Michelle Obama: "Voters Are Tired Of This"

Barack Obama, Wife Try To Put Controversy Over Rev. Wright To Rest

(AP)  Democrat Barack Obama and his wife said Thursday the public is tired of hearing about incendiary remarks by their former pastor, as they sought to put the controversy that has rocked his presidential campaign to rest.

"We hear time and time again voters are tired of this," Michelle Obama said in an interview the couple gave to NBC's "Today" show.

"They don't want to hear about this division, they want to know what are we going to do to move beyond these issues," she said. "And what made me feel proud of Barack in this situation is that he is trying to move us as a nation beyond these conversations that divide."

Barack Obama said he initially tried to give the Rev. Jeremiah Wright the benefit of the doubt when films clips first surfaced on the Internet of fiery sermons the pastor gave at their Chicago church — a series of haranguing declarations from the pulpit in which he damned the United States for racial oppression and accusing the government of deliberately spreading the HIV virus to harm black people.

"When the first snippets came out, I thought it was important to give him the benefit of the doubt because if I had wanted to be politically expedient I would have distanced myself and denounced him right away, right? That would have been the easy thing to do," said Obama. This week he denounced Wright's comments as "giving comfort to those who prey on hate."

In speeches and interviews over the past week, Wright has said that criticism surrounding his sermons is an attack on the black church. He dismissed Obama's widely-praised speech last month in Philadelphia — which sought to put Wright's sermons in the context of the black experience in the United States — as political posturing.

Wright had been Obama's pastor for more than 20 years. Wright brought Obama to Christianity, inspired the title of his book "The Audacity of Hope," officiated at his wedding and baptized his daughters.

Barack Obama acknowledged the Wright controversy, as well as his own remarks about voters clinging to guns and religion in economically-depressed Pennsylvania towns, have hurt his campaign and the damage is beginning to show in polls.

"I think it's pretty clear what has happened," he said. "We've had — what — two months now, or a month and a half, in which you've had the Reverend Wright controversy, you've had the issue of my comments in San Francisco that have been magnified pretty heavily — that's been a pretty full dose."

In a separate interview with CNN taped Wednesday, Michelle Obama said her husband's denunciation of Wright's comments was "a tough thing for him to do."

"Yes, it was painful. Yes, it's been difficult, but I think that the more difficult thing that this country is facing is trying to move politics into conversations around problems and problem-solving, and that's what we're going to be pretty determined to do," she said. "I think that this is about all I'm going to say on this issue, and I think we're going to close this chapter and move into the next phase of this election. With that, I'm hoping that we'll talk about something else."

[mbcsmith]

Hey Michelle, how would you know what America thinks. You haven''t got aclue what we who "cling" to our guns and religion believe.

[rowdytexan2]

After listening to Wright''s swill for twenty years, he wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt???

Keep digging the hole deeper! Geezus how many times is he going to lie about this!

And the gas bag Michelle who spews Rev. Wright''s krap every where she goes hasn''t a CLUE that her beloved Barak with her help ARE divisive!

[darrren12000]

Pretty decent spin...gave him the benefit of the doubt (I guess he was a looney for 20 years, and then recovered in March). Now - too late. Now, people are tired. LOL. great stuff. that''s really the best he can do under the circumstances though. good politician that barack. funny how he is the postracial black and the postpolitical politician.

[jack3213]

FROM A WOMAN WHO IS NOW JUST PROUD OF THE COUNTRY- BUT BEFORE WHILE SHE SAT IN THAT CHURCH WITH HER HUSBAND AND KIDS RECENTLY SHE WS NOT PROUD- NOW THAT HER HUSBAND WANTS ''FAME'' SHE CHANGES HER TUNE. AS BIG A NUTCASE AS CLINTON. WILL SHE RUN FOR PRESIDENCY IN 2012??

[smiley676]

I don''t want a president who chooses to surround himself with people like Bill Ayers, Rezko and Rev. Wright.

It doesn''t say much about his ability to judge character.

[broncfan1661]

The reverand is now gagged and tied up in the basement of his church so now we can move on to other things.

[flygrlwanabe]

Michelle Obama said her husband''s denunciation of Wright''s comments was "a tough thing for him to do."

she said. "I think that this is about all I''m going to say on this issue, and I think we''re going to close this chapter and move into the next phase of this election. With that, I''m hoping that we''ll talk about something else."

Why is it so hard to denounce someone so vile as Wright? Revulsion comes naturally to the sincerely unbigoted. Just as we innately scatter from the spray of a snake''s poisonous venom, Obama shouldn''t have any problem separating from Wright''s revolting sputum.

[dante805]

Michelle Obama IS the problem - she''s just as bad as Wright. Shut up Prune Face - you ever see a close up of her? Uuuggghhhh. His Bitter small town Americans, Punished with a baby, and Typical white person are just as bad as her: Finally proud of America (1st statement) then she is really proud (2nd statement)

Never attended a White Church (even though he and Michelle preach diversity)

Her writing an essay on black separatists in Princeton

She should take a vacation with Wright.

[ramos937]

Obama could kill this story in one day. All he has to do is to state why he stayed in Wright''s church for over 20 years (also why he brought his family). During all of this time, Wright was daming America in various ways. He sat in the pew and listened to that year after year.
To kill the matter, Obama needs to come forward with
good reason(s) as to why he stayed.

Originally, he gave the reason that the church and the Wright did good deeds. That does not wash. Chicago has many black churches that do good deeds with pastors who also do many good deeds.

Senator Obama - If you do not fully address this matter, it will be a sore subject during the rest of the primaries. If you make it to the general election, this will be great fodder for the Republicans.

[broncfan1661]

Obama should give up the Presidency and just play basketball.

[flygrlwanabe]

The above posters are right! Who does she think she''s fooling? What---trying to manipulate us into thinking WE want to forget her and Wright''s disgusting remarks?

Oh no, Michelle! I think what we want is for you and Wright to be made accountable. You can''t talk to American citizens the way you two have and expect us not to react.

Get real and get nice, or it''s going to get worse!

[wfbdem]

Obama should give up the Presidency and just play basketball.

Posted by broncfan1661

And here I thought the bigoted rightwing Klan-wannbes were going to sit out this year. Looks like the republican base is actually starting to stir.
Seriously, can he not just shoot these in-bred racists in the head and have done? What year is this? 2008? Isn''t it about time for the bigoted right to grow the hell up?

[libh8er]

No we''re not, Michelle. We''re tired of you and your husband!

[libh8er]

Obama should give up the Presidency and just play basketball.
Posted by broncfan1661 at 11:33 AM : May 01, 2008

ROFL...or dancing with the stars! He did really well on the Ellen Degenerate show. :)

[concorde5]

Most americans don''t give a d*mn about the wright story. In fact a lot of conservatives actually agree with Wright. Hagee and Falwell have said the same things as wright.

That''s why there isn''t much movement in the polls.

Hillary needs to get out while she still has her dignity.

[allamr18]

wow, the people on this board cant take hearing truth. if cindy mccain had said this none of yall would be acting like this. if it were bill no problem, but ah the black candidates wife who says shes truly proud of america for the first time is a problem. oo how anti american of her to not have the blind patriotism you have. and lets be clear Rev Wright is not the only person who says america has to take responsibility for our faulty plan in the war. last month 49 soldiers died the most deadly month in 7 months and no one talks about it. but you guys can be mad at michelle it wont change anything. america is going down the hole. it will take more than these three candidates to fix it. wake up and realize that

[elsylee28]

Please check out "The Truth vs Barack Obama"

http://savagepolitics.com/?p=317

I saw this today, and HAD to share it with everyone. It is just a brilliantly researched and written list of inconsistencies with several of Obama''s stories. I think it should be done for ALL three candidates, but I guess this is a good way to start at finally looking at the candidates with some honesty.

http://savagepolitics.com/?p=317

[krenz4]

You racist A holes go on and on attacking Michelle and REv Wright, ignoring the very issues that are going to cause this country real trouble. Calling Michelle a ''b'' is this your code word for a black woman these days. She has not shown herself to be anything but first lady material. You ignorant sob''s are so stirred up over trivia it is sickening. The upside? Everytime you open your bigoted mouths, you prove not only Obama correct in his assessment of the typical cmpaign, but you prove Wright correct as well in his assesment of America as a racist country!

[popstom1]

Only Obamanites and the chicago politician Obama
are tired of hearing about the Rev.Wright and
the wimp''s mind set we know what you belive
the frist time I am proud of America

[allamr18]

lol have you not read any history books? you can look in those and say man weve done some pretty foul things. you can acknowledge that and say mm we need to change because this isnt right. hillary is tough and a fighter for speaking out but michelle is out of her place and elitist. please be consistent.

[popstom1]

Maybe they had another basement meeting with the
Rev.Wright.

[krenz4]

Wanna talk about lies? Lets talk about Hillary''s latest biggie on Sellinng out military manufacturers to China? HMMM?

[allamr18]

a cooky reverend or a lie straight from someones mouth hmm?

[krenz4]

You go on and on about supposed lies Obama has told about the Wright non issue, and casually ignore hillarys lies on a MAJOR national security, and economic issue. You folks have lost your minds. You are so carried away with ''hatin on a brother'' that you are willing to ignore the real "b'' walking all over our intelligence.

[popstom1]

I am all for change but by some one who know''s
how! not the back room dealing chicago politician
Obama

[blkpresident]

Jane Fonda, Patty Hearst and Hillary Clinton...

[suzyku]

We ARE tired of this! The media has become "tabloid". If you had all done your job when dubya was lying to the people of this country instead of running scared, perhaps we wouldn''t be in the mess we''re in now! Get off the trash and get down to serious business. What about the lies of billary? what about the hypocrisy of mccain and billary? DO YOUR JOBS! ENOUGH TRASH, ENOUGH GARBAGE. WE HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES IN THIS COUNTRY, ADDRESS THEM!

[blkpresident]

How many $%#$%^ times does someone have to say Pastor Wright is NOT running for president!!!

[popstom1]

krenz show me proof

[concorde5]

There''s clearly a double standard applied to Obama.

We never ask about McCain''t support from Hagee, or Bill Clinton''s association with Rev. Wright.

Let''s at least be fair and apply the same standard to all candidates.

[broncfan1661]

Rev Wright is not the only person who says america has to take responsibility for our faulty plan in the war. last month 49 soldiers died the most deadly month in 7 months and no one talks about it.
Posted by Allamr18 at 11:53 AM : May
01, 2008
_____________________________________

It has nothing to do with color. It has to do with honesty. The reason we saw 49 soldiers die in Iraq last month is because we had a president for 7 years who lied to us about almost everything including the reason for going to war and we sure don''t want another one like that no matter what color he is.

[obamasgranny]

Tired of you Michelle!!

NOBAMA 08

[popstom1]

Blk he show what Obama''s mind if he has one set is
I know deep in his mind hideing it from everyone
It''s all whitey fault.

[krenz4]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4757257&page=
popstom; Here you go. Now maybe some of you can start looking at some real issues for a change instead of manufacturing and regurgitating stupid *****.

[popstom1]

I don''t have too trash the chicago politician
Obama he take''s good care of that job himself

[obamasgranny]

The only people that are tired of this are Obama-Bots!! Go home Michelle and take Barack with you,...he needs to put his apron back on and bake you some pot brownies!! Maybe you will let Barack run for president of the local PTA?

[realpatriot1]

Lib8her,

Most Americans would fit your definition of a bed-wetting lib and Marxist since what you really mean is anyone who doesn''t think like you.

[libh8er]

realpatriot1,

That''s your opinion and you''re entitled to it. If what you say is true, why do lib politiciasn lie and portray themselves as moderates and centrists to try and get elected?

[krenz4]

Whew!!

[jack3213]

ISN''''T IT ALWAYS THE CASE THAT AFTER A WAR, THE ECONOMY PICKS UP? THIS IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER WAR AND THOSE WHO THINK THAT IT IS BUSH''S FAULT THAT THE USA IS IN BAD SHAPE- IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS MAKING THOSE PROMISES TO YOU TWO YEARS AGO ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS THEY NEVER MADE. THE LIBERALS WANT TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT THEIR PARTY HAS THEIR HEAD UP THEIR A--..YES THAT IS WHO YOU WANT TO TRUST- ANOTHER DEMOCRAT??? SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK CONSERVATIVE-AND GET AWAY FROM THE NUMSKULLS.

[Stratmaster7]

Voters are tired of this That is why there are 800+ comments on every story about it.

[libh8er]

That is why there are 800+ comments on every story about it.
Posted by stratmaster2 at 12:42 PM : May 01, 2008

She just meant that foaming at the mouth Ubama supporters are tired of it.

[Stratmaster7]

Jack, please. The dem congress? The ones who get a GOP fillibuster every time they try to pas legislation? The ones who have every bill they pass vetoed by the criminal in the oval office? Or the ones who if they do get a bill passed, have a criminal pres who has a record number of "signing statements" that basically say I will sign but I will never adhere to this legislation? What abouth when the GOP had prez and congress for 6 years. Why did they let this happen, and why do you think they got voted out? Yeah, keep thinking "conservative" (BTW, the GOP is not really conservative anymore).

[obama8years]

America will not lay down and let radicals take over the country. Tired, I think not. Were going to keep exposing. America Deserves better leadership than what the Obamas can give us. Actions speak louder than words. And Obama your past actions are unsavory.

[taddles-2009]

"SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK CONSERVATIVE-AND GET AWAY FROM THE NUMSKULLS.

Posted by JACK3213 at 12:42 PM : May 01, 2008"


The Dems were not in power when the policies that have created the present economic problems were rubber stamped by a spend happy Republican congress. To say otherwise is simply historic revisionism at it''s arrogant worst.

[libh8er]

taddles,

nice try

[taddles-2009]

"If what you say is true, why do lib politiciasn lie and portray themselves as moderates and centrists to try and get elected?

Posted by LibH8er at 12:39 PM : May 01, 2008"


Why do conservative politicians lie and portray themselves as centrists and then pander to the religious right to get elected?

[libh8er]

taddles,

again, nice try

[libh8er]

To say otherwise is simply historic revisionism at it''''s arrogant worst.
Posted by taddles at 12:51 PM : May 01, 2008

Actually, you''re right about the republicans spending like democrats. We are VERY disappoited in their truncating conservative principals. They have sold us out and will pay the price.

[taddles-2009]

"Oblamea just today introduced Senate bill 2433 which will impose yet another TAX upon ALL Americans to raise $845,000,000,000 *(that''''''''s 845 billion) to send to 3rd World countries to war on poverty.

Posted by tuffone3 at 12:45 PM : May 01, 2008"


S. 2433: Global Poverty Act of 2007
Introduced: Dec 7, 2007
Scheduled for Debate: Apr 24, 2008

Cosponsors:
Sen. Joseph Biden [D-DE]
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-WA]
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D-CT]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Charles Hagel [R-NE]
Sen. Thomas Harkin [D-IA]
Sen. Tim Johnson [D-SD]
Sen. John Kerry [D-MA]
Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN]
Sen. Robert Menindez [D-NJ]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Gordon Smith [R-OR]
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R-ME]

A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day."


I thought I''d post some information on this bill since you seem not to know much real information about it.