – who also happens to be an uncommitted superdelegate. He closed his speech by telling the crowd of around 3000 that he would be actively campaigning in Indiana, and that he “needs people who are willing to get involved.”
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See all 134 CommentsMy sense is that Mr. Obama has the wisdom and compassion to take what is good from some of these wounded and damaged warriors. It may be hard to appreciate this subtlety however. We all have friends and relatives who hold abhorring views on a variety of issues, color, gender equality, sexual preference, religion. In fact we all, if we have an open mind, are in the process towards and not in the position of completeness on a number of issues. To insist that we break all contact with these friends and relatives ignores the humble biblical tenant: we are all sin everyday and are in need of grace.
In the end what is remarkable about Mr. Obama and in fact his central appeal to many of us is his embodiment of the signature American character of optimism. We need look no further than his campaign for the evidence.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright%u2019s statement in no way diminishes the countless lives taken away from us on that day, in September 2001, just as the current Pentagon Report "No link between Saddam and Al-Qaeda: Pentagon study" does not diminish the countless lives gone because of the Iraq War. At this point, what do we say to the Mother, Father, Wife, Child, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend of our beloved American Soldiers?
Can you imagine the sentiment or lack there of, being echoed around the world right now given the report released by the Pentagon? http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080313/wl_mideast_afp/usattacksiraqqaedamilitary_080313220400
Rev. Jeremiah Wright''s sermons have been available to the public for many years along with the sermons of the other pastors at TUCC. Most, churches have a media ministry where anyone can purchase an audio/CD/DVD of any sermon within minutes of its being delivered. There is no %u2018gotcha%u2019 here; all sermons have been available for public purchase for at least the past 15 years. https://www.tucc.org/store/index.cfm?action=catbrowse&catid=40 (if the link doesn%u2019t work go to the site www.tucc.org then click on the book store and go down to worship services) This should give you a better idea of what Obama meant when he said he had not consistently heard those types of statements coming from their Senior Pastor.
We all know someone very close to us who has made statements we don%u2019t agree with; do we cut them off as if they never existed? No, we take the good with the bad because there is a redemptive value intertwined (somewhere) in that friendship/relationship; especially, when that outspoken person is the one who led you to Christ. You never ever forget how you came to CHRIST!
For those who were so easily manipulated by this diversion - always remember you have access to the most effective research tool ever invented. There is enough out there to help you make an informed decision.
Martin Luther King Jr. said that 11:00 on Sunday morning is "the most segregated hour in America."
Obama played on the guilt of white liberals to put forth his racially divisive plans into place.
We are who we associate. Farrakhan? Wright?
There are no questions about Obama''s anger over how his Mother was shunned by whites for her marriages to two black man.
He is avenging her life through this race.
Wake up America.
If you had a really crappy day, week, or a severe personal struggle and mouthed off to everyone in your family, they have every reason to set you right, but they shouldn''t disown you. Instead, they should reach out and do everything they can to uncover the root of your difficulties. Good physical care comes from treating the source, not the symptoms. The same applies to our spiritual health. If there is a problem, we must be diligent in our efforts to offer love to the one who is hurting.
I''m sure the pastor at the United Church of Christ in Chicago is a beloved person. At his hour of need, I would expect that his congregation would want to help him rather than toss him out. I would hope my family, friends, and community of faith would do the same for me.
Wishing you a brand new day...
Bobbie Sue
Politicians including Obama are like bad actors. His PR David Axelrod tells Obama what to do or say next.
90 % if what Obama says us bull.
He joined his church to get a politcal base in Chicago then repudiates his mentor when it looks like it might effect his national politics.
Just another politician who will do whats expediant.
It''s all scripted folks.
Politicians including Obama are like bad actors. His PR David Axelrod tells Obama what to do or say next.
90 % if what Obama says us bull.
He joined his church%
Please watch the above video I came across regarding the relationship of the Clinton''s with Peter Paul and help me understand how this story can be so silent when a non-story like Rezko is covered daily.
Obama says one thing and believes another. His vision of healing is a vision of division. It is inconceivable; that over 20 years time Obama has never sat thru a sermon when his pastor said such inflammatory statements.
If my pastor or rabbi were to have made one comment in such a similar fashion, I would no longer be affiliated with that congregation end of story.
The Sunday after 9/11, Barack Hussein Obama sat in the pews while his pastor spewed that filth about our country.
I %u201Chope%u201D, Michelle Obama can be proud now; she and her husband have supported a racist, anti-Semite, and anti-American man%u2019s vision. It is now easier to see the parallels of Michelle''s comments with the mentality of Pastor Wright''s.
Barack your brood can roost in Chicago.
Plrdar
Making a mountain out of a mole hill is the issue here. If you don''t support Obama that is fine with me. Just don''t think for me.
"U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives.
The most remarkable facet of Obama''s 92-minute discussion was that, at the outset, he pledged to answer every question the three dozen Tribune journalists crammed into the room would put to him. And he did....
When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him.
Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict."
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?
You''re no doubt a Republican troll tyring to disguise your distaste for Obama with this bogus "more in sorrow than in anger" ***.
So you saying that dont pick Mccain because of his age, dont pick Clinton because she a woman. Pick Obama - proven in the past 7 days to be tied spiritually to a racially bigoted church. You must be a member of this church. Because the first statement is racist.
"Barack Obama Picks Up 9 Delegates in Iowa Thanks to Those Who Switched From John Edwards"
Enlighten me on Michele Obama''s corporate position with the non-profit hospital. What are her credentials? Civil Servant? He''s a politician, everyone knows that a politician serves he, his family and friends first. Believe me his "civil service" is not being done from the goodness of his heart. Its greed. He''ll write 6 more books in the next 4 years. All telling how the white man stole the election and now the country will not change. He''s racist, he''s a bigot, he''s a liar and he deserves his wife.
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