Responses to this post...

1. Well ….he would say all that wouldn’t he?!
   What else could he possibly say?

   I didn’t see H & C, but I saw Sen Obama on Countdown.
   I was never a great fan of Obama, but would have voted for him in the general election if he was the Dem nominee. Now I’m not so sure. Nothing seems to fit.

   Posted by Twilight
   March 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

2. I didn’t see H & C, but I saw Sen Obama on Countdown.
   I was never a great fan of Obama, but would have voted for him in the general election if he was the Dem nominee. Now I’m not so sure. Nothing seems to fit.

   That’s sad to hear for sure, but luckily there are enough of us that realize that words of a religious figure who has a relationship with a candidate should be taken for what it’s worth. I mean if we didn’t, how would 75% of the GOP be in office, you know the ones who do anything they can to appease and befriend Pat Robertson, and the late Jerry Falwell. I don’t know, I guess it’s different when they’re brown huh.

   That being said, I reiterate my sorrow that you “may not be able” to vote for Obama in the General Election. However there is enough of us who are, so we’ll be OK. See you on the other side brother!

   -Matthew Elias
   http://www.HyerStandard.com

   Posted by Matthew Elias
   March 15th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

3. It’s no different “when they’re brown” – of that I can asure you. I abhor those named white religious nuts as much as I dislike the pastor under discussion.

   I watched Rev Eugene Rivers speak on Countdown last evening, also a “brown” minister. He spoke with great wisdom. I’d vote for him in a hearbeat – experience or no.

   Posted by Twilight
   March 15th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

4. Major sounds like he’s a prosecutor interrogating Obama

   Posted by Michael
   March 15th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

5. ^ That is EXACTLY the same reaction I had! I felt very uncomfortable.

   I watched Barack’s interviews on CNN, MSNBC and Fox. He said the exact same things on all three and that too, made me feel uncomfortable. It came across as too rehearsed and scripted such as the part about Wright being like an old uncle. I wish he would have changed some of the wording to make it look like he was speaking spontaneously. He’s going to have to do better than that. There’s a lot of very freaked out white people out there right now as I knew there would be. He needs to allay their fears.

   The truth is, there is still a lot of paranoia and fear in our country of a black man. Let alone one who is running for president. Now add to the mix a close friend and mentor who is an angry black man. White people for the most part, and yes I am generalizing here, white people really get nervous when they see that. It makes them feel very very uncomfortable. I hope Barack is politically saavy enough to realize that. I’m sure he is but I would not know how on earth to advise him what to do. He better do something. If he just avoids this the way John Kerry avoided the Swiftboaters, he is in for a sure defeat.

   I admit I don’t know very much about this sort of thing, BUT, I WOULD have advised Barack years ago when he was running for Senator in Illinois to put a lot of distance between him and Reverend Wright for the sake of his career. I’m sure his pastor would have understood and they could have still remained friends. I don’t really get why he didn’t do that. It doesn’t matter how it really is between them, it matters how it looks to the rest of the country. Appearances are everything. If you don’t know that then you are woefully naive and shouldn’t undertake such a crusade as running for such a high office.

   It does show poor judgement in that regard and with those around him.

   Posted by Epiphany
   March 15th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

6. Epiphany, keep in mind that many people OFTEN do not agree with their pators/priets/rabbis, etc on many different issues. Just look at how many Catholics use birth control and how many Jews do not keep kosher.

   Check out this video from earlier this year, long before this became a big story. Obama was speaking at Martin Luther King’s church in front of a largely African American audience, and condemned many of the same things that Pastor Wright was talking about, and particularly condemned antisemitism in the African American community

   http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0x_TpDris

   I would have to say, however, that, even though he is totally off-base, I understand where Pastor Wright is coming from. If I had been an African American from the same generation as him, and subject to segregation and so much discrimination, I have to admit that I might not be the most patriotic guy in the world.

   Posted by Michael
   March 15th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

7. “and so it is not an issue going forward. ”
   Alan, if you wrote that, you’ve been working with Hannity long enough to know better. He doesn’t let an hour go by without mentioning this minister, Farhakan, Obama’s wifes comments, etc., etc…
   It’ll be an ‘issue’ as long as the likes of Hannity can keep it going.
   Any excuse to smear Obama, to point out that he’s black, raised a Moslem, etc….

   Since Obama was in Washington D.C. for most of the last few years, it’s likely Obama wasn’t in church that particular day.
   Yet few of the rabid right mention Hagee.

   Posted by Boogieman
   March 16th, 2008 at 1:01 am

8. According to CNN Headline News this is the sermon Wright gave on Christmas Day? Are they kidding?

   Posted by RC from Smithtown
   March 16th, 2008 at 4:07 am

9. I think what matters to the American people is what Obama says but not what someone else says!!

   Posted by Elmi
   March 16th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

10. I wonder why Sean Hannity has a bias on Obama, he talks about the entire hour of his impassive show is Obama,Right or Frakhan. Did he run out of news these days?

    Posted by Elmi
    March 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

11. Obama is definately in trouble. I am a democrat but I can not take Obamas words on this. He sounded hesitant and only discounted some of his ministers words. I don’t believe someone just on words alone. You have to see deeds too. There have been too many OOp’s moments in Obama’s run for president. Too many boneheaded mistakes as he calls them. The republicans will tear him limb from limb in the general election if he is nominated. Or are they afraid of being looked at as racists and let it pass? I don’t know

    Posted by Sherry
    March 16th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

12. Too much religion in politics. Is John McCain’s pastor John Hagee? Does everything Hagee say reflect on John McCain?

    I am pretty sure there are disagreements between Wright and Obama with the two agreeing to disagree. Should it be important about what a candidate’s pastor says or does? My answer’s no.

    What about Hillary Clinton’s pastor? What did he say or do? Does Clinton go to church? Why is this important?

    Some people act like they have never heard of a black church, a church established because the people there were not welcomed in the white churches way back in the day.

    Wright said hateful things, although Obama said that his pastor served in the Marine Corps. There are things my pastor said I certainly don’t agree, but that’s to be expected.

    Why was this not brought up in the 2004 elections? Who was John Kerry’s pastor? Who is George W. Bush’s? What did they preach about? What did they say?

    Posted by Tim
    March 16th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

13. I get this feeling that the main question is swiftly becoming whether there’s more racists or more sexists, and that’s the question the super-delegates will vote on.

    Posted by RC from Smithtown
    March 16th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

14. I think Obama is in trouble. After watching the interview, it seemed rehearsed and as if he were giving up. He knows his campaign is in trouble now. He could not separate his association with Farrakahn and now he can’t separate his association with Wright. I know there are a lot of Obama supporters out there that say American will not let what Wright says change their mind about Obama. But lets be real….if it were a white man, with an all white church calling people the “N” word, cursing America with words like G_d Da_n America, he would be ousted by every African American and white people as well. As has been reported, wait and watch as the Super Delegates change their support of Obama and go with Clinton. This has hurt Obama and he knows it….first his wife Michelle saying basically America has not accomplished anything that she can be proud of until now, Obama’s support of Farrakahn, and now he “uncle” Wright condemning the very nation he’s trying to be President of and added to this, the fact that he titled his book, “The Audacity of Hope” after this fruitcake preacher….I have to say, Obama definitely has a lot of “audacity” to think that the American voter will support him now…..it’s over, Saddam Obama…..give it up…Hillary has won this nomination.

    Posted by david
    March 17th, 2008 at 12:37 am

15. DAVID: You are RIGHT ON!!!!

    Posted by Sherri - Canada
    March 17th, 2008 at 1:12 am

16. with an all white church calling people the “N” word, cursing America with words like G_d Da_n America, he would be ousted by every African American and white people as well.

    And I bet you got a bridge to sell IN san Francisco too?

    Come on man,you know as well as I do that’s not the case. Look at how many times religious figures have said stupid,hateful things? Hurricanes are acts of God for sin. God hates “fags”. A whole host of crap.

    And they’re still there. Still preaching intolerence and hate. And no one expects them to stop. They’re lauded for it in white circles as “truth tellers” and “men of outstanding faith”.

    Posted by Yakki.PsD
    March 17th, 2008 at 6:23 am

17. Alan,

    You need to get Frank Schaeffer to talk about this topic
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister-committe_b_91774.html

    Posted by John Jay
    March 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

18. Barack Obama has nothing to explain or apologize for. Now, Sean KKKlannity, who is a devout racist, has a lot to explain. For example, why is he goading the right wing fanatics to kill Obama? That’s right Sean. I read your blog post before you took it down, you sick f*ck!!!

    Posted by Annie
    March 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

19. With almost support from black pop. it will be very hard to dig dirty on this guy. the only way will be to put a price up. we know wot judas did. l feel there is alot more dirty on obama yet.

    Posted by sheriff
    March 17th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

20. The question is not, “What did Senator Obama knew about his pastor, and when did he know it?” The question is, “Did Rev. Wright bring a message about racism and governmental self-righteousness that resonates for most African Americans (and many whites, as well)?

    Having attended Black churches of various denominations for many years, I find that the Sunday morning message focuses not just on personal morality, but also on social responsibility. Black ministers (and I daresay white ministers, also) frequently point out the deficiencies of our government, schools and other institutions. After all, how do you correct a problem unless you first acknowledge it?

    To characterize Rev. Wright as being racist or unpatriotic is missing the point. As most would agree, we can love our fellow man while acknowledging his faults. We can criticize our country while remaining deeply patriotic.

    I believe that Rev. Wright, like most African Americans, remains deeply patriotic and religious—despite this nation’s history of slavery, Jim Crow laws, the Tuskegee experiment, and the various forms of discrimination and racism that persist to this day.

    I don’t think Rev. Wright is any more racist or unpatriotic than Martin Luther King, Jr., who also criticized the U.S. for the Vietnam war, its racist practices, and a host of other shortcomings. At the time, Rev. King was vilified by many. Today he is considered a hero.

    Perspective is everything. Give Rev. Wright a break!

    Posted by Margaret
    March 17th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

21. By the way, I thought Barak Obama was running for president, not pope!

    Posted by Annie
    March 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

22. Michael @ 8:15pm: Major sounds like he’s a prosecutor interrogating Obama

    I missed the interview but heard someone at work say basically the same thing. Hope to see it online when I have time. But I read online where another said that on today’s radio program O’Reilly called the interview a “soft, patty cake interview” and that he said Major let Obama get away with saying whatever he wanted to. Maybe O’Reilly is just pissed because Obama hasn’t talked with HIM yet. ;-)

    David @ 12:37am: …words like G_d Da_n America

    I just heard on FOX News about that part is being taken out of context. Wright was supposedly saying those words in reference to what the book of Amos says about God’s judgement (or damnation if you will) on nations who sin. I’d also like to know the exact dates when each of Wright’s controversial remarks being shown in the media were made.

    Yakki @ 6:23pm: Look at how many times religious figures have said stupid,hateful things? Hurricanes are acts of God for sin. God hates “fags”. A whole host of crap. And they’re still there. Still preaching intolerence and hate. And no one expects them to stop. They’re lauded for it in white circles as “truth tellers” and “men of outstanding faith”.

    Well said. McCain stands up with and campaigns beside them with hardly any response from the media. He’s even called Rod “let’s eradicate Islam” Parsley his spiritual guide. Talk about a double standard.

    Posted by CheesyPoofs
    March 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

23. i don’t believe senator obama has never heard these remarks before. his wife michelle has said some of these remarks as well.
    this pastor wright sounds like a black ” archie bunker”. if i was a member of this church, i would leave in a heartbeat. if i was in any other church & this kind of hatrid (and lies) was coming from a “man of god”, i would find a new church.

    kristen, do you & allen get a check from the democratic party every time you try to “spin” a story the way you want it to be perceived?
    anyone naive enough to go along with your comments is not credible.

    Posted by steven
    March 18th, 2008 at 12:58 am

24. i think you have to be a bigot yourself to agree with pastor wright. didn’t senator obama say he disagreed with his pastor’s remarks? i would think that anyone who believes in god would not want their pastor to speak this way.
    i think the way the people reacted behind the pastor tells alot about the philosophy of the church.

    how are we going to ever get a black president if we can’t get over the “sins of the past”? those days are over. we all bleed red after all. do we really want this to be about race?
    why does the present pastor at this church tell his congregation not to talk to the media.

    Posted by steven
    March 18th, 2008 at 1:16 am

25. I believe there should be a un put in front of your slogan fair& balanced slogan. When I watch your network it seems most of you condem a man for something that came out of the mouth of another man. All over the country I am sure in a black or white dominated church you are going to here something you do not agree with some things are personal opions, you may over the course of the years hear them again do you get up and leave the church your friends that you have gotten to know over the years no because these are random statements that are not preach to you on regular basis. in the word of God it says follow me as I follow Christ. Meaning if you see me doing something that is not Christ like, do not join me.That is in word of God, don’t believe me read your Bible find it for yourself in searching you may come across a whole lot of things you disagree with, but will you question God. When you show me a clip of Obama saying amen to negative statements being said by his pastor then will you have some real news

    Posted by E. Dennis
    March 18th, 2008 at 6:10 am

26. after god himself, l am thinking obama is next. obama can’t do no wrong, he just can’t. how can a brilliant man like that who inspire to be the president of the world sit and listening to such speech. he’s just learning how to be black. so he’s ok. it’s all fine and dandy, let move on

    Posted by sheriff
    March 18th, 2008 at 6:20 pm