Hey only two weeks too late!

A little too late. Now he denounces after his political career is on the line. He didn’t know about Farrahkan before? None of Wright’s views? Please. Wright coming out is a no winning situation for Obama. If it’s true he never heard of Wright’s anti American stands for 20 years one has to question Obama’s awareness and judgment. . If he knew of Wrights hate speeches and denied it then it comes down to just plain lying and serious lack of character.

Dear Fellow Americans,

Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America
is and will face very critical “Challenges” in coming
years and decades.

The Problems will be tough and solutions would not
easy.

The key will the cool, calm, and collectedness of our
next President[ What I call Presidential Temperament’
The one remaining candidate who has consistently that
Presidential Temperament is Senator Obama.

His message of change makes sense. We have to stop
doing business in Washington old ways. The new ways of
lifting each other up and stopping tearing each other
down will not held our Great grand Nation. The
Terrorists around the world[real] and inadvertently
assisted by some shortsighted media [Who are party to
this perpetuation of psychological terrorism of
mis-information, dis-information, and duplicity], that
is what we do not need.

In order to send the message around the world that
America is get Senator Obama our next president. At
least on thing he has shown consistently is the
presidential Temperament. The Temperament of our next
president is very critical address internal and
internal challenges. Let us defeat real external
terrorists snd internal psychological terrorists once
for all.

God Bless out Great grand Nation, its diverse people,
and Senator Obama. He is the ans her to our future
stability, security, safety, and regain our status in the world. Wright is wrong and senator is right. I applaud him for maintaing Presidential Temperament during current primary process.

Yours truly,

COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall
Disables American Veteran.
Las Vegas Nevada.

As the old adage says: Too little, too late.

That won't stop the rabid right. They only have reasons to vote against someone and no good reasons to vote for theirs. America knows it's a Bush third term.

It's fine and good to denounce when things get hairy like this but you (Barack) clearly had a thing for him up until it became an obvious public relations nightmare...It's a little too late to "pretend" that you are outraged now, especially after twenty years of being his spiritual mentee. Please treat us with more respect than this, Mr. Obama, and maybe we will re-elect you senator when your first term is up. Then, maybe, you can actually serve your term in office, finally.

People change. I have an aunt who is a member of a right-wing, ultra hating church in a small community in Southern Indiana. 20 years ago, she was merely annoying. Now, I don't even know her.

Last year she told me "We should kill everyone in the Middle East. They are nasty people." So much for the love of Christ.

20 years ago, the worst you could expect from her was that she was going to give you another bible for Christmas.

Wright has gone from someone who drew Obama into his church, to an egomaniac who will NOT be viewed favorably by the black community if he continues to make a spectacle of himself.

Wright is making this election All About Him.

I can't name one group of people who have been helped by Wright's constant yammering for attention. Oh, wait, I can -- neocons (McCain and Billary)..

Moisten finger... hold it up to the political wind... then take a stand.

Also, the man married him, baptized his kids and was his spiritual advisor for 20 years. Did Wright just flip a switch and all of a sudden become an Al Sharpton wannabe? Does Obama expect us to believe Wright had this complete transformation in the past few days and Obama never knew he was that angry of a man before? Does he think the voters were born at night or just last night?

While I disagree with Obama on just about every issue and believe he is not qualified to be president, and too far to the left as well, I also feel sorry for him. Obama always has seemed like a nice enough man, but Wright is destroying him (as well as other Obama affiliations and his inability to understand this country is not interested in far left politics, people and terrorists). Wright is a hysterical opportunist who seeks only to make money for himself and harm whomever he has to in order to prove his "prophecy" about the evil U.S. as being correct.

I agree Obama waited too long to sow the seeds of doubt about himself. He is running for President; he should have quit Wright much sooner.

Now that the working class flipped on him; he is trying to correct while Hillary is busy in North Carolina. This has been my fear about Obama all along. Glad we have Hillary as a backup!

perhaps one should explore just how and where the rev. met his current wife.

It's not that Rev. Wright is necessarily wrong about Obama, nor is he necessarily wrong for defending himself against the caricature of him by the media. Obama is a politician. He has to get all people (i.e., blacks, whites, latinos, corporate elites, middles class folks, lutherans, catholics, et cetera) to accept him as their leader, and this is quite difficult. So Obama has to say certain things that line up with the majority of Americans. That's politics. Furthermore, the media knows nothing about black liberation theology. This is true. They speak in sound bites. No doubt. However, he should have waited to defend himself. Could he have waited until Obama secured the presidency or at least the nomination? I think so. Be that as it may, if he cared nothing for Obama at this point he was totally justified in defending himself. If he did care for Obama and spoke anyway, then he chose the wrong time and the wrong language.

He gave him his chance, gave him his way out. That was the best he could do. Wright, though, decided to get cute with him, and that was the end of that. Nobody can ever say that Barack Obama did not give him the benefit of the doubt. Now they cannot say that there wasn't a point where you could push him too far. It's a good political message, and given his strength in the party, it's also a pretty good signal to those who might think that just because he's not pointlessly vindictive like the Clintons that he can't shut somebody down

He gave him his chance, gave him his way out. That was the best he could do. Wright, though, decided to get cute with him, and that was the end of that. Nobody can ever say that Barack Obama did not give him the benefit of the doubt. Now they cannot say that there wasn't a point where you could push him too far. It's a good political message, and given his strength in the party, it's also a pretty good signal to those who might think that just because he's not pointlessly vindictive like the Clintons that he can't shut somebody down

If you thought the swiftboats were bad, wait till you start seeing the attack ads with Rev. Wrong providing the key soundbites.

I do not see why the media is so obssessed with the Wright shadow. How about McCain and Hillary? How about Osama Bin Laden? How about jobs? How about healthcare? How about dying children? How about ending the Iraq war?? As a country, have we gone blind???

When Obama says, we shouldn't be distracted by Rev. Wright's outbursts, he's assuming he has a long and proven track record. The fundamental problem is that we, the voters, don't know Obama.

Dubya said he was a compassionate conservative that was not going to "nation build" during his campaign....how has that worked out for us?

I'm not saying or even implying Obama is some Black Panther, Farrakhan following extremist. What I'm very much questioning is Obama's judgement (his campaign theme) and leadership. I can't think of too many strong leaders that would have stayed in a disagreeable situation for twenty years, even if it meant good opportunity for political networking.

Here again, if Obama didn't realize Wright could have been a liability, why did he purposely keep Rev. Wright off the podium during his presidential campaign announcement? The answer is Obama must have known something before yesterday.

If Obama didn't have any issues with Rezko (or Rezko's wife) owning the property next to him, why did he make double sure all the "i's" were dotted and "t's" crossed. Why did he go through all the trouble of building the fence, but built in an access gate (who would build a privacy fence on the side of the property with a gate??)

His actions are creating a pattern, and they don't say strong leader. More pointedly, his actions say someone who's easily influenced by power.

Anyone can sound tough in prepared remarks, but true leadership can be found only in times of crisis and in the presence of aggressive challengers.

Finally enough is enough and too much is too much! It isn't too late for Obama if the American voters can see beyond the fact that Rev.Wright has a motive for saying and doing these interviews at the moment. There is something goong on really behind the scenes. My late grandmother was a politician in Chicago and I remember her telling me once that in politics those who can hurt you most are the ones you consider a friend and some reverends will sell you down the river to the highest bidder. By the way she never liked Rev. Wright and thought of him as a jack legged preacher with degrees! It's in the voters hands at this point and Wright knew how this would affect Obama's chances in the up coming elections in Indiana and Carolina.

You know, this whole thing with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is totally ridiculous. I had a preacher marry me and preachers baptize my kids, but that doesn't mean I agree with their political views.

It's obvious what kind of a person Barack Obama is after all of this time in the spotlight. And, it's obvious what kind of a campaign he has run.

He is a decent person who has enough idealism left to try to help all of us in this Country.

I think that the media just jumps on every little thing for sensational purposes and that encourages naysayers who don't like certain people to try to destroy them. That is not American and what America stands for.

I will not be listening to any more of this petty, stupid drubbing of either Obama or Clinton. The majority of the American people are bright enough to understand what they see on the campaign trail...and, that is all we really need.

Go away media with your ad nauseum interpretations of everything.

I respect Senator Obama's position and I hope we will hear of a similar concession from Senator McCain and his affiliation with Minister Hagee. That would be the honest thing to do, on Senator McCain's part!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

You don't write off a friend for making stupid comments. You kick him to the curb as hard as you can when he makes you look like a fool for standing up for him. Obama was magnanimous in his original support for Rev. Wright and justified in cutting ties with him now. He didn't do the pandering political two-step like it seems so many people wanted him to do. He just did the right thing. Sounds kinda presidential to me.

If you thought the swiftboats were bad, wait till you start seeing the attack ads with Rev. Wrong providing the key soundbites.

Posted by: Jeff | April 29, 2008 4:00 PM

This is rich and it's coming from the same guy (Jeffy) who was on here crying about McCain's 100 years in Iraq ads yesterday..

Look yourselves in the mirror and face the cold hard facts: this issue has nothing, NOTHING to do with how you feel about Obama.

The ones that hated him from the beginning will find nothing that he says or does enough to redeem himself in your eyes.

The ones that love him will take this latest proclamtion as a positive sign, become emboldened, and march on to victory.

Whatever camp you are in, this needs to be a dead issue. Move on to important issues. The Republicans are going to massacre you in November if you do not do it to yourselves before then.

What a bunch of sheep we've become. This is news how?

Wright had every right to respond to the defamation of his character as has the right of every American. Moreover, every American has a right to freedom of speech, even if it is counterproductive to the aspirations of a Democratic candidate. Obama, for all his calmness and temperament, falls short of the right kind of judgment needed for a President when he couldn't even decide to quit the congregation of a pastor with whom he says he does not agree. To right off Wright at this point is indeed politically motivated, and Wright was right about Obama.

The good reverend is going down to Chinatown and he is taking Barry X with him. They deserve each other.

How long, do you think, will take them to fully reconcile, if Omaba becomes the president?

My understanding is that Wright recently purchased a million dollar home - apparently ministers get paid more than I expected. I hope his reward for voluntarily and selfishly raising his profile and taking center stage is an IRS audit and a criminal investigation for corruption.

John, I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I know how sad it can be when a family essentially estranges him/herself. Here's to hoping the person you knew someday comes back.

Seems a tad late to be "outraged" and be considered credible. Twenty years in a pew in that church weighs heavily against him. Especially considering the past several weeks trying to explain it away as "nothing" or words taken out of context.

It's refreshing to read that so many of us are choosing to see through the liberal, profit-driven media's fight to keep the Democratic primary race alive.
But I take issue with some. I am completely insulted at the people who can publically confirm on this post that they can no longer support Barack Obama because they have lost faith in him. Why? What has he done that you have lost "faith" in him? Did you really support him in the first place? Did you actually go to the polls and vote?
For a long time, while being a devout supporter of Barack Obama, I could have been ok with Hillary's nomination, recognizing that a Democratic president will champion changes for the people in our country. But Hillary has shown her true colors by launching attacks, continually focusing on negative agendas, and steering clear of the fundamental issues that make this year's election so important.
Jeremiah Wright will not affect the lives of anyone who chooses not embrace his views, and this includes Barack Obama, who has the same rights as anyone. Hillary Clinton dropping a nuclear bomb on Iran in support of Israel will have an effect on EVERY LIVING AMERICAN. And we still question who the better candidate is?
It is this display of our waivering faith that has the United States of America in such disrepair today.
When you put your support behind something, have the fortitude to stick with it. Outside influences, including the media, should not change your views when the very entity you support has not changed theirs. Barack Obama is an eloquent man who has identified the need for change in this country, something that Americans (white, black, Republican, Democratic, etc) recognize is critically important.
Think about it. Make the right choice. I think people who believe in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA will do just that.

Obama is Karl Marx wrapped in a good marketing package.
His view of the world and economics needs to be stopped. We can do this in November and by letting Hillary rough him up a little now.

Electoral math looks bad for Obama (forget national polls they are irrelevant)...We help Hillary, she helps us.....and we can keep the libs out of office for at least 4 more years....might be just enough time to replace a couple of left wings nutcases on the court.

Obama did the right thing. He was loyal but everyone has limits. He had to cut him out ad he did. Bravo Obama.

some of the above comments are very meanspirited toward Obama. He was trying to be charitable and see the best in the man.

Which is no longer possible. Glad Obama denounced him. Also impressed that Obama tried to be understanding for as long as he could. I could not have been so magnanimous.

Wright is a major league egomaniac, and for his own reasons has decided to undercut the best hope for this country.

I usually vote Republican and had been leaning to voting for Obama. However this Wright thing is really troublesome. He seems militant in his views, contrary to Obama, but certainly is hurting Barack big time and people will call into question how much influence he would have. It would be ironic if a black man prevented the first black president from being elected, and a well-qualified one at that. Would he still blame the whites? Look in the mirror Rev. Wright!

Reverend Wright's incidiary comments are offensive and downright scary to this so-called "typical white person". And it causes me pause to consider whether O'Bama may secretly harbor similar absurd and divisive views. To add fuel to fire, O'Bama has only recently begun to separate himself from Reverend Wright and this was done only after it became overwhelming clear to most American's that Wright is a left-wing radical reminescent of Malcolm X and the days of the Black Panthers. And it is ironic that Wright may derail the first black American's chance to become President. The irony is that Wright who professes that white American's are the cause of all setbacks that blacks have experienced in their life and yet in this case a black has been the cause of another blacks downfall. Sorta like the kettle calling the pot black.

What did Obama expect Rev. Wright to do? Just set back and let people talked about him and his family. Obama knew the type of person Rev. Wright was and that he does not back down from a fight. I agree with Rev. Wright his speech was political motivated. Naturally, he has to say the things he says, if I wanted the highest job in the land I probably would have found a sacrificial lamb too. Obama also knew when he joined TUCC what type of church it was and the messages that Rev. Wright delivered. Rev. Wright did not start preaching his first sermon after 9/11; Obama used Trinity to get a connection to the community. I voted for him in the primary and probably will vote for him if he’s the Democrat nominee, I will also vote for Hillary if she is the Democrat nominee, but we all know that the final decision is left up to the “good ole boys network” who will be President of the United States.

I can just hear the lefty loons in about 3 weeks....Oh that Hillary isn't so bad after all.

She's smart and she has experience!

Paulo

Obama, you are a poor judge of character. Only now do you understand. Is it because now the criticism is touching you personally? Twenty years wasn't a long enough time to gather enough information to see thru the Rev. Wright? Slow learner!!!

Thank God! Mr. Obama I admire your restraint, but you are in a fight for your life in this election; I am so glad you spoke up.

Don't be quite so polite to Hillary, she'd stick a knife in your back if she had the chance. You are up against some very devioius and experienced con persons; watch your step.

Keep going and don't give in to her plea for a one-on-one -- keep up the interviews with the respectful newscasters, those are great. Your interview with Mr. Wallace on Sunday went very nicely and he pitched some hardball questions, which is okay, as long as they are respectful. Best wishes.

Enough already. Obama is the best candidate for President. He's intelligent, reasonable and has courage - when everyone else was rushing after Bush to war, he stood his ground and was against it. Now, he tried to explain Rev. Wright's attitudes, but he's gone too far. Good for Obama for speaking up - and it's never too late! Susan in Chicago

Hey only two weeks too late!

Posted by: Jeff | April 29, 2008 3:34 PM

Jeff your slipping into loser, dead-ender status. Sometime maybe no comment is a comment. p.s. your candidate has NO ecenomic policy and is a LIAR!!! A lap dog an a disgrace!!!

Lapel pins... outlandish Pastors... what is next?

Oh, how about these fuel prices? Sagging dollar? Unjust war in Iraq? Looming recession? Jobs going by the wayside? Food prices?

Hey, at least we have $600 dollars. Whoopie, that may keep my gas tank full for.....one month?

Maybe... everyone who cares about what Wright has to say, should take a second and examine their own level of intelligence.

This is NOT NEWS!!!!! It means nothing! The fact that we're discussing this and not healthcare or the war that is sending this country into a financial crisis is sad.

I agree with the earlier post... you're all sheep. Baaaah!

The Obama apologists are missing the point about Wright - it's not about his views or sermons, but Obama's actions and judgment in light of them. Obama has claimed ignorance over 20 years, attempted to frame this as a racial divide issue, tried to nudge Wright aside as an old senile Uncle, and finally disowned him (maybe). Obama's actions seriously undermine his so-called superior intellegence and judgement, and certainly makes one stop to ponder "are these the actions of a leader who can be a heartbeat away from launching a world war?"

Wright is to Obama what Bartman was to the Cubs. Pity.

Since Wright seems to be working for the Billary camp, maybe Obama is really appalled and really, really outraged—maybe it’s not an act—I don’t think it is. All of us can love flawed human beings who may be sexist, racist, and just flat out ugly-thinking.
For all who say too little, too late, I’m impressed by Obama’s loyalty even when he was still being attacked for not throwing Wright under the bus weeks ago.

It won't take long for someone to piece together a video montage of Obama responding to Wright over the last month that will make Obama look very unqualified to lead this country. It probably is already on YouTube.
I think that Obama is now controlled by "handlers" and can not/will not deal with things upfront. He is always misinterpreted or misunderstood as even he states that Wright misunderstood him in this latest speech. Arrrgggh!
Obama the first qualification of a leader is that you must lead.

That was the other Jeff, John (the Hillary supporter). I had this handle first so I'm keeping it. I was the one who posted at 4:27.

(Here's a transcript of Obama's entire speech.)

- MD and FJ

LOL.

I've been pleading with people to read the texts of Rev. Wright's presentations for days.

Only now does the SWAMP offer a direct link to actual transcripts, but only to Obama's words, not Rev.Wright's.

Why the change in strategy, SWAMP?

For those of you who are NOT intellectually lazy, check out cspan.org, cnn.com, FOXNEWS.com and pbs.org for links to Rev. Wright's ACTUAL words before you continue to make stupid comments about what he DIDN'T say.

Obama's entire campaign is premised on people acting intelligently and taking responsibility, not relying on the media and others to characterize what is going on in the world. "We are the people we've been waiting for."

Well, if all you're going to do is soak up what the media feeds you, then it doesn't matter if Obama is elected.

Change begins at HOME!

Wow...What a laugh. Look at the foam dripping from their lips. "Great" Americans all!

Rev. Wright is the reason Obama is not going to win the election. It's too bad because I feel Obama is a compassionate and understanding individual. But when you have the image of Obama and this snake (Rev. Wright) to his right side, you lose all sight of the good Obama has been preaching.

Did anybody see Rev. Wright at the National Press Club yesterday, mocking america's eagle icon and giving a sarcastic salute. What a degenerate! I feel bad Obama has this guy in his corner.

Let me see if I got this straight. For 20 years Rev. Wright was this wonderful, loving guy who preached the Good Book to his just as loving flock. The minute Barack decided to run for President, not only did Uncle Jeremiah suddenly turn into a raving lunatic, but all the parishioners at the Trinity United Church went crazy, too. I mean, watch the tapes as Wright spews his venom. The whole congregation is cheering and jumping up while spouting hearty shouts of amen and hallelujah. Look closely and you can even spot the new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss III smiling gleefully as he slaps Wright on the back after a few of Jeremiah's more despicable comments. And we're supposed to believe this is all a big surprise to Obama. Yeah, right.

I was impressed with Obama's honesty. If he had wanted to do the politically expedient thing, just to please the voters in upcoming primary states, he would have dropped Rev. Wright like a hot potato weeks ago. Instead, he grappled in front of the cameras and the press with denouncing statements he found very troubling, while still acknowledging the good Rev. Write had done for his family and in his church. Now, he's displaying his disappointment and anger quite publicly and admitting that the trust he had in Wright to act decently after the recent controversy was misplaced. Betrayal happens, and friendships change and even die; Obama at least isn't afraid to let us see what's going on at this very painful time in his campaign. Far from a political stunt, these latest remarks by Obama look to me like the real thing. Aren't we tired of presidents who are whatever the polls want them to be and don't seem capable of sympathizing with others??

John, please do not overuse the exclamation point. That robs it of its power.

I wonder if Barack's wife, Michelle had anything to do with his decision. After all, he travels a lot, she would be the one attending church there more than he. Perhaps he was swayed by his wife. It doesn't really matter, the man has had his 15 minutes, but the press corps doesn't seem to recognize that.

It's about time. Now all the Obama lovers can stop defending this quack.

Here, here, Barack! I was with you for "not throwing him away," even after hearing Wright interviewed by Bill Moyers. But after his remarks at the Press Club yesterday, Wright tipped the scales in a very smelly direction.

I have always trusted you, but my trust, respect, and regard has increased through this; you've shown balance, integrity, loyalty, and truth. You are definitely my President.

For those on this post who do not support Obama's initial and current position, I challenge you. Had he "bailed" on his pastor, you would have said that was "political" and incongruent with his history there, and you would have been correct!

I've had enough of leaders who don't discern their positions on other people any deeper than superficial judgments; that's not real and it's not how good relationships work.

I feel sad for Mr. Obama now with the unnecessary rift Wright has laid out, and for the selfishness he's exhibited to further damage Mr. Obama's association with him. Perhaps Mr. Obama did give him too much credit.

In closing, I want to remind ya'll that we are not electing Wright to office, that we live in a country founded first and foremost on religious freedom and separation of church and state. This is really all noise that should not be at play at all.

Sincerely,

That was the other Jeff, John (the Hillary supporter). I had this handle first so I'm keeping it. I was the one who posted at 4:27.

Posted by: Jeff | April 29, 2008 4:45 PM

Sorry Jeff, I thought it was you.

Reverend Wright couldn't stand to stay silent and miss out on the lucrative book deals and speaking engagements. Jeremiah sold out Barack quicker than Judas sold out Christ.
Sadly, Barack's inexperience did him in. He trusts people like Reverend Wright, Louis Farakhan, William Ayers, and others way too much. That is what scares me about Barack. He would probably trust the wrong people when he became President, too. Barack is a good man but he needs to go on a four year Sabattical so he can mature. He is simply too young and lacks judgement and experience.

Too little, too late? How about Hillary's tardy conversion to opposing the Iraq war, and only when it became politically fashionable? Nothing like an old-fashioned smear campaign to try to divert us from the issues.

Still waiting for McCain to disown Robertson, Falwell, Hagee or Parsley. Oh wait he did. In 2000.....Oh wait he changed his mind and opened his arm up to them when he decided to run in 2008.
:
Moisten finger....hold up to political winds....Take a stand

No problem.

I usually vote Republican and had been leaning to voting for Obama. However this Wright thing is really troublesome. He seems militant in his views, contrary to Obama, but certainly is hurting Barack big time and people will call into question how much influence he would have. It would be ironic if a black man prevented the first black president from being elected, and a well-qualified one at that. Would he still blame the whites? Look in the mirror Rev. Wright!
Posted by: patrick | April 29, 2008 4:33 PM

Let me get this straight, you were going to vote for Obama, but now your not because of Rev. Wright? I see two scenarios here:

1) You don't think Obama's relationship with Wright is important, but now don't want to vote for him because you think he's been weakened and you might end up voting for the loser. In this case, you're a sheep who can't think for himself.
2) You do think Obama's relationship with Writ is important to whether he'd be a good President. In this case, you're just not very smart.
Which is it?

Thank you, John E, for your reasoned comments. They made much more sense than the silly political rantings of many other comments. I agree, as I have said in other comments, I have an older jogging partner who will be my buddy and friend for life. But he gets more outrageous, and repetitive, as the years go by. It doesn't mean I reject him or the friendship, but I distance myself from his comments. One of the things I have never seen mentioned is that Obama might not have even attended church that often. For God's sake, how often was he even in town???? But not going to church every Sunday is not something he would offer voluntarily, would you? Give him credit for how he has handled this. Hillary has said some very bad things; we are only talking about wright's words, not Obama's

For 20 years Obama sat in the pews and listened to this guy, and only now, when Obama is running for president, does he "figure out" what Wright is all about?

That speaks volumes for Obama's judgement, or lack thereof, to make decisions as president.

I admired Obama's handling of the Wright issue and the fact that he did not make a snap judgment about Wright. Wright's statements on Monday devalued everything the preacher had said on Friday on PBS. I am sorry for Mr Obama for he has been stained by his pastor’s lack of humility.

Wright has had some valid points to make in the past but by being cocooned in black society, he is unaware the efforts we have made in the past decade to work toward ridding ourselves of racism or worse yet he chooses to ignore them. He belittles Obama for his speech in Philadelphia. Does Wright fear that there may be healing?

Obama candidacy for president is a contradiction to Wright's view of this country and Wright's belittling of Obama speaks of Wright as a man who at the end of his career sees that the theology he has been preaching is becoming more obsolete. Instead of acknowledging Obama for who he is, if nothing else more honest in public than most politicians, Wright strikes at him because Obama's existence diminishes the pastor's stature.

When Wright showed himself to be vain and political, it is the correct time for the candidate to denounce the preacher. Wright was slinging mud while wearing his vestment. It is not a pretty picture for the reverend or his former church.

Those who believe that Obama should have disavowed Wright sooner are saying they prefer politicians with less integrity. That is why there is a contest between Obama and Clinton.

Illinois blew it! It had the opportunity to deliver the best president in my life time. But, Illinois also delivered the clown that brought him down! Now we are stuck with Hillary... Thanks for nothing!

Is Obama a joke or what?

He now claims that the Rev. Wright he sees now isn't the same Rev. Wright he's listened to for 20 years; the same Rev. Wright who married him; the same Rev. Wright who was/is his spiritual mentor; the same Rev. Wright who suggested the title for Obama's book; the same Rev. Wright who was on an Obama for President campaign committee.

Bosnian sniper fire must have addled Obama's memory.

Mark, you practice sophistry well. Insult a person with your own preconceived conclusions if they think differently than you and reach conclusions in a manner you dislike. Nice to see liberals at work - 'You are either with me or you are an idiot'.

Keep up the intelligent well reasoned arguments of the liberals.

I am grateful that I don't have to stand and repudiate every mean, ignorant statement made by so-called men of God pastoring churches I have attended (many of them).

Jackson, I wasn't aware that McCain was a member of any of their churches or was married by any of them or had any of his kids baptized by Hagee, et al. Oh wait, there's a reason for that. He wasn't and he didn't.

Remember Barack could no more disown Reverend Wright than he could his own grandmother. "I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother. – a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world."

That is, until he DID disown Wright today. Boy, this must be yet another really lousy day to be Barack Obama's political pin cushion... err grandmother.

This is what happen when Religion and Politic try to climb into bed together. These two should never mix company, yet we continue to try to put them together. Now we have Religion verses Politics. This is heading down a disastrous path. Plus is we look at this situation from a Religious stand point Rev. Wright is right and if we are looking at things from a Political stand point Sen. Obama is right, the two side in never going meet and now a friendship is ruin. When one goes to Church leave Politics at the door and when attending any Political affair leave Religion at the door.

Could we just get over this Rev. Wright stuff? The man is clearly seizing his 15 minutes of fame at the expense of Barack Obama. I went to a Catholic Church that had a good reputation of wonderful priests and then my senior year in high school 1968 - 1969 we got a zinger. Our parish was rich with culture due to the Italian immigrants of our community. My own mother was also a war bride coming here from Belgium. Our new priest took it upon himself to release all the Catechism teachers including nuns who were teaching the high school age students. This was during a time when we discussed civil rights and what was going on in Vietnam and relating it to our own beliefs. Well, that stopped when our new priest who was an older man from a rich Irish family decided we needed to know the evils of the world in his view. He proceeded to show John Birch Society propaganda films (hosted by Ronald Reagan) instead of discussing our faith every week. He insulted the Italians and proceeded to discuss finances for each sermon every week instead of the Gospel. This was our church the church I had grown up in and the families we shared our faith with. There was no leaving our church. Even after countless attempts to replace him by the church elders we just had to endure it until he retired. We can only be held responsible for our own words. I am sure Hillary Clinton felt the same way every time Billy Bob opened his mouth.

John E, your 3:45 post is hilarious. You seem to imply that Wright only very recently became a quack, that is, at the point when Obama finally decided to denounce him. It's similar to your position that the Clinton machine only became evil within the last year or so. Oh, and the story about your aunt is touching.

To claim that it is an attack on the Black church by saying that Wright's comments are prejudiced is no different than saying that it was an attack on the White church when people attacked David Duke.

Come on, both of these men were/are wrong. And they were/are wrong for the same reason - RACIAL PREJUDICE. Neither man should be supported or believed when they make hate statements regardless of their skin color.

We all have family members, long-time friends or business associates who hold controversial views.Before we condemn Sen. Obama for the actions of another, we need to ask ourselves "Who is the Rev. Wright in my life?"

Oh, dear, John can't be President now because he has overused the exclamation point and robbed it of its power!

Where does John stand on bowling and a shot and a beer?

This is more Obama word play with a wink and a nod. Where did Obama say he "severed ties?" And Obama hasn't left the church. Rest assured that Jeremiah will be dining in the White House if Obama is elected. Thankfully, that's not going to happen.

I would think all you republicans would admire Obama for standing by Wright for so long. Just like Bush stood by Brownie after Hurricane Katrina, Rumsfeld after mismanaging the war and his own claims of WMD in Iraq. Or is it that Wright is just to uppity to stand by for your tastes?

Why was Rev. Wright asked to speak to the Press Club anyway? What other pastors have been asked to speak there and for what purpose? The answer to these questions will not change who I will support in the race for president and that's Barack Obama.

I'm not supporting him because of his race, his religious affiliation(s), his friends, associates or anything else that has absolutely nothing to do with holding the highest office of the land. I have a great deal of respect for Sen. John McCain, but the reason I'm not supporting his candidacy for president is because I simply do not agree with his war or economic policies as they've been presented. I'm not supporting Hillary Clinton because I feel like anyone who adopts a "kitchen sink" policy against one of her peers in an effort to "earn the right" to fight for her party at the cost of ignoring very real and pressing issues we face on a daily basis during her campaign can't be trusted.

My choice for president is based on substantive issues and not surperfluous and sensationalized stories that, in the grand scheme of things mean nothing. That's why I am supporting Barack Obama in spite of this silly story about his former pastor that just won't go away.

Go, Senator Obama, '08, with or without Reverand Wright. Go, Reverand Wright preach against those wrongs that you see in America!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

Now let us hear John McCain disavow the toxic, hate-filled, and far more dreadful public pronouncements of Rev. John Hagee, whose endorsement McCain has actively sought and embraced. Let McCain show the integrity Obama has. (And let the Clinton camp join in this demand, by the way.)

The right will spin this as to little to late because they lack any compassion for the difficult position Obama was in. Furthermore they are so desperate to retain power that they will say anything, and do anything to maintain the strangle hold they have over our great country and it's people. I guess it's more important for the brainwashed rightwingers who post here to cling to there broken party than to fix it. John McCain used to be a maverick and I respected him. Now I just see him as another pander bear. Everytime he says something I like he follows it with two things I don't. I really have come to believe that much like Mitt Romney, he will say and do anything to get elected. His policies are unsound and I fear he will be more of the same. I think Barack Obama did the right thing today. I'm sure he was very disappointed with the Reverands latest outburst. He certainly seemed genuine to me as I watched him make a clean break from Wright. He did the right thing and I applaud him for doing it.

Obama 2008

Much ado about nothing. Who cares what this guy says. My minister says things that I don't agree with (and sometimes borderline insulting), but I'm not in church JUST to listen to sermons. I've spent my entire life in the same church, attended weddings, attended funerals for my friends' parents, and got married. To suggest someone get up and walk away from their the friends & family in their church community because the pastor gets a case of the tourret's every once in a while is ludicrous. When Wright dialed up the crazy-talk yesterday, Obama had enough and today denounced him. Good. It's over...can we talk about issues that matter again, please?

It's about time.

If Obama wants to talk to a crazy man, he can always call McCain.

Miss Manners, I'm ALWAYS for them. Especially the shots. I prefer wild turkey.

Remember, he told us all he could no more disown Rev. Wright than he could disown his own grandmother. So where's that put her today?

How mean the posts--does anyone not see the Greek tragedy here? I mean, why would the Reverend act like that-kind of harming a parishioner he shuld harbor almost like a son!
I think of Bill Clinton losing it in a similarly self-indulgent manner harming Hillary too.
I think Barack and Hillary should unite against the people who no doubt love them and man wel, but then, well, just can't control themselves in the face of a stupid, snarling predatory 'news' media.
If you didn't find something sad about the whole thing--you're not a human.
GET OFF THE BLOGS AND LIVE YOUR LIFE!

don't understand why anyone is paying attention to Rev. Wright. The media & the general public is giving him way too much power. The more we react the more hot air comes out of his mouth. Let him talk all he wants; at one point he will get tired of listening to himself & his useless rant. We should concentrate on the current issues we face, & the candidates who are running for office, not Rev. Wright.

I don't understand why anyone is paying attention to Rev. Wright. The media & the general public is giving him way too much power. The more we react the more hot air comes out of his mouth. Let him talk all he wants; at one point he will get tired of listening to himself & his useless rant. We should concentrate on the current issues we face, & the candidates who are running for office, not Rev. Wright.

Now we truly know Mr. Obama views, his pastor has spoken for him. His pastor is now the "Rock Star".

Why wasn't Barack Obama "appalled" by his former pastor's racist comments before he became a candidate for President?

Where is Jesse Jackson & Al
Sharpton now that B.O.
needs(???) them!!!
Get these two cons plus the
minister on the stage at the same time & the tent
collapses!!!

This message was expected since the first time we watched the videos of his Reverend.
Now it is late to say who isn't totally agree with what their "EX-Reverend" said ....
Too late to Obama ... and all democrats know it.
Go Hillary !!!

Okay, so now it comes down to good-cop, bad-cop and that we'll sympathize with BO.

It's all a scheme on TV, and might deserve an Oscar for both BO and THE REV. but I'm sure they'll be chugging beers in their Hyde Park basements laughing all the way to the white house.

What a fraud... the whole lot is a fraud.

Bravo, Obama, for a job well done while under incredible media scrutiny. Now, if the MSM would only focus its lens on Sen. McCain and his Rev. Hagee problem with equal fervor, then there would be a balanced playing field.

When it's all said and done this is still a defining election on ALL of the politics of the past versus the politics of the future. Gee, I think I prefer truth, integrity, temperance and a willingness to change course as facts on the ground dictate. If you apply this standard to Pres. Bush, he fails miserably and ditto Sen. Obama's challengers.

I'm sorry to say this, but I think the whole thing is staged. I think the sermon by Wright was staged to give Obama an opportunity to get on tv and make a big I'm sorry speech. Remember what happened the last time Obama made his "great" speech after Wright's incendiary comments about America? Well I do, and it was like Jesus Christ was born over again in Obama. Well it wont work this time if people are as wise to his little tricks as I am.

Wright should have stopped after his interview on the Bill Moyers Journal. There's such a thing as 'quit while you're ahead'.

Which reminds me of Clinton....

Mr. Obama,
How can you make a speech today saying he is not my spiritual advisor? How can you say that when he inspired your books title. How do you expect us the people of America to believe in you and your words when you sat in that church donated money and was married by this man. How can you explain why you named him an advisor to your campaign as late as 2008? I am sorry GAME OVER. You were a pretty picture for America to believe in. We as citizens can not and will not have a President that can sit in a pew for 20 years listening to a man who is clearly off his rocker preach white hate and God Damn America. It is sick. There is no excuse for you sitting their and exposing your children to this kind of belief system. You never offer an explanation because you know there isn't one. Just do the party good and step away so we can win in Nov. Begin rebuilding your character so you can keep your senate seat. Its time to go.

Hey guys, great article about the whole flap in the NY Times today by former Swamp reporter Jeff Zeleny. Can I link to this, Silva, or is Zeleny verboeten now?

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/obama-says-hes-outraged-by-ex-pastors-comments/index.html?hp

Two[u][i] weeks [/i][/u]too late?
Try [i][b]two decades[/b][/i].

People take away from church they want to and they tend to leave the rest aside. Think of all the faithful practicing Catholics who use birth control, support a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, support the death penalty, or support the war in Iraq. They know that they disagree with their church's positions, but they still go to church, still take communion, still consider themselves good Catholics. You don't see them out denouncing the church because of the things they don't agree with.

Why do you expect the dynamic to be any different for Obama? Because he is a faithful parishioner of Rev. Wright's church, does that mean that he has to swallow whole everything Rev. Wright ever preached? When you go to a potluck, are you obligated to like everything equally? Or is it okay to skip the jello mold or the mock apple pie?

I still think Obama is the best candidate in this race, indeed, the best candidate we've had in a very long time. Unfortunately we have a whole system set in place in this country (corprate America, corporate media = GOP) who are invested financially in taking down candidates like Obama.

You get what you vote for people and if you are still dumb enough to vote for a third term of Bush America i.e. McCain, this fall, then you'll get what you deserve.