March 20, 2008
Posted: March 20th, 2008 03:15 PM ET
 Davis is a prominent Clinton supporter.
Davis is a prominent Clinton supporter.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – As the uproar has unfolded over Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the Clinton campaign has remained tight-lipped on the issue.

Top advisors to the campaign and Clinton herself have repeatedly refused to comment on the controversy, even as polls indicate the issue may be hurting the Illinois senator politically.

But Lanny Davis, a former special counsel to President Clinton and prominent surrogate of the New York senator, tackles the issue head on in a posting published Wednesday afternoon on the liberal Web site Huffington Post.

In the brief posting, Davis calls Obama's speech on the issue Tuesday "brilliant," but he says the Illinois senator has yet to answer two questions on the controversy that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain "will insist be answered in the fall."

Davis writes:

1. If a white minister preached sermons to his congregation and had used the "N" word and used rhetoric and words similar to members of the KKK, would you support a Democratic presidential candidate who decided to continue to be a member of that congregation?

2. Would you support that candidate if, after knowing of or hearing those sermons, he or she still appointed that minister to serve on his or her "Religious Advisory Committee" of his or her presidential campaign?

Davis, who often appears on CNN to promote Clinton's candidacy, also says he hopes his message "gets to someone in the Obama campaign - or to a reporter traveling with the Senator - who can persuade Senator Obama to answer them directly."

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


kathryn   March 20th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

The KKK comparison is the height of irresponsibility, Lanny! Jeremiah Wright may have shown some firey rhetoric, but he is not killing or threatening or torturing human beings. Your shrill response is not surprising, however, given the "do-overs" in MI and FL have now been nixed. The Clinton camp's only (desperate) hope for victory lies in bringing Obama down. Mark my words, you bring him down and you will bring down the entire progressive wing, along with the more noble ideals of the Democratic party. How can one Democrat accuse another of secretly hiding behind a White Hood? Shame on you, Lanny! You of all people know better, I know you do...

vjh   March 20th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

Lanny, would you ? Please, give this a rest and lets get on with REAL issues !

46 y/o white Chrisitian female for Obama !

T-Rex   March 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

What is wrong with putting someone on a committee??? Don;t you want to know the different views in society, including those which may be inflammatroy or divisive? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer??? Just because you know someone or listen to someone does not mean you automatically take their point of view...

Gail, New Orleans   March 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

If everyone was honest with themselves, I bet you would find t hat a lot of people rarely admits to hearing some offensive racial remarks from a family member, friend, teacher or a preacher .

If the Democrats allow the Repulicans to resume the white house then they have no one to blame but themselves..

I have black and white friends, and they have both been quilt y of prejudice and misspoken words.

Besides, no person living in the South could ever say that these words were not ever heard one time or another.

K   March 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

White people used the N word first. If this is all you losers have you have'nt got a snowballs chance in hell of winning this election.

Jay   March 20th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Davis has a remarkably shallow view of American history.

Rene   March 20th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

I don't like your selective policy CNN.

Starxzilla   March 20th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

Hillary Clinton is a carpet bagger... bottem line. As soon as the revotes became a dead issue and failed in their own state legislature, she blames Obama.

As Soon as the Wright videos go off air and we start having a real conversation, she sends her henchman to squeeze the last bit of fear-mongering out of the story she can.

I'm convinced that she just generally sucks as a human being.

and.. about those years in the White House, she tried to push one piece of legislation... it flopped... then she retreaed to reading books to children and throwing tea parties while her hubby was next-door getting his freak on with the help.

How's that for executive experience?

Jack MPLS MN   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

These are valid questions because for one if Obama gets the nomination he will be torn apart on this topic during the general election and the points are valid... can we let Obama be the nominee if he doesn't have the balls to step up? To be honest he doesn't have what it takes in the end.

Sheldon   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I agree man!

NOT FIT   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Why Did HIllary stay with Bill Clinton, Will she rent the Lincoln bed room again if elected? There are still questions to be answered.

Bobbi   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Obama needs to answer the questions. Hate and prejudice spewed from the pulpit doesn't make it any less wrong and offensive.

Nick F.   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I will never agree with a racist's hate, regardless of his color. However, I'm much more apt to tolerate a man who for understandable reasons is angry and frustrated enough to say inflammatory things I disagree with, than I am someone who says hateful things just to win political points or feel a moment of false superiority. The black racist is easier to forgive than the white, given the history and experience. The unspoken subtext of Obama's speech is, "A big man is one who can let a little man be small." And that sort of tolerance and forgiveness all around is precisely what this country needs. This "us and them" way of thinking has got to stop.

Vincent   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

THIS IS SO TRUE!

Greg   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Obama is UNELECTABLE now, get over it and move on.

Hillary '08

Jones in Sacramento   March 20th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

What do you expect from a Clinton lackey?

andy   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Once again the Clinton campaign is making waves. Is this to deflect that the First Lady's schedule showed that she was present in the White House when Bill was engaged in a sexual relationship with a young woman who was actually young enough to be his daughter. Nice try at deflection. I think I would prefer someone who at least addresses the issue head on, that someone who buries her head in the sand and enables her husband's infidelities. Has everyone forgotten the impeachment process?

RICK   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

I actually agree with Davis comments. Reding the comments of some Obama supporters here, is like reading non-democratic comments. Seems to me that Obama supporters want either Barack in the White house or nobody else. Well, these aren't true democrats. Davis point is absolutely genuine and right on. He will have to answer these questions sooner rather then later. Whats the point of covering this up now only to be reopened again from the Republicans come General Electoin time. I am an undecided democrat btw.

tie.lee3@sbcglobal.net   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

White people and white Christians cannot have it both ways. God is not mocked so a man sows, so shall he reap. For years White Christians, the White political establishment, the Law, and numerous others supported the Klan, Jim Crow and various means for keeping Black Americans from obtaining the highest levels of society. Obama who you call Black even when he has a white mother and a non American Black father tries to put your system to the test you dig up as much mud as you can. I truly believe that this world cannot continue as it is currently going. As a person who is free, I would be very careful about what you say, what you wish for, and whom we get to lead us. I would first pray to the Christian God and ask him to show "you," me, and anyone else reading this how to make a wise decision. Tha=nks

Dept. of Irony   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Hillary really wants the Republicans to win so she can run in 2012!

Rich   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Obama supporters:

You keep talking about "cheap shots" and "dirty campaigns," but why exactly are those questions unfair? Is it because you don't think Wright's comments can be fairly compared to comments by a racist white preacher? If they can't be, why not?

I ask because you don't seem to have a defense for Wright, or Obama re: his non-repudiation of Wright. It seems more just that you're bashing Clinton for these attacks, but it seems to me that you have to explain why the attacks are unfair before you can bash her for making them.

Charles   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

I am a catholic and God knows that many times I do not agree with my parish priest on issues of abortion, contraceptives, and ordination of women. Do I screen and walk out of my church? No. I realize that the church is greater than many of its imperfect parts. The same goes for Obama. To equate Pastor Wright with the KKK is ludicrous.

Obama keep pressing on! Victory is on the horizon! Thanks for exposing the issue of race and solutions for race reconciliation. $250 is on its way.

Obama 08

Peter   March 20th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Wow, this has gone on far too long. We still as a country hold so much hatred towards one another. I am sadden to see this man get brought down because of his loyalty to someone outside their own opinions or experiences. That is what makes people family, how many people do you walk away from because they have a different opinion from you especially if they are considered your family. For a man that did not have a father figure that he could relate to and now found one through his Pastor, it is not easy to walk away from someone you love. America can we take that in consideration. I can only see that OBAMA has the qualities that WE should want in a leader.

Wake Up People   March 20th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

You know whats funny. this guy was responsible for the whole creation of the superdelagate system under Bill Clinton. He is the brightest one on the short yellow bus.

Melissa   March 20th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

I guess since MI and FL are a no-go, we start again with the war of the surrogates. Aren't the econony and Iraq just a little more important?

Debby   March 20th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Good questions from Davis in my opinion. I was wondering myself if a white man in Obama's position would even have an opportunity to make a speech defending why he stayed in a church for 20 years that is so racially biased. Why are people calling this the Clinton news network since all we have been seeing is Obama and his wife being interviewed on CNN over over a month now.

Whaa?   March 20th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Davis "says he hopes his message "gets to someone in the Obama campaign — or to a reporter traveling with the Senator — who can persuade Senator Obama to answer them directly.""

Ever here of a phone? I'm sure Obama or his campaign would take a call from someone as prominent as "Lanny Davis, a former special counsel to President Clinton and prominent surrogate of the New York senator". Did he really think that it was necessary to post an article on Huffington Post? Was that really the most efficient way for him to get his concerns to Obama? Write an article on a website and hope that the right people read it? Really?

Alex Hawke   March 20th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Will all Catholics leave the catholic church, because of all the child sexual abuses by its priests?

The only politics that the republicans and Clintonites know: “Divide and Conquer”

jenny   March 20th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

give it up already !move on to something more important like ending the war,getting healthcare for all and not some and to those of you whob tthink that HILLARY IS ALL THAT then you should read the Glen Beck news on her and see for your selves how she feels about racism and blacks in America ,after that if you dont change your minds
then may God Bless America when she is in the white house b/cause we will really need it.

Hattie / Chicago   March 20th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

It is scary that Barack and his pastor are being made scapegoats for all of the racial problems this country has... Talk about the turth hurts... My Mom grew up in the same atmosphere as Baracks' Pastor and because of the way in which she was treated growing up in the south, she carries the same hurtful pain that Barack's pastor has. My sister and I have tried many times to tell her that things have changed and she's not heaing. I know that we should leave the past in the past but sometimes the hurt is so devestating it just won't heal.. Especially when you feel a wrong has been committed against you and the laws of that time were not designed to protect you and your family.. My mom says they were humilitated on every level.

David Day   March 20th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Get used to this, because it is not going away. It will only get worse if Sen, Obama wins the nomination and all your nasty blogs will not stop it.

Amy in Iowa   March 20th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

Clinton surrogates do her divisive work. Nuff said.

Anonymous   March 20th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Mr. Davis,

You asked:
If a white minister preached sermons to his congregation and had used the "N" word and used rhetoric and words similar to members of the KKK, would you support a Democratic presidential candidate who decided to continue to be a member of that congregation?

Here is my response: There was a time when white ministers not only preached it but they were tight lipped when the N's were linched and killed. Let us not go back and look in the closets of some of these white ministers who are still on the pulpits across America every Sunday. I we go seeking these minister there will be a lot of embarrased politicians.

If you want to look forward we can do that, but if you we want to look backwards we can do that too.

I have no pert affiliation, but i cannot help but notice that Hillary had nothing to say. I wonder if she has some racist minister in her past.

Won't Work Lanny   March 20th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Duh, of course he says this, do you think a Clinton surrogate is going to say otherwise. Lanny is a lawyer, end of story.

Tell him to defend Billy Graham, and what he said about Jews in the Oval Office.

Obama 08

CNN, I know you won't print this, you never do.

Edwin Portland   March 20th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

This is all Clinton has. Where are the accounts of your schedule that have been deleted, Billary?

Ms. Pisces   March 20th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Barack didn't make those statements, and that's it!
He denounced them and that's it!

Rev. Wright isn't going to get me health care
Rev. Wright isn't going to provide me with a better job.
Rev. Wright isn't going to bring my friends home from Iraq!
Rev. Wright isn't the one running for PRESIDENT!
BARACK IS!
GET OVER IT!

And if you really want to talk about something, how about we talk about the 25,000 jobs Hilary promised and didn't come through on!
Lets talk about how she blamed her short comings in that situation on GORE NOT BECOMING PRESIDENT!
That is pertaining to issues that matter, this Rev. Wright thing does nothng but make the Dem party look like a bunch of BABIES!

C'mon people, when are we going to wake up??!!

dennis   March 20th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Those questions are right on the money...Way to go Lanny Davis ! I would not let my children sit thru 10 seconds of any church service with a pastor who does not talk about the lord and teach american values consistently ..

dennis,

California Voter   March 20th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Just like that snake Lanny Davis: Start with praise and then dive into the mud. I'm sure Hillary will say, "no comment" in regards to his divisive slams.

John McCain has his own preacher problems.

LeftCoast Tim   March 20th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Big surprise here....a Clintonista claiming that "issues" remain. The Clinton camp has been trying to "remind" us that Obama is a black man since Hillary was defeated in Iowa.

Rob, Indianapolis   March 20th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Translate this to:

"Hey... uhh... don't you want to keep harping on this? C'mon guys! Really... We need you to keep attacking Sen Obama over this to hide the fact that we have no plan to overcome him in any meaningful way."

A from VA   March 20th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

Another indirect cheap shot from Clinton, as expected.

EnoughAlready   March 20th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

I write:

1. If want don't stop McCain will win

2. If want don't stop McCain will win

BEST POLITICAL TEAM ON TELEVISION??? I HAVE YET TO SEE THAT!   March 20th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

The Clinton's are tight-lipped over the issue but behind the scenes they are calling superdelegates and telling them to reconsider voting for Obama because the Wright controversy will be an issue in the general election. Now we know why the best political team refuses to accept the chalenges embedded in Sen. Obama's address two days ago..they continue to be pawns for the Clinton campaign and do her dirty work by continually linking Wright's sermon's to Obama's candidacy while the Clinton campaign is running a behind the scenes negative campaign!! When will America ever learn???

I know you will not post this, but who cares?   March 20th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

More spin huh CNN (Clinton News Network)? Milk it until it dries up, soon the American public will get tired of this nonsense and non issue. We need responsible news.

Annamica, OH   March 20th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Obama can't answer those types of questions, Davis! He gives speeches, but his rhetoric never adds up.

kim p.   March 20th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Give me a break, have you heard of Billy Graham and is anti-semantic remarks to Lyndon Johnson? What about Jerry Falwell, Pat Robinson, etc... You have lost your mind. No, the issue is not Rev. Wright, the issue is your bigotry and the bigotry of the Clintons. Why don't you review that!

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   March 20th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

Smack dab on point, counsellor. The GOP videos of Rantin' Wright are already in rough cut. May I add #3: Could you elect an candidate who failed to even address much less personally repudiate his pastor who made these comments only after it became a huge political liability?

Brent Christopher   March 20th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

That is the problem. Too many surrogates trying to get us off the issues. Could we possibly return to the issues or do you just wish to destroy the democratic party?

People like you are helping McCain so much. Are you that dense, really?

Barbara McNulty, Tampa FL   March 20th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Once again, The Clinton News Network comes to try to save her. Best political team on TV? Hardly. Biggest Hacks on TV next to Fox.

matt   March 20th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

I thought Hillary was staying out of it? I guess taking the high road was just to darn frustrating. He answered the second question in his speech, the first question is a pointless question that only fuels the racist fire. McCain will not ask that question as he has much more integrity than HRC.

Good try Hillary.

Realistic   March 20th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Uh, gosh, but what about the candidate who has regularly tolerated adultry and immoral conduct in her own home?

And between Barak, Hillary, and John, who will Christians vote for? Perhaps the ONE who regularly goes to church?

Casey from Canada   March 20th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Question Lanny Davis: maybe you have not taken a look at what you and your kids listened to and watched in your media for years.

Then no American is fit to visit another country.

Charlotte   March 20th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

DITTO!

Jenny, Rio Vista, CA   March 20th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

One word for this guy: IGNORANT.

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