(CNN) – Referencing the recent uproar over his former minister's controversial sermons, Barack Obama on Saturday denounced the "forces of division" that he says have become part of the Democratic race for the White House.
Speaking to a sold-out crowd in Plainfield, Indiana, Obama again said he sharply disagreed with the some of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's past statements, saying they remind him of the country's "tragic history when it comes to race."
"I knew him and know him as somebody in my church who talked to me about Jesus and family and friendships but clearly had – if all I knew were the statements that I saw on television I would be shocked," Obama said. "And it just – it reminds me that we have a tragic history when it comes to race in in this country – we have got a lot of pent up anger and bitterness and misunderstanding."
"But what I continue to believe in is that this country wants to move beyond these kinds of debates," he added. "That this country wants something different."
Obama's comments come one day after he formally repudiated Wright's sermons - recently posted on the Internet and the subject of an ABC News report - that have drawn fire. The campaign also said Friday Wright no longer had a leadership position within the campaign.
– CNN's Mike Roselli contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Please everyone just let this go. please give both the candidates the opportunity to get back on track and get back on the issues, and more importantly DESTROY JOHN MCCAIN.
What? Isn't this the guy that said he consults Wright before bold political moves? The same one who holds hand with Rezko and Farrakhan? What will come to light next is my question?
The news media is part of the "forces of division." I just heard William Schneider on CNN handicaping Florida and Michigan in the event that these states get "do overs" and his analysis was more or less based on race.
Obama sould step down. He is causing a division.
How can you offer something different when you are so rooted in it, speaking out of both sides of the mouth, maybe?
Words and honesty matter...
OBAMA 08'
I have been an Obama supporter, but no longer. What kind of judgment does it show when Obama allows his young, impressionable daughters to listen to that minister spew his racist garbage for all those years?
Well said Barack. Unfortunately when when someone in clinton campaign make cooments, no body cares. They talk about Barack'r relationship with Retzco, Wright. But how about Peter Paul with Clinton. CNN you are biased. Look at what you have today. You have negatives on Barack and positives on Hillary.
Shame on you CNN. You forget your obligations to the people
Yeah!! Forces of division! Obama come on. Make a speech were you address all these forces of division. Mit Romney gave one, JFK gave one and now its your turn to do the same. Do you really expect white america to elect a black president unless your talk about it in a speech like JFK did. Everyone will judge you on the way you handle this crisis. Just think about it as a 3am senario and you have to govern. Good luck man, if you handle this correctly, Tucker predicted that you will be the next president. By the way, don't pay much attention to Hannity, he is a racist.
Reverend Wrights sermons have been all over YouTube for months. And Barack says he has never heard this before? Hum???
Hypocrite.
Time to give it up Obama! The DNC better not put this guy up for president, we will lose. As soon as they find out he was in attendence at one of the hate filled services this minister preaches it will be proof positive that he lied about not knowing.
This is typical. It looks like Obama is really no different than anybody else, and this just proves his stance on alot of things. But now that it is comming out, an being a bad time, and looking bad, he is trying to distance himself from his pastor and church. It is clear that his church was enthralled and behind the basis of those sermons. plain and simple!
Obama is a liar and cannot be trusted!
Nice try Barack. Do you really expect us to believe that you had no idea what your mentor and spiritual advisor was saying for the past 20 years in his racist, anti American sermons? How gullible and stupid do you think the American people are?
Let me get this straight. Obama knows this guy for 20 years, calls him an advisor, knows that Rev. Wright endorses Farakhan and has made racist statements and he just realizes that it might be a problem! No way is he believable!
"That this country wants something different." is not a solution without addressing the wrong.
His handling of this shows true leadership–this country does have wounds that are hundreds of years old-Obama can bring us together-
Senator Obama can lead us through anything that comes our way his judgment is superior to any other candidate-
I just read the NYT piece on his mother–wow–what a great woman, I know now where his heart came from.
Obama '08
how can anybody believe anything obama says after his pastor ,which is obama's spiritual advisor for the last 20 years, has been preaching all this hatred and racial bigotry. mr. wright married the obama's, baptized their children and obama has never heard him say anything out of the ordinary......bull....wake up people
"The campaign also said Friday Wright no longer had a leadership position within the campaign."
This appears to speak to the fitness of Wright to serve in a leadership role for the Obama campaign. Well he didn't become unfit since yesterday. It is a tacit admission that bad judgment was used in including him in the first place. This should certainly negate Obama's claim to superior judgment in the Iraq issue.
At least we now know that he is NOT a muslim. Hillary's camp tried everything in their power to misinform the people.
Hey Barack, your social justice theory is showing. The truth about your anti american beliefs hurts, doesn't it? Hope people are coming to realize what you are really about .
Has everyone FORGOTTEN that Obama's mother was WHITE. We would be the last individual on earth to create division among races.
Okay, thanks for the info. Now can we move on to the issues.
Huffington Post.com
J. Wright will not be the "former minister" until March 31, 2008.
I do not plan to forget what this man said and the fact that Obama has been affiliated with him for 20 years. You may put a muzzle of the Hillary's campaign but I'm not running for any office and I'm not affiliated with any campaign and have no intention of sweeping this mess under the rug. I would never vote for Obama – not because he is black but because I question his integrity and his loyality to this country.
I have watched Hannity and Combs each night talk about this issue night after night to the point I feel they have a hidden agenda. Like Shakespeare said: "He does protest too much." On Friday night, March 14, one of the guests, a Dem. strategist, said he felt this was a hi-tech lynch mob and I agree.
Very presidential! I love you Obama.
The only "forces of division" that are in play her are the "historically tragic" words used by his Rev. Wright.
OBAMA KNEW ABOUT ALL OF THIS and NOW HE IS TRYING TO SLEEZE HIS WAY OUT OF BY PLAYING THE VICTIM. NOT GONNA WORK... YOU ARE FINISHED, MR. OBAMA.
YOUR DAYS AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARE NUMBERED.
NOBAMA EVER!!
The forces of Division. You mean the bigot pastor which Obama not only gave a formal position to on his campaign but kept going to his church knowing full well the racist hatred that was being spewed there? Or how about hiring the bigot pastor Donnie McClurkin and refusing to fire him even after Obama was told about McClurkin's long history of anti-gay hatred? The forces of Division? They are all stand firmly with Obama!
On his MSNBC's Countdown interview (3/14/08), Barak Obama said that Rev. Wright "helped bring me to Jesus".
What religion did Obama embrace before Rev. Wright brought him to his church?
I am extremely disapointed in Obama, I will now vote for Hillary. He sat in the pews for 20 years and never heard any of this, LIAR !
20 years, Barack, 20 years sitting in the same racist America hating pew.
I will NEVER vote for Obama. If Obama wins the nomination you can bet that Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida are all going to McCain. Conservative democrats will just have to support McCain.
Yes, let us denounce the forces of division. But let us divide Hillary's camp and dig up dirt. What a hypocrisy.
Talk about judgment, forces of division! Obama has called Minister Wright his mentor and spiritual advisor for twenty years and now Senator Obama has the "audacity" to say he wasn't aware of the hatred this man preaches. Wake up America, Senator Obama is only a political hack.
We don't need a president whose wife and minister degrade our county.
Start doing some of your own research people. The right wing propaganda machine should not be your only source of information. Check out who owns CNN and FOX. Then you'll understand.
Stop! You blame the Democratic Party for not being able to get along, but in actuality its YOU, CNN! Hillary and Barack are trying to deal with issues, and you insist of tabloid journalism with your huge photo of Obama and Wright on your opening page. Where is your dignity?
Do any of you really believe that a guy can go to a church for 20 years and never hear this stuff? He never heard people talk ABOUT this stuff at church functions? Please. Obama is a liar, and is no different than the rest. As for the "DESTROY MCCAIN" comment posted by sad, I can see why you have that name. Get help.
The forces of Division. You mean the bigot pastor which Obama not only gave a formal position to on his campaign but kept going to his church knowing full well the racist hatred that was being spewed there? Or how about hiring the bigot pastor Donnie McClurkin and refusing to fire him even after Obama was told about McClurkin's long history of anti-gay hatred? The forces of Division? They are all standing firmly with Obama!
This is why I voted for YOU !!!
We AMERICANS are awesome when we are UNITED.....You are the person we need to KEEP us united, and cause our FRIENDS around the world to unite with us !!!!!!!!!!
Obama/Edwards08 Si Se Puede
Obama is full of lies. 20 years he has know Wright, his pastor, mentor and Obama can not tell us that he never knew of Wright's hate. How dumb does Obama think we are.
Obama has lost his credit on judgment and being electable. It is time for Obama to step down so the party can unity.
So much for change and clean politics. Turn the page Obama
twenty plus years at that church and donating last year$ 22,000 to this church and being married by Wright and his children baptised and the hate he spews one would't stay for 3 weeks never mind 20 plus years
Obama has stated that he did not know Rezko was under investigation when he raised money for him and when he entered into the property agreement with him.
Obama has stated that he did not know about ANY of the Wright statements before he started to run for President, never heard any in person, and only found out about the rest in the last few days.
Can Obama possibly be this ignorant about the people closest to him or he is just lying about what he knew and when he knew it?
Obama should step down. How can voters truly believe he is not anti-America or anti-white now after Wright's comments as leader of a church Obama has attended for decades?
To MP- Pennsylvania: If anyone is biased it's you. Where were you when everyone, including the media was very very negative on Hillary and Obama could do no wrong. Now it's Obama's turn. No one is that perfect that nothing negative could be said about them. They both have faults. Obama is just getting exposed right now, and rightly so. Let the people know what's important to know about the candidates before they cast their votes.
you cannot say you are surprised. You've been in that church, listening to this hatred for 20 years. Stop lying. If you didn't like the pastor's speeches, you would have left this church long time ago.
You needed his rhetoric to get the radical Black votes in Illinois.
I can;t help but wonder why, and by whom, this surfaced now! And, who began the introduction of political divide by gender and race?
As usual, CNN has its collective tabloid news noses up the backside of the Clinton campaign. God forbid they should ever question any falsehood or exaggeration coming from HIllary now that she's been lying all along about her experience, accomplishments and connection to the Peter Paul trial and Rezko.
What I want to know is why CNN didn't ever question George Bush about marching us in to IRAQ?! Where was all the investigative reporting back in 2002?
But then again, when have they ever reported the real news unless they're are being directed by the Clinton campaign and the surrogates to tell them how to do their jobs and direst the news cycle. Pathetic!
Let all of this B.S. go and get back to discussing the issues! I don't care anymore about who said what when, I want to hear from the candidates about issues we are all concerned about, such as the economy, healthcare, the rising cost of food and gasoline. Let's move on!
Keep it up media. Show Hillary and Obama for what they are.
Go McCain
Barack could not have done a better job of addressing this issue. Wright's comments reflect a generation of Black people that are angry about the past, Barack represents a generation that wants to lead this country to a future where we can move past racial divisions.
Wow! I can't believe that someone in here is accusing CNN of being biased in favour of Hillary!!! HAHA!!! Hillary has been fighting the media this whole campaign season while Barack has gotten a free ride. Now that the truth about him is starting to come out, the Obama flock is crying foul. Clearly, Obama is the one creating a "force of division." He has been going to a church that has a racist pastor for over 20 years...wouldn't THAT be considered "POOR JUDGMENT?"
what else is Obama hiding..hoping no one will find out..step down Obama..step down
How we can entrust someone as our president who is not aware of what is going on in his own church to know what is going on all over the country and in the entire world. Everyone knows if their pastor is benevolent and patriotic or radical and anti-American, and one doesn't have to attend every single week to determine this. This incident has caused me to question Obama's credibility. I no longer trust him. Our country is severely broken, we cannot take the chance.
Obama IS NOT responsible for his pastor.
He has denounced him and rejected his comments.
What else can he do? SPIT on the guy??
I denounce Obama.
MP-Penn. Have you not seen the uproar about Ferraro! Clinton has had much more bad press than Obama. Neither handled the situation correctly. We need to get back to the issues so we can win back the white house from the republicanws
Oh yes right. What does Obama has to say about anti-national wife and preacher? And his connection with mafias?
CNN should open comment for this political ticker:
"Obama says Rezko raised up to $250K"
CNN is so bias. Using "decries" plays up to the Hillbots that will claim he's "whining." Oh well, I guess CNN is pulling for Clinton, MSNBC for Obama, and FixedNews for McCain. Sad.
Good job, Sen
Obama's minister does not speak for him. My minister does not speak for me. No matter who you support, no matter what your political affiliation, you must admit this is absurd.
I don't want to read a tabloid – I want to have the candidates focus on important issues. I wonder if anyone realizes that THIS IS NO TIME for games. This is getting frustrating.
Enough fiddling while Rome is burning. CNN, knock this stuff off! Can you folks still be proud of yourselves as journalists? If you don't give it airplay, then no one even needs to know that this irrelevant stuff is being discussed. Come on, let's achieve a higher level of dialogue here. Can you help us accomplish that, or must we get our news elsewhere for a more intelligent perspective?
This man can't cover up 20 years of support with a few sentences of denial. Clearly he knew what this man was about, condoned it, supported and and approved of it. It infected his wife: look at the comments she has made about America!! Good grief people, get real. This man is harboring an agenda that's based on anger and hate, and trying to paper it over. It won't work.
Now I start to see more Obama 08 stickers on cars. The media can stir up more negativity if they wish, but voters have decided which candidate to stay away from and it's neither Obama nor McCain.
While McCain is leaving for Europe and Middle East to meet with foreign leaders, Hillary was in a St. Patrick parade in Pitts. That's all nice, but it just shows the great difference in the levels of foreign experience the candidates are talking about.
msk-
Why should Obama step down when he's the one who's winning and will have the lead when the convention rolls around?
MSK–how can you say Obama should step down when he is winning??
Sounds like the Clinton supporters are shoveling BS again. These people have no morals. But Hillary doesnt either so they can have each other.
How can he denounce this man now, his pastor, as though it's a big surprise that the man makes those kinds of remarks? He didn't go to church on the days the pastor spoke? Humbug. He should have denounced that type of statement a long time ago and distanced himself from his pastor years ago, not now when it's convenient.
MSK
Obama sould step down. He is causing a division.
============================================
I agree Barack should step down. He is causing racial tension by playing the race card!
The only people trying to keep this "not-a-story" alive are Faux News, Hannity, Limbaugh and O'Really.
They hope if they keep flinging the crap, something will stick sooner or later. The reality is my preacher says things that I don't agree with sometimes. I don't have to believe everything he says.
Keep trying guys – you got nothing here.
This guy talks about judgement. Yet his judgement to go His pastor church was bad one and know rezko. He blames Sen. Clinton for having bad jiudgement to goto IRAQ.
Clinton/Powell '08
Yes She Can.
Good job, Senator Obama. As I see it, you have shown that you are committee to uniting and bringing people together asyou have maintained throughout this campaign. May your message of unity and decency prevail.
Obama said he learned of Pastor Wright's statement in January, and that he disagrees with the statement.
The question is, WHY DID HE KEEP HIM IN HIS CAMPAIGN STAFF from January untill March?
He now only denounces the statement and removed him from his staff because it is make public.
What about Hillary's religion.........
Please Google .....Hillary Clinton Fellowship
see who she is lining up with......
. Evangelical Republican Senators and Hillary Clinton meet in secret weekly....Google it it is shocking
the media you are part of the problem. I am beginning to loose my resepect fro the CNN because of your bias converages. Please be objective and tell the truth as usual. What about the clintons and the Monikas. I Client number 9 not a Clinton Supporter?
Hillary should step down , her camp started this divison!
Obama is a real politician ... he lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When this story eventually breaks Obama will be lucky to retain his Senatorship let alone his nomination.
The real story here is the media coverage of this story, and I gaurantee certain media outlets will be in real trouble for backing an anti-american stance.
How can someone who supports Obama say CNN is biased in FAVOR of Clinton, and keep a straight face? You just aren't used to the kind of scrutiny the Clinton campaign has experienced all year.
Mr Wright's comments, were not off key. Many blacks and other minorities feel this way. America has not been good to all it's citizens. Our experiences in this country are different. I don't know why that's consider wrong to some.
And who created this problem for Mr. Obama? Himself. Take reponsibility. Hillary Clinton cannot be blamed this time – nice try though. The kinds of conspircay theories this minister is spouting are vry bac for the black community – Mr. Obama should talk about that in his church and in his leadership role.
You don't get 1/4 million dollars from someone and not do favors in return or go to a church for 20 yrs and not hear what your preacher is saying. Was he home on Christmas Day 2007 and if he was why did he and his family not go to church, We don't need another liar in the white house.
I think Barack should stop and step down after all this he can't win and he is going down
Typical lying politician. He was just seemed slicker because the media wouldn't challenge him.
Obama says he never heard his pastor talk about hateing white people but the Bible says that a fountain can not give sweet water and bitter water so if his pastor talked about hateing people once he must do it all the time. And remember Obama says his judgement is better than Hillary's experience what about his judgement on attending a church where they preach hate. I know if I did not agree with my pastor on his preaching I would leave that church
Obama does not even deserve the VP postion now.
The DNC will be INSANE to put this huy forward. Imagine the November election
Anti-American Racist vs P.O.W. wouldn't be a smart choice...Go Hill
I don't buy his whole notion that he somehow didn;t know that his spiritual adviser of 20 years hates America and whites. I am sure he wants to move on quickly around this (for his political gain) but the reality is that this is really disturbing and makes me question his judgment in a big way.
His pastor Making comments about 9/11 piss me off. I hope alot of people see his videos. I glad i suppor Sen. Clinton my senator on 9/11
CNN, MSNBC and the corporate media are on a political witch hunt. But Obama is stronger that they think. And those people that see no divisiveness from the Clinton campaign are obviously biased.
12 billion a month being spent in Iraq, a falling dollar and an economy in a recession s what we should be angry about.
Is anybody listening? Barack Obama is telling everyone something very important, including his pastor, and that is to stop the nonsense. And that only applies to Hillary. She is the one that is behind in total popular votes, total states, total delegates, yet she stays in the race making race an issue so that people will stop hoping and vote for her sleezy politics. What goes around, comes around.
This from the man who campaigns on how divisive HRC is. When something gets pinned on him he whines. I still waiting for him to apologize to HRC reagarding David Axelrod's comment that Clinton was responsible for Benazir Bhutto's death.
CNN and Clinton you will not steal the election from the American People. Is Client number 9 not Clintons suppoerter etc. Be objective. You are convering the news for an intelligent and educated public please. Clinton should take their tricks and dishonesty to animals.
CNN, God didn't like you messing with Obama!
Critics of Obama are so desperate to make him look bad that they completely create negative news about him. Obama has not made this race about skin color; Hillary Clinton has, CNN has and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. The important things are the issues. CNN should stop perpetuating fear when it comes to their political reporting. They've become almost as bad as Fox news.
Hillary apologized for her campaign member, Ferraro.
I think Obama should make the same kind gesture and apologize to Hillary for the comments made about her by his campaign member.
The one thing that does bother me about this mess is that Barak says he did not know that Rev. Wright ever made these comments and he was never present when Rev. Wright spoke in this fiery manner. I find that almost impossible to believe. Having said that, may the best man/woman win.
No to division... yes to unity... Go Obama...
read todays chicago tribune online. the interview about obamas ties with rezko is well explained and makes sense. knock it off cnn. clinton is far more corrupt and dangerous than obama will ever be... even if he is from chicago.
time for obama to step down. a person like him has no business running for president. He should resign. At this point, he wont win anyways. he has become more unelectable. I hope the superdelegates are smart to this man.
Anderson Cooper's interview of Obama about his apalling minister was right on the money. David Gergen and Roland Martin disappointingly appeared to be apologists for this kind of hate talk.
I commend Barack for stepping up to the plate on this. Now, candidates, let's all take a deep breath and get back to the issues that are facing this country.
If he wanted something different he wouldn't have spent 20 years under that influence. Wright wouldn't have been a "friend and adviser", or an inspiration for Obama's book. This is all just sickening and dishonest.
Are we to beleive Obama had no idea of the views and opinions of his own minister...or does Obama just have poor judgement.
Don't let this name answer the phone at 3am!
guys - CNN (apart from Anderson Cooper who at least tries to be a journalist) is pathetic....there is no effort to inform....you should not be surprised by now.
I hope Rev. Wright is there to help OBAMA and his family through this rough patch!
I am sorry Obama will never win the national election now. Do you think whites will vote for him now, after viewing all those you tube videos in Fox and the other channels. People were blaming CNN yesterday but this was getting played in all news show before CNN and worst tapes than the ones they showed in CNN.
Obama made it clear that he disagrees with his Minister's divisive statements. I don't agree with or hang on every word my Pastor says either, though I adnire much of what he says. No one is perfect and our responsibility to ourselves is to think for ourselves. Blind allegiance to black and white mentalities and ideology is the rot cause of our pathetic mind set.
Oh even worse, CNN just ripped this story off from the AP. Weak. But still, CNN is pulling for Clinton, MSNBC for Obama, and FixedNews (even though they may not admit it) for McCain.
Twenty years going to the church and Obama never heard incendiary statements from his mentor, spiritual advisor and the father-figure in his life? The man who baptized his children? Married him and his wife? The ma who inspired the name of one of his book? The man from whom he draws his speaking style? Words matter, words matter, words matter! Oh, I forgot, CNN is to blame!!
Obama kept going to Wright's church for 20 years and called Wright his mentor. Only wants to denounce now?
Does a church goer have to agree with everything his minister says? I dont think so!
If that is the case every American will be guilty.
Obama `08!
there's no way i'd pick this man over McCain. He's basically a pure politician...waiting until today to address it when the controversial words were spoken years ago.
We have judged you Obama not Jeremiah and found you to be a clean cut and multi-faceted diamond. You are THE winner.
sorry for my spelling ..i was a little upset...
Um yeah...and how many times has CNN had a plethora of negative Clinton stories coupled with a myriad of positive Obama ones?
Pretty sure they are not biased against Obama. This is a big deal and is certainly newsworthy. The Republicans certainly won't hesitate to pounce on it in the general election, so why wait to discuss it till then?
Right on!
This man went to the church for over 20 years. Now he says he doesn't agree? Does everyone forget how many we lost in the 9/11 incident. Have you listened to the remarks of this pastor in regards to 9/11? Obama is not the man the United States of America needs right now. Remember what his wife said? It sounds like the preacher's words are instilled in this family. Let us not forget 9/11 and our wonderful country and vote for America and not for Obama!
The fact he has stayed at this church for 20 years and contributes to it financially speaks volumes in my opinion. Very sad and very distressing. I thought B.O. was better than this. Guess not.
How can we entrust someone as our president who is not aware of what is going on in his own church to know what is going on all over the country and in the entire world. Everyone knows if their pastor is benevolent and patriotic or radical and anit-American, and one doesn't have to attend every single sermon to determine this. Especially if the pastor is also a personal friend. This incident has caused me to question Obama's credibility. I no longer trust him. Our country is severely broken, we cannot take the chance.
how come CNN only publishes nice comments about Hillary...You are biased....I am switching to MSNBC
The sad tragety of our Ugly American history is that we have learned nothing from it. Bitterness and division run wild in America, and it becomes obvious everyday that Americans want to divide and destroy all that comes along with a peaceful message. Sadly, the reverend is right, in many respects, The self proclaimed greatest country in the world just can't handle the truth...Ah the imminent downslide of The Divided States of America secretly cheering for a World War 3...
MP, please, it is OBAMA who has been attending th Wright's church.
Not once, not twice, not a hundred times but TWENTY years Obama chose to do it, not being forced to do it. I am extremely disappointed but that's what he chose.
This is not change we can believe in, unless we want the same old lies and politicians who will say/do anything (even betray their spiritual mentor and functional father) just to gain power.
Obama is a liar
When he says he didn't know about these statements
He is lying
what came to light shouldnt matter. its mainly hillary and CNNS fault. she smears him just before the primaries. thats the only way she can win.... and texas and ohio were fooled into beleieving he talked with canada whne she actually did it...........
On every news media, Obama is getting all negative press and Clinton is getting all positive press. What is the deal? And why is no one talking about this Energy Bill that Clinton keeps quoting despite the fact that it gave oil companies incentives to explore alternative fuel options? This is madness. Can we get some balance?
I look forward to seeing an even stronger leadership in Obama as he meets each and every challenges given to him.
I agree with the pastor's comments and wish there was such a cool church near me.. I wish the Senator would defend the man's statements.. as I think I should have a church in America that says things like this occasionally that I believe in.. so sorry if that offends you all. (fascists).
People need to focus on the issues and let this go. This story has been out there for a long time. The only reason it is coming up again is because it is 6 weeks before penn.
now tell who is racist between the two...wrigth is the spiritul leader of obama and what a shame.
It's different when repudiating remarks of a "rogue surrogate" such as Geraldine or the Obama staffer who called Clinton a "monster." But someone that you call your mentor, spiritual advisor, and have belonged to his church for 20 years....this is not a "rogue surrogate." This is a close relationship. Obama was well aware of the remarks and didn't repudiate them when they were helpful in winning in Chicago. Now he does what he needs to do to win a national election. No matter what his marketing efforts imply, he is a TYPICAL POLITICIAN.
After reading about Obama in The Globe and National InquireLeads
me to wonder what next?
Obama caused this force of ddivision himself by not removing his family from the hate spewed by tthis man of God.... What a shame that he had to be forced to renounce those thoughts... He should have done it as soon as he heard about it.. "when he first decided to run for President" in his oun statement... What a lack of judgement... He has no one to blame but himself...
he and his people causing more divisions than clinton people,
what is his belive before joining christian?...i believe some day his
picture attanding mosque with his father in indonesia will be on youtube..
Birds of a feather flock together.
I think Obama has the most convenient absences known to man. It is not about the Country, but the man that is his spiritual leader, advisor, and by his own words, mentor. Wright uses hate to perpetuate the lie that white America is black America's ONLY problem. It is that 1960's thinking that blacks need to get rid of. We are no longing eating at separate counters or forced into menial labor, except by our own choices. One of those choices is who you listen to. If you want to be a victim you listen to Wright.
This will haunt Obama until the end of the campaign, when McCain takes every conservative state, Florida, Pennsylvannia and Ohio. Even if Obama won by 90% in California and New York, McCain would get the electoral votes. The Republicans will be playing wright's comments on a daily basis for the next eight months, and there is nothing Obama can do to defend himself from this one.
I believe that Obama is a really nice guy; I just question his judgement. He's not a good judge of character, and simply does not know how to say "NO." I'm a Democrat who will be voting McCain in November.
I believe a thorough investigation should be made. There are people out there who checked out the church and left because of Wright's incendiary sermons. They need to come forward with their testimonies, some have been to the church when Obama was there and they can either verify or discredit what Obama has said for his excuse. I think it is a weak excuse. He needs to know what is going on or he won't make a good president.
Hillary & Bill should step down. They have caused this division. As she said from day one "she is in it to win it "and will stop at nothing to accomplish that, dirty politics and all. And I do believe that the news media enables the Clinton campaign with their constant reporting over and over of the same negatives about Barack, it does seem very biased.
Barack Obama is full of it. This man is a modern day charlatan selling the American public a facade. One may wonder how these flawed characters end up leading a nation however it is obvious that mankind is gullible to a fault. Obama is selling smooth talk. telegenic looks and an Ivy League education. This man is gravely unfit to be President...
Obama should step down? For what reason exactly? He has committed no crime...
Would you like me to name some of the shady folks involved with both the Clinton Bush and Mccain political groups?
We have seen plenty of political corruption in the past few years... of course its democrats that always get caught in what are really personal matters that don't involve crimes in office while republicans get caught accepting bribes from defense contractors et cetera.
It's the public corruption and theft of my taxpayer dollars that I am more concerned about than someones personal issues... maybe you should be too.
CNN really is biased. I understand nobody can be perfectly balances, but jeez, attempt some equality here please.
"Obama sould step down. He is causing a division."
Hah. The person leading in delegates, states, and popular votes causing a division. That's rich.
Clinton, on the other hand, who said last October that the MI and FL primaries don't matter; now thinks that the MI primary was "fair" even though Obama's name wasn't on the ballot. Ridiculous.
Mitt Romney has more character than Hillary Clinton. How sad.
I'm glad his pastor spoke up , what about preacher and the radio jock that came with racial remarks about Islam and Senator Obama's name. Someone need to speak up, many of the so called leaders are indebted to the Clinton faction and the GOP. It is acceptable, if you are Rush Limbaugh or the the likes of to make the racial one sided statements.
Senator Obama insults the intelligence of the entire population if he expects us to believe he was unaware of his 20 year pastor's beliefs. I am sure that he was well informed of the statements being made by his minister; if not from attending definitely by his political advisers.
To echo Obama, "it is important to be right on day 1″ well he hasn't got it right after 20 years! I am seriously concerned about his lack of judgement and his limited knowledge of his pastor and spiritual adviser for 20 years.
I can't believe Barack attended church with this minister many years and did not hear some of this same type of this crazy retoric before???
u Obama haters would hate him no matter what. he is as genuine as they come and you just can't stand it.
If you want to judge on the company they keep, just take a look at the scum Hillary has chosen to stay married to and tell me that isn't political expediency.
What the videos and you will see that Obama has lied again about not being their (remember 20 years going to this church). He was there and he was being endoresed by Wright. The new "pastor" was also there hi-fiving Wright. He is a liar and he hates white people and America. I am not white and I can see it clearly.
Remember the words of Obama's wife!!
CNN is about time you reported this!!
Too late Obama. You have a 20 year relationship with this radical and racist spiritual leader of yours. You can't sudden end that because the pressure is on. 20 years is too long and now you are worming your way out of it. Too late. If it was Hillary, people would be calling for her to step down. Fair play is fair play.
Hillary 08
Barack ambodies a bit of all of what is good in America, he is such an inspiration to those longing to hear the good news. I will judge him base on what he believes and what he saids. This country needs healing and prayer. God blese Barack, Hillary and John!!
Truth always comes out,
Yesterday it felt like Senator Obama was lying on Anderson Cooper....
If he wants to move past this anger and bitterness so much, then why did he an Axelrod attack Bill Clinton and Ferraro so aggressively. Because he is a hypocrite and a B.S. politician-that's why.
MSK what information do you bais that on ?
How can you attend a church for 20 years, and then claim that you had no idea that your pastor preached hatred and bigotry from the pulpit? Wright didn't turn this way over night.
I know CNN is not going post this beccause they biased for Obama
This guy talks about judgement. Yet his judgement to go His pastor church was bad one and know rezko. He blames Sen. Clinton for having bad jiudgement to goto IRAQ.His pastor Making comments about 9/11 piss me off. I hope alot of people see his videos. I glad i suppor Sen. Clinton my senator on 9/11
Clinton/Powell '08
Yes She Can.
I don't buy for one second that Obama was unaware of the racism of his pastor of 20 years, or that he doesn't agree with those views. He's both liar and hypocrite and the Democratic Party as a whole should distance themselves from him completely.
CMT try empathy it works better that way then you will understand
Good job, Barack... You need to prove that you are strong enough to go against "tough" pressure from the media, etc.. it's only going to get tougher in the general election, and you need to show that you can indeed handle it... stay on the issues, and you'll be okay.
Come on dems... we can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mccain scares me... I want better for my babies.
Integrity Integrity Integrity Integrity
I think we've heard enough lying now out of the guy that's supposed to be showing us a new kind of politics. I agree, Obama needs to just step down and quit destroying the democratic party.
Of course Obama wants to "move beyond it." He has no clue how to handle the anger of white, religious America that this is engendering. He has no clue how to "bring people together." He has no clue how to "change" things. LEAVE THE RACE NOW, OBAMA.
MP _ PA... you need to shut your dirty mouth... go and watch wright' video..
Stay the course Barack......we the public can no longer be fooled by misdirected rhetoric and bias against your campaign. Continue to gather the delegates and there is no way anyone can take the nomination away from you.
Apparently the people from Indiana haven't seen the video of Rev. Wright yet. Obama will never get elected.
Pennsylvania voter here and people are outraged. This is the biggest story of the election cycle and it will not go away. The tide has turned.
I STILL BELIEVE!!!!
This is what happens when you give the main stream media 6 weeks between primaries, they go back 3 and half months to find dirt and then hammer each candidate for going negative. These so called journalist are worst then K-street lobbies and lawyers.
Maybe people here criticizing Obama should actually do a little research into the man's life. Try to find one iota of anything that is different from what he says here, then come back and post something that actually shows a kernal of truth. Uninformed voters is how we ended up with the president we have now.
This man found "his truth" with Rev Wright.
Oprah found "her truth and it is Barak Obama"
Talk about 'bamboozled and okeydoked"; read Obama's first book and then prepare to meet the "flim flam man".
Nice try, Obama. We still think you are deceptive and a liar.
Obama smoked [the Pastor's sermons], but he did not inhale.
Obama sat and listened to twenty years of screaming racism and anti-American hatred. He only repudiates it now because he's running for President. That's called being a politician of the WORST KIND!
The pastor's comments were made a very long time ago and now, only now, Obama is denouncing them? Why did he keep him around so long, stay allegiant to him? Clinton dumped Ferraro within a few days. Obama kept this guy onboard for a year or more. Shameful. Obama is an ultimate politican. He has many fooled. How Obama could seek spiritual advice from a guy like this is beyond me.
Will this country come together for our children's sake? Or will we have another generation or two of not trusting each other..
This election we will see. i can only hope for the former..
Obama we are with you.
Anyone who would vote for Obama after hearing that pastor's sermon would be an absolute idiot. Did anyone hear Obama on Anderson Cooper? The man is a master at taking any story and twisting the truth. He attended that church for over 20 years and this pathetic pastor was his mentor. Wake up America,
Remember how Obama said that Bill Clinton is not black enough because he can't dance. Was Obama saying that WHITE PEOPLE can't dance? And you have to be able to dance in order to be black enough?
How gullible does Barack think we are? He didnt know???? Sell me the Brooklyn Bridge folks. Bill was right ... this guy needs to be vetted.
Isn't Obama supposed to bring people together? He has exposed Blacks to be vee very racist. Did Obama ever get anything off of affirmative action and what is his stance. His ancestors were not slaves in America but they could have sold many into slavery. My ancestors were discriminated against not his.
Cnn no posting the truth about Barak Obama! Where is SNL? Stop with the speaches and promises and get to the real Barak Obama.
Obama says..." if all I knew were the statements that I saw on television I would be shocked,"
The key word here is 'all': Does this not imply that he did, indeed, know about the statements he saw on TV and having known them STILL had this man in a 'leadership position within the campaign'?
THINK about this America. What kind of judgement did Obama show here?
Oh Yeah Please let it go! Go back to putting Hillary down. I don't think so! Let's get all the facts out about obama.
Shame on you barack Obama! this is absolutely Absurd!
My question to all of you! if you know somemone for 20 years and dare call them a ( spiritual advisor )
you better know them well!
.. look
THE TRUTH CAME OUT OBAMA IS RACIST!
attending a church his own mother wasnt allowed to attend
he knew that
It's absurd and belittling (to the voter) to think that Obama did not know of Wright's philosophies or teachings. Obama has been a member of the church since 1991 and a friend of Wright's for even longer. For a guy preaching "transparency" and "honesty", why not be a bit more honest and less insulting to us....
And, here's the big question: if you don't believe in Wright's ideology, then why did you maintain your longlasting membership in his church?
I see a double standard and get out jail free card. Lets all see who really is Barak Obama! After 20-years he now separates himself from hatred comments towards whites.
We need a President with better judgment then that and most of all an upfront President!
To late Sen. Obama. You should have questioned him years ago. Not now because it is in the news. I have to think that somewhere there is a vid of you standing and applauding Rev. Wright as he downs American and whites and Jewish people. Too late Se. Obama
I agree Mary. Im also a white women and yes I will continue to support Barack. Like you I will never vote for Hillary. She is so dis-honest and we cant trust her. Barack was on CNN last night ans he set the record straight. Im also glad that he came out fast and denouced his-EX pastor. Look at McCain pastor he said that Catholics are the anti-chirst...
cmt, you can offer something different when you have your mind made up to do so. I know from experiences in my life. Obama is trying to help heal the differences we have between each other. Give him a chance.
We all have to want a change. I do!!
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that there was no formal tie between the campaign and Rev. Wright
Regardless, Hillary and Obama aren't racist and we need to move on, get this race over with soon, PLEASE
Erm......
i just posted a comment asking why pelosi hadnt endorsed obama straight up...
and its been blocked...
how is that excusable in any way, CNN anoraks?
Hillary will keep us safe.
please don't vote Obama!
Obama should step down. He is causing a division ............he will usher in McCain if he is the candidate. Change Obama Vote Clinton !!
CNN is obsessed with perpetuating the importance of race in politics.
It's transparent and inexcusable.
Senators Obama and Clinton are duking it out over race and religion. Bush/McCain have moved on to the White House for a third term. Is there a way we can bring back the hope of a third party to take back our country?
Are you Obama supporters crazy. Please read through this man, he is a liar and a hypocrite. His man point is only to get in the whitehouse at whatever cost and we all will suffer in the end. I am a black female and what I have learn from my pastor in pastor is example. And he was sitting in the pews and want admit it.
I'm tired of the divisions and divisive nature of our America. Yes, I love my country but I want us to begin to heal. No one said it would be easy but we have to try.
YES WE CAN!
Barack,
Shouldn't you have thought of that during the 20 years you sat in those pews at Trinity and pumped thousands and thousands of dollars worth of donations so that this anti-American racist filth could prepetuate itself? You are just a hypocrite and I cannot be convinced otherwise.
Remember when Democrates had a problem with "Righties" religious values. Watch how this magically becomes not a big deal.
The awakening has begun...
Why Obama did not repudiate this man after 9/11?
Are you Obama supporters crazy. Please read through this man, he is a liar and a hypocrite. His main point is only to get in the whitehouse at whatever cost and we all will suffer in the end. I am a black female and what I have learn from my pastor isan example. And he was sitting in the pews and want admit it.
That is enough we believe you and what you stand for.
I hope that God will help you convince the voter to trusth and guides you on your way to bring about the changes for our country,.