Focus group shows racial split Obama addressed

New video breaking... Just released by ABC News...

Obama's pastor called Condoleezza Rice a "Skeeze". And he blasted Colin Powell and Tiger Woods as unempathetic rich black guys.

No doubt there's even more to come. Obama's just about finished.

Latest poll has Hillary up nearly 20 points in Pennsylvania, and McCain crushing Obama by 15 in Florida.

THis is the most hypocritical political event I have ever witnessed in my life. If Hillary were a memeber for 20 years of an anti white church with a pastor who spoke like Wright did but maligned black peopel the way Wright did white peopel she would have been forced asside months ago. Obama should not get a pass on this. He chose to take his 6 and 9 year old children to hear this hate week after week. Not only that but he flat out lied to the American people on Fox and MSNBC when he said that he was not aware of that kind of comments from Wright before. SO he lied and is a 20 year member of a church where the pastor spouts anti white rhetoric weekly from the pulpit. But he will get a pass because the media likes him. Hopefully someone in the media will speak up and ask him how he could raise his children in such a place. How he could lie blatantly to the American people on television. He can not win now and he needs to step aside. I voted for him in IL and I am sorry that I did. I will not make that same mistake twice. THis is exactly how I felt after I voted for Bush in 2000 and Blagoevich the 1st time. I corrected both votes the 2nd time around by voting Topinka/Kerry and I will do the same this time by voting for McCain if Obama wins. HATE IS HATE WHETHER OR NOT IT IS DISGUISED AS RACISM. The time to give that speech was when he realized Wright was using this language on a weekly basis not now after 20 years only when it has become a political liability. If that is courage then call me a coward. How does giving a 5 min speech erase 20 years of attending a hate mongerers sermons. How deos a 5 min speech erase the fact that he brought little kids to hear such vile hate? How does a 5 min speech change the fact that he lied on television? THis is all spin to get people off of all those facts. Problem is it will not work. THere at least a few journalists that take pride in their job.

What's that I see on the horizon? It looks like a swiftboat! And the junior Senator isn't even on board it!!! Oh well. Silly me.

More Clintons and Bushs please!!!!

How was this different from his other stump speeches? It addressed a new topic in the same way he's draped everything he discusses, in generalities and hyperbole. Nowhere did I hear a suggestion of taking responsibility for supporting and even exposing his children to the divisive beliefs of Rev. Wright for 20 years. In a campaign he himself has framed around judgement he refuses to acknowledge how bad a decision it has been for him to stand by those who propagate radical racial views.

Sen Obama can preach about ending divisiveness all he likes now but his failure to address it in his life and with the congregation he spent most of his adult life in speaks volumes about how deep his convictions are. If he refused to tackle the very issue he claims to hold paramount to all others in his community why would anyone believe his speech today?

Sen Obama simply uses race and high ideals as tools to serve his political interests. This speech was just another creative use of playing the race card to meet the ends that benefit him.

Healing should have started at home and two decades ago Mr. Obama.

How strange that he reversed himself. On Huffington post he said he was never there for these comments. Today he said otherwise. I don't buy any of it. Great speech. Just had nothing to do with addressing his pastor's (who he also called his family) comments. I hope he still addresses the issue. I'm not sure how he could infer that Ferraro is like Wright. That was a low blow and totally unfair and untrue.

Race or church was less a factor until Obama focused on race and church in South Carolina and a few other state inorder to achieve a large African American base vote. It was his decision to focus on race and church. Now that the electorate is focused he'd like to lecture them on race. Obama is not colorblind. He's color opportunistic.

oh, I don't think that is representative at all. Just look at the Swamp blog and you will sense many more whites supporting Obama's speech. I for one am a female attorney, middle-aged, and thinking of voting for him instead of my usual Republican vote. This is why I watch and assess him carefully. While I am unhappy that Obama may have missed out on some more "meaningful" spiritual leadership, I nonetheless think it took great political and personal integrity to come out and remain loyal to his friendships, while condemning some of their words or messages. My visceral response is that he is sincere in his words. I don't want to turn these comments into Hillary-bashing, but from one female attorney to another, I wouldn't trust her farther than I could throw her. thanks for letting me express my comments.

The fact is, with the economy, the democrats have everything going for them, except for Hilary. Obama is actually the best thing America needs, and the truth about politics is, there is no room for good people in it. So frankly, I hope he remains himself and not get diluted by the ugliness of our country

Did anyone listen to the speech? I didn't hear the whole thing, just excerpts on the news. And I was struck by how it sounded just like it was -- a campaign speech. Contrast that with the soaring rhetoric of MLK. (Think of his "I have a dream" speech, if you've never heard excerpts of anything else; that will give you the flavor.)

There simply is no comparison. This was plodding wonkiness, earnestness disguised as uplifting talk in order to salvage his nomination.

Simply put, Obama is no MLK. No contest. It was just a speech to save his career.

First it was the picture of Obama not having his hand on his heart, then his wife said how proud she is of America for the first time, now its his pastor! I think its foolish to vote for someone who hates America. Would you vote for Chirac to be an American President?

Candice, there's no polite way to say this: you're lying. The facts show that the particular speeches that Obama says he didn't hear, were in fact delivered when he was campaigning elsewhere. Please get your facts straight.

"In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world's great religions demand - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keeper."

That says it ALL, doesn't it?

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/heres-obamas-speech-on-race-religion.html#links

I do not support Obama, Hillary or McCain. However, it is unfair to Mr. Obama to attribute Rev. Wright's words to Mr. Obama.

The fact is that we just don't know if Obama agrees with Rev. Wright or not and therein lies the issue.

This is not a situation where Obama attended the church a few times years ago and then decided it wasn't for him.

This is not a situation where Obama is being endorsed by someone with whom he has little to no relationship (as Hagee endorsing McCain).

Obama had a very close personal relationship with Rev. Wright for 20 years. For 20 years he sat through sermons and now states he did hear what could be controversial statements.

As far as we know, he said nothing to challenge Rev. Wright on whatever statements he did hear.

That action, or rather lack of action, is now in question: Did he not challenge the statements because he agreed with them or was it something else?

We have no clear answers to that question and so people are left to reach their own conclusions. A reasonable conclusion is that he does in fact agree with Rev. Wright, and he is entitled to agree with Rev. Wright.

Freedom of belief IS absolute in the US.

However, Mr. Obama is no mere person on the street; he is not some little known politician or candidate; he is a highly visible front runner for the President of the United States running on themes of unity, change and hope.

Shame on him and his wife for exposing thier two little young daughters to racist pastor. He is asking people to end race card and move forward. I wonder how thier daughers will think growing up. That idiot poluted thier mind with hate against white people and country.

Obama claimed to be a staunch member of the good Reverend's church until this was unveiled, now he is attempting to distance himself from it. I have no doubt that Obama was quite aware of the reverend's teachings, and continued his support. Now, he is attempting to move away from the same church he touted two weeks ago. I was an Obama supporter, but no more.

Historic visionary speech. Defining moment in the campaign and for America. We see here a new kind of polititian who rises above petty fears and sniping small minds and who turns a crisis into a triumph. I will be proud to vote for this man for President

Rev. Wright has destroyed Obama's chances of becoming President.

The speech was clever but dishonest. Obama says Wright introduced him to Christianity, but black liberation theology is nothing like mainstream Christianity. It focuses on the white oppressor vs. the black oppressed. This is why Wright refers to Jesus as black and his killers as white. Wright cites James Cone, another black theologian, as inspiration. Here are a couple of Cone's quotes: 1. To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people. 2.While it is true that blacks do hate whites, black hatred is not racism. 3.Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man the devil. 4.If there is any contemporary meaning of the Antichrist, the white church seems to be a manifestation of it. * These teachings are racist and divisive. Obama’s words are inspiring, but 20 yrs. of support for his racist and anti-American mentor speak much LOUDER. Obama must be honest about the nature of his church, and why he supports it.

Elvis Presley - Amazing Grace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3XdXEJEI4E
Vote Obama!

This guy Obama is done. There is no way he is electable. Sadly he and his Reverend can blame nobody but there own actions or lack thereof on Obama's part (ie: leave the church years ago).

I can no longer suport Obama. Obama lied to us, it as simple as that. How can he go to a church for 20 years and not heard those comments.

The problem from the start is that he is just another unscrupulous two-faced politician hyped up to the heaven by his cult-like followers. With blacks, he acts one way to get their support. With whites, he acts another way. Now he's caught in the middle with no way to go but down.

Jim, the speech was longer than 5 minutes.

Obama has addressed his relationship with his pastor and there's nothing more that needs to be said. Please who are obsessing about and cherry-picking Wright's statements just have an ax to grind. For Candace, Obama did not reverse himself. He said he was not present for the snippets that were being shown on T.V., not that he never heard Wright say anything controversial. Although a reporter put out a false report that Obama was in church during one of those sermons, the Obama campaign presented proof to the media that he was in Miami on that day.

"
Watch for the reaction to Obama when he asserts that he never heard his pastor say anything derogatory about specific ethnic groups. Non-black respondents weren't necessarily buying that while blacks did.
"

He did admit it, so what's your point. He said he never heard him during their own conversations. Learn to create a article worthy more then a steamy pile.

So much for democracy. Obama is trying to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida. From the New York Times today: Mr. Obama’s campaign has resisted a new contest, saying that Michigan Democrats are divided, that a revote would not make much difference in the overall delegate count and that the Clinton camp was trying to change the rules to suit itself.

The Michigan Legislature, which would vote on approving a new election, is deeply torn on it because of cost, legal questions and logistical difficulties.

Another spokesman for Mrs. Clinton, Phil Singer, said Mr. Obama was trying to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida voters. “By failing to encourage its supporters in these states to throw their support behind efforts to hold new primary elections there,” Mr. Singer said, “the Obama campaign is allowing nearly 2.5 million voters to be excluded from the nominating process.”

A spokesman for Mr. Obama, Tommy Vietor, said the difficulties with a new election outweighed the advantages.

Like I've said before, Obama is not tested like Clinton or McCain. Let's see how he handles tough situations.

Obama has shown that he can lie and politic with the best of them.

How sad.

I don't believe that we need a racist and a liar in the White House. Farewell Mr. Obama.

I don't believe that we need a racist and a liar in the White House. Farewell Mr. Obama.

Well said "Jim."

First of all, supposed I know a person for 20 years doesn't mean that I know what he going to say in future and what are his opinion on any topic. I could say something that I have never said it in 20yrs before. Obama also said that he only followed that person's spritual believes not political believes. I think it would be wrong to ignore the race problem this country is facing from the day one. I think we shouldn't judge a person by other peoples' actions. I hope American understand this and let him live. We should judge Obama by his own policies and actions. thanks

Hum, interesting comments. At a minimum, we have a candidate addressing a problem of America in a way that its never been addressed. From a perspective that we've never had presented in a platform such as this.

It almost makes you excited about change - the cultural change for which America is due.

You know, I can't stand Obama. But this indignation about Obama's pastor is pretty stupid.

Does anyone think that we'll ever have a black man as president who hasn't somehow, somewhere, at some time, been associated with anti-white rhetoric, or with some sort of angry retaliatory talk stemming from historical racism against blacks?

Obama's pastor is pissed at whites and at the USA for historical racism against blacks, so he villifies and derides that which he thinks caused the racism. We whites disagree because we built this country and we're proud of it. But we can't feign surprise.

There are probably few black people out there who haven't at one time or another said 'whites suck' or 'this country sucks' because of racism they've experienced.

Obama should just come out and challenge everyone, saying "what did you really expect? Did you expect that the first black president would not have any associations with people who dislike whites or the history of the US? I don't agree, but I'm black and some aspects of white history and the history of the US have been horrible for us. The price of having a black president is hearing that some people don't like the standard view." If people can't understand why this pastor's animosity exists, they will never be able to accept a black president.

Based on what we are hearing, I don't think it's going to happen for Obama. America is saying "love everything about this country, and forgive all racism, or you don't have a chance." Maybe that's what they should say, but they should admit that it means there will probably never be a black man in the oval office.

This is one big problem with races.

I use to work with a n African American. When he was hired, color or race was not an issue. However, when he was terminated because of poor performance and bad attitude, he involked race and accused the company of descrimanation. What he forgot is that if descrimination exist in the company, it would have been during the hiring period.

And this is what I am afraid of should Obama becomes the president. Color would immediately be the issue the moment we make criticism on Obama's administration.

Those who think it was a "great speech"might wish to consider that it's easy to give a"geeat specch" if you use a teleprompter,read well and practice. Obama qualifies.

Truthfulness,however,and rational thought is another matter. This will not end this controversy or restore his reputation..and shouldn't.

Wow, a lot of y'all seem to be missing the point. Have you actually read or listened to the speech, or are you focusing on a distraction that isn't even there?

Given that the man's primary workplace isn't in Chicago, and that he's spent many a Sunday on the campaign trail over the past couple of decades, I think it's pretty fair to assume that he wasn't present for every one of Wright's sermons. I read what some of you consider contradictory remarks as him saying, "I wasn't there on that day, but over the course of our association, yeah, I've heard him say some things that I can see some people taking offense too." He's quick to point out that he respects the man, but he doesn't agree with everything he says. And then he goes on to explain why.

Obama gave a great speech about race and class in America -- how we got here, where we're going -- and all some of you can do is focus on the comments of something that someone else said. Frankly, I don't see it as any worse than anything that Pat Robertson has said. If politicians from another side of the aisle can say, "I respect Pat Robertson, but our opinions differ on this," why isn't it enough for Obama to do the same?

What a biased right wing pile of crap your website is. Isn't it great that the Republican BS we have had to endure for the last 8 years is soon to be no more. I guess all you have to look forward to is the War Crimes trials after the election.

I guarantee that if Hillary Clinton belonged to "white centered " church for 20 years and considered their pastor to be her "mentor and spiritual advisor"; if that church taught "white theology" which focused on black versus white issues; if that pastor made racist and denigrating remarks about black people; and that pastor gave David Duke a lifetime achievement award last November; and Hillary still belonged to that church -- if all these things were true about Hillary, she would not be elected dog catcher, and no speech, no matter how well-read, would save her. THIS IS A TRUTH THAT NO CURRENT OBAMA SUPPORTER WILL ADMIT, BECAUSE IT WOULD FORCE THEM TO FACE AN UNPLEASANT REALITY.

One of the best speeches about racism that I have heard in recent times. I cannot think of another person in contemporary politics who could deliver it with such passion and credibility. In an age, where politicians try to get away by muddling issues (like war on Iraq), you should give credit to Obama for taking it head on.

All of these comments sound like they have come from people under the age of 30.

After 55 years of life in this country, I don't know anyone my age who would disagree with Obama's main point that blacks and whites both have had to deal with broken dreams and frustration. That's just the human condition. He rejected Wright's position that racism is endemic to our nation, while recognizing how some could come to that conclusion.

The American vision was and is to create a meritocracy where priviledge is not the hallmark of success.

The question, which Obama answered for me (a Navy veteran and life long Republican), is whether he understands the tension between equal opportunity, and equal outcomes. He showed me that in fact he does understands the tension those objectives engenders.

Did he or did he not ever hear his pastor speak with such hatred. The first time he was asked it was he definitely was NOT in attendance for any hate speeches. Today's speech was more forthcoming, not actually saying he was sitting in the pew, but definitely that he was more than familiar with the rhetoric. I think any normal person would have great doubts about any person having a 20 plus years of experience and knowing so little about that person. I think the truth is more that he has heard those words before, might not use them himself, but is not about to lose the black vote by confronting the pastor. The only other possibility is that those hate speeches are not offensive to him. Maybe the truth is he knows what it is like to be black, but not necessarily what is like to be white and condemned for events that took place before most of his audience was even born.

Foul!

People who are saying that Obama admitted to hearing specific sermons he had previously claimed he had not heard are misstating the facts. Today, this is what Obama actually said on that point: "Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely – just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed."

Why do I bother? The people spreading those misstatements already know what they're doing.

In case anyone else cares, which specific sermons - which specific statements - has Obama admitted to hearing?

And by the way, what did your clergy person say last week?

Having been living overseass the last 10 years it saddens me to see just how much the US voters act like spoiled children. Of course there's anger at the racism in America, of course there's racism in America, and of course planes were flown into US buildings instead of say one in the Netherlands in part as brutal blowback for US policy. But Americans have lived for so long on the politics of luxury and entitlement that there is a pervasive culture of ingorance. the US is in crisis. Its the FAll of Rome guys, you either take the leap with a guy like Obama and perhaps find a third way or just continue to sink...my bet is you'll choose to drown if Bush's re-election is any sort of precident.

clinton lovers? guilty by association it appears. do i care what his pastor says? NO. what about billary and her lobby campaign. oh yea, what about mccain and his hypocritical lobby money he's taken. how many lobbyist does obama have on his campaign? oh yes. ZERO. oh my, a canidate who can actually unite america (more then hillary mccain would), actually REGAIN the respect of america in the world, and lead us to a BETTER america. it's not 1994, and it's definitely not 1945 like mccain seems to think about being in war for another 100 years. please get back to the issues (as james carville has written so nicely in the financial times). this is complete hypocracy.

You've never had a long, close relationship with someone you disagreed with about important things? I have. I call them parents.

And for the record, I'm white and thought his speech was great. Good for Barack. I'd be proud to have the man in the White House.

Black and White will never agree or get along 100%. that is just the way it is, there is too much hate on both sides. color will always be a problem among most people. and that is too bad as hate will destory What is good about people and country.

Let me ask this: if black people were in the majority in this country, how would white people be treated? People are inherently racists. That is just the way it is. What we need are effective laws to prevent racism impacting anyone's individual rights.

And has anyone else noticed that Rev. Wright is not exactly black?

Just another grand speech from Obama. Doesn't change the fact he uses POOR judgement and surrounds himself with people like his wife, his pastor, Farrakhan, etc.

He really scares me.

What more secrets does he have hidden?

Eric Dondore & Friends:

Hopefully one thing that's "just about over" is the kind of small-mindedness that seeks to judge individuals by what their spiritual advisors say. Do we need to drag out Billy Graham and his comments about Jews? Do we need to drag out Falwell and his comments about...well...everybody who wasn't on the Jesus wagon?

In the coming months, as this fella whose campaign is "just about over" gets his party's nomination, and then historically takes the Presidency, perhaps we should all stop and ponder how we love to hate, and how when we see someone associated with a figure spewing hate, we come right back with some of our own.

I don't see much hate or scorn coming directly from Obama. But I do see a great deal of hate TOWARD him, simply on the merit of his association with this pastor. I see Rush Limbaugh and a lot of others attempting to pile on and get their shots in. This kind of ugliness is indicative of one thing: Fear. It's been a while since I've seen folks on the Right so downright terrified of a candidate. Probably because they know that once he finally shrugs off Hillary and the relics of institutionalized Clintonism, jaded ol' fear-mongering John McCain won't have a prayer, no matter how many times he grabs the podium and snarls "ISLAMOFASCISM!! TRANSCENDENT CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME!!!"

jim, correcting your vote by voting for mccain? what is it you're actually looking for in a politician? i love how all this has done a "wag the dog" on mccain's lobbyists working for EADS in the tanker deal. pepole need to read more and focus on the REAL ISSUES.

sorry jim, i gotta write one more thing, it was a 45 min speech.

Maybe it is hard for people to listen, really listen, to what is being said here. Blacks are angry, whites are resentful. We can find a way to bridge this if we just decide we want to. If you want to believe the media hype that this man is all style, no substance, then that is a real tragedy. The "style" that Obama is bringing to the table has a "substance" that we haven't seen yet. Do you remember your first love? You hadn't experienced it before ... did that make it any less real? Do you remember starting your first job? You had no idea of what to expect, and probably made some mistakes along the way -- but still, wasn't that a remarkable and formative experience? As a simple voter watching the election with cynicism bred by experience, I am am convinced that this is not a small election. I think it is bigger than any I have seen in my 20 years of elections, if we let it be. Senator Obama may indeed fall before the political machinations of the Clintons or be crushed under the greased wheels of the republican attack-dog campaign machine, but that doesn't change the fact that what he has spoken about touches on the most powerful, most delicate of chords in the American body politic -- hope. Reagan did, Kennedy did, Roosevelt did, Lincoln did. If given the chance, I will vote for Obama, not for his preacher, or his staff, or anyone else. The country needs a leader -- someone who will make the right decisions for the right reasons at just the right time (3 am or otherwise). I've only seen two people who can do that -- Obama and McCain.

Please, oh, please can we stop with the political sameness and just listen?

Since he announced his run for the presidency, there's hardly been a moment when Obama has not risen to the occasion. Today was no different. Both authentic and brilliant, I would be very proud to have Barack Obama as my President and we as a nation would be lucky to have him as such. We are choosing a leader not a legislator. (Big difference) Choose Hillary or McCain if you prefer. However, Obama is without equal in this race.

I don't believe that we need a racist and a liar who is pro-abortion in the White House. Farewell Mr. Obama.

A number of the comments on this page are pretty disturbing and scary-- people judging what he said while admitting they did not listen to more than a few snippets of the speech. People saying that he is a liar when they obviously did not compare his two statement. He was not in church the dates Wright made those comments which has been shown. He admits he heard him say some controversial things other times -- that does not make him a liar. Also, holding him responsible for what someone else said is just unbelievable. Furthermore, he wrote this speech and if you think all it takes is a teleprompter I would ask you why then our current president is a worse speaker than any high school student I have ever taught. I have a white colleague who is married to a white minister. Wright gave a highly regarded speech to one of their conventions. Clearly MANY of his sermons and speeches do not contain such divisive remarks. I live in Chicago and Wright and that church do DO a lot of good things.

So much for democracy. Obama is trying to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida voters. This isn't the "change" we all hoped for, is it? It looks pretty much like a Rove/Bush strategy. From the New York Times today: Mr. Obama’s campaign has resisted a new contest, saying that Michigan Democrats are divided, that a revote would not make much difference in the overall delegate count and that the Clinton camp was trying to change the rules to suit itself.The Michigan Legislature, which would vote on approving a new election, is deeply torn on it because of cost, legal questions and logistical difficulties.Another spokesman for Mrs. Clinton, Phil Singer, said Mr. Obama was trying to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida voters. “By failing to encourage its supporters in these states to throw their support behind efforts to hold new primary elections there,” Mr. Singer said, “the Obama campaign is allowing nearly 2.5 million voters to be excluded from the nominating process.”A spokesman for Mr. Obama, Tommy Vietor, said the difficulties with a new election outweighed the advantages.

I grudgingly admit that Obama has with this speech won me over. It was moving and intelligent, and I've finally had it with my fellow Republicans (such as some on this board) who are grasping at distractions because they can't muster up enough dignity to admit that the GOP has been failing us for many years now. I admit it...the Clinton years were better than either of the Bush years. And I believe the Obama years will be better than the Clinton years.

That speech will stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the great statements about race in modern times. I don't know if anyone could have covered more ground in less time and done it with such grace.

Many of the comments so far sound a lot like bitter, sour grapes with some type of terrible axe to grind. Are these people afraid of a bit of truth? Are they intimidated by the reality that we actually do have descendants of slaves walking around this country and that those people have not had the same opportunities that whites had?

The most important point made in this speech is that Mr. Obama expressed an interest in seeking the positive rather than the negative, of working for mutual benefit rather than zero sum loss for some and admitting failings in human beings, while still showing respect for that persons good qualities.

I think the Clinton Campaign is very cleaver in having certain people make outrageous statements and then throwing those people under the bus if enough people catch wind of the statement and expose it for what it is: rubbish.

I can't wait to see an end to such tactics along with the emotional, destructive discourse and will continue to support Mr. Obama in hopes of seeing positive change.

Is wright occasionally deliberately provocative? Yes. But give me a break folks. This is not a hate-filled pastor, he's one of the top dozen in the country..n 1984, Wright travelled to Libya and Syria in a peace mission which resulted in the FREEING of United States Navy pilot, Lt. Robert Goodman who was shot down over Lebanon..and read Wright's own words without the spin: He did NOT say anything remotely like, geez, that God should curse America or anything like that, he plainly said that God would or does "damn" that is Condemn or Rebuke, America's sins. You better believe it, those sins are rebuked! As one patriot, stateman, and Civil War General put it: "Our country right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right." -General Carl Schurz. These Swift-boat type attacks against Obama by a shameless right-wing and (some) Hillary supporters..if Hillary gets the nomination they will pull some shameless scare-tactics against women in power, of course. If Obama had snored cocaine like Bush, draft-doged like Bush, oh heavens imagine the rightwing reaction then..enough anti-Obama lies and distortions, please!

I am indifferent. I don't like Obama, Hillary or Mccain. I don't believe the US is a democracy. I think voting means nothing. Now, what did Wright say that was untrue? What did he say that's not a fact? The Tuskegee experiment? The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? That Hillary was never called a N*****? or raised in a poor/single mother family? That the US continues to support and condone Israel's harsh treatment of Palestinians? That the actions of the US government are the exact result/reaction of 9/11 and Bin Laden? That Jesus was not white with blond hair and blue eyes but he was brown colored (not black but..)? So what did he say that was horrible or untrue? The US government has been responsible for some of the most horrific crimes against humanity like the annihilation/genocide of the Native American's. I think we/US government has to acknowledge, accept and apologize for past and some recent misdeeds to finally be able to learn, realize, accept and heal.

Truer words were never spoken. Thank you, Senator Obama.

Just four short years ago, one of my good friends of over two decades, thought it was appropriate to espouse his bigotry and prejudice in front of me, calling black people "niggers". I told him then that I would no longer tolerate this in my presence. He could either make a choice to cease and desist, or my serving his account would abruptly come to an end. It was amazing how easily he quit using that term around me.

Eric Dondero - Latest poll has Hillary unapologetic for her husband defaming the Office of the Presidency with his sleezy actions, her vote for the Iraq war, and her Bush-Lite support of another war against Iran, though they have not had nuclear weapons abitions for over four years.

Jim - I feel sorry for you, your bigotry, your hatred, your anger. 150 years of slavery in this country and you haven't the heart, nor apparently courage, to acknowledge all the hurt that our race has inflicted on others.

In my lifetime, there has never been a better attempt at reconciling the racial divide than Senator Obama's speech today, yet it's a shame that many bigotted whites won't hear, or upon hearing, listen, with an open ear. The depth of their hatred and ignorance blinds them to reality; we have indeed made progress in the last century but with comments like yours, obviously have a very long way to go.

God have mercy on our nation. Jesus Christ himself wouldn't be safe here on our streets. We'd hang him as was done 2000 years ago, just like several of you are hanging Obama today because of his pastor. How could I possibly control what MY pastor will say next Sunday? But I wouldn't leave my church and brothers and sisters in Christ just because I didn't agree with his statements.

Finally, those who would vote for McCain over Obama will get the democracy they deserve. With little understanding of economics, and a limited understanding of how the world is turning against us because of our maniacal push toward hegemony, our monetary and moral bankruptcy will be assured.

Candace -- Your inability to see how totally racist Geraldine Ferraro's comments were shows your true colors. Her statements were demeaning to all the millions who support Senator Obama, and to say that the only reason he's where he is in this campaign is because of his race would be a terrible afront to my sensibilities, were I black. I would be outraged and might show it much more noticibly than Senator Obama. What a mean-spirited thing to say.

My God, he was President of the Harvard Law Review! Get a clue, folks -- the man is brilliant!

nice speech BUT obama did not answer the question about his close association to wright.

I'm a white male in my mid twenties but I'm astounded that people are being so nasty towards Obama. Is it really that hard to think that black people are still pissed off because of America's history with racist whites? There are thousands of historical examples where one group got slaughtered by another and animosity still remains (look at colonialisation for instance). White people (especially men) need to grow a spine and not get so bent out of shape when they realize that minorities (not just blacks) just might still be a little angry about being mistreated upon their arrival to our welcoming country. And minorities shouldn't be shocked to hear that just because whites have had an easier time of it, we don't think it's fair to be put at a disadvantage because of skin color because nobody wants to be put at a disadvantage. In a perfect world there whouldn't be a disadvantage but of course there is such a problem and the debate is how to level the playing field without tipping the balance in one side's favor. Hello! This is what Obama was addressing! It's not racist, it's a perspective! The sooner people can learn to understand (not necessarily agree) with other perspectives and other ways at looking at things the better off our country will be.

I sit at a Thanksgiving dinner table with grandpa who's quick to blame blacks' problems on their laziness, attend a church where I've heard other members blame Katrina on God's punishment for a gay rights convention that was going to be held there, and count among my good friends people who are uncomfortable with the idea of a woman pastor. So if I ran for political office would I have to go around giving speeches explaining that these are not my views? Or would people see that I'm white and understand that these are views that exist in groups that I naturally associate with and not think of it as any big deal?

Excuse me, but his speech was great and addressed issues that have been in the USA for a very long time, but never spoke of... For all of you who feel he should have left his church, or even refused to let his children go to church, think.... How many times have we all gone to church and heard things we may not agree with, but we still went to church there after....

Clinton can't control those that work for her, nor those she is friends from saying things... Well Obama can't tell those he knows what to or not to say either. This is one of the things about living in America, Freedom of Speech.. And the one Great thing the creator gave all of us is our own minds, to think for ourself.... A church is a house of God, where we go to pray, to the lord,. We do not go there to pray for the man preaching to us... Why would any of you take your children out of the house of the lord because someone said something you did not like,or agree with???

No offence but some of you have gone way over the line here. What we are trying to do is get a new President, not elect a God to the White House.

Obama is right, it is time to racist behind us and work as a unity to unite our country, which is made up of people all over the world. It is time to let the hates of the past stay in the past and forge a new road ahead for this country. Working together as one nation we can be a GREAT NATION AGAIN.

For those of you that would walk out on your church, because a pastor or priest or whom ever has said something you don't like .... then SHAME ON YOU, BECAUSE YOU WENT TO CHURCH FOR THE WRONG REASON...

I think most of the posters are republicans who are bored because they don't have anything to do on their side so they won't vote for Obama any ways. They destroyed the country and they want to hide behind two-minute clip bay an angry man get a life. If McCain get elected it would be the beginning of the end of America.

#

Man...we got enough PROBLEMS in the WORLD!!!
Give me a BREAK! Iran is going nuclear, the Russians are turning Soviet, the economy is imploding, commodities are skyrocketing with the Chinese ready to surpass us financially, educationally & technologically. On top of that, millions of Islamists around the world want to send us all back to the Dark Ages. Obama...Can you tackle even ONE of those problems??? Hell NO!

But instead Obama wants to take us back to the 70s, act as if NO progress and CHANGE ever took place to satisfy his campaign managers need to score points after getting reamed by the nauseating rantings of Wright.

Forget it! whatever wounds still exist, whites are not going back to the old world of preacher Wright and satisfying his sick needs. And those needs are insatiable anyways and can NEVER be satisfied so it's a big waste of time.

Obama lost his chance as far as I'm concerned and I was ready to pull the trigger for him. But we got more important things to deal with than "race" right now and Obama's not the man to do THOSE jobs.

Most of these people are just trolls..their job is to go to every forun, newspaper and blog to spew there negative anti obama rhetoric. Swiftboat wannabees who see it as their right wingnut duty to spread the negatives on Barak..knowing the only chance they have to win with mccain is with hillary..

a brilliant speech..

Excuse me but Hillary was supposed to win Pennsylvania. The latest poll taken before Sen. Obama's speech has Hillary up 13 points in Pennsylvania. She has picked up 1 point in the polls since last week. She has thrown every bicket of mud she has at her disposal at Sen. Obama and has picked up 1 point in the polls. Did she think amwericans were that dumb. she trots out a Mafia connected Geraldine Feraro who's father was a member of New York organized crime, who's husband was indicted as a member of organized crime, and who's son is a convicted major cocaine distributor in NYC while she herself stole campaign funds furing her Vice Presuidential bid and expeted people to buy into this smear campaign.

So why are you printing Hillary has a 20 point lead?

As for McCain thrashing Obama in Florida why is that news? Florida is a well known republican stronghold. The Democrat National Committee has "Dis-enfranchised" the democrat Florida voters. There delgation is not going to be seated and there wioll not be an un-American do over. Do you think Florida democrats will turn out for Hillary in November if Hillary steals Sen. Obama's nomination in her court case or at the convention?

As opf tonight I see no way African americans will back a Clinton ticket. She has smeared not only Sen. Obama but his pastor a decorated former U.s. Marine. Clinton can twist Rev. Wright's sermons all she wants by taking out 30/60 second snipits. But anyone who has ever attended a service in a Black church knows what he was trying to say. Just like every Catholic knows what the Pope, Bishops and Priests try to say about abortion.

so tell me when does hillary repudiate thye Catholic Church. Reject better yet renounce the Pope.

Cliontons you name is HYPOCRISY!

By the way the national polls show only Obama can beat McCain in November. McCain/Hillary head to head shows McCain winning an electoral vote landslide.

Anything else you want to know about the current polls?

Enough already with the claim that if Hillary was a member of a church that spewed extremist views she would be forced to resign. Plenty of other Presidents have associated with preachers who have said and done vile, hateful things. The extremists who claimed violence was justified when protesting abortion are the same spiritual guides who lunched regularly at the White House with Bush Sr, and Reagan. And don't say it would be different because she is a woman or a Democrat. You can't have it both ways.

Obama did a great job today identifying his disagreement with his Pastor's statements and not running from the issue. Those who continue to say he lied and can't be trusted had made up their minds before he uttered a word this morning. He was humble, identified himself as not perfect, and even took a shot at his own campaign regarding pouncing on Ferraro, saying it should all stop. I have increased respect for a candidate that can express that much humanity and humility. He is my candidate all the more now.

The Republicans' comments on this story are laughable.

Obama makes a historic speech, while your boy McCain is telling everyone that Iran is training Al-Qaeda fighters--and is corrected by Joe Lieberman whispering in his ear! Is McCain senile, or just THAT ignorant?

I think that Obama's speech shows he'd be terrific as the "Pastor of the U.S."-- someone to brave the minefields of extremism on all sides of the racial divides---but this is scarcely an indication of his appropriateness for president. The problem is that, as sincere and good-hearted as we may believe him to be, the people around him will not be, and their animosity--just as the pernicious sermons of Wright-- do real harm. Will the president of Iran also be explained away as having fully explicable views when he says things like that Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth? If Obama has resisted confronting Wright, (perhaps believing that people cannot be changed) then how can we expect him to confront denunciations of the U.S. by enemies who also claim to have plausible rationales for their hatred?

To all of those people expressing rage and disbelief at Rev. Wright's sermons: GET OVER YOURSELVES.
If you are honestly surprised by what black preachers say in inner city congregations, you are worse than naive- you have your heads buried in the sand. The Civil Rights movement is still happening- Rodney King and the LA Riots weren't that long ago.
I think its much more likely that you're engaged in your normal partisan schtick of divide and conquer- the same song and dance that has made any real discourse on important topics unattainable. Today I witnessed one of the most important speeches on race in my lifetime, and if you can simply dismiss it by replaying sound bytes of someone else you disagree with, then you are the problem with America today.

Vote for a Racist lover and you get a Racist. Denounce Wright Obama!!!! Or does your wife have your 00 squeezing them so that you can't denounce that RACIST??? Either way NO Real American Black, White, Yellow or Red will ever trust you on any decision or statemment you make from here on out. You should have walked out on him the first time you heard his RACIST diatribe but you didn't...enough said.

Vote with your brains people, there is too much at stake in Nov. to screw this election up. As a Pa. voter i can that i WILL NOT BE VOTING OBAMA!!!!!

Unfortunately, those that are biased, or cannot conceive of voting for a black president already had their minds made up before today. They wanted to vote for Hillary, or McCain, someone who wasn't a scary "other" to them...and now they think they have a good reason. If Obama had completely walked away from the church and thrown Wright under the bus, then it would be, "well, why didn't he do that before? He just did it now for political expediency. He's fake." So, he had accountability, and didn't reduce the man's career in ten seconds of soundbytes, but disavowed his controversial words. Still not enough. The right-wing, and all those who want things to stay as they are, with some classes at the definite bottom without an equal playing field, have found their golden nugget and are sticking to it. It is the hardest thing to live in a country that for one moment does not let you forget that you are African American. We want to live life fairly, but we must always be reminded of our "place", whether it's being called names, epithets, dirty looks, being followed around a store for no reason, not being greeted when one walks in the store, etc. Obama has tried to build a coalition, but the media, and the corporations that own them, will not let that happen. Hence, the five sound-bytes from one speech that happened seven years ago from one man that is not running for president. How curious that the media refuse to show anything else of Rev. Wright's career. Perhaps because THOSE things are why Obama attended his church. Wright also has done tons of work for the surrounding Chicago community involving AIDS prevention, prison ministries, so cons will have productive things to do when they get out, and housing for homeless people. But, I guess because that was for black people in the area, that is also anti-white. And so must Oprah be, and the white members of Trinity Church.

I wonder how many of the writers on this blog are watching the HBO series on John Adams? Most of the bloggers sound like members of the crowd who tar and feathered the guy who bravely and quietly spoke the truth during a very emotional court trial. (Program 1)

As they wrote the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and the Founding Father (Program 2) demonstrated reason and courage in addressing topics that split the nation. Once written and digested, the document united the nation in its battle for freedom.

Today Barack Obama also spoke to the highest common denominator in humankind, calling for us to examine our own long held prejudices as he called on us to understand others life experiences.

Great people have invited us to walk in the shoes of the other before. Barack Obama is asking us to do it again. My prayer is that America is made up of people thoughtful enough and wise enough to recognize a call to put aside hate, long-held stereotypes, quick judgements and unite as a country in order to get things done that supports true equality for all.

We are the ones who need to change. Barack Obama is helping us do just that.

i'm a white male, 56 yrs, independent with a libertarian bent. voted for BO in the WA caucus'.

really disapointed in BO.

he says we need a conversation about race, maybe so.

but first we need a conversation about JUDGEMENT, a quality he said, and i believed, set him apart.

i would never vote for a white man who attended a church that espoused racism, especially if that man took his young children there as well.

how can i support BO? shall i have two standards now?

sorry, as it stands he has lost my support.

i can't stomach the idea of 28 years of Bush's and Clinton's - guess that leaves the old fart from AZ.

"nice speech BUT obama did not answer the question about his close association to wright.

Posted by: elgarbanzo"

Sure he did. Quite well I thought. He explained that Wright was way more than those few snippets (out of decades of good words and works) you are seeing from the media. Just as his white grandmother was way more than the woman guilty of using ratial slurs. You need to listen to the speech again.

This is insane! All of us have someone like Rev. Wright in our lives whether it's a family member, friend, or minister and most of us don't even agree with our spouses on all issues so why would we expect Barack Obama to be any different. I don't agree with many things our minister says or what my family believes, but I will not and should not disown them.

Some interesting background at AR:

http://acropolisreview.com/2008/03/barack-obama-condemns-reverend-jeremiah.html

"But instead Obama wants to take us back to the 70s, act as if NO progress and CHANGE ever took place to satisfy his campaign managers need to score points after getting reamed by the nauseating rantings of Wright.

Forget it! whatever wounds still exist, whites are not going back to the old world of preacher Wright and satisfying his sick needs. And those needs are insatiable anyways and can NEVER be satisfied so it's a big waste of time.

Posted by: Dr. Dave"

Dave, which speech were you listening to? Because I heard Obama explain over and over how he believes instead that we've come a long way since those days, and we need to realize that. Obama was saying EXACTLY the opposite of what you accuse. As as far as the important issues, you should read his plans. They are more thought out, positive, and practical than either Clinton's or McCain's. Do some research.

Obama said issues of racism "must be addressed" how is that? by black leaders and black people only? because every time someone white has an opinion or comment about anyone black, especially Saint Obama they are automatically profiled as a racist and accused of playing the race card. How are we ever supposed to "address" issues of race when blacks consider all whites racists? Obama is a hypocrite and a big phony labeling good people like the Clintons and Geraldine Ferraro racist, I will not vote for him now or ever. If Hillary does not get the nomination, I am voting for Nader, leaving the Democratic party and registering as an Independent.

"Imagine in 1999, that a videotape had come to light showing the pastor of Texas Gov. George W. Bush's church making vicious, hateful comments about America and cruel, racist statements about Americans of color.

Suppose this preacher had given a lifetime achievement award to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, and had traveled to Europe with Duke to meet with neo-Nazi terrorists.

Now try to envision that the candidate's family had attended this church for more than twenty years, that George and Laura Bush had been married there, by this pastor, and that the Bush daughters had been baptized by him.

Picture George Bush titling his autobiography after a phrase in one of this minister's sermons, writing that the man was his mentor, and then putting him on the presidential campaign staff as a trusted advisor and confidant.

...

Now imagine Laura Bush, on the campaign trail for her husband, telling supporters and the national media that America is "mean" and that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country.

Is there a doubt that Republican officeholders would have run from the Bush campaign like rats from a burning barn, that he would have become the political leper of the 2000 campaign? And what about the media? They virtually crucified candidate Bush that year for daring to give a speech at Bob Jones University, which had once banned interracial dating. I cannot imagine the field day they would have had with something like this.

And yet excuses are made for Barack Obama, who now finds himself in exactly this situation. Obama's pastor of more than two decades - the man who married Barack and Michelle Obama, who christened their daughters, who inspired the title of the candidate's book, "The Audacity of Hope," - is now at the center of a storm that would have destroyed the candidacy of any Republican the day the story broke.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for the last 36 years, has been caught on tape denouncing the United States and the white race in terms that should shock and disgust every thinking American. Wright and the church swear allegiance to the "mother country" - Africa. (Presumably this includes the Obama family.)

Rather than trying to infuse his congregation with hope and encouragement, Wright poisons them with vitriol about how the U.S. government has tried to commit genocide against the black community using drugs and the AIDS virus as weapons of choice.

"Don't say God bless America," Wright screams in one sermon. "God damn America!"

Wright, representing the church, bestowed a lifetime achievement award on Louis Farrakhan, the racist leader of the Nation of Islam. In the 1980s, Wright traveled to Libya with Farrakhan to meet with Muammar Gaddafi."

(from Doug Patton)

I thought Obama's speech this morning was fantastic-- My only concern is that he spoke in shades of grey, rather than in the sort of absolute terms which Americans have become accustomed to over the past 8 years. As a result, I think, his message was lost on many who lack the capacity (i.e. intelligence and/or open-mindedness) to appreciate and understand the nuance of his argument, as evidenced by the ignorant messages that have been posted on this board. While he strongly criticized their beliefs and actions, he did not fully reject or denounce his Black pastor OR his White grandmother for racist statements they have made. Instead, he contextualized the perspectives of both within a broader socio-historical framework. In doing so, he strived to help both Blacks and Whites to see the issue of racism from the other side, to better understand one another's experience, and to recognize and appreciate the benefits of coming together to achieve common goals.

I think that this speech was the single most significant statement on race to be made in this country since the civil rights era. Yes, he said many things that were hard for both Black and White Americans to hear-- but he bravely put his candidacy on the line in order to open a much-needed dialogue about prejudice and discrimination in this country. While it may be difficult for both Whites and Blacks to accept responsibility for their own contributions to the racial tension in our society, the only way we will ever be able to move forward is by engaging in a candid conversation about the reality of our country's historical legacy of prejudice.

He is inspiring for sure but he offers himself as THE ONE who can solve these problems just because he is part white and part black. SO was Malcolm X and he is noted for saying he hated every ounce of white blood in him. If Barack were serious about putting Race behind us why did he use the words of Malcolm X in his speeches in SC. Why is he calling Hillary a racist or race baiting any time she criticizes him.He is a user of race and an opportunist. He is the MASTER AT HOODWINKING YOU! HE GAVE YOU THE OKEY_DOKE YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN BAMBOOZLED! If you dont believe me check out Danzel Washington s Malcolm X Harlem speech @American Rhetoric .com speeches

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4469041

That's the new Wright video. He seems to be railing against Oprah, Tiger, Colin Powell, and Conda"skeeza" Rice.

Wonder why Oprah left the church? In 1986 was she able to see that to reach mass audiences she had to distance herself from this type of divisive message?

It saddens me to read comments about a speech that the commentators haven't seen. Somebody rails against a "five minute" speech which was, in fact, nearly 40 minutes long. It's disheartening that this speech for the ages will not be heard by those that most need to listen.

Obama's speech was superb! This guy is a healer, and many of those ranting against him do not deserve him as a leader. So much damage has been done in our name that most nations are disappointed in our leadership if not our nation. We are a generous people with so much potential reflecting the races of the world with the best constitution on the globe. We deserve better. If we are lucky, Mr. Obama will be it. He is genuine, who has seen much and experienced lots of pain that many members of the Cheney and Rush Limbaugh party that are penning empty opinions on this board never had experienced. Many of this group are patriots in name only while sending other sons and daughters to die for them in a distant war. Witness the melt down of our economy while fighting two wars simultaneously. We are not even sure of the future flow of energy from that part of the world that started it all. I do not envy Sen. Obama or any other candidate for that matter that is running to right up this mess. We'll, therefore, continue to have similar leaders because decent people will shy away from gutter politics. I think this guy Obama is a fighter and will help clean the rats from all the Houses. That's why their progeny is making all the noise and mischief here and elsewhere. The majority of the people are angry and getting wiser for "Swift Boats" and will choose the best candidate this time round, and it will be OBAMA!!

I am white 47 year old woman in the South. This speech and the news I have watched with black ministers being interviewed stating this is the conduct that is preached in black churchs around this country is very disturbing. If, we are having hate preached and taught to black citizens in this country this is where the racism is and not in the white citizen. The blacks are given the very same rights as myself and even more rights because they are black. I went to a school that was a black school and feared for my life everyday. I do not hate blacks. My family employed black employees and help them to raise their son to become a doctor. What OBama and the black ministers are stating are total lies. We as the United States have given them every opportunity possible, but instead they have decided hate. Until the black or any other nationality decides to move forward with their life and stop blaming everyone else then their life will not change. This speech was a total insult to the white working American. If, Obama wants to look at the horror, look at what we the United States did to the American Indian. But, yet the American Indian has stood up and changed their life for the good. My mother was full bloodied Indian therefore I know the horror stories here too. We the white people can not be blamed for everything and keep paying as we do. There is not one black person in the United States of America that has experience slavery and the civil rights movement has been just as hard on the white people of this nation as on the black people. OBama is short in discussing the white mistreatment through the years. At the same time in our white churches we do not preach hate.

To those who try to say "what if Hilary attended a white-centered church?" Many of our politicians do and did for years. That is why our country is so deeply divided on issues of race. Yet what crimes could a white minister say about the black race? That they enslaved whites for 400 years? That for 100 years after slavery they perpetuated a racist system that prevented whites from anything that resembled equality or advancement?

There are many black Americans that feel as Rev. Wright does. I am not African American, but as a historian I can say that most of his charges against the United States are true. Maybe we do not like the way that he said it, but slavery and Jim Crow and their lasting effects even in 2008 are undeniable. It is funny that so many call him a "white-hater" yet he never said he hates whites. In one of the speeches he even addresses his white congregants. There is a big difference between pointing out racism and hating an entire race.

Finally, in regards to Obama not speaking up, we do not know what was said privately and we do not know what comments were made while he was in attendance. Ask yourself how many times your minister, professor, father, friend or co-worker made comments that you did not agree with and you chose to remain silent? How many racist jokes have you laughed at so as not to offend the speaker? How many times did you dismiss an off-handed comment by someone you care about because you knew the complete person and that one comment (or even issue) was just an aberration. We do not have 20-years of Wright's conversations and speeches to analyze, just 5-10 minutes of soundbites taken out of context.

There seems to be a great deal of misinformation regarding Obama and his comments.

Here are a few points to consider:

-His mother was white and he was raised by his white grandparents in Kansas. Do you really think that he hates white people and would expose his children to such notions?

-Oprah Winfrey was also a long-time member of the same church (along with a number of other prominent African-Americans who could have achieved such prominence only in America). This does not seem to be a church that preaches hate every Sunday.

-Once Obama became aware of the comments, it is clear that Wright was forced to step down as pastor of the church. It's hard to explain any other reason for his abrupt resignation.

-I watched the entire speech. I did not here him say he heard those comments and I also heard him repeatedly say that he denounced those comments and did not agree with them.

-I have seen him speak in front of audiences comprised almost entirely of African American (and with no press or media present). I was impressed by the fact that his message, tone and wording was exactly the same as with any audience. In other words, he does NOT pander to African Americans.

-Lastly, do really think he "hates" America? Do you really think that he is running for president to destroy our country? In my opinion that is a pretty shocking thing to suggest.

Obama is a magician and a showman. He was invented by Dickie Durbin who sensed he would be an orator.
So, they had Obama come to Springfield and make his speech from the Old State Capitol where Lincoln gave his house divided speech.
Both Durbin and Obama think they are like Lincoln for that matter they fantasize Abe Lincoln was a Democrat. His advisers told him to not let Rev. Wright give the invocation so, today Durbin says they held a private prayer with Wright away from the thousands gathered.
Obama has known or should of known Jeremiah Wright is anti-White in the extreme.
Obama palled around with indicted Tony Rezko doing apartment deals in Chicago where Obama was a consummate Daley machine politican. He was Rezko's friend and lawyer.
Another pal of Obamas is weatherman terrorist William Ayers. He seems to attract strange bedfellows in his politcal world.
This doesn't sound at all like the Great Emancipator Abraham Lincoln.
Obama said last Friday he didn't hear Rev. Wright say anything racist or controversial. Yesterday, he said he heard Wright talk racist in the pews.
Which is it? He either lied Friday or yesterday and what else will he lie about.
A last thought Kathleen Parker's column today she reasons Obama's speech was given to appeal to white guilt. Bingo the answer Obama and Durbin are to clever by far for us to elect or re-elect.
Unfortunately Durbin can't be beat here in the Peoples Republic Of Illinois a socialist state just like Obama and Durbin.
Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Obama's spiritual mentor and close friend is a man who incites emotions of hate towards white people and the United States. Wright is wrong on so many topics that sound like Marxist propaganda to turn people against their government. Sadly, he hid behind cross of Christianity, and preached hate. Anger and hate are not the basis of Christianity, but Wright pretended not to know that, and Obama failed to confront him, or have the judgement to leave that "church" and not allow his children to be brainwashed in a theology of hate. Obama tried to give a speech focusing on race, but the real issues are his own credibility saying he never heard and knew of Wright's beliefs, and then reversed himself and said he did know. He wears one mask in the black culture, and another one when facing the white culture and world at large. He's dishonest to himself and all voters. How can someone without character and experience even have the audacity to run for high political office? How could anyone ever vote for him? I took some photos of Obama during a debate and enlarged it. His eyes reflected hatred and arrogance. His thoughts and emotions come through his eyes and cannot be hidden with his words.

You are all sheep: He claimed that Jesus was a black man oppressed by white society. Jesus was Middle Eastern and the Romans were Italian. He claimed that HIV/Aids were invented by white people for the extermination of blacks. Yes he used some facts, but he was totally off on others.

I'd just like to say that if you want an enslaving Socialist society then either Obama or Hillary will do it to you and for you. Neither is good for America nor is it American.
Barack's barrister part preacher, filled with emotion and sorriness for his America and how he will heal it by using racism and hatred although eloquently phrased was and is disgusting.
I will vote for the old man.
Go away from me with scare tactics and the sky is falling and we are but a bunch of miserable failed peoples. Such thinking is Communistic and degrading. I am proud to be an American who works actively and positively in making America better by progressive means and not by enslavement to Socialist being. My gray matter works and no Socialist bigoted person can sway me unto thinking that hatred can lead the way. Want to address discrimination? Then stop being racist by words and actions and get out there and vote for the person who will deal with it and continue to make and enforce laws. This does not mean that race, gender, or religion are the main platforms as to what will make America work; they are a part of it as many other issues are. Universal Socialist being is slavery. Get real. I want independence and a government that does not choke but has guidelines that do not cause personal interference in being as America goes about its business of being and continuing to work on being a better America for all Americans. Did not know that we must vote because of race, gender, or religion, but as who we are by what we do and in the best interest of ALL Americans. Unity comes from being a real American and not hatred or hate mongering. Amen.

Everyone talks about if Hilary belongs to a "white centric or white theology" church for 20 years then she should throw her pastor under the bus. She does. She's a Southern Baptist, an association that has, for years, done all it can to stop the races from mixing. The fact is that the most segregated time in america is at 10 am on sunday. You people who say Sen. Obama (and why is it that those who oppose him don't give him his due title of Senator?)should throw Rev. Wright under the bus didn't listen to the speech, only the sound bites you wanted to hear. You all have people in your lives that have said and done dumb things, yet you still keep them around. For all of your that are Catholic (that includes me), the church has said and done things that did nothing to stop racism, but instead inflame it, from its pulpits and in its teachings, yet no one said there was a problem. Its only when black people get mad and lose their place do people of other races get upset.
Rev's Wright's "chickens have come home to roost" comment wasn't even an original thought - it was said over 40 years ago.

Racism is about power. Bigotry is about ignorance - Rev. Wright very well may be a bigot, but he hasn't the power to be a racist.

That was an incredible, honest, and difficult speech to deliver. Barack Obama is a GREAT man who truly loves this country and offers a fresh perspective.

It will be a shame if he isn't elected.

One thing more. Obama has made his case. It so appears that he is racist as well as a Socialist. And, a liar and bigot. He does not encourage folk to become better but to hate and he is fueling hatred unto getting him into that Oval office.
A little self accountability goes a long way and irresponsibility rears its ugle head when I hear Obama spew eloquence laden with racism. Listen to the black preacher in NYC who tells his flock the truth and that is to be an American and not play into the victim role by anyone to include any race. It is self and action not self victimism that leads the way. Not getting up in the morning to go to work or fulfill some duty is not compromised by being a certain gender or of a certain race, or because of one's religion, nor is it's Bush's fault. After all, the majority of Americans are liberal and have shoved it down our throats so we've become used to it and actually believe in their BS. An excuse to be a bum lies at the helm of self. With 60 years of liberalism calling itself the golden way, I'd have to say, it's a bismal failure and not that of Republicans. So, if you feel so miserably trapped, change yourself and vote for the old man. And then, by all means, do your part. And, stop using excuses to be a human. I don't believe America has terminal illness. Wake up and smell the roses and recognize bigotry. Rush Limbaugh had a great bit on his show today that really was interesting. And by the way, Rush is not running for President.
Every time a soul gives up on itself, there is a program designed to keep a 4 legged chair as a 3 legged one. Get up and about and feel good about it. Take chains that choke and let me be. Give me room to roam and be a real American who has economic opportunity that does not call for being in a program that is sponsered by the government. Libs get jobs this way; for you are their suffering client who will stay suffered and sufferable. Make way for change that takes one up and not chained by hatred and victimizations unto being. Amen.

History has just been made in America with Obama's speech and what do most of you do? Mud sling! Pour waves of cynicism down your throats like so much bile! If America wants to maintain its place as leader of western democracies you people had better start hearing what Obama has to say. 20th century politics and ideology needs to stay in the 20th century. For your democracy to mature you must confront the bigotry that stifles your progress. Obama provides the kind of leadership that can do this. Dismiss him and you dismiss a potentially brilliant and progressive future for America. It's up to you ...

There seems to be a great deal of misinformation regarding Obama and his comments.

Here are a few points to consider:

-His mother was white and he was raised by his white grandparents in Kansas. Do you really think that he hates white people and would expose his children to such notions?

-Oprah Winfrey was also a long-time member of the same church (along with a number of other prominent African-Americans who could have achieved such prominence only in America). This does not seem to be a church that preaches hate every Sunday.

-Once Obama became aware of the comments, it is clear that Wright was forced to step down as pastor of the church. It's hard to explain any other reason for his abrupt resignation.

-I watched the entire speech. I did not here him say he heard those comments and I also heard him repeatedly say that he denounced those comments and did not agree with them.

-I have seen him speak in front of audiences comprised almost entirely of African American (and with no press or media present). I was impressed by the fact that his message, tone and wording was exactly the same as with any audience. In other words, he does NOT pander to African Americans.

-Lastly, do really think he "hates" America? Do you really think that he is running for president to destroy our country? In my opinion that is a pretty shocking thing to suggest.

Here's the thing about racism... it's not just white people that are racists. If you hate any race of people and assume the worst of them you are a racist.

I think the problem with our country being unable to move forward with race is that we allow ourselves to be reminded too often of the racism of our past.

I believe there is a large group of African Americans in our country that do not want white people to be free of the history of their ancestors.

They actually WANT there to be racism in our country because it gives them an opportunity to be a victim and use that to take advantage of the system.

I also believe there is are a large group of white Americans who dislike African Americans simply for the color of their skin.

The issue is how do we get past it. We have the freedom in this country to think and say what we like. While that is a wonderful blessing it allows for hate to be expressed from time to time.

Black people and White people are all just people. 100% equal. There are certainly issues that face the African American community more harshly, but some of these things are due to the practices and choices the African American community continues to make. Blaming other races for those problems instead of correcting the issues within your own community only seperates people more and allows hate to flourish.