I did not have a problem with Wright and his freedom of speech.

Why did you have a problem with Bill Clinton and his non-racist comments? And what about freedom of speech?

Black America has an obligation to be fair also.

Why pull the race card in SC, when Bill's comments were not racist?
Why not defend HIS right to free speech?

Why introduce race into innocent comments, but them excuse verbalized hate as freedom of speech?

Black Americans really kicked Bill Clinton in the butt.

Why?

He Just stated a true historical fact.

Now hatred coming from the Obama supporters is excused as freedom of speech.

Where is the fairness and objectivity in that?

Lets be honest.

White people are voting their politics, ideology and preference.

Black people are voting their race.

Lets discuss ALL the ramifications and injustices- like calling Bill Cliton racist for his comment, but ignoring Wright's comments as just freedom of speech.

Hillary 08! ….for peace without hate…

th titile of this blog post is just a twist of what Lewis said CNN!

be honest with you reporting and stops twisting facts!

Don't you mean, "Good for diatribe?"

I am sick of Obama and his preacher. Obama has never sponsered any bill in the Senate. His resume is thin and I hope the American people wake up soon. This man is as dirty as the next person running for President. I don't think he has the common sense to run this country.

Again…who is Lewis…

I can't believe what that man says, he is a traitor. By tomorrow morning they will start saying that clinton has brought RACE again in the compaign. it is all pathetic

I can understand "fiery comments on race" and the need for continued reconciliation. But I cannot abide by Wright's anti-American words.

When is CNN going to report on Obama securing the delegate win in TX
conventions??? Any of the MSM for that matter…
Isn't it curious that we still don't know the actual official outcome of the TX caucus??? Come on guys we expect better!!!

I feel bad for John Lewis.. From what I have read in the paper's about his decision to switch to Obama, there was alot of pressure to do so.
He seems to have payed a price. He looks sad.

Talk about SPIN.

Give me a break.

Abosolutely I agree completely with what Lewis said. This would be breaking all human barriers. Everyone has been hurt because of discrimantion of being too skinny, too fat, too skinny, too poor, too rich, too , too white, too dark, too yellow, too red, too gay, too feminine, too macho, too bald, too hairy, too… this could go on and on. It is time that we stop being angry and fearful of one another. Unity and Change is of essence. We must love one another for that is the biggest commandment of all. Remember we are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Obama 08!

It would be wonderful to have a reconciliation of the races. But, I doubt
if the failure to mention Rev. Wright by name will cause people to forget him. Certainly the Republicans won't forget him. If Senator Obama wins the nomination we will hear portions of Rev. Wright's
sermons over and over again during the fall campaign.

We are tired of hate and race/gender hate from black and white-it is never good for country!!!

Chickens are coming home to roost.

Should have run on a level playing field.

The Hillary democrats are lost to the party this Nov… maybe forever if the party doesn't get serious about letting the people do the voting.

It seems that, This is being Made a race issue after all by the Obama people and its about who will be the Best President! Obama Civil rights is a Big Issue But open your Eyes #1 is the Economy all suffer not Just one race! and reading your webb page scares me! WHERE IS YOUR ECONOMIC PLAN???

Obama and his pastor are FRAUDS! Wake up America Obama is a divider not a uniter.

I totally agree!!!!!
Obama/Edwards08 Si Se Puede

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Too bad none of them were around while Hillary was being bashed and Bill was being called a racist and the haters spewed their anti-Hillary venom.

I will stay true to peace and justice.

My vote in Nov will tell it all.

Race will and always be an issue in this country it will never go away. We will always have the Sharptons, Jacksons, Farakhans, Dukes, Savages, Limbaughs, Dukes, Coulters, Hannitys, Wrights and the rest of the scum. Sorry Obama I just reconize reality

Too bad the peacemakers didn't take charge earlier.

Lets see… Bill was called a racist, hatred was spewed at Hillary, the primary was fixed by the DNC to favor Obama…

Methinks it is too late now. The dye is cast.

Hillary or no democrat at all.

Lets keep this above board the poeple deserve the best
I think Obama has kept it close to the vest and is doing the right thing
Hillary and her team is not too bad.

I think it is good for race issues to be brought up and talked about. It is good for a multi cultural nation. Nobody is superior to anybody on this land. NOBODY! It is good for America's soul. GOD BLESS AMERICA! HOME OF THE BRAVE! NO MATTER WHAT SKIN COLOR YOU ARE!

What bothers me most is that Obama showed he's not honest about the Wrigh thing. At first he said he did not know about the controversial sermons. Then he said he rejected them but had not problem with his pastor. And then he said he would have left the church if Rev Wright had not retired.

Beneficial!! The only benefit is seeing Obama for the racist hatemonger that he really is………. how can anyone be part of a church preaching such hatred and donate more than $25000 last year to support it. Either he loves the messages of hate and race or he is so out of touch that he didn't pick up on it… either way it is proof enough that he is incapable of leading the US.

What bothers me most is that Obama showed he's not honest about the Wrigh thing. At first he said he did not know about the controversial sermons. Then he said he rejected them but had not problem with his pastor. And then he said he would have left the church if Rev Wright had not retired

Barack Obama will bring the country and the world together. He has a great mind, vision and a good heart. I know he and Michelle love this country.

Yeah, from this photo it looks like Obama was just about to walk out of this man's church after 20 years. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you . . . .

John Lewis is a flip flopper who supported Clinton orginally, but switched to Obama, because someone in his congressional district was going to run against him ,on the reason, that he wouldn't support Obama. All Lewis cares about is his congressional seat.

More about the filth of America… does this guy ever stop surrounding himself with America haters. God I would hate to see what the White House will look like if this guy wins.

That's right, never go forward to the future always look back and stay in the past. You call that good logic?

Thank you, Senator Obama for giving Clinton your "permission" to stay in the race.

This is an issue with legs, and when the Republician attact machine gets a hold of it, they will play the sound bite over & over & over again with the comments of Obama's wife saying she's hasn't been proud of America until now.

The Democrates view this differently than the GOP, and to think I hear Obama supporters using words like bloody up, what they are currently experiencing is a powder puff derby, and if he can't handle the debates with Clinton…..he should drop out, he seems very weak in this regard.

This is why Obama has lost some support with Republicians and Independances.

If Obama gets the nomination I will be a 40 year Democrat that will vote not just for McCain, but straight line Republican ticket. I will be let down in democracy, for it does not stand for the teaching of hate, much less to children. Yes there has been children taught this type of teachings in Reverend Wright church for the last 20 years. Just one child hearing this type of teaching is to many. I sure do not know what is wrong with America. After hearing these sermons (one of them being a 22 minute uncut sermon)How they or we can stand by and say it is OK.

Sorry Obama, I can no longer support you or any one that does, (Nancy Pelosi)

X-Obama supporter turned Republican 2008

Does Rep. John Lewis' exhort ation for forgiveness include hostility and violence towards women who in the past were not even allowed to vote or at the present time not getting equal pay for equal work which in itself ends up sacrificing the children in a household of a single parent?

Is this selective exhortation of forgiveness?

yes i think that lewis is right….. just goes to show u that the dirty clinton campaign is not working like the clintons thought it would.
pennsylvania has a big surprise for the clintons…
we dont need anymore clintons in the white house… especially liars like hilary—- look at the spellng in hilary;;;;;;; what u get is one big fat LIAR..
OBAMA IN 09
COME ON PENNSYLVANIA DONT LET OBAMA SLIP AWAY FROM US.
BY THE WAY I AM A 65 YR OLD SOLID REPUBLICAN WHO HAS CHANGED TO DEMOCRAT—- FOR OBAMA….
AND I AM WHITE IF THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE— I KNOW THE CLINTONS WOULD WANT TO KNOW THAT……….

. . .A man should be judged by his own words.

Oh please. This is not the sixties. We have enough things to deal with in this up-coming administration. We, this country, need to focus on how we are going to move forward in this global economy while at war. How are we going to protect America's overall well-being and the health of our children? They don't want to talk about that.

Race, race, race. "Hostile and Violent towards us." That says it all Mr. Lewis, thank you! Wright got caught spewing the hatred that his congregation approves of. Now this superdelegate wants to step back in time to justify the hatred his brothers are generating IN CHURCH. Sad!

We don’t need to regurgitate the hateful feelings Rev. Wright so loudly proves is alive in some black churches.

This is not change people.

I would agree that all of us need to look at the history of racism and learn to forgive, but the concern I have is that there are some who feel that racism only goes one way…..and the reality is that racism cuts both ways. Blacks are just as prejudice as whites. Until the blacks are ready to acknowledge that they are just as racist, instead of blaming their racism on whites for what happened to their ancestors, very little is going to get accomplished. I belong to 2 different minority groups, but I don't hold a grudge against everyone and yet expect them to up for everyone else's discrimination against me.

These people need to acknowledge that racism works both ways. What happened years ago is an education for people to learn how not to treat a fellow human being. What is going on today is not one sided racism. This racism happening from both sides. and not by all people. The Reverend, who seems to be praised for his racism, because everyone is supposedly taking it out of context. The Reverends words spoke of racism, promoted racism, and exhalted the idea of eliminating a white race… This is not out of context but what was being preached. It doesn't matter how many sermons the Reverend made over his career… These are words of hatred violence and calls for action against the white people. I am disgusted with the medias fear to address this behavior as they did with Imus and Trent Lott. You cannot turn your head away from, and condone this behaviior from a Afro American and destroy a statement made by a white person. And why?? because of guilt and fear?? and a repayment of what happened during slavery.

Everyone of intelligent mind agree there must be a discussion about the race relations in the Unted States.I find it very strange that the call to discuss racial relations is met with defensive resistance among some sub-groups. As for the public stage, how does the conversation begin? What needs to happen to keep people from becoming defensive and claming up? This issue will not go away or be an accepted way of life as history has shown.

Representative, John Lewis is correct. The Wright controversy, gave America the chance to come together with meaningful and highly constructive dialogue, towards a better understanding of one another as citizens and Americans. Well said Mr. Lewis!

ALL THE SQUABBLING AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN RHETORIC
WILL STOP IF EITHER CANDIDATE MAKE AN OFFER (IN SECRET
NEGOTIATIONS OF COURSE) TO THE OTHER DEPENDING ON WHO WILL BE THE NOMINEE BASED ON THE POPLUAR VOTE AND THE NUMBER OF DELEGATES AFTER THE OREGON PRIMARY.
THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MAJORITY SHALL BE THE ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET AND THE NUMBER 2 SPOT TO THE RUNNERUP.
THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IF EACH CANDIDATE AGREES TO
IT AND THE WINNER OFFERS THE NUMBER WO SPOT TO THE
LOSER IN THE DELEGATE AND POPULAR VOTE COUNT.
THE CLINTON CAMP HAD OFFERED oBAMA THE NUMBER TWO SPOT SOMETIME AGO. WHY CAN'T oBAMA MAKE THE SAME OFFER TO HILLARY AND HAVE THAT "DREAM TICKET" THAT MANY DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. MANY VOTERS THINK THAT OBAMA CANNOT WIN WITHOUT HILLARY AND VICE VERSA.
THE THE TWO TOP DEMOCRATS NEED EACH OTHER AND THE SUPER DELEGATES WILL ENSURE A WINNING TICKET IN NOVEMBER.

everything happens for a reason,and this is exactly the reson it happened for.i agree.

Wright said what white America knows to be true. there has been a double standard for over 200 years and wright preaches what other churchs should preach. Wright has helped the nation see it self for what it is. American must deal with its stained past before we can liberate the Iraqi people or any other people.

THE WRIGHT CONTROVERSY WILL BE INEFFECTIVE IF THE HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTERS GET BEHIND AN OBAMA-CLINTON OR CLINTON-OBAMA TICKET…THE SHEER NUMBER OF DEMOCRATIC VOTERS FOR OBAMA AND HILLARY IS OVERWHELMING . NO COMBINATION OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES CAN WIN WITH THE "DREAM TICKET"
IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO STOP THE
NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING BETWEEN THE OBAMA AND CLINTON CAMPS AND GET TOGETHER ON A PLAN TO HAVE BOTH ON THE SAME PRESIDENTIAL TICKET..

Hopefully this campaign will help to bring our country together to discuss our problems of division between the different races. Weather we want to agree or not this has proven that there is still alot of work to done as far as realizing that we in America working going to school and living amongst every nationalilty on this planet and we are all diffderent in some aspects of life but we have something very much in common we are humans.That is what we should consider we are able to communicate with each other and yes to open the door for dialogue and work to bridge the gap of differences between the races.

Why doesn't Mr. Obama call his pastor what he really is instead of trying to sugar coat it and ram it down the throats of Americans as 'it's really nothing lets move on and forget about it'. Shameful

I DONT THINK ANYTHING CONCERNING WHAT WRIGHT SAID AS GOOD FOR POLITICS, OR GOOD FOR ANYTHING AS A MATTER OF FACT. THERE JUST ISNT ANY ROOM IN THE WORLD TODAY FOR THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE. JUST LIKE THE KKK AND BLACK PANTHERS, LOUISE FARRAKON AND DAVID DUKE, SOME THINGS WE JUST HAVE TO MOVE PAST. AND THAT IS WHAT ALOT OF OBAMA SUPPORTERS VOTED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT IT DOESNT APPEAR THATS WHAT THEY ARE GONNA GET FOR THEIR VOTE. WITH ALL OF THIS THAT HAS GONE ON IN HIS PAST AND HIM SUPPORTING IT TO THE POINT OF EVEN GIVING OVER 27,000 DOLLARS TO WRIGHT AND THAT CHURCH LAST YEAR IT IS OBVIOUS WHERE HIS LOYALTIES AND MOTIVES ARE.

Call to Hillary to quit is a warning. The DNC is forced stop Hillary's kitchen sink campaign against Obama. If she goes back to her negative campaign DNC will be forced to have "SUper Primary" to endorse Obama. Hillary must play by DNC's ground rules of objectivity if she wants to continue.

Obama is not a unifier. He is a divider! Example: His big speech in Philadelphia got high praise from most of the media. Yes, he is a very talented speaker. Unfortunately, in order to down play the big question: How could he listen to hateful sermons for 20 years, Obama focused most of his speech lecturing on race problems in America. End result. Obama's speech has now increased racial problems. (Obama is no MLK. Obama is just a very cleaver politician.)

Things are far from perfect between races, however, because of MLK and others like him, much progress was made. I encourage black ministers and their congregation to yell loud and clear that not all black churches preach hateful sermons. Write letters to the media. Call the media. Post here. I do not know the best way to undo the damage Obama's speech has done. However, I do know that failure to recognize this fact will result in an increase in racial tensions.
..

Obama is bad for America. In my opinion any one who sits in a church for 20 years listing to anti American hate sermons is not fit for the White House.

Well - I guess we never will forget & forgive those who have been most hostile towards us! Thought we went thru all this in the 60's - guess not by the African Americans. Why not just Americans - why do we have special names for different groups???
This is not about race - but - rather being a Christian American - of any race.

I agree with you very much, but my concern just like my friends and family members that live in Fl and MI. We all think about the speech you gave in washington along with Dr. MLK, Jr. So how can you stand by knowning that everyone have the right to vote. Why did Senate Obama and his campaign stop the revote in MI. Sir this is something you have always stood for.

I think so. In fact, given our nation's world's status, rascism is the most shamful reality in our society. For those who have any doubts, you would think so if you ever travled to the South and central states.

Obama is in fact a mixed race, in this regard, I think he has relatively better chances to be elected in the end. I know many Whites in the south indeed somehow have block blood. Of curse, many just do now say it publically.

Put some sugar on top of it, but it is still racism.

As a first generation American, a child of immigrants who came thousands of miles to arrive penniless in a "new land" where they had to learn a new language and build a new life from scratch, far from everything and everyone they ever knew, my views on race and ethnicity are simple.

Equal rights, equal respect, equal opportunity, equal responsibility, equal accountability. Equality. Across the board. For everyone. Period.

I'm a white 50 yr old male and I believe he is right. We can't keep sweeping the underlying tones of racism in this country under the rug forever..well said sir.

“And the notion that somehow it’s cute or amusing, or a useful diversion, I think, is something that all of us have to recognize is just not the case. We all have First Amendment rights. And I am a constitutional lawyer and strongly believe in free speech, but as a culture, we really have to do some soul-searching to think about what kind of toxic information are we feeding our kids,”

What a wonderful idea. The question is do we really want to get this hundred year old issue straight or keep the race issue at its current status because its better to keep the confusion going so people can feel safe with the devil that they already know.

If you don't count the votes in Fl and Mi- then Obama wins by cheating.

Who will vote for someone who cheats another democrat out of her victory?

As a Georgia resident I will tell you that my next non-presidential vote in this state is for John Lewis' opponent.

I think Wright's comments went to more than just race; they went to U.S. policies and provocation for the 9/11 attacks ("the chickens are coming home to roost"). We should explore some of our exploitative policies there as well, including how we've abused Iran and Palestine over the years. Why doesn't the "liberal" (hah hah) media ever engage in real debate on those issues?

Let's not forget Lewis switched his endorsement from Hillary after coming under pressure from Obama supporters. At least Mayor Nutter has the courage of his conviction to reject those who have injected race into this campaign.

The reverend Wright said what he said and it is clear what he meant. I cannot understand why any rational person would believe all of the spin that is being made of it.Full sentences are not snippets.

Well, the Senator has been his usual, professional self in the face of all these racial attacks and inuendo following the story about is pastor; o.k., he offered explanation, right? We STILL have a war in Iraq, we STILL have our children dying over there, the price of fuel is STILL rising almost hourly, and we have thousands of people losing their homes, and MILLIONS of people (of all genders and races)losing their jobs; think maybe we should move past all this?

Obama 08′

If this had been Hillary Clinton they would be calling for her impeachment, Barack it is just a little bump in the road/

a new day for america politic and history.

Talk about Spin-Doctoring!

Senator Hillary Clinton has always said she was a strong backer of civil rights movement so where is she now. Former President Bill Clinton walked hand in hand the Senator John Lewis where is he now. When the Clinton's was using the civil rights issue to gather Black support now that we are in conflicts he's not standing with blacks.

However, before the Clintons was all up in the Black Churches holding hands and Hillary clinton was saying she was Mrs. Minority.

Tell me , where do she stand here in the time of trouble?

. . .Anyone who says that they want to be judged by what someone else
said is a liar.

. . .Senator Obama gave a brilliant speech whether we want to admit
it or not. It sure got me to thinking.

Of course CNN would make this a front page story… the media needs to get barrak back in that image of the perfect american presidential nominee…

If we unite behind Hillary Clinton we can make a statement against sabotaging the best candidate JUST because she is female.

There is power in unity.

Losing, on a level playing field- that is one thing. But the DNC, the Democratic party elites, the Hillary haters, the caucus format, the disenfranchised Fl and Mi voters- all that adds up to…CHEATING!

Cheating that was acceptable because the myth was that Hillary was the person everyone loved to hate.

Not so…The woman has tight support. We love her.

We must send the DNC and party leaders a firm message: Let the voters decide, stay out of it, don't rig the election- COUNT the votes

I think ultimately he is right, we cant keep ignoring this issue. The democrats are gonna have to lead the way, because the republicans are not gonna do anything.

GO OBAMA, WE LOVE YOU

John Lewis's life makes me proud to be an American. He is a man of uncommen character and integrity. I love him…

I don't even see the reason why this blog was set up. When black folks are supporting each other does it offend you guys? Or you all prefer to pit them against each other like media team does, especially lou.
Norfolk VA

Good viewpoint.

Where is the diversity in this picture???

Rev. Wright had been about anti-American more than race.

If you look at the number of people who will vote for McCain if Obama wins, then we can understand why race is an issue in the democratic party.

When life gives you a lemon you make lemonade! it's not how we fall that counts it's how we get back up and get back in the fight! This has been a controversy that has caused us as "americans" to discuss opnely, what has been a closed subject. As a white woman, I think it is time for us to go to the next plateau in our mixed world. Obama has handled this controversy with respect to all, with integirty, with honor and very presidentially. God bless him for having the courage it takes and I hope he gets the nomination and the white house.

LEWIS, YOUR JUST ANOTHER TRAITOR! SO, TELL ME LEWIS, WHAT IS A MAN WHO BREAKS HIS WORD and his loyalty. Look it up! I rest my case!

Obama supporters condone any behavior by their savior. If those same words had come from someone on Clinton's side, they would have crucified her. Obama supports a man who promotes hate and racism, and the republicans will have a field day with that. I'm one of the 28% who have already decided it's anyone but Obama, and I'm sure that number will grow. To all the Obama supporters who have called names and ridiculed Hillary, good luck in November without her supporters. Campaign of hope and change LOL!

I agree that this controversy provides the oppurtunity for Americans to come together and work through its racial problems.

Eeewwww gross. Obama go away and take your Reverend Wright with you.

What I call it, regardless of a candidate going to that church, is sad. Sad to know such racism exists so strongly.

Congressman Lewis had his arm twisted to change from Clinton to Obama.

I don't think so Mr. Civil Wrong, this controversy is not a good dialogue at all. This races going to kill Americans society and merge to hate in the future.

IS THIS NOT THE SAME MR.LEWIS WHO WAS GOING TO GET BEHIND HILARY BUT WAS FORCED TO GO WITH OBAMA BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OBAMA…..WHAT A SAD DAY THIS IS WHEN YOU CAN NOT GET BEHIND THE PERSON YOU FAVOUR TO BE THE NOMINEE……………SHAME………

You know what else is good for the honest campaign debate? While the media has typically been all over Clinton for making her Bosnia mistake, no one has mentioned that Obama once claimed that his parents were inspired to get married and have Barack as a direct result of the Selma march. Only problem is, the Selma march was in 1965…Barack was born in 1961. Will the media charge that this lie goes directly to the heart of his campaigns platform of integrity? No.

Lets just hope he is right

obama had over 2 decades to do something about the racism being spewed out of the "reverends" mouth. he chose to sit quietly in a pew, and do nothing. after the controversy hits the main stream media, obama lectures the country about racism. he should of given that speech to his "mentor" 20 years earlier.

yet they go behind the scenes and threaten the super delecates to vote for obama or loose your poltical seat in the future! i call them thugs!

Wright is not good for dialogue.

His message of racism and hate is one that the country is still trying to move beyond. There is no excuse or cover for his remarks, none.

If a white preacher had said the same things he would be run out of town on a rail. And rightfully so.

Senator Obama's failure to remove himself from such hate filled sermons for twenty years speaks to his complete lack of judgment.

Wright makes Obama wrong for America!

What the use?

Obama is a racist and Wright is too…………… whats next Rev. Wright in the Oval Office advising Obama. ha!!!!!!! no!!!!!why only now Obama is saying that Rev. Wright was wrong in his speeches and for 20 yrs he didnt……… Obama is playing politics dont fall people..!!

are you kidding me……………………i think he has burnt bridges that have been built

For those who are pushing for a big "Mix-Up"…It is my intention that my family remain pure.

Hillary for Vice President 2008!!!!!

You know, I am female, white and 24 years young. My experience of race in Los Angles is something that can't really be ignored. I watch my family respond to black people walking down the street by locking their doors. A lot of those fears are not unfounded… however I don't seem to have the same knee jerk reaction as older generations of my family. There is a terribly seedy underbelly of America and it surely IS racial divide. I think the dialog that has been opened is a very good thing… healthy, and a way to change the way our society is structured. Furthermore I agree with Rev. Wright… we have committed atrocities as a country and to not be outraged by what our government has done is un-American.

Dialog about race is a brilliant brilliant thing. A discussion we should have been having a long time ago. I look forward to a comfortable society where none of our citizens of any color are not treated differently or feared.

. . .That's the problem with you uptight Boomers. You've spent
most of your life trying to divide yourselves and not look at people
as the same regardess of race. If you look at Obama voters you see
that they are all races happy and vying for the same things in life.
The Clinton supporters seem to rally behind her divisiveness. They
even seem not to like each other at her rallies. When Senator
Obama wins the election, we supporters of ALL races are going to
show you naysayers how it done. We are going to party with unity. Young Americans get it.

Obama 08.
YES WE CAN!!!!!!!