by Mark Silva
Barack Obama, acknowledging that his own words about the mood of working class voters and his relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright have taken a toll on his image, said people also tend to overlook how far he has come in his campaign for president.
"We always knew this was an improbable journey, when we started off,'' Obama said in an interview with NBC's Meredith Vieira aired this morning on Today. "I think, because of our success, people have forgotten that. People discount what we've accomplished and then focus on, well you know, you've lost a couple of states... But the truth is, that we always knew this was hard, and the reason is, because we're tyring to do something new....
"Let's be honest here,'' the senator from Illinois said. "I am an African American named Barack Obama who is running for president... That's a leap for folks.''
Obama was asked about the network's newest polling, in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal, which shows fewer people now saying that they identify with his values.
"I think it's pretty clear, what's happened,'' Obama said in an interview that will be replayed again on MSNBC this evening and tomorrow. The Democratic frontrunner in the race for the party's presidential nomination said: "We've had what, two months now, or a month and a half, in which you've had the Rev. Wright controversy, you've had the issue of my comments in San Francico that have been magnified pretty heavily...I mean, that's been a pretty full dose.''
Obama, who this week finally publicly distanced himself from Wright after initially insisting that he could not "disown'' his longtime pastor, said: "I think that the sequence of events was the right one, because this was somebody who had married Michelle and I, who had baptized our children. When those first snippets came out, I felt I should have given him the benefit of the doubt.''
Michelle Obama, who joined her husband in the interview, said: "Voters are tired of this... They don't want to hear about this division.''
Asked about any perception of him as an elitist - a perception which both Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain have tried to make stick -- Obama said to his interviewer: "We wouldn't be sitting here, if that was the percepetion of the majority of the American people
"It's only when you become the front-runner that suddenly people are looking for potential chinks in the armor,'' Obama said, acknowledging that he is responsible for his own remarks.
"Absolutely, there is no doubt about it,'' he said. "There is one particular thing, which was the comments I made in San Francisco at the end of a long day that were very poorly phrased. I should have said angry and frustrated instead of bitter. I should have said people rely on their religious faith during times of trouble rather than clinging to it.... The irony is, I think it is fair to say that both Michelle and I grew up in much less privileged circumstances than either of my two opponents.''
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Comments
"Let's be honest here,'' the senator from Illinois said. "I am an African American named Barack Obama who is running for president... That's a leap for folks.''
OMG... now he sounds EXACTLY like Geraldine Ferraro.
Posted by: ElliotNC | May 1, 2008 10:28 AM
It's difficult to find any similarities with Obama and his wife when, if you realize that they have been in this church for 20 years, Michelle probably longer, and done nothing about it but sit and listen, taking their children. He didn't condemn Wright's remarks until he had to. That speaks volumes to me. Had he left years ago, this never would have happened. And let's not forget his other associations with rezko which has never been really revealed and rezko's friends.
Posted by: suze | May 1, 2008 10:34 AM
Posted by: ElliotNC | May 1, 2008 10:28 AM
Actually...it is quite the opposite. Her point was the only reason he got where he is is because he's black. His point is that it is hard for a black to reach such hieghts being black and coming from humble beginings.
Posted by: bill r. | May 1, 2008 10:52 AM
A few years of Catholic school in Indonesia, raised in Hawaii, yeah REAL humble...and now he's pulling out the race card because he wants you to think he's just some black guy from the south side of Chicago. Oh please, this guy is not who you think he is.
Posted by: em | May 1, 2008 11:13 AM
It's a little late to be getting all down to earty here. Actually sounds like more whining..He knew he was black, knew how his Rev. Wright was, knew of his deals with Rezko and others so why at this late date realize how hard it is...??..He should step down and let HRC have the nomination so she can beat McCain in Nov. He cannot...Sorry Michelle...You know everything going into this also...Bring our Soldiers home..That's what is important..
Posted by: kaye c. | May 1, 2008 11:17 AM
Posted by: kaye c. | May 1, 2008 11:17 AM
So you believe that Barack and Michelle should never have hoped to get the nomination because he is black? What a shameful view of the Democratic party you have. I'm ashamed to share a party with an apologist for racists like you. I certainly hope that Hillary doesn't share your convictions.
Posted by: Lois | May 1, 2008 11:33 AM
From reading the posts I'd say the owners or MSMs 'Mission Accomplished'.
Posted by: Oh Please | May 1, 2008 12:38 PM
When one is honest, is always honest.
And if one for over 20 years heared the same hate speech at the end becomes part of you.
The only thing he wants,not speak of Reverend, and forget the words offensive.
It's too late to say "I disagree..."
Now we all know that you are another political ....
another liar more ...
That moose hand the politician who never has said lies ...
Posted by: Nuccia | May 1, 2008 12:42 PM
Universal Healthcare
100% of the population needs healthcare.However only 15% of the population has an annual income of over $50,000.The other 85% is willing but unable to contribute substantial amounts because of their annual income.I'd like to elaborate on a way we may be able to resolve this problem.
Posted by: Derrick M.Martin | May 1, 2008 1:23 PM
Derrick,
Look at Clinton's healthcare plans on her website (HIllaryClinton.com) She has been studying the health issue in detail (not to mention the economy, foreign relations, the state of our military,etc.) for years. Hillary's policies are a distillation of years of investigation, study, and work. They are comprehensive, achievable, and she knows how to pay for them.
Also, Republicans and Democrats alike acknowledge her as terrific at working across the aisle to get things done.
We Americans can't lose with Hillary as our President.
Posted by: EricaLeigh | May 1, 2008 2:11 PM
Senator Obama should have waited several years to enter the race for the Whitehouse. His long and close association with Rev. Wright and Wright's church show his lack of judgment. Rev. Wright has not changed - he's standing by what he has always said. It's Sen. Obama changing because he's beginning to slip in the "polls."
One thing you can say about Rev. Wright is that you know where he stands. The same is not true about Sen. Obama. His campaign speeches have been full of "slogans" like "change" and "unifying the country." But key advisers to his campaign including the Senator himself, and his wife have made public statements that seem to be in direct contradiction to his "message."
My advice to the Senator - step down now before you tear the Democratic Party apart. Then go back to the senate and establish a "real" record of "change" and "working across the aisle." Also disassociate yourself with some of your less than "savory" associates. Work hard and become the candidate that "you are waiting to be."
Posted by: Cathy | May 1, 2008 2:13 PM
Clearly a slow day......
The media poll asked whether voters judged Obama's values by his assoication with Rev. Wright. I bleieve that question is superficial; I don't believe Obama is a Afrocentric racist.
However, the media should ask the question on how Obama/Wright relationship demonstrates Obama's judgement and leadership.
He seem to always fall for strong, arrogant personalities in (Rezko, Wright), and he always seems more comfortable being the prodige and the leader.
Posted by: Andrew | May 1, 2008 2:24 PM
The more I see Hillary the more I like her.
Posted by: brigitte | May 1, 2008 5:27 PM
Right. They focused on the guns bitter and arugula and the racist rev.
But they haven't REALLY focused on
*the rotten housing in his district
* the whole chicago combine rezko crap
*the u of c cushy gig for michelle when he got the senate gig
* the daley connection
* the fact that his wins are really rather fake to this point.
And he's complaining?
Somebody get some talcum powder.
Posted by: Don't be uh bay-bee | May 1, 2008 8:38 PM
Seeing part of the interview on the Today show showed once again that NBC News and its lackeys are completely in the bag for Obama. Softball after softball question!
Posted by: John D | May 1, 2008 11:59 PM
We've about had it with Barack Obama.
Supporting him and believing in him has been like a roller coaster ride. We are attending two Hillary events on Monday and doing a lot of research right now on her policies and proposals.
She certainly put Bill O'Reilly in his place during that FOX interview today. Obama could never do that.
I say let's elect this strong, determined, very smart woman for President.
Posted by: David and Yvonne | May 2, 2008 12:10 AM