Obama denounces Wright
I'm curious what kind of reaction this will get. The parts that I've heard so far didn't quite live up to the headlines; he was really grasping for words and sounded a bit too measured in response to questions from reporters.
Obama denounces Wright
From the AP:
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday he was outraged and appalled by the latest comments from his former pastor, who asserted that criticism of his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church and the U.S. government was responsible for the creation of the AIDS virus.
The presidential candidate is seeking to tamp down the growing fury over Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his incendiary remarks that threaten to undermine his campaign.
At least the 2008 election is rarely dull.
Here's a snippet:
"I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw yesterday," he said.
Obama also distanced himself from the man in a way he has been reluctant to in the past.
"The person that I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago," he said. "His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church."
"They certainly don’t portray accurately my values and beliefs," he said.
I'm curious what kind of reaction this will get. The parts that I've heard so far didn't quite live up to the headlines; he was really grasping for words and sounded a bit too measured in response to questions from reporters. The talking heads seem to like it so far, though; Chris Matthews is comparing him to Richard II.
I'm sure this is the last word on the subject...just kidding.
I'll post more reaction as it comes in. Here's some video if you haven't seen it:
"These areas of the country contribute less than their share to the overall good of the country yet they are selecting candidates and electing presidents." What the hell does a comment like this mean? Seriously, this is one of the stupidest remarks I think I have ever read.— Jack Klompus
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- tarik, Steverino knows Obama is Christian, he just wants to emulate the Kewl Kidz on Fox and talk radio. See the thing about elections,especially presidential elections is mud throwing. All he media people know that it's Obama running for president, they don't want to know what he'll do, they want to throw Wright mud on his shoes as if Obama is Wright or vice-versa. The Bushpublican party is going to need a name change after this election because the only people who will vote for McCain are the 27% too stupid to figure out that George W Bush and his familiars have ruined this country in just 8 years. Try to keep pretending that the Rev. Wright matters. McCain's presidency would reduce this country to second class status and it isn't clear that Obama has the time to really change that course.— koolhand
- This too shall pass. Those of you with half a brain know what this is about and who engineered it. Those of you without that half will never see it. '08AMA!!— kathylynn
- It means that people who do not follow politics at the level required to make an informed choice keep choosing poorly qualified people for candidates based on superficial, meaningless or untrue reasons. I don't care how well Obama runs a campaign. I want to know what his objectives and priorities will be if he is elected. If he can't provide detailed answers to those questions, why does he want to be president? He'll unite the country? Great. To what end? If my comment is the stupidest thing you ever read, you need to read a little more. Of the top of my head, claiming that the american government created AIDs to wipe out black people trumps what I said. Take a look at the states that elected Bush. Do you think they made a good choice? The northeast, Illinois, and the west coast pretty much carry this country. Just take a look at where tax revenue is coming from. Not Alabama, South Carolina or Iowa.— MikeP
- Wright's explanations are ridiculous. We don't know the black church! I don't care about the black church. I care about what Obama's spiritual leader has to say. If Wright wasn't Obama's church leader, he'd just be another racist nutcase. Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about religious beliefs. Muslims marching in the streets of Philadelphia protesting a cartoon published in the Netherlands and yet silent when Bin Ladin says he is fighting a Muslim religious war. Not a peron on the street, not any significant outcry. Spiritual leaders? Please. They don't have a clue. In the meantime, these three religions, Christian, Jews and Muslims, have fostered wars for 200 years. All from the same religious background, all worshipping the same "God", all claiming the Old Testament is the word of this so called "God". Looks like evil to me. And the beat goes on with scum like Wright. God is not the church or a religion. Never let another man get between you and God. God appointed no one as the intermediary between God and man. Only men did.— MikeP
- If this scandal turns racially transcendent Barack Obama into Al Sharpton, no black candidate stands a chance.— vsherry
- Jeez Senator Obama sure did not sound like he was enraged?? I guess he is just another bad actor like John kerry, Al Gore etc. Anyone else think it is interesting that the Dems keep nominating these phony lifelong liberals to be their prez candidates. Oh I forgot - honesty and authenticity are not required to be a good Democrat.— justablogger
- Jeremiah Wright is killing this dude!!! he needs to shut his mouth at least until Obama is comfortable in the white house. i don't disagree with what i heard in the 8 second soundbites from youtube but he has to realize he's bringing down Obama's campaign.— dabada$$
- Sad to see Obama pandering. The more he does, the less that distinguishes him from McClinton. It is amazing, however, just how much an "angry black man" riles up so many. Wright has said little that is substantially different in nature than that said by white preachers with millions of followers. They have blamed 9/11, Katrina, whatever, on Americas "sins." They have promoted conspiracy theories that a ecific subset of Americans are responsible for Aids. This whole episode is simply proof that right wing media has an ever increasingly powerful stranglehold on the American media. Hopefully, Americans will rise above this garbage. Time will tell.— Talking point sleuth
- Comment removed.
- I'M BALCK, AND I WONT BE VOTING FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE HAS NOT STOOD UP FOR THE BLCAK COMMUNTITY. THIS IS A MATTER OF EXPERIENCE, OBAMA HASN'T SUFFERED ANY HARDSHIP TO RELATE TO REV WRIGHT'S WORDS, POOR EDUCATION, LOW PAYING JOBS, THE GOOD OLD BOYS, RACIAL PROFILING, EXCESSIVE CHARGES, SO HE CANT RELATE TO THOSE PROBLEM NOR DOSE HE WANTS TO AND THATS WHY HE'S NOT ANGRY LIKE REVREN WRIGHT. IT WAS A WHITE WHO MADE A DOCUMENTARY STATING THAT AIDS WAS CREATED TO GENOCIDE AFRICAN PEOPLE, ITH WAS POPULAR IN THE EARLY 90'S; HOWEVER HE DIDN'T SAY WHO CREATED IT.— drbinc
- Sounds like a flip-flop to me - E Plebnista is right, IMO. Can anyone say "Dean Scream"?— DC
- Comment removed.
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