If you really want to be shocked, check out the actual video of Rev. Wright's words. He acts very smug and insults the girl asking questions. You think for all the trouble he caused he would be trying to make Obama look better.

http://campaigncircus.com/video_player.php?v=9322

So much for the "close relationship" the pundits try to shout about. If truely Wright were mentoring Obama....he would cool his jets.

I still don't have a problem with Wright.

My problem isn't with Wright. He can say pretty much what he wants. However, there is no doubt that he is injecting his personal and militant views about the World into the bibilical scripture. He is also stepping straigt into the political arena in choosing to speak out at this point in time.

My problem is with Obama, who again made the wrong choices in his close associations (Wright, Ayers and Rezko).

Obama isn't running for presidency of Black Americans; he's running for presidency of all Americans. We've already spent the past 8 years with a president who surrounded himself with the other extreme....I'm not willing to go another 4.

Yes, it does seem that if they were once close they are no longer. Wright seems to be enjoying his time in the limelight. I wonder if Wright is trying now to sabotage Obama, as then it will confirm once again his belief that white America is still holding blacks down.

I'm imagining that, by now, this clown has found a way onto some Republican payroll. He's clearly the strongest white folk scarecrow in their arsenal.

And the press just keeps devoting their ever-hungry lenses and keyboards his way.

Let em have it, Rev!

Don't see why this is a "big problem" for Obama. In McCain's campaign it's called the "Straight Talk Express".

The Rev. Wright issue, while it gives us an insight into an ideological mindset which was previously unexplored, really has nothing to do with Obama or his thoughts on the issue. By analogy, we do not see the press questioning McCain's pastor about his feelings on Vietnamese / White relations or how such relations jibe with scripture. That what could be our first election in a generation, with two viable candidates who have the ability to put forward real and relevant political discourse has degenerated into this juvenile slapfest is a real shame.

When will someone ask Jeremiah Wright what Obama truly knows about Wright's views. Wright should be able to tell us what stances Obama agrees/disagrees with Wright. His speech on Monday gave a good idea. That Obama is a politician and that he can't really tell the way he truly believes, but he insinuates Obama feels the same way as him. You hear over and over he is throwing "Obama under the bus". Know is the time for Wright to tell what he knows and pull him out from under the bus or totally under the bus.

Well god FORBID a black male in America not be 'humble' in his opinion and speak his mind freely!! If ANYBODY is playing 'kitchen sink' politics it's YOU putzes who look for any and every petty,stupid,vapid,wothless ridiculous thing to attack Obama on yet vote and elect many,many,MANY white male politicians who not only a-s-s-o-c-i-a-t-e with unsavory characters but give them cushy jobs and questionable pardons as well. Then you have the racist full of it hypocrite media who are lying in wait like the jackals they are to make something of nothing OR complain that Mr. Wright exercise the very SAME freedom they use and abuse EVERY SINGLE DAY! Barack Obama doesn't have to apologize any more for Jeremiah Wright than Mcain does about Jerry Falwell nobody had a problem with THAT dangerous liasion. Gee wonder why.

This "if it's God's will..." thing gets all twisted around. People who say to pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you have it right, in my mind. God will not fill out a job application for you. People who say if it's their time for God to call them home there is nothing that's going to change it and then don't prepare for the hurricane that's coming have it wrong.

I proudly support Barack Obama.

As I listen to all of this flap, I came across the pastor and his congregation of the Westboro Church and his congregation that damns America and protests at funerals of military personnel. They make Reverend Wright look like a universal peacemaker. It only points out that as we waste time focusing in on this preacher from a church in Chicago, we ignore anything else that is similar. If you can't believe that a well educated, intellectually astute man such as B. Obama can't distingquish between right and wrong, then don't vote for him. However, if you feel that he has the intelligence to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the people of the United States of America, then vote for him. No one has mentioned the recent racist rant of Patrick Buchanan. You can't shape your life on people you have known in your past.Take a mirror and look into your own lives and talk about who you dropped by the wayside and when you dropped them. Many women marry a man and stay with him for years before discovering that he is not in their best interest. Then comes divorce. In other words, let's forget Jeremiah Wright who will never be the President of the United States and move on with this election that we seem determined to give to the Republicans with the help of the media.

Wright is an Al Sharpton wanna-be.
He opens his mouth, idiocy comes out.
Why Obama thinks this nut is someone worth listening to is beyond me. Why ANYONE would listen to him is beyond me too.
I find it ironic that a man who "hates the USA" as much as he says he does lives high on the hog due to this country's non-taxing of churches and church-owned property, like his new $1,000,000+ house. Hypocritical to say the least.

bill r.: Obama himself has called Wright his spritual mentor and also akin to an old uncle even when he was trying to somewhat distance himself from Wright. They may not be buddy, buddy. However, to say that Obama did not have somewhat of a personal connection with Wright is also a bit disingenuous. In all honesty, I consider Obama a good but not great candidate. I just can't stand his supporters who hold him to be the Messiah of good government without any basis in fact.

Baraxck has no proble what so eveer! It is the pres which have a problem here. You would like to see Wright demolish Obama but it is not going to happen because Americans are astute, they can see what is going on. Anybody with the smallest amount of sense can see that Wright is on his on. He iscorrect if he does not become president God did not plan that for him at this stage in his life but we are trying to takle the wright thing too far. You are making him too important. Obama will win anyway, just leave the poor man to carry on with his campigning!

Margatret, London

If my neighborhood Priest was found to be a child molester, and I distanced myself from him, would the media deem me a child molester, too? You can't stop people from thinking/doing what they do. But that doesn't equate to the people who have associated with that person to be as 'guilty.'

Wright appears to be suffering from an advance case of bigoted narcissism and is proving to be a total ass. Shame on the media for drinking Wright's kool-aid since this non-entity isn't worth the attention!
Pity, I would have voted for Obama but since Hillary will get the nomination, I'm going with McCain.

Stop give Wright the coverage he wants. Stop adding fuel to the fire.

I am not going to vote for Obama. I live in Chicago. Obama is from the South side and the crime is so high. We had 40 shootings last week. If Obama can make a difference with his footprints through the south side, then how the hell can he change the nation? I think Obama better go back to his own backyard and clean up the south side. VOTE FOR HILLARY !!!

He is correct in saying he does not know what God wants. But he still gets criticized for it. If he was to say 'of course it is God will for Obama to be President, then everyone would jump on him for assuming he has first hand knowledge of what God wants. The media has created and continues to promote controversy where there is none and has made Rev. Wright "damned if you do and damned if you don't."
Whatever damage there may be is neither the fault of Rev. Wright nor Senator Obama.

Doesn't any Obama supporter see the problem here? Obama chose this man to be his spirtual adivsor for years. Wright is a egocentric televangelist type of pastor. If nothing else it shows poor judgement on Obama's part.

Of course, I believe Obama just chose this church originally to up his street cred in the black community for his Senate run in Illinois and now that is coming back to haunt him in his presidential run. Everything Obama does and has every done has a political angle. Obama isn't concerned about changing America, he is only concerned about gaining power. Just like his pastor, Obama is egocentric above all else and just like Wright said Obama will say anything he has to as a politician. He is no different than Hillary in that regard. The question should be who is better qualified to be President right now.

Wright is to Obama as Nader was to Gore.

Keep it up you egotistcal big mouth!

Please let it go people. Stop playing into the media's hands by giving them something to go on and on about. Things that don't matter. Rev. Wright didn't ask for this. These things were brought up by the media and continues to be circulated for what they deem as newsworthy topics. If we fall for it, then I have to wonder how intelligent are we?

I think the black community will rightfully have a problem with Wright if he costs Obama the nomination because of his 15 minutes of fame attitude.

I voted for Obama in the Illinois primary.

I have since wished that I voted for Clinton.

If the election turns out to be between Obama and McCain, I will vote for McCain.

I have lost confidence in Obama.

Andrew said:

"[T]here is no doubt that [Wright] is injecting his personal and militant views about the World into the bibilical scripture."

I call BS on that. Militant? As far as I have been able to determine, you couldn't be farther from the truth. Show me a single example to support your statement. Or let your unsubstantiated rumor perish, as it should.

---

Clyde said:

"I find it ironic that a man who "hates the USA" as much as he says he does lives high on the hog due to this country's non-taxing of churches and church-owned property, like his new $1,000,000+ house."

Simple false. He HASN'T said he hates the USA. It sounds to me as if, like so many others, you have simply neglected due diligence and interpreted a soundbite of his words that way.

I think that on some level (conscious or subconscious) Write doesn't want to let go of his anger toward the white man. I think that if Obama were to secure the nomination, Write would loose the one thing that others depend upon him for - transcendence of oppression and reinforcing the victim mentality - which is one and the same as forefeiting responsibility and self reliance to the will of God.

These Wright articles are sickening. Last time I checked, we're electing a president to office, not a crazed preacher.

The media must have it in for Obama, because these desperate attempts at slander become more and more feeble with each new slime-ridden article.

The upsetting part is the number of people who buy into these horrid articles. Obama is a much more viable candidate than Billary, and any further attempts at bringing Obama down will simply serve to increase the chance McBush has of winning.

Posted by: JD | April 29, 2008 12:28 PM

Maybe you can tell me why the republicans are so proud to have a "relationship" with Hagee, Falwell, Robertson, Haggerty, and others that talk hate to all sorts of American groups as well as other religions. The republicans call these talkers of hate their BASE.

Here folks is a perfect example of liberal brain rot

"Whatever damage there may be is neither the fault of Rev. Wright nor Senator Obama" -

Of course Donna, nothing is ever their fault, don't you know we are all victims, there is no personal responsbility, lets just find somebody else to blame while acquitting ourself.

Well take you pick
1) WASPS
2) Low self-esteem
3) GOP
4) Bush
5) The church
6) Phillip Morris
7) McDonalds
8) Entertainment industry
9) Parents
10) CEOS

The Far Left Loons love Wright. He parrots the nonsense the Far Left loves to parrot. Rev. Wright has made a fortune perpetuating the victimhood of black people and continuing any unrest among the races. While some racism still exists, it is not the norm. Shoot, just yesterday at the Nashville airport I saw a white man and a black man sitting side by side carrying on with a wonderful conversation between themselves. That is more normal than not.

And the Far Left loons in the media like Bill Moyers are helping Wright in his one-man wrecking crew mission. IN regard to Moyers's interview it was a nice, fuzzy, warm interview loaded with softball after softball question. It was like watching Barbara Walters interview a celebrity during her pre-Oscar show!

Moyers did not ask one tough question of Rev. Wright. He never challenged him on anything. And then seeing more of Wright's comments yesterday and some clips of his speech Sunday, well the guy is a hypocritical racist (don't be so sensitive to this Swamp censors). Sorry, but when you rail against rich, white people and the have a $1.6 million, 10-square-foot house built in a rich, white subdivision of Tinley Park, that is hypocritical racism.

My belief is that Rev. Wright is doing all of this for these reasons:
1. He loves and is craving the spotlight. He is profiting from the spotlight too.
2. But more importantly, I think Wright wants to prevent Obama from winning the Dem nomination or the White House. Why? Because then that will prove his point that this is a "racist" and "evil" nation, incapable of electing a black man to be president. And, then he can crow how right he is and profit from it. Maybe even incite some rioting.

Even the Obama campaign is getting frustrated with Wright. He is killing his campaign. Wright is a hypocritical racist, and he is showing to be a black man only interested in keeping the black people down.

I think someone should look into the possibility that Wright is somehow being paid by the Clinton campaign.

Which 'mentor' or 'uncle' who made his pupil/nephew who he/she is to look down on him?

Mr. Wright made Obama what he is today. Wright helped him climb the ladders with his influence in South Side Chicago. Mr. Wright made it clear that what Obama said in Philladelphia was what he needed to say as a politician - that means Obama was not sincere in denouncing Wrights' words. But in that speech Obama looked down on Mr. Wright (Obama is used to look down on people).

Thus Obama's judgement to sit the church for 20 years is coming back to haunt him. The church helped him to become the senator but would bring him down eventually.

This isn’t about people being bitter or angry. It is about Obama’s Marxist belief that people ‘cling’ to religion and guns out of bitterness. It was never just about the pastor. It was about Obama's character and judgment to sit in the church with his innocent daughters for 20 years listening to the rants that are full of filth, racism and anti-American hatred.

Obama is a divider as in order to save himself from the pastor controversy he tried to DIVIDE us on ‘race’. Now with his ‘bitter small-townies’ controversy, he is trying to DIVIDE us on ‘economic inequalities’.

WAKE up AMERCIA. HOW CAN THIS MAN BE AN UNITER? Obama is scary. He is like a wolf inside a sheep’s skin.

Wright is 10 times smarter than all of the candidates including OBama. Obama's vision is for RICH, SMUG, SNOOTY, CAN DO NO WRONG - America. Wright's vision is for God, who does see America's past and present sins as a nation. Wright is trying to please God, and he has stepped on America's brand new prada shoes....forgive him for caring about human etrocities.

Obama is a visionary in his ownright looking to bridge the divisive racial chasm in this country. We say it doesn't exist and then let CLINTON use Dr. Wright to divide and paint Obama as a black candidate.

$100 REWARD FOR ANSWERS

I'm just a poor, confused American voter still trying to figure out this whole Pastor Hagee controversy.

Here's what I've figured out from the tiny morsels of information I've gleaned from the world wide webnet:

Right-wing pastor John Hagee says vile, despicable things about patriotic Americans...the worst being that Catholics are part of a church that is a "great whore," that "all Muslims have a mandate to kill Christians and Jews," and that God damns America with hurricanes because gay Americans plan parades.
Oh, and Hagee says God wants us to destroy Iran ASAP.

John McCain actively seeks Pastor Hagee's endorsement and gets it.

When John McCain accepts Hagee's endorsement, he doesn't include a list of the pastor's statements that he finds unacceptable. No, my friends, he accepts the whole Hagee package with no ifs, ands, or buts.

When McCain finds out that Hagee thinks God damns America because of gays, Catholics, Muslims and others, McCain is shocked...shocked! But he continues to praise Pastor Hagee and cherish his crucial endorsement.
Instead of turning the controversy into a teachable moment---with, say, a groundbreaking speech on religious diversity and equality for all Americans---McCain, the straight-talker, continues to weave and waffle his way through the Hagee controversy, hoping that the media will give him yet another free pass. (Most of the media comply in exchange for some excellent barbeque behind McCain's bus.)

When gently---ever so gently---pressed about Hagee's statements weeks later by journalists, a visibly agitated McCain blurts out that, hey, at least he wasn't my pastor for twenty years!!!

Questions for Mr. McCain:

If John Hagee was your pastor for twenty years, would you have left the church over his anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti-Catholic and America-damning comments?

If yes, why do you continue to accept Hagee's endorsement?
If no, why not?

So I am a very confused average ordinary American voter today. That's why I'm offering a hundred dollars to the first journalist who asks the above questions to McCain's face, doesn’t let him off the hook until he gives a "straight talk" answer, and then airs or publishes those comments. Offer expires May 31, 2008.

Rev. Wright is to religion what Hulk Hogan is to the sport of wrestling, a showman, a hustler, a bobastic egotist, who cares little for the true sport, but draws in the crowds and the money. They both serve a purpose, but they both appeal to their fans' most basic instincts. If we take them too seriously we lose sight of what the game is all about. They are short on message, but very long on entertainment value. So enjoy the show for what it is!!

vote for a proven leader - McCain

Why do Americans of color must all was justify their reasons. All those Catholic politicians were not ask to denounce the pope or their religion for the thousands priests that has sexual abuse all those children. They weren't even ask to comment on them. Senator Obama is both Black and white, but white america only see his Black father.

After slogging through this entire mess, I've come to one conclusion: I still support Barack Obama for President. The Jeremiah Wright story is full of sound and fury but signifies ... nothing.

perspicio said: "I call BS on that. Militant? As far as I have been able to determine, you couldn't be farther from the truth. Show me a single example to support your statement. Or let your unsubstantiated rumor perish, as it should."

Andrey replies: call it what you want, it doesn't make it any less than offensive or acceptable. Just because he keeps saying it's not about the American people doesn't mean we can't get offended.

There are words that inspire and words that incite....are you really arguing the purpose of his words ??

-9/11 is America's chickens coming home to roost???

-acting as if U.S. doesn't have blood on its (not our) hands.

-U.S. Marines are like Roman legionnaires who curcificied Jesus.

-U.S. government created HIV/AIDs for the purpose of genocide of Africans (he since backstepped to "could").

The press hasn't been treating this with kid gloves today. The focus has been on Wright's intentions. However, Obama will have to answer why he chose to be with Wright for so long (and apparently so close).

I would never vote for Obama cuz he's a far-left liberal. However, what he should say to Rev. Wrong is: " I love you as a Christian. Now SHUT UP and please don't say another word publically, for the next 7 months ! "

The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an articulate, emiinently educated pastor. Wright is speaking in God's voice--why is that a problem?

I used to be a strong Obama supporter, but have since switched to Clinton. All the antics and revelations have made me realize that he just can't beat John McCain in a general election. He'll be eaten alive by the Republicans if he's the nominee. Many of my friends have also made the switch to Clinton. We really hope the superdelegates also make that decision as well. I thought I would never say this, but Hillary Clinton is the best candidate for president, and Obama has shown to be the absolute wrong candidate.

Obama's BIG PROBLEM is that he followed Wright, considered him a "Mentor" and put him on his own campaign committee! Now Obama wants all of us, even after he said he could "No more denounce Wright then the black community and his OWN Grandmother." that he did not know that Wright spewed hatred like this! We have heard Wright a few days and we know where he stands, so Obama is lying to say he did not know in 20 years! And his wife's comments about finally being proud of this country and his own "typical white person" comment, even used about his own Grandmother; are the exact comments you would expect from someone that SHARES Wright's views! And Wright knows it, too! And that is why he called Obama a "Politician"! Obama is a fraud and it is an INSULT to Americans that we are asked by Obama, his campaign and the media to trust him or give him the benefit of the doubt! And Vote for him and to actually entrust America and ALL Americans to him! NO!American voters are NOT as stuupid as obviously Obama thinks we are! He should drop out and head right back to Chicago! Slamming America and the majority of Americans must be more acceptable there! Obama, you are a disgrace to the Democrat Party and all we represent! A disgrace!

The real problem is the media who keep giving this yahoo a soap box to stand on.

JD has it right. I've heard no mention of McCain denouncing the minister who he has sought for endorsement and support who said that new orleans was destroyed because it allowed homosexuals o parage and was a sinful city.

It's impossible to say this without being accused of endorsing terrorism, (and I'm not,) but when you look at our policies and actions in the Middle East over the last 50-60 years, we have consistantly backed the bad guys and focused on oil above people.

Haven't we had enough of knocking people out of a race becaue they rode in a tank, or teared up in the snow, or saw a shrink, etc etc.? Will we EVER learn to look at issues first?

And yes I am and will always be an Obama fan.

IT'S OBVIOUS WRIGHT IS JEALOUS OF OBAMA. HE WISHES HE WAS WHERE OBAMA IS NOW AND IS NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND HIM. HE ENVIES OBAMA FOR BEING SO MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN HE IS. HE SHOULD BE HAPPY FOR HIM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE HE DOESN'T CARE HOW HIS ACTIONS WILL AFFECT OBAMA'S SHOT AT PRESIDENCY. THE ONLY REASON I SEE FOR HIS BEHAVIOR IS THAT HIS CURRENT OPINIONS WILL GIVE HIM MORE PUBLICITY THAN IF HE SIMPLY ENDORSED OBAMA. MAYBE HE IS GETTING MONEY FOR THIS FROM THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT OBAMA HAS A BETTER SHOT AT WINNING AGAINST MCCAIN THAN CLINTON HAS. THE REPUBLICANS ARE PROBABLY COUNTING ON OUR NATION NOT BEING READY FOR A WOMEN PRESIDENT. THAT MIGHT BE TRUE BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY READY FOR A BACK MALE TO BE THE PRESIDENT. JUST LIKE HISTORY OF SUFFRAGE IN US, BLACK MALES GOT THE VOTE BEFORE WOMEN DID. HISTORY LIKE TO REPEAT ITSELF. HOPEFULLY WRIGHT RECONSIDERS HIS BEHAVIOR AND STARTS ACTING SO OBAMA HAS THE BEST POSSIBLE SHOT AT PRESIDENCY.

I wish he would just shut his mouth and QUIT embarrassing Obama!!! Now he's writing a book...go figure!

This is not a matter of race, it's about a guy that won't get out of the spotlight, he's thriving off of all this attention and is on a war-path to prove God knows WHAT?!?

I support Obama no matter what this idiot says...just wish I would stop seeing his face everywhere...

YES WE CAN!!!

Whatever you think about the content of Wright's remarks, his demeanor and tone are as self-righteous and pridefully scoffing as Hillary's. His overall attitude is closer to Hillary's than to Obama's. A little humility would go a long way for both of them. We don't see the same stubborn, scoffing arrogance in Obama or McCain.

John E,, why just John Hagee? Why not also ask about Rod Parsley, McCain's "spiritual advisor"?

Or HIllary Clinton and "The Fellowship"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(Christian_political_organization)

We're all tired of this endless campaigning - let's put all these religious guys in a room and do a reality TV show. Add Donald Trump to the mix if he agrees to drop "You're fired!" and substitute "You're excommunicated!"

Enough with this man already. This is one of the downsides of the internet. All this attention for a man who didn't do anything special; yet, he can't shut up. He is not running for any election. There are people of the church who do good work; yet, no media coverage for them. He is playing the media to hype his book for September release (two months before the election).

kberly5768,

I am not shocked about what he said and does not change my views on any candidate. I think he's gotten way too much coverage if you ask me.

However, I thought he was right on point and biblically rooted; there is no way to refute that... period... and certainly the press is not qualified to say a word about this (pro or against).

The only thing I hold against his answers is his moderate-to-aggressive cockiness in responding. But based on the fact that the press has been on his case for all this time, I think he's way "too nice".

I have to tell you, he was entertaining in this conference and he will always be .....

It is this country (and many other countries) that can't get over the race issues....

If it is God's will? Rev. Wright should know that it still takes ones effort to make things happen the lack of it only tells God this one is not interested. It amazes me how we can totally ignore our responsability to the will of God.

I go to church and I listen to the priests. Do I believe everything they say? No. Do they some crazy things? Yes. Is their conduct outside of church questionable? Hell, yes. Does that make me then?

All this is so stupid. Obama is NOT his preacher; his preacher isn't he. Wake up, people, and realize that the media are making monkeys out of you - again.

Even though I am a Clinton supporter, I think Wright's comments should not be an issue in this campaign. Moreover, I agree with much that Rev Wright says. It might not be pretty or the jingoistic flag waving of the Republicans but it is one man's opinion that I happen to think is closer to reality that many Americans are afraid to admit. Sadly, I do think Wright's continued presence during this campaign, whether replayed ad nauseam on YouTube or his unwillingness to tone down his rhetoric until this campaign is over, will be the undoing of Senator Obama. It must be a nightmare for the Obama camp every time Rev Wright speaks, pouring more gasoline of this fire. I am a strong advocate of free speech and as I mentioned earlier, I support much of what Rev Wright has spoken. However, he should take a cue from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who have been mostly reticent during this campaign since they are aware of the incendiary nature of their reputations as confrontational black activists.

theologically, most of what Rev Wright says is absolutely correct. The God Damn America sound bite, when heard in the context of what he was preaching about should in no way be offensive to anyone, unless you believe God Blesses everything our government does. The problem as I see it is that Rev Wright should not be out making speeches and answering questions for now. He should be laying low and preparing for his retirement, unless he wants Obama to lose.

Rev. Wright is not the problem. It is the media who keeps wasting everyones time by covering irrelevant matters, matters that have no importance just to drag a candidate into the mud.

If the media was responsible, they would focus on questioning the candidates on the direction each of them wants for this country, and what their policies are. Then the media would help the public weigh the pros and cons.

But no. We are stuck with everyday talk of nothing but what a reverend said, and also taking that out of context. At the very least, the media could try to encourage an honest debate about the views of the reverend. Instead, they just slam him every day, and call that political coverage.

I'd expect this out of Fox News to put out slander-style coverage of political figures, taking them out of context to further the power of the Republican part. But now every major media network as followed suit.

People - let's keep writing these organizations, like the tribune, nytimes, fox, cnn and hopefully get them to wake up and do the public a service again, and not pander to the dimwitted minority of the public that think everything has to be soundbites, tabloids, and punditry. That is just not journalism.

If you are an intelligent American, you know enough to seek the truth by not trusting all that you hear in the media. Only those who are ignorant and lazy accept to be spoon-fed information they hear in the news and never take the time to research and find out all the facts.

If Reverend Wright cares whether Obama is elected, he would shut his mouth and go somewhere and act like he's retired instead of seemingly using this as his opportunity to propel his visibility on the media stage,

This says allot about Obama's judgment skills. Imagine if McCain was affiliated in any way with the KKK, he would be done. Period

Hillary's big problem: Voted for war. Thousands died. Hillary doesn't care.

Batboy - Which 'Liberal Brain Rot' person would you blame for catchy empty phrases like 'Mission Accomplished", and "Bring-m On"?

If I had to blame any one group in America for the state of things, I'd have to choose the goof-balls (you know who you are) that elected Bush twice! Twice!!! How could that happen?

I'm surprised nobody has picked up on MAS's suggestion that Wright may be getting some encouragement from the Clinton campaign. If I were trying to knock Obama out of the race, that's what I'd do. Is this one of the things we'll be reading about three decades from now, when Chelsea writes her memoirs?

John E: A measly hundred bucks is nowhere near enough money to get a reporter to ask McCain those hard questions about his close relationship with nutjob pastor John "God Damn America" Hagee. In the wonderful world of corporate-owned newspapers, it's just too risky.

He's even making Orville and Wilbur look bad!

Why does anyone bring up John McCain and Jerry Falwell or Hagee? McCain was not a member of Falwell's or Hagee's church nor did he look to Falwell or Hagee as a mentor. Barrack brought this upon himself as he has been member of this church for 20 years and said Wright was a mentor as well. Totally different scenarios -- like comparing apples and oranges! And if Barrack has been associated with this church so long, does he hold some of the same view views as Wright? It is a logical question.

Jeremiah Wright is cutting Obama off at the knees. This controversy would probably have died down if Wright had kept his big mouth shut. But the controversy and Obama's relationship to him goes on. A side issue like Wright could possibly keep Obama from becoming President. Wright is a Christian Minister that has forgotten the basic teachings of Christianity. Love and togetherness. Wright is a divider.

The real issue of all of this is- whatever the reason- some will find a convenient way to discredit Obama and hide behind the real reason. Search your own hearts- are you motivated by hate and fear or love and understanding?

Funny how racists, black and white consistently use God as their rationale for their stance calling out everyone else for being racist and never looking at themselves

Should Obama be held accountable for Rev. Wright's words?

No.

Does Obama share Rev. Wright's views?

Probably not.

WILL Obama be held accountable for the words AND be seen as sharing Rev. Wright's views?

This has already happened.

Politics is more about public perception than fact.

I'm a big Obama supporter, but with Wright popping up again it's clear that the writing is on the wall: Clinton will be the nominee unless Obama takes care of this problem once and for all.

See Onion's newscast on BS being the number one issue of concern to the American electorate. The "liberal" media is on the job and evidently the Tribune takes the BS function very seriously!

What shocked me what that Wright mocked John F. Kennedy.

He is truly a clown, who believes he is Isaiah the Prophet. Instead, he is a false Prophet, who sheds shame on us all.

It's amusing that Obama supporters are blaming Wright. It's Obama, however, who is to blame. He CHOSE to align himself with Wright. The big questions remain unanswered that cut to the core of Obama's credibility, character and judgment. Mr. Obama, if you truly believe in a united America and are "post racial," why for the last 25 years have you aligned yourself and your family with the hateful, anti-America, anti-white, anti-semitic rhetoric of Jeremiah Wright and the Black Nationalist movement? Mr. Obama, if you are truly the great uniter, why have you donated tens of thousands of dollars, including $26,000 last year alone, to Jeremiah Wright to further his message of hate and diviseness? Mr. Obama, why did it take the media and plummeting poll numbers to jolt you out of what can only be described as a racist stupor to address, however inadequately, your association with racism and hate? Mr. Obama?

I watched Rev. Wright's speech to the NAACP a few days ago, and as a white, 42-year-old male, my initial, overwhelming reaction was this:

Why is he spending so much time talking about the differences between races?

"Different - but not deficient," was the catchphrase he weaved throughout his address.

Listen: I KNOW whites and blacks are different. It starts with skin color, and goes from there.

But if we want to move toward a more harmonious society, in which blacks and whites live together in respect and cooperation, shouldn't Rev. Wright – indeed, every one of us – be focusing on our *similarities*? The things we share in common? The hardships and challenges - racial, political, financial - that whites and blacks face together? Indeed, his speech really sounded like a reaffirmation of the concept of "separate, but equal" - the same toxic reasoning used to support segregation.

I think Rev. Wright is an anachronism. I think he fought the good fight in the 60's, but now his approach is outdated and divisive. And I agree with Bob Herbert in the NYT who is amazed at the hypocrisy of this man, who has fought the fight for racial equality, but who now stands to personally undermine the potentially single biggest achievement for African-Americans in history, an Obama presidency.

Would someone please tell me what the Rev. Wright said was a lie, maybe he embellished a little about Americans spreading Aids but he was trying to make a bigger point saying look at the Army Tuskegee project we all know what happen there. I think the Rev. Wright was right on with a lot of what he was saying but white Americans just don't like to here the truth.

this man needs anger management counseling. If he was truly a man of god then he would be only worried about the things he does and says while on this earth and only worry about the judgement that will come when he dies. Instead he chooses to hide his hatred for white people behind god. God is a god of love, not hate and racism. He needs to get over it and stop spreading his subliminal hate messages to other black americans, including Obama. Obama should have LEFT this congregation the minute he heard any such retoric but NO he choose to stay there for TWENTY YEARS! Baptise his kids there and everything! Just goes to show you that he condones this behavior because if he didn't he wouldn't have EVER stayed there listening to this GARBAGE for so long

McCain was not a member of Falwell's or Hagee's church nor did he look to Falwell or Hagee as a mentor. Barrack brought this upon himself as he has been member of this church for 20 years and said Wright was a mentor as well. Totally different scenarios -- like comparing apples and oranges! And if Barrack has been associated with this church so long, does he hold some of the same view views as Wright? It is a logical question.

Posted by: Will | April 29, 2008 2:01 PM

It's worse.
McCain sought out the endorsement of these two (Hagee and Parsley) nutjob pastors, apparently he liked what they had to say.

So you tell me Will, why did McCain SEEK OUT their endorsements?

My Pastor says things I don't always agree with and I have never left my church, if you agree 100% with everything your religious leader says then you are a member of a Cult not a Church.
I certainly wouldn't SEEK OUT some nut Pastors endorsement like McCain has.

Rev. Wright did nothing to embarrass Barack Obama. What's wrong with many in this country who condemn anyone who doesn't say our country is perfect is how we got to the mess we now find ourselves in and pretend doesn't exist.
Many want to pretend the fairytale image of an America where there's no hatred and bigotry and an America where the truth becomes the lie and the lie becomes the truth. This includes the mortgage and credit industry crisis, healthcare, the middle east, education, torture, all types of bigotry and so on.
Until Americans stop being controlled by newsbites and self-interested and self-preserving media personalities posing as journalists, we will continue to remain just as ignorant as their deep pockets dictate and will continue to pretend we live in a Kum-by-ah world, as this country becomes the prototype country we used to condemn.
As far as Rev. Wrights so-called bigotry is concerned, I find it interesting that media personalities haven't mentioned that Trinity belongs to a majority White denomination led by a woman and haven't found it necessary to interview White church leaders and parishoners,

I think this is all a ruse by Wright and Obama. They know they've been found out already. So Wright is playing the role of 'bad guy' in order to distance Obama from him, so BO looks like the 'good guy' and reclaim votes that he lost. I'm not falling for it Obama, you masked jackal!!

I'm curious what Obama's fellow congregants think of Wrights media tour...

My problem is not with Wright speaking his heart out. Its with the people who were sitting in the audience, and very appreciative too, from what i hear/ see. As long as there are people like that - unwilling to let go of old grievances and unwilling to take up offers for the future - there will always be Wrights to entertain them.

"REV WRIGHT SPEAKS"

I DON'T HEAR THE VOICES, GEORGE BUSH, DICK CHENEY, FRED FIELDING, DAVID ADDINGTON HEAR THE VOICES! ASK THEM!

THEY SAY "JOHN MCCAIN" SHOULD BE PRESIDENT!

GEORGE BUSH IS THE "DECIDER GUY" HE HEARS THE VOICES NOT ME.

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT COLOR, THE MEDIA SAID COLOR! THE MEDIA SAID "HE'S NOT BLACK ENOUGH" HE'S NOT "WHITE ENOUGH" ASK THEM IF "GOD" SAID HE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT.

ALBERTO GONZALES HEARD THE VOICES, HE SOLD HISPANIC AMERICA TO "CHERTOFF" TO "BLACKWATER" TO "HALLIBURTON" ASK HIM.

THIS IS "BLACK ON BLACK" CRIME. BARRACK CAN HANDLE "THE SPIRIT OF THE RACE", THE "SPIRIT OF THE GENDER RACE"

I DIDN'T CREATE "AL QUEDA" GEORGE BUSH DID.
DICK CHENEY DID.

BARRACK OBAMA NEVER SAID HE WAS THE "MASSAIH" GLENN BECK DID!

I'M NOT A PROPHET. I'M A MAD PREACHER WHO SERVED HIS COUNTRY, RESPECTS HIS COUNTRY, BUT CANNOT CLOSE HIS EYES TO HIS COUNTRY!

GEORGE BUSH SAID "I HEAR THE VOICES" I DIDN'T SEND 160,000 TROOPS FOR A 10 YEAR WAR! BUSH, MCCAIN DID. I DIDN'T "BREAK AMERICA" GEORGE BUSH "POLICY MAKERS" DID.

GOD TALKED TO GEORGE NOT ME! GOD TALKED TO JERRY FALWELL NOT ME! GOD TALKED TO PAT ROBERTS NOT ME! GOD TALKED TO TED HAGGERT, NOT ME! GOD ORDAINED "HAGEE" NOT ME!

NOT BARRAK OBAMA EITHER! THAT'S ALL I WAS SAYING!

It just gets to me that this man can be so polarizing. At the end of the day, he is just a man. His theology isn't "liberation theology" as he like to paint it. It's Revisionist Theology and he spouts it just like his white evangelical brothers.

I very much seems like you can add Rev. Wrights' next to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton's who the public would so much like the media to avoid. What would happen if all three held a news conference and no one showed up? Would anyone care? The unfortunate thing is the media continues to put a microphone in front of these people expecting something good to come out of them - it won't happen.

Wright is clearly crazy. I can't believe anyone in America could believe "the federal government was responsible for the AIDS virus and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks" (The Swamp, 4/28/08). Both of those beliefs defy logic and make me cringe. These are the same idiots who think we didn't send a man to the moon and that evolution doesn't exist.

I voted for Obama in the primary, but at this point I'm praying Hillary gets the nomination. We can't have another guy with nutty friends (and possibly beliefs) in the White House - just look what it got us with Bush (Cheney, Rove, and Rumsfeld . . .)

I am so sick and tired of all this mess, so if Rev Wright speaks out, Sen Obama has repeatly stated these are not his views, so what is obama to do, it seems to me that certain people and you who you are are looking for any excuse not to support Obama and it a shame because I feel he can do so much for this country, we are on our way to destroying ourselves because we refuse to shutter out racism, bigotry and on the phobias that keep people from coming together

Yeesh. I've listened to and read about enough so-called "Christian" politicians (as well as their mentors and supporters) during the last 3 months to last the rest of my life. Just once, I'd like to see a Buddhist or an atheist run for President.

When Rev. Wright's sermon hit the airwaves a few months ago, all Senator Obama had to do was keep his mouth shut. Zippo.

Instead, Senator Obama made a big deal out of this and the media and the Republicans made a bigger deal out of this.

Rev. Wright has grabbed onto Senator Obama's coat-tails and if Senator Obama wins the Presidency, Rev. Wright will follow him directly into the White House.

It only takes 1 person to bring someone down.

I like Senator Obama so much, his fresh approach that we all need, his enthusiasm is contagious.

Unfortuantely I have seriously re-thought my position since Rev. Wright has made himself a star who will forever be among the ranks of Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.

Whether these gentlemen want to share the spotlight with Rev. Wright remains to be seen.

What's on trial is Obama's judgement and leadership.

Don't forget this home purchase with Rezko's influence.

There really isn't much else to go by for Obama. He really hasn't had that many leadership roles, even going back to community organizer days.

I made a mistake in February and voted for Obama. I will not make the same mistake in November.

I think the pastor should take a seat -- far in the back of the church! He needs to stop the madness. He does not understand that his continued comments are increasingly putting Obama in a very tough position. As a black man, he should understand the struggle and understand that not everyone will agree with his comments. Have a seat Rev.

Real simple. If you don't like Rev. Wright. Dont vote for him.

He is not running.

This is news and it should be reported. Sadly, it's also a huge distraction from what really matters: inflation is through the roof, healthcare is a joke and violence is on the upswing. I'd love to see that get just as much attention as Rev. Wright.

I don't have a problem with him defending himself in coming out, I'm surprised that it has taken this long.

I am disappointed that he is now turning this into a side show.

In regards to Obama for being elected. People who were going to vote for him wil and those that were never or on the fence and accepts this issue as his character are not and were not in the first place. I am ready to get back to the issue.

It is up to the media to stop this circus and they won't because this is just what they need to keep ratings going.

The problem with all the media and this repetitive reporting of Rev Wright and Obama is that most of the medua don't face poverty and loss of homes each day/ They don't have to worry about foreclosure and buying gas. Therefore it doesn't occur to them to report on those issues. Sensationalism is at the head of each network's agenda. They feed the people with those things that interest them.
Sad

....Wright is either a selfish egomaniac who is feeding on his new found fame--which i doubt--or he in covertly in cahoots with the Clintons....the speech at the National Press Conference was organized by a Clinton supporter...to use Rev. Wright's biblical references...30 pieces of silver?

Rev. Wright is to the Black Community, what Steve Bartmann is to Cub's fans.

Pastor Wright is a narcissist. It’s always about him. He failed to show for a pastor’s reception for Obama in Chicago because he would need to share the limelight with other prominent pastors. Why is he doing this? It’s about the money. His house in a white suburb isn’t enough.

This is fair game politically, and I say this as an ardent Obama supporter. Many a candidate has been saddled to one extent or another by the nutty rantings of a preacher/minister/priest/rabbi that they are familiar with. On the left, we have a number of nutty preachers like Jeremiah Wright, who is incendiary with a purpose and to a fault. On the right there are plenty of nut-jobs like Hagee, Robertson, etc who have created controversy over the years. There is a difference with the Wright controversy, however, and in inures to Obama's detriment: he has had an undeniably close relationship with Wright. He even got the title to his second book from one of his sermons. Obama was right to refuse to ostracize Wright early on because nobody would believe it. Given Wright's hunger for the spotlight and the fact that he is unconcerned about its effect on his protege's electoral chances, Obama's distancing/excommunication with Wright will hopefully be all the more effective. Bottom line, just because Wright is unhinged doesn't mean that Obama is not eminently qualified to be POTUS.