(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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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?