Reaction - he lied to America saying he was uniter when in reality his mind had a different view of America!

God Bless America and save it from Obama!

Obama is a liar!!!

Plain and simple truth, all you have to do is listen and he tells lie after lie. Time for Obama to pull out of the race. We sure don't need someone like him in the White House….as far as that goes…we don't need someone like him in the Senate!!!

Well Wolf, we know what your reaciton is going to be, but we don't care. Your "Hillary For President" button looks a little tarnished, you might want to get another one.

Speaking of replacements, I think CNN needs a new anchor.

Obama 08

No, he didn't have a choice, Wolf. Even John McCain, someone who I think is a little too trigger happy to be commander in chief, chided Hannity about pushing this issue and magnifying it disproportionately. Apparently he did a good job, though. Hillary announced the release of her white house records to try to steal his thunder.

Of course, the comments board will be overrun with people who weren't going to vote for him in the first place claim that now they "really" don't like him.

Obama talks about unity and overcoming divisiveness, but actions speak louder than words. So far all Obama has done is show he can use words well, maybe well enough to fool enough people to nominate him. However, if all this had come out in January, he would not be at 1,600+ delegates. In fact the process would have been over after Super Tuesday. It is time for change alright…it is time to change Obama out as the front runner. Here the problem: I don't know when to believe him anymore. Obama has just reversed himself. Last week he said he did not personally witness divisive things or inflammatory things said in the church by Rev Wright. Now he said he did hear inflammatory things said by Rev. Wright, but disagreed with him. If I ever saw Obama as a different kind of politician it just went up in smoke. His judgment is what he has been leaning on to get around Clinton's experience, but now he lost that as well. If this is not a lack in judgment I am not sure what is.

One thing that the Obama speech did, was take a man , who is black running for President and distinguished him now ,to be a black man running for President. He has succeed to take us back to the hatred of the 50's and 60's, where the black American blamed the white American for all that ails. I for one, do not want to go back to those days, but obviously people like Rev. Wright , whom he admires is stuck there.

as upsetting as that video was, i am happy to see obama not disown rev. wright. yes, obviously rev. wright has his own set of racial opinions and issues (most likely due to past experiences), but that doesn't change who he is. i'm glad obama sees past that. that makes him a bigger person.

Obama certainly did have a choice, Wolf. He could've taken the route your candidate surely would've taken - continue ignoring the whole thing and responding to any criticism with a deflection & mention of the opposing candidates' perceived weaknesses.

Instead, he made a courageous and monumental speech. But you probably missed the jist of it while you were busy anticipating the fallout.

HE SAID WE CAN MOVE PAST SOME OF OUR RACIAL WOUNDS, WAS HE SAYING BY ELECTING HIM AS PRESIDENT, OR BY TAKING A STAND WHEN WE HEAR THIS TYPE OF HATE BY NOT ATTENDIND THIS TYPE OF HATRED BEING PREACHED.

Obama has acknowledged that he WAS in church when his pastor made those hateful comments, contracting his denials he made this past weekend. why dont yoy talk about this WOLF, HOW STUPID YOU THINK AMERICAN ARE FOR US THE IMPRTANT THING ABOUT THIS SPEECH WILL OBAMA IS JUST A LIAR AND HE IS PLAYING WITH YOU CNN WORST POLITICAL TEAM

Obama made the fine line by not discounting these issues years ago when they were spoken by his pastor. Now he has the choice of turning his back on his pastor to save his political skin or stick by him as he has been and admit he feels the government was behind 9/11.

Obama has caught himself in his own web.

We haven't even talked about the numerous other issues Obama hasn't addressed yet.

Thank you Mr. Obama, we are now in black vs white Presidential race!

As a Canadian I cannot understand all this uproar over RACE! A person is a person. I do not agree as most people do not over some of the pastor's comments, but this is the pastor. Most of us have a differences of opinion with our pastor's and if you don't agree to this you are not being honest. Obama would be your best president, his values and actions prove this! The Clintons continually come out with negativity, and Obama responds. Actually he may be more American than those of one colour as he sees the world from both sides being both white and black! I hope you vote for Obama and get America on the right track!! Go Obama.

Yes he does specially when CNN and the Clintons keep spining things out of control_
but he did well, he is our leader!!

a wonderful, insightful and moving speech. Anyone who actually listens to or reads the speech has to admire Obama's sincerity, thoughtfulness and vision. He is a remarkable leader and the US will be fortunate indeed to have him as our next President.

WOLF GREAT SPEECH FROM YOU TOO .JUST LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING….HE HAD TO MAKE THIS SPEECH…HAD ..IS THE OPERATIVE WORD…HE WAS FALLING IN THE POLLS AND HE HAD TO SAY SOMETHING…..OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO SAY WHAT YOU AND OTHERS WANT TO HEAR.HES A POLITICAN…………AND WOLF TELL JACK TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION ABOUT OBAMA WOULD HE DO ANYTHING TO WIN …WHY IS IT ALWAYS A HILARY QUESTION…LETS BE FAIR …I KNOW THAT WILL BE HARD FOR JACK BECAUSE HE IS NOT ABOUT FAIRNESS WHEN IT COMES TO HILARY………WHY ARE THOSE 3 ALWAYS THE BEST POLITICAL TEAM…………JACK, ROLAND , GLORIA .THEY ARE ALL OBAMA FANS YOU HEAR IT IN THERE VOICES AND ON THERE FACES ..WHATS FAIR ABOUT THAT ……….

I find this very bothersome. I like Obama but now question his authenticity. Explain why you would consider someone who preaches hatred, family? Would you want them to baptize your children? Officiate your wedding? Worse yet, would you stay in that congregation for 20 years? I heard the sermons being distributed around the internet and just listening to this mans message once would have sent me packing. Sorry Obama, you lost me here. You're telling the nation one thing, and listening to another.

Obama just kinda' scooted round the issue, using generalizations.
Where was the meat…? There was no insight as to why he supported such a divisive orginization for so long or why he lied about it.

The whole this is all very sad.
I'm sure there are a lot of disillusioned folks out there today.

WHY ARE PEOPLE SO CRAZY?

LYNCHING ONE MAN FOR WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE SAID.

I JUST HOPE MY NEIGHBOR HASN'T SAID OR DONE ANYTHING CRAZY, OTHERWISE I MIGHT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSQUENCES.

The "fallout" as you put it, is going to be that nothing changes. Obama is still the inevitable democratic nominee, and the only way Clinton can possibly pull out a win is by winning several states by a greater than 75% margin, or by winning a state or two by 85% (preventing Obama from receiving any delegates at all).

The only people who gain ammo out of this event are those that are so full of hate that they will continue to spew that hate regardless of what Obama says or does. Those smart enough to see through the hate mongering and see two very qualified democratic candidates before them will make the choice to either continue researching the accomplishments and goals of each candidate, or they will choose one one to support some other basis (who is the most trustworthy, who do I simply like the most).

In the end, what really needs to happen is the democratic party needs to start playing the "wrap it up" oscar music, and get on to more important things, like unseating the Bush legacy that will continue on through McCain and his bellicose nature.

A vote for McCain is a vote for another World War. Remember that, even if your dem candidate of choice loses.

I thought more was made of the issue than it merited anyway. I thought all of the news media including CNN kept playing over and over the tape from Barack's church just to get a rise from the people. I'm glad to see the Senator Obama address it and put the issue away. No one has talked about Hillary's or McCain's pastor to this extent and I'm sure they have said things that they do not agree with.

It is just a distraction from what we as a country really need to focus on.

Kudos to Obama for taking on such a touchy subject. Now if only we could get all those bigotted people -of ALL races- to open their minds, listen, and just TRY to absorb some of the content, he might have made this country a slightly better place to be.

Barack's speech was history making, and will be remembered for his candor. Spin that.

If you need something to do go trash the "I Have A Dream" speech–you vultures. Thanks for supporting Hillary, and McCain this past weekend.

Obama 08

Obama had to walk a fine line because we all embrace the "big lie" that somehow America is pristine and not stained by it's history of racism. We have fallible leaders, yet our country is infallible - how can that be? We have a flawed foreign policy that ostracizes Cuba, yet embraces Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. A "might is right policy" is never without repercussions. WAKE UP AMERICA! We can never move forward until we own up to our reflection in the mirror.

He did an Excellent Job, He didn;t run from this issue or any others that have been placed before him. That is what leaders do. He was candid and I believe (as a multiracial and multi-ethinc woman) he explained his perspective in a thoughtful and heartfelt way.

It is amazing to me that we have forgotten Billy Graham's anit-semetic comments to President Nixon, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others who have said whatever they want to.

Truthfully, this country has not really looked at itself. Those who have had historically successful lives maynot be able to relate to what he had to say.

I would be proud to have Senator Barack Obama as my President. He is transparent, trustworthy strong in his conviction to have open and meaningful dialogue. I am really, really proud of him!!!

Barack Obama spoke Straight from the Heart with this morning's speech, he answered all points that needed to be approached, many of the attacks unjustified in the opinion of many voters. Barack didn't a script writer or to read from a script, he truly looked a possible President that at the end of the day Unite the USA.

The Democratic Party are the ones who need to make a quick decision, do they allow the advisers behind Hilary to continue damaging The Party with this negative campaign, the answer should be NO! - Any Candidate Nomination Race should be on Policy and not throwing constant attacks just hoping some will stick to destroy the other candidate.

Wolf, just to correct you, pre-emptive measures would have been to address this issue before it was broken by the press. Instead Obama lied about the fact that he heard Wright deliver such speeches over the last twenty years, and then later today admitted he had in fact been present when controversial statements were made.

well i still think he should get his children out of that church croupting there mind to such raciest and pregidest things is not unity unless they the church has adiffrent defanition for that also

Obama did exactly what he needed to do. The only people who will rail against Obama and this speech are people who will hate and refuse to support Obama no matter what. Obama haters were only looking for whatever they could find to prove that their hatred of Obama is justified. None of them even made an attempt to listen to what was said. I believe this speech will have a postive impact on the majority of Americans that are open-minded and willing to listen to what was said. The only people who will pan the speech are people who already hate Obama and are too close-minded to learn a different point of view.

He is our leader who touch heart and soul of America, he make best out of us and heal us within ourself. he is able to lead by unites us and our common good . American can't offer to lose him. God bless all of us and open our heart to recognize a leader who has judgment in his mind and love in his big heart we need at crisis of our time.

Wolf !!! I don't buy it. Even when he needed to reunite the country he's talking about Geraldine Ferraro's comments. Then he says he cannot abandon his minister; why??? he's not a blood relative but he's a person he choose to align with and still continues to.

I am ready to take my vote back.

while many people see the judgement problem that Obama had or has, I also see a more serious issue of lack of leadership and ability (or maybe willingness).

Sitting the pew for 20 years, listening to the hatred uttered toward the country he claims he loves, but doing nothing to help make change. He hasn't done anything to help change how his community see the white America (even though he knows they had a distorted view), to tell his pastor that what was said, even out of good intension or understandable, is in fact doing harm to the black community and to the rest of this country. Yes, he said, "I disagreed". Then what?

Obama hasn't done anything in the past 20 years to make changes to his own community in this aspect, how can he deliver the changes he promises? He did nothing to help unify black and white in his church in the past 20 years, how can we believe he can do it now?

There is more to be known about Mr. Obama. All of the candidates have a great vision for this country. Mr. Obama has a long way to go to prove he can be the leader of this great country.

great speech, very real and human. OBAMA 08

As an Obama supporter, I've always trusted he would do the right thing. I had no doubt that he would address the issue of race as eloquently as he has on other issues.

I think this country should stop being "petty" and move on. I wish people would not worry about a church they don't know (just like Romney's Mormon faith) and stop worrying about race since Obama is both white and black.

With all the immense problems in this country, I am glad Obama addressed the issue of division in this country and now we must move on to unite, which is his greatest wish.

Obama sounded really good in the speech. Hopefully this will end the petty bickering over what some idiot said in church. I really hope americans will stop listening to Fox News and worry about the issues, like how John McCain wants to keep the tax cuts AND stay in Iraq. That is why were in this mess in the first place, Johnny-boy!!!

Hillary 08′

We realized that he lied to the Americans when he said he knew nothing about the racial comments. He admitted today that he was aware of such comments. He also seemed to play the victim in his speech. Even after his speech, I still can't imagine anyone being asquainted with such a hate filled individual and enduring his statements. The only thing I think of is that he must have felt comfortable listening to Wright's sermons, which should make everyone feel uncomfortable nominating him as a presidental candidate. He should step down now and work to reform his church.

The only fallout will come from the people who heard/read the speech and don't want to move on, those that didn't hear the speech, those that didn't read the speech.

Thank you! Sen. Obama.

OBAMA '08

Wolf,
Why is CNN becoming as negative and bias and Fox News? This speech spoke "truth to power". It created a open dialog for blacks and white to come out to speak on the issue of race. The reality is both sides where correct in this battle. Blacks need to release the angry from the past and whites need to acknowledge the pain that was inflicted on African-Americans in this country. His goal in his speech is to unite the country not on racial lines but on common issues. So the media can spin it one way or the other, hopefully it will spin towards uniting the country instead of making more tabloids topics that anger and hurt America's true progress in this country.

I think It was a very brave and honorable and noble thing Obama did today. This is the kind of person our country so desperately needs right now.Now if the news media will allow him to get on with this election campaigne we the people would appreciate it. Why is the media allowed to shove their ideas down our throat, isn't it there job to report the news, who made them judge and jury? Give us all a break would you.Our country is in allot of trouble that is our worry can we be allowed to focus on that!!

It all comes out in the laundry folks. One's believe does influence one's life and that includes the political part of life.

There's some people, no matter how they try to explain..

Can't…. Been hidden it to long… Too late now….

He is not applying for just any old job..

i guess you are not capable of even mentioning what over 2/3 of the speech was about? That of racial unity in the United State? Does that not factor into your analysis?

That speech is easily the most profound and moving speech I have ever heard. Why is there no mention of the oratory or the historic nature of the speech itself?

Lately, it seems CNN is only interested in perpetuating the Democratic race out of concern for advertising revenue. FIrst you trashed Clinton now you're trashing Obama. Will you only be satisfied when the race goes to Denver? ooh…but you will make lots of money off it won't you? Sometimes I wish there was more choice than CNN and Fox News.

Shame on you for abdicating your duties as a journalist to report the news as it is, NOT as you wish it to be to perpetuate a race out of greedy self-interest!

Correction:

We realized that he lied to the Americans when he said he knew nothing about the racial comments. He admitted today that he was aware of such comments. He also seemed to play the victim in his speech. Even after his speech, I still can't imagine anyone being acquainted with such a hate filled individual and enduring his statements. The only thing I think of is that he must have felt comfortable listening to Wright's sermons, which should make everyone feel uncomfortable nominating him as a presidental candidate. He should step down now and work to reform his church.

I think he addressed the issue very well, let see what else they will try to pin on him.

Stand strong Barack and Keep it up, you will overcome.

Obama '08 Now!!!

What concerns me most about the Wright controversy is not so much the possible alignment of their viewpoints, as is the fact that we have little else on which to evaluate his candidacy.

Following Mr. Obama's speech, reporter Heidi Collins asked the question, should Mr. Obama have left and changed his church after hearing offensive statements by Rev. Wright? My question back is should we citizens who have heard offensive words and remarks, from the current administration, mean we should leave America and move to another country?

People do not respond to this blog or any negative bias blogs on any of the candidates! We need to move forward! It is now about evil versus good more so than black versus white. The good people of this country both black, white, brown are being held back by the evil. The devil will not win! T his blog is more about infusing evilness from the many evil of this country. We shall start a revolt against evilness in this country.

At heart of all this is Obama's candidacy and he just prove to us that he can handle crisis calmly under pressure. lt's true that he cannot disown his pastor more than he can disown even the color of his skin. What should come out of this is, how is he able to withstand the onslaught of questions and cycism that surround his ability to handle though situations. Overall, he did what he had to do brilliantly as would be demanded from the coomander in chief.

Wolf, thanks for a fair piece. It's refreshing in the blogosphere these days.

Obama did exactly what he had to do; now I hope voters listen to or read his speech IN ITS ENTIRETY instead of relying on carefully-spun clips. Only then can voters make a wise and informed choice when they go to the polls.

TOO BAD THE CLINTONS DON'T WALK THE FINE LINE. BILLI AND HILLI BROUGHT RACE INTO THIS CAMPAIGN, IN AN ATTEMPT TO PICK A FEW WHITE VOTES. PRESENTLY WHITE AND FORMERLY FOR
HILLI, I WOULD RATHER VOTE A DECENT DOG CACHER FOR PRESIDENT THAN HILLI.

I'm am so confused. 1st he wasn't at the church during the anti america talk by Rev. Wright, now he was. God is number 1, my country is number 2. I've never heard my pastor talk in church, bad about my country.

Obama lied….preiod! He said over the weekend he was not in the pews and then said today he was in the pews. He lied and this is what the media needs to look into.

OBAMA - Release your tax returns from 2007, and 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, What are you HIDING. Release your full earmark report and not the fluffed up hiding one that you release for 2007 ONLY. Release the earmarks from the 8 years you were in the Illinois Senate. WHAT ARE YOU HIDING.

hi wolf
I thought Senator Obama made a very personal speech trying to get
his points across about his pastor, his ethnic background and the race that still exists under the social facade of America
today!!!
I am a caucasian female from Canada and have never experienced
racism in my life
It makes me feel badly for Obama that Race has been made such an issue by the media and some bloggers and panels!
It kind of makes one feel though as though racism is *alive and well*
in America and thats really sad in my opinion!
The pastors words and thoughts are NOT Senator Obamas
he could not have made that more clear!
If I were an American I would feel *privileged* to vote for Senator
Obama and not because of his race because of the intelligent
cool calm and steady man he is with wonderful ideas of change
and promise!!!Look at the man America NOT his race
please for a change post my comment!

Obama embraced Wright's views when he called slavery America's original sin. The Obamas are tucked into Wright's philosophy, they just hide it better most of the time. Like Obama said, "Words matter". He did nothing today to alleviate anyone's existing fears about his mental state. Nice speech, though, if you were willing to just get caught up in the emotion and not listen to the words. That's what he counts on.

i thought he did a very good job…he was honest, sincere, and addressed the issue in a reasonable way, while drawing attention to the important elements of the argument (e.g. Wright's issue wasn't talking about race, the mistake he made was limiting the capacity of people to change, and make it better)…good job overall, i was very surprised…

Listened to Obama.s speech. What does the great counytry of America want from this person? BLOOD? As a christian I often remember things my mother told be as she had read the BIBLE through many times, As I watch the things that go on in the world today I feel for my grandkids. Many items in the BIBLE are written in the last book and they remind me of why the world is in the mess it is today. As i will vote republication I would never wish a Clinton on the world today. By the way I am one of the OLDER WHITE women that seem to stream to HC?????

Mr Obama. He will be our next president. He will lead us well, and make things better again. No need to delve into much more. He has spoken from his heart. Folks if you want a government that works for you. I think its him then. I really do. Obama has my vote.

Obama nor Hillary are responsible for other's comments. We need to realize everyone is personally responsible for our actions and none of us are responsible for the actions or words of others. We need to give these racial issues a rest and move on to more important problems the country is facing.

There is no doubt that what Rev. Wright 's comments were quite inflammatory, but what Obama has done today is what exactly makes him unique and different. Which is not only to just condem the words of his Reverend, but also address where that anger and bitterness was coming from.
The fact of the matter is that there still is racial inequality in the United States. And one more thing Obama addresses is that not only does inequality run against the black community but even a certain quote of the white community also feel that some folks destiny is at their own expence.
So in a nutshell what Obama has done was to depict that there is no such thing realistically as a "black" or" white" problems but that all of us as all wrapped under the same one garment of destiny. After all the war in Iraq is not hurting just black tax payers but all Americans

Talk about honesty and being real, this is the real deal and I encourage all you blind Hillary supportes and all you sceptics to take a second look at this guy. He could have done the politically correct thing by just wishing and hoping what his Reverend said will just go away, but he didnt. Instead he addressed and braodened it even at the expense of his hurting his political run.This is what I call levelling with the American people.
Does anybody remember when Jack Kennedy also gave a sweeping speech about his catholic faith? That's is what Obama did and that is what gifted and great leaders do.

as an american who is black and jewish i can understand obamas problems with this race issue. its tough because there is a serious problem. i have black relatives who say things that i don't agree with and the same on my jewish side, but i continue to love them because there family! because of his background obama can understand better than most, he hit it on the head when he said blacks need to stop blaming. i am a rebublican but i trully believe obama could unite this country. people listen to him, that stop and have to take notice and thats what we need a leader who can draw the whole world together! i voted for bush and he could not do it mccain can't either and truth be told hillary because she is a woman arab countries will not respect her. we need to draw the world together!

And he did an amazing job.
Brilliant speech. Perfectly delivered.

Now, if we could get both candidates to stop playing the race card and get back on the issues, that would be wonderful.

I am a young black Obama supporter, who also was deeply worried about not just his race for the presidency, but also his future political aspirations.

Hearing that speech, made me proud of this country and still what can be achieved… call it a "dreamy" ideal but many that settled and formed this country shared those same feelings. He is a good man, straight-forward, refreshing, and one of the most intriguing figures I have ever witnessed. I will pray for him and if perhaps it all ends, I am proud that he defined his owns terms of how people should judge him and his beliefs. He is more presidential than any president I have witnessed in my short 31 years. God bless and yes we can!

I don't accept what Barack Obama has to say because he talks about what white people did to blacks in the past too much. He does not
separate himself from his racist pastor at all. He defends him
and nothing is mentioned about the civil war that was fought to free the slaves. Abraham Lincoln gave his life to free the slaves. No one alive today had anything to do with selling blacks into slavery at all.
I see where Michele Obama is coming from now. He should not be
President and he needs to withdraw from the race.

It was a great speech and message !!! regardless of the politics.

cnn is disappointing

Wolf, Obama's speech today was historic. It's a shame that people who were working today will probably not have the opportunity to hear it for themselves. WITHOUT SPIN !!!!! Indeed, he likely contributed to long overdue dialog which may foster clearer racial understanding.

Our leadership must be honest with us and citizens need to take responsibility for our government and become more honest with ourselves. People REALLY want and are ready for something different.

Senator Obama's message to all Americans should have been, simply, personal responsibility is at the heart of success.
All of us have the choice to blame others but in the end that never produces positive results.

Which of Obama's "truths" do we believe? The one last week where he said he was never present and never heard his pastor's inflammatory remarks or the one today where he said: "Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes…."

Obama is a liar and a damaged goods!

For me, this was the best speech I have heard from Barack Obama since he began his campaign. It is awe inspiring to think this man could one day be President. I also think there was a message to the media as well…how the media presents race issues can also be very devisive. Everyone needs to take a look in the mirror. I hope people will take the high road along side Barack Obama.

I think the strength, clarity and brilliance with which Obama has attended to this matter shows his total understanding of the calculus of the American society. It is left for us to either acknowledge the truth of the socio-existential conditions of our society and deal with it.

How good is Barack Obama's judgment when he marries a women who is not proud
of our country until he runs for president? He wants to be President but not
only attends, but contributes to a church whose minister spews vile hatred
and whose "sermons" look like a hate against whites and America rally.

How can anyone attend a church for 20 years, be married by the preacher and
have him baptise his children say he unaware of his preachings. Obama used
Wright's serman as the title of his book.

Sen. Obama is a one term state senator and had two years experience as a
U.S. senator. He has neither the experience nor judgement to be my
president.

Juana Byrd
Arlington TX 76006

As you said Wolf, he "had no choice." Frankly I wasn't impressed. He said what he had to say. All we get from Senator Obama are speeches. He's been a member of this racist church for 20 years. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words…

Or continue in the status quo

OBAMA needs to step down. he is a LIAR and got cought. america hater has the nerve to stand in front of our flag all eight of them and blame white people. He needs to go to where ever his pastor is hideing and, stay there.

Enough already!!!! Obama made no speeches with his pastor's words. I am glad he did not disown Rev. Wright. We are all multidimensional and I don't know what all the hoopla is about. Wright's is a social gospel. The comments you all continue to play have been heard in some form by many African American worshippers. Wish I had more time and space to delve into each.

Report some REALnews and STOP setting this hypocritical agenda. I have not heard one word about Ron Parsley nor Hagee. Give me a break!

The sad truth is Obama has opened his soul…and in your news coverage..it will still not be enough. African Americans don't hop churches as much because we are tied to our churches by many things and not just the sermons but the other teachings as well. We are tied by the doing of HIS will and not just sermons.

America is in a defining moment for a whole new generation. My prayer is we don't mess it up! Great treatment of the subject Barack!!

A candidate who is unwilling to part ways FOREVER with a fanatic and racist "pastor" IS NOT FIT to reside at the WHITE HOUSE.

Great speaker or perhaps a great speech writer. Change, what change and exactly how? He wants to transend this race business but seems he is more bent on using the race card and clearly causing more division.

He has shown he no different then any other politician and has been caught in his lies, from Rezko to even lying on Friday when he said he never heard Rev Wright's ghateful sermons now he admits he has.

How about saying what a great speech it was Wolf?

When was the last time Americans elected a President for giving a speech criticizing the US Constitution and the founding of the nation?

Just wondering?

I am a white woman Methodist who goes to church at least weekly and am deeply involved in the activities of my church. I must say that there are several things my pastor does that I do not like and would not do in my home; there are some things I disagree with on the demoninations beliefs. However, the core of my religious beliefs are followed and so I enjoy it. The service that the church does for the poor, ill, etc. are so great that I can overlook the other problems and still attend and feel good about it. I can easily see where Mr Obama is in the same category. He appears intelligent enough to rise above what his minister says and filter what he believes religiously.

I was profoundly moved by the speech on race given today by Barack Obama. I felt shivers up and down my spine and tears well up in my eyes. I once heard it asked if any great leaders (minds) would rise up in my generation. Today for the first time I realized it was Barrack Obama. He is my MLK. He is to be the unifier of all our great, but imperfect, nation's generations. I'm now so happy that this all came out about Reverend Write or we might have never had this conversation.

This isn't just about Wright, but this is about the bigger picture. This truly is what America is at its core.

You can nit-pick all you want this speech, but this man took the chance to do something many viewed as risky and career ending. Instead, although risky, it turned out to be a pivotal point in not only this election but in American history.

It doesn't matter who you support to appreciate this speech. I encourage all of you to watch the whole speech and not just snippets.

God Bless America.

Wow! I did not hear the speech but read enough parts to know that this must be written into American history. He hit the points I was concerned about and I am willing to continue to support his campaign. If he does not win the primary he has cleared his good name and that of his pastor…for me. The Clintons do not have my support nor will they as we move forward to the general elections.

After listining to Barak Obama`s speach all I can say is that the best is yet to come out of him. He is faced with a very serious insure and he is facing it head on. I believe this is how he will face the chalenge of presidency. He is equal to the task. A daniel has come to judgment. Thanks be to God almighty, For the new President -elect to be.

there is no better way to salvage an ailing situation…i think obama did well and boldly too…moreover, i think the hand of God is already moving America to a new direction with respect the underlying issues as racism….weather obama wins or not, this speech is powerful enough to make Americans look inwards, jump-stating a fresh mindset on the idea of racism because truly that which unites the nation is stronger than what divides it….God bless America

lamptay oriakhi (Nigerian)
madrid

Obama speech was brillant. Obama is at this time in our society ,the right man now to preside our country in a very difficult time.Obama is the best man to lead a country ,where foreign policies ,fells apart. American people need a man of his judgement to guide us. White,Black,Spanish, Asians ,and etc.. must come together. American people, Yes,We can.

This isn't just about Wright, but this is about the bigger picture. This truly is what America is at its core.

You can nit-pick all you want this speech, but this man took the chance to do something many viewed as risky and career ending. Instead, although risky, it turned out to be a pivotal point in not only this election but in American history.

It doesn't matter who you support to appreciate this speech. I encourage all of you to watch the whole speech and not just snippets.

God Bless America.

It was a very poor speech, not from the heart but from the writers. The simple fact 20 years, good friend, his faith adviser can not just start saying you don't like what he said.. PLEASE!!!

Obama Where are all your TAX records? I see one 2006!

Why did you give over $25,000 in 2006 alone to your church if you dont agree with what he said…

Obama its over drop out now, we need a American who loves the country as the prez not some hate-filled speech maker…

Great speech! I trust Senator Obama, I believe in what he says. I really think what he said this morning came from the heart. I can honestly say that I do not feel the same way about Senator Clinton. That scares me…I'm starting to think she will do ANYTHING to get the nomination. That is bad for America!!!

JP/MICHIGAN get a life please.

Obama we are poroud of you.
You did a great, couragous job.
God bless you Obama

This incessant liberal bickering over whether Obama is racist is moot. The Rev. Wright does not speak for Obama and he made clear he doesn't endorse that message….

What is relevant is whether or not Obama is fit to hold the highest office in the land…and the answer is clearly NO!

I am begging this guy to say something substantive from a foreign policy and National Security Strategy point of view.

He is very good at looking pretty and making a rousing speech and sprinkling the words "Change" and "Hope" into these speeches….but when you start to peel the onion back there are absolutely no concrete solutions to the issues America faces other than what ever Bush did was wrong.

What experience does this guy have when it comes to dealing with the persistent threat of Islamic terrorists? A two day trip to Iraq and another trip to Africa??? Has he ever served in a position of great responsibility in the Armed Forces or State Department??? Does serving 3 years on the Senate Foreign Relations committee qualify as significant experience???

Where is the substance?

"HOPE" is not a method….only a nice sound bite!

I have tried to bring this issue of race and Obama to light. Here in IL, we can no longer place the Confederate Flag on graves of Confederate Soldiers at National Cemeteries thanks to Obama and Durbin. We must get beyond this division. The Confedrate Flag was not fought and died for over slavery. The first shots were not fired over slavery. The race issue that Obama has " no problem with, and all freedoms should be honored" needs addressed. The soldiers that died and fought for this country and their families should have the freedom to place a Confederate Flag on a gravesite or memorial.
Thank You.
Pawnee, IL 62558

No Wolf, you have a fine line to walk. That is the one where you decide on a moment-to-moment basis how far up Hillary's backside you'd like to place your brown nose on any given day.

It's reporters and tabloid journalists like you that give the mainstream media the piss-poor reputation it deserves. When can we expect some real news now that you and all your collegues have avoided reporting the real news since George Bush took office and beforehand for that matter?

You are all complicit in getting us into Iraq and now you need to report the truth about the conditions on the ground and getting us out. Please stop with the spin the Bush/ McCain administration continues to try and sell. You all bought the spin and manipulation during the last Clinton administration, too!

I think Barack Obama gave us a very important lesson in history today. Since most of us are not black, are not descendents of slaves, and do not suffer even subtle incidents of discrimation on a daily basis, I think it is difficult to place ourselves in these shoes. . Barack Obama spoke truth with courage today and reminded us that we all have a way to travel on that road to freedom until we throw off the shackles of intolerance and bigory. that stand in the way of achieving the great promise of an America. and people united as one.

I am disturbed by the level of negative attacks leveled at Senator Obama. I am not naive to the process, but there is the feeling that a lot of these questions and issues about race are being initiated by the Clinton campaign. Usually these types of attacks are reserved for cross party confrontations, not in-party. Including the comments about McCain being "more ready" than Obama to be Commander-In-Chief. I think that Senator Obama has shown great restraint and character. He has tried to stay above the fray while still responding as needed as a national candidate figure. Either people will decide they are not ready for such a large change in politics, or they will decide they can no longer live without some great change. I am of the later.

This quote is interesting…

Well Wolf, we know what your reaciton is going to be, but we don't care. Your "Hillary For President" button looks a little tarnished, you might want to get another one.

Speaking of replacements, I think CNN needs a new anchor.

Obama 08

I would have said the exact opposite - that CNN is obviously baised towards Obama!

Hillary 08!!!

I admire him for addressing this issue as it is very real in our nation. I plan on personally making it a goal to not be so judgemental and to think before I react even more than I have in the past.

I applaud CNN and Lou Dobbs for airing the political and social friction that Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s sermons haven created. It has been a long time since Reconstruction failed, and even a longer span since Africans were brought to America by force. It was only a short time ago that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, and recent statistics reveal that Americans are attempting to cross the hate that divided this country for so long. I applaud Lou Dobbs for sharing his amnesia over the intense discrimination that has forged the paradigm that make it difficult, though not impossible, for “people of color” to transcend the barriers to what the US Constitution states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

-Dean Ramser, teacher

Obama is going to be one of our greatest presidents, and anyone who does not take part in electing him should be ashamed to call themselves american

Honestly though, the views of Reverand Wright are a huge revelation. This is the guy Obama let advise him for 20 years?! Haven't we learned from Bush that bad advisors lead to awful and permanent damage to everyone concerned?? That guy is racist, that guy hates America, and that guy has Obama's unwaivering trust and confidence! Obama says he wasn't at this speech or that speech, but it's not like the guy changed his core values or his central message for those days of Obama's absence. After 20 years and a close personal friendship, you know where a guy stands and apparently you stand there too.

The media has done an absolutely horrible job of finding out what this smooth talking con man Obama is all about. Now the Democratic Party is more than likely stuck with this person who attended an anti-American, racist church for over 20 years as their nominee. You can't tell me that the media wasn't aware of all this for quite some time. You were so busy fawning all over him and trashing Hillary, that you lost your journalistic integrety. Now we can look forward to another Republican President for the next four years.

race will really make us look bad, looking that this country and this election I upset to even call myself an american its a sad day in america when we can't all get along. We are no better than the rest of the world and that proof if obama is not president a racial dived country. we will never be united and never be strong. Its up to us amarica lets show the world that we are a powerful and united country not black and white vote obama 08
Yes We Can!!!

Obama 08

I can't get there with Obama, He sat under a minister that disgraced America with his words and with family who spreads hate, it's a disgrace and dishonor. Obama as President, just can't get there knowing his behavior patterns and beleifs are influenced by this family memeber.

Just wait and see, Barak Obama will get away with another close call, just the way he has gotten away with not counting the primaries in Florida and Michigan etc….!

Good grief. If anyone thinks CNN is pro-Clinton, they haven't been watching.

Obama's speech is the same old rhetoric I expected. If anyone plays the race card, it's him.

As a lifelong republican watching the speech, I was very impressed. My wife, attaining US citizenship only two years ago, was also impressed.

Our mutual reaction was that Senator Obama responded to this episode as a statesman rather than a politician. Instead of "cut and run" he chose to face the issue of race in America in one of the most balanced ways I have heard in a very long time.

I applaud him.

And as usual, we heard more lies from him. He said before that he had never heard Wright say anything bad. But now all of a sudden he has? What else has he lied about? Today he showed that he is racist, for still standing by his racist preacher. He says that he hasn't played the race card, which he was doing today in his speaking.

wait for the fall out? our hope for the fall out. you people in the press do a great job of wording a heading line or just using part of a comment to create a story. why does there have to be fall out. maybe just maybe for the first time we can have a conversation about what is right and wrong with this country. but that would not a make a good news story.
AMERICAN PEOPLE BEGIN TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES

How come after claiming untill yesterday that he never heard anything objectionable from wright`s mouth, today he says that infact he did. Why sweet music frm his mouth when challenged is accepted as mistake later. Thus guy is full of lies. Cant see ahy media still loves his lies. Do journalist forget that in democracy they have some duty i.e. to follow the truth and avoid deceptions and help people make rigt choice and avoid deceptions for the betterment of democracy and the future of the country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!! EVEN NOW IF SOME JOURNALISTS THINK THIS GUY HAS CREDIBILITY LEFT TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT THEN GOD SAVE AMERICA, COZ THEN HIS PASTORS CHICKENS WILL DEFINITLY COMING TO HOME TO ROOST!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!PLEASEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Now that he has made this speech, can we move on to the more important issues facing our country: the economy, jobs, healthcare, education, immigration, Iraq, etc?

I have attended my parents' church on several occasions - a predominately white "Christian" church - and have heard anti-homosexual comments from the pulpit that it is no wonder they are still being discriminated against. I have heard the pastor there preach about how this country will continue to deteriorate unless Jesus is accepted by all and we becoma a "Christian" nation. So let's be honest here, messages similiar to Rev. Wright's are being heard in church's on both sides of the aisle.

It's time to get back to discussing the issues that the next President, not Pastor, will have to tackle.

I wasn't impressed w/ today's speech. He basically said "lets get along"…Well, I do get along…I just disagree w/ him. He did nothing to convince me that his health care plan was better. It's okay to disagree…this is America right? I don't agree with what his pastor said, especially since he said it from the pulpit, and i wasn't won over by this over-hyped speech today. Distancing yourself from a long time mentor is not equivalent to turning your back on the whole black community. This speech today was not about real unity, or about any real issues.
The problem is not about race… it's about Obama's inability to live up to the hype… The same problem he's had all along.

I respect Senator Obama, but I am not voting for him. I am very upset at the way the media seems to tip-toe around him. If this was McCain's or Clinton's church we would have to scalp tickets to get on the bandwagon to … oh I can't say that.

obama is a liar.he is just deceiving Americans.they have a hidden agenda.Americans need to wake up real fast.he doesnt love this country as Clinton and Mc Cain does.

You call that pre-emptive action? Your comment ranks up there with the one about the Clinton campaign reminding people Obama is black. The media and Obama should have taken on the race issue before South Carolina voted. Avoiding the issue was dumb. Why would any sane white person vote fo Obama when someone so close to him spits hate about white people? The Clintons and many other democrats get called n-lovers then have guys like the reverend preaching that the Clintons are racially insensitive.

Obama! Obama! Obama!
He gets the truth head-on.
We expect the economy and security the same after Bush-McCain is over!

He hit a home run Wolf…..Home run.

No matter what happens…He has secured his place with america.

As a african american I'll say this…if they thought we were voting for him before this…..watch the lines now. And if he's not the nominee…Hillary will need many more latino and white women voters then she really knows about to win the white house.

Sad but true….blacks will feel left out this process if he's shut out and a lot will not vote in November because of it.

Yo are as much a left winger as Obama is. You suger coat it all if it is the Dems talking and rake the GOP over the coals.

Why don't you report the news not your personal opinion. This is why I do not watch your news show.

Sorry Mr. Obamas speech disappointed you Wolf. Ha! Ha!

He hit the ball out of the park - much more than your scheeming Billary could do.

Yes we can. Obama 08.

Wolfe, you were one who Obama was talking today. You can continue
or you can yourself look at your mirror and be as open and honest as Obama was. Maybe you are harboring some bent up feelings that need to be dealt with…but not pushed on to the American people?

I think he said what needed to be said. The media has done this, now no matter what happens people are going to flip this and tweak it to make it about something that it is not. He still has my vote. I think he is a great man, and he make make this country a better place for all Americans.

I think Obama is going to be ok.

Sen Obama should have put an end to the race controversy months ago when his camp (together with the MSM) made Pres Clinton a racist in spite of the good things that the Clintons have done for the black community. But no. He fanned that controversy for political expedency. Now he is talking against it because it already served his purpose. 90% of the black population now supports him.

….AND HOW COME IT IS OK FOR JERRY FALWELL, AND PAT ROBERTSON AND THE REST OF THESE REVERENDS TO CONDEMN AMERICA FOR ALLOWING GAY TO LIVE HERE, OR CONDEMNING A CITY OF SIN WHICH CAUSED ITS OWN DESTRUCTION BY A HURRICANE.

WHERE IS THE RIGHT WING OUTRAGE ABOUT AT THAT "UNAMERICAN" TALK?

WHAT HYPOCRASY, WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP THIS WHOLE DEAL IS.

He knew a year ago this was going to cause trouble for him. So why didn't he just stand up and walk out when Dr. Rev started ranting against America?

I'd like "do-overs" in all the States, especially now with this information coming to light. I'm sure there are some Obama supporters secoond questioning themselves and this Pied Pipper's motives.

I guess the proof's in the pudding…………

He lied – On Friday he said he had never heard Rev. Wright make these statements and then today (when he realized that his original denial was ridiculous) he says “of course” he had heard Wright make his inflammatory and hateful statements.

Why does he bring his two young daughters to hear this man spew his hate? Does he want then to grow up bitter, repressed and anti-Semitic?

If he’s the “Change” agent – how come he couldn’t change his pastor’s views? Because he didn’t have the guts or the will.

Change is just a word, obviously.

What a strange statement "Obama had no choice"! Surely he did have a choice. He could have ignored the issue (he already condemned Wright's statements) or could have pressed it further by "disowing" him. He could have done something what Hillary Clinton did with regards Gerraro's interviews (say that she "disagrees" and try to make media to "forget" about it). However, being a truly honest person of the highest integrity, Barack Obama did what only FEW PEOPLE HAVE DONE in the history of the U.S. and worldwide. He addressed the complicated and painful racial issue directly. He has proposed a true path to the nation unification.

Blitzer, you are awfully wrong if you are implying that he had "no choice", because there WAS NO choice. Obama had no choice, because of his INTEGRITY of a truly great and honorable individual.

If CNN would stop playing into Hilary Clinton's divisiveness and nonsense under the guise that it is news we would probably have the mess that we have. CNN, which I watch just about everyday, has played right into her hands. First in N.H. when she put on the fake tears and secondly with the scare tactic ad of the little girl that has since grown up and is campaigning for Obama. Those clips were played nonstop leading up to the primaries in N.H. and then again in Tx. and Ohio. It is a shame that the American people are not seeing the division she is causing and how she is using her surrogates to say what she really wants to say. When her husband was running for President, they needed the African American vote in order to win, now she tries to act as if she no longer needs that constituency because she's going after the Hispanic vote. So she's trying to divide the election along those racial lines as if one group is more important than the other. She doesn't play by the rules and tries to change them to suit her fancy. The media needs to rethink what is really news before we elect someone worse than what we already have because people are listening to what the pundits and media are saying and not researching the facts for themselves.

I'm not pleased with his circle of friends (Pastor Wright & Mr. Rozino(?)

Regarding Pastor Wright's remark concerning Sen. Clinton…….I live by the old cliche…..sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me!! I'm white but have plenty of black and Latino friends (lived in Fl. in the early 1950's). I was shocked when I got on my first bus in Miami and being a school girl, I went to the back of the bus…favorite seats for kids…then I saw the sign up front "blacks to the rear." I was horrified to think someone/ones could be so cruel. My father was in the construction business and often invited his black workers to our home for dinner….they liked my dad and knew his friendship was sincere. I'm extremely happy to report that my parents were not prejudice and made sure we did not get caught up in the "black/white" issue.

Regarding Pastor Wright's remark concerning "God Bless America" should be sung "God D. America." Now that's what bothers me. The Pastor's sermon should be on religion and bringing people to the Lord. I was also extremely upset to see all the parishioners that were at the sermon where Sen. Clinton, whites in general, and the "God Bless America" took place ……..they stood and applauded the Pastor; the pastor sounds more like a terrorist!! I would have walked out…..sorry. The media and Sen. Obama used to call Pastor Wright Sen. Obama's Pastor and friend……now, all I hear is Sen. Obama's former Pastor…..Pastor Wright. I'm also concerned with Sen. Obama running as an African-American. With all the problems he's been hit with……it seems he suddenly and openly confesses to being made up of many pieces of America. A black father, white mother etc. Make up your mind Obama……are you African American as you have been confessing to be? I'm French-American but when I'm asked, I offer I'm an American……AND PROUD OF IT!! His speech did nothing that would sway my vote in his direction…….he says "change"……sameo, sameo politics; tell the people what they want to hear. SORRY BUT WE'RE NOT IDIOTS….even if some of the political analyst are.

Patricia

So Obama used race to his advantage today, basically saying that to heal the racial divide, you have to vote for him. So much for not making this race about race. he keeps doing the opposite of what he says. He made race the most important reason to vote for him. This man has lost the respect of many of his white supporters.

Will Borack Obama, do just about anything to get himself elected ….???

Part of the problem is that the American public, in general, are a selfrightous bunch who rarley take responsibility for our actions. We see it throughout our society and currently in our leadership (if you can call it that).

My point is, perhaps the Rev. is correct. Scratch that, I know he is. I for one do believe the current problems we face with Islamic extremists are of our own making. And I know that a Black man has it much harder in our society than a White woman. If youdeny this then you are as clueless as our president.

I think most of the outrage over this nonissue are from the hordes of bored housewives and disenfranchised gays who feel that Hillary is the only one who can speak for them, well folks you are wrong. Obama will stand up for us all if you can look beyond the scare-tactics and distractions comming from the Clinton political machine.

Hillary can not win just talking about the issues, thats why she is throwing all the mud she can…and trust me she will go lower before this is all done.

It's unacceptable that he hasn't quit that church and totally severed all ties to this pastor. He cannot be elected President and still remain a member of this church. It expouses hatred of whites, jews and israel. Mr. Obama, you will not be elected president.

I can't stop crying! It is the most profound, open and honest message to all our people. It has touched me so deeply because everything I have felt was disected and exposed to constructive dialogue —
MY HEALING HAS BEGUN — I DON'T WANT TO CARRY THE PAST ANYMORE!

I know that GOD has sent this man to us — a man of many races and culturals — a man who represents the embodiment of truth, honesty, and change — a man who loves his country!

Let's embrace the challenges he has put in front of us! This is not a competition of races, but a challenge of economic survival! We are running out of our basic foundation (i.e., jobs shipped outside the U.S., bridges and roads crumbling, poverty increasing, our social services being drained, schools and standards of education decreasing, etc.)

We can all have the American Dream but we have to work together and stop fighting! I remember 9/11, for the first time in my life, I saw White and Black people jointly ready to defend this country! We shared a common enemy and we were ready to fight on the same team! I saw flags flying everywhere with the slogan "THESE COLORS DON'T RUN"! We need to recapture that fighting spirit! This time the enemy is "economic survival"!

Politicans in the past have raped this country, raped our dreams and kept us separated in ethnic groups because it benefited their cause. We have been so busy fighting that we lost focus!

WE MAY NOT KNOW THE ISSUES OF EACH CANDIDATE, BUT WE DO RECOGNIZE CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY! THE ONLY "DREAM TEAM" WE WANT IS CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY!

WE HAVE SEEN HILLARY'S LACK OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY AS SHE BEEN CAUGHT IN TOO MANY LIES. JOHN MCCAIN KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT STRATEGIC ECONOMIC PLANNING AND IS NO LEADER BECAUSE HIS OWN PARTY DOESN'T WANT HIM.

THE RED, WHITE & BLUE!!
THESE COLORS STILL DON'T RUN
LET'S VOTE OUR DREAM TEAM — CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY!
VOTE OBAMA!

Obama is going down!!!

Nothing you can say anymore will matter. You are so worried about the African American community when you should care about everyone as a whole. You Obama are the biggest bigot there is!!!

NEVER EVER,EVER ELECT OBAMA!

HILLARY TIME FOR YOU TO CLOSE THE DEAL!

March 18th, 2008 2:01 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Hillary's goose is cooked. As far as Mccain, once the american public find out that mccain gave up top secret info when he was in captivity his candidacy wont be worth the paper his betrayal was printed on.

Wow,

These comments above would be terrifying to read if they weren't mere posturing on an "open" forum. The comments reflect more upon the people making them than on the actual situation.

The speech was well-received and honest. There were many things in the speech that he could have omitted to make the speech "safe". Instead, he exercised intellectual integrity in pointing out some things that makes one uncomfortable, no matter your background. Our country was made better today for this speech. Ignoring a festering wound like racism and pretending it does not exist does not help us move forward.

Let's elevate our intellect here, folks. Some of you can't seem to move beyond stereotype and a binary view of the world. Obama gave a tremendous, historically important speech today and challenged us to grow as Americans.

Obama has a history already of not addressing issues until he discovers he can't outrun them, and in the process he changes his story several times. He did it on NAFTA, and he did it with this. A president acts decisively…Obama is not ready.

For 20 years,this pastor was his advisor….is that not a bad judgement.We dont need him.

Go Ahead Obama! Unlike other politicians you faced a very difficult situation and are willing to tell everything about yourself and let Americans decide if they want you. Unlike others who don't hand over tax documents and all of their white house papers, you are willing to become totally vetted.

Wolf, he did NOT have to give this speech! He could have just ignored the issue or trumpeted it as being one of the opponents' weaknesses. That is the Washington way.

Wolf, always looking to emphasize the divisive aspect in the hope of engineering a juicy story, misses the point once again: Obama's speech transcended the issue of Reverend Wright's rhetoric, and instead reminded us that if we are to survive as a nation, we have to reject those who would seek to separate us from each other for selfish reasons–whether it's Wolf, Reverend Wright, or Rush–and instead, take the higher road of working together to move this country forward. In the end, the real center of the speech was the message of unity; the need for a "more perfect Union;" the understanding that throughout our history, our best moments have been those when as a nation, we have chosen to come together for a higher cause that speaks to the common good. Today, Obama alerted us to the fact that we can seize the opportunity to make that choice once again next November, or, we can lapse back to the politics of division and hate that have been afflicting us for decades. He made it clear that in light of the issues before us, the high road is the only viable option if this great republic is to survive.

Many posting on this blog will purposely see Obama's speech in a negative light. These folks closed their minds a long time ago.

My message to Barack Obama:
As an African American, I will run the risk of plagiarizing Bill Clinton by saying, "I feel your pain."

Barack did a great job and anyone who takes something negative from this speech is not really ready for a better America. I will say this – if media and others continue to attack this pastor and church - this is going to get very ugly and become a much greater issue than Barack Obama and a major set back for this country

Obama's next book should be titled "How I Won the Presidency in Six Months and lost it by a 30 second tyrade."

92% IN MISSISSIPPI , REV WRIGHT VIEWS, HE KNEW ABOUT THEM HE LIED JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN, NAFTA, HIS IRAQ PLAN. THE AA COMMUNITY HAS SCREWED THIS UP.

go obama. you are the guy we are looking for a change in america.

Enough of the ignorance already. First of Obama is half black/ half white aka bi-racial. Secondly he gave a speech this morning that addressed this topic in about as elequently as anyone could have done under the circumstances.

Basically his message was move on. Enough of the media obsession on race and it's time to move forward.

The media complains "oh is he not black enough" and now he is criticized by words his pastor used for complaining about racism. Racism exists as does social injustice. No sense trying to sugarcoat it. Nothing like another wedge issue the media finds to daze/confuse voters into discussion about race and religion INSTEAD of the real issues that matter.

BARACK OBAMA TRULY MADE A INSPIRING, HISTORIC SPEECH TODAY!! HE INDEED IS THE "SPIRIT" THAT WILL UNITE US AS AMERICANS AND HELP REGAIN OUR RESPECT IN THE WORLD!!

IT'S VERY SAD THAT MOST OF THE MEDIA POLITICAL ANYALISTS ARE COMPLETELY "UNCONSCIOUS" !! PERHAPS IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA FOR ALL OF THE MEDIA, AND THEIR NEGATIVE COUNTERPARTS TO FIND THEIR "CONSCIOUS" SPIRIT!! I WOULD SUGGEST YOU READ THE BOOK "A NEW EARTH, AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE" (AUTHOR, ECKART TOLLE)!! YOU COULD LEARN MANY LIFE'S LESSONS AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MINDSET OF BARACK OBAMA!! AND I KNOW WE, AS AMERICAN VOTERS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO HEAR YOUR POSITIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT BARACK OBAMA, RATHER THAN YOUR BIASED OPINIONS!!

BARACK OBAMA WILL INDEED BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!

Historical speech. We as Americans need to be united and take a look within ourselves which will tell you that everything he said about race relations in his speech was on target. OBAMA 08.

ip/michigan:
How can Obama cause a whitre vs black Presedential race when he is proudly black AND white??

It seems that the reaction to Obama's speech is directly related to the intelligence of the evaluator. Clearly many folks commenting negatively on the Internet either did not listen to the speech or, unfortunately, lack the intellectual capacity to understand what the man was saying. Obama did not lie at any point. He has been candid and forthcoming. It is too bad that many of those criticising him are not honest enough with them selves to admit their bias.

Yes we can. Still.

You can't have a president of the United States attending sermons where they bash whites and jews. This is totally insane. Obama is finished. El Finito, Obama. Nice knowing ya chump.

As a secularist (apparently the only one left), I wonder why the irrelevant issue of race has appeared once again. More focus should be paid to the fact that these sort of speeches are ILLEGAL. While Rev. Wright should be facing indictment, we are instead once again reminded that (hold on to your seats!) Barack Obama is black. Way to go, Obama - you've now handed over the Democratic party to the religious right. Tell the Republicans that those of us on the outside say hi.