April 13, 2008
Posted: 02:30 PM ET
Obama's former pastor preached a sermon at a Virginia church Sunday but did not mention the Illinois senator.
Obama's former pastor preached a sermon at a Virginia church Sunday but did not mention the Illinois senator.

NORFOLK, Virginia (AP) — Barack Obama's retired pastor has made his first public appearance since the furor over his remarks criticizing the United States. He said nothing about the Democratic presidential candidate or the uproar itself.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright preached Sunday at a Baptist church in Norfolk, Va., where his late uncle had been the pastor.

He delivered a sermon on the topic of overcoming trouble.

Wright never mentioned Obama, who worships at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where Wright had been the longtime pastor.

Wright touched on the controversy just briefly when he told the Virginia congregation that reporters sneaked into a private funeral service on Saturday in Chicago, where he delivered the eulogy.

Filed under: AP • Barack Obama • Jeremiah Wright


InCapableOfReportingTheEntireTruth   April 13th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

CNN is stocking Reverend Wright?

Uncle Sam   April 13th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

We see with Sen. Obama's recent "bitter" comments that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Americans for McCain '08

Alex H   April 13th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Well played on his part. I wish Geraldine Ferraro would follow that kind of example when dealing with a PR crisis, you let public opinion settle out and stop antagonizing it just to make it worse off for you. He's handled himself well despite all the horrible journalism against him.

GoHillary   April 13th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Obama, how do you explain your relationship with William Ayers? We dont want a president who carries the torch for the Weather Underground!

You have too many skeletons in your closet for my liking.

Vote for somebody who has already proved she can do it - Hillary '08!

goodtimepolitics   April 13th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

He delivered a sermon on the topic of overcoming trouble.

With the remarks that Obama made this last week about small town Americans clinging to their guns, The sermon of Wright's might be a good one for spinning by Obama to get out of trouble. :)

Democratic party   April 13th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

Wow Cnn how is this news?! So the pastor went to church to preach and didn't mention Obama…. Was his preaching sermon about Obama…that you guys feel the need to point out that he didn't mention Obama. Jeez. Let us focus on the real issues than picking at things that have already happened.

Doug, Florida   April 13th, 2008 3:19 pm ET

What office is he running for? Why are you guys following him? He already has is 15 fifteens of FAME.

Leave the man alone!!!

Go follow Ron Parsley or John Hague or Pat Robinson. All religious leaders are pushing the envelope. Try reading the Bible. Full of anti-State and Country. Allegiant to God only.

No to McSame. No to Chelsea's MAMA
Unless somebody better comes on the scene. GO OBAMA 08

spyturtle   April 13th, 2008 3:19 pm ET

Great! Hold your head up high! Go Obama!

dlr   April 13th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

HELLO!!! News Flash!!! Did anybody here yet???

21 Public officials and community leaders of Pennsylvannia, have signed a letter indicating that Sen. Obama's bitter comments were on target!!! They also indicate the Sen. Clinton and McCain are old school politics and they are playing it again with their attacks!!!

Sen. Clinton……I guess you made the WRONG judgement call again and it wasn't 3 am…….

Sharon Minnesota   April 13th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

Wright should repent of his racist sin along with Barack Obama. He needs to study for himself and not preach to others about overcoming trouble as he has created mountains of the stuff for his congregation.

God is love not hate.

DM. Arlington Texas   April 13th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

I am glad to know that we serve a forgiving God.

And Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins………

Mark   April 13th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

CNN.. this is news.. WHY?

Come on..

william   April 13th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

This man just like Obama needto learn to keep there mouths shut.
IF they dont like it here im sure they can find a better place to live. Why not try the middle east.

JN   April 13th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

oh leave the Rev. alone already…He has faced enough criticizm from every racial person in america…Enough already!!!!! He is entitled to his views just like everyone else is…I am so tired of the Rev. Wright situation…what ever happened to free speech in america???

mary   April 13th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Obama told Rev. Wright to stay low, until Obama becomes President.

peter   April 13th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

is everything this man does political news? i was talking to my kids earlier and i didnt say Obama's name once! why isnt that on the ticker?

Yvonne   April 13th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

I like Rev. Wright. He actually makes Obama look good. We know for sure that Obama has been in a good Christian Church for 20 years. Where does Hillary go to Church? My Republican Evangelical colleagues are impressed. This episode gives Obama a chunk of the Prophetic Evangelical Vote.

Craig in Texas Democrat and supporter for Obama   April 13th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

So i see cnn is done talking about The Clintons Nafta check and Columbian Free trade deals. The lies Bill was telling trying to defend his wife lie on Bosnia. Lets talk about how she is Destroying the Democratic Party with her lies and making mccain look god sent. lets talk about that cnn.

Life goes on...   April 13th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Rev Wright is a reverend not a politician…. No need to update us every time he has a sermon as he is not running for President!

Kimberly in Texas   April 13th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

CNN, you are shameless.
Why is it necessary to stalk this man and why is it necessary to post this picture every single time you write a non-story about him?

I do not care to hear about Rev. Wright and his whereabouts…

Can we focus on the REAL issues like the economy, the Iraq war, home foreclosures, education and healthcare!

John   April 13th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

this is not news.

leave the good man alone.

Glenn Agans   April 13th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

he's probably just a bit "bitter" .

Silvia, NY   April 13th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Okay, so he didn't mention Obama. Why is this news Clinton News Network? Hillary doesn't need to throw the kitchen sink, when CNN will throw it for her.

It's a cheap shot, CNN, but it won't work.

Obama 08

AJ, IL   April 13th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

Why is CNN tracking Obama's former pastor's movements? How is this newsworthy? If you want to speak about Wright giving a sermon in Va. but yet fail to mention anything substantial about the sermon, then please don't mention it period.

I find it disturbing that no one is taking claim to reporting on this "story" (really a non-story).

lul   April 13th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

SO WHAT???
OH I GET IT NOW, IT WAS THE MEDIA THAT WANT US OUT OF THE REAL ISSUES.NOT THE CANDIDATES.

Sharon   April 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Shame on CNN. This is a cheap shot.

CNN stands for Consistent Negative News.

DH   April 13th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

So If Rev. Wright did not mention Obama, why do you report on this and underline the non-story with this picture of both of them????
Are the Clintons paying CNN for it ???
This is no serious journalism - this is discusting.

vic nashville,Tn   April 13th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

Time to watch fox

cyp   April 13th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

The Rev. Wright will do anything and everything to get into the
WHITE HOUSE

is it necessary   April 13th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

he has caused a scarring damage to obama's dream of white house seat what more does he need to say?

Steve, OR   April 13th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Bravo for Barack for standing up for his pastor. He did not cower to the poison of political pressure.

Obama 08

Robert   April 13th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

OK. CNN. You can take Wright off life support now. You don't have to do a story everytime right comes out to see the sun.

Bridgette- PA   April 13th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

Who cares. He's no longer OBAMA's pastor and there is no need to keep bringing this up!

OBAMA-08!

Allie, MT   April 13th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Unfortunately, if the press is following this man around, even to funerals, he won't find any peace.

I will pray for the Reverend Wright, that he will be able to enjoy part of his retirement.

bk   April 13th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

If Obama wins your looking at the new Rev. in the White House. G D AMERICA.

Valerie, MN   April 13th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

CNN is not bigger than God.

Obama 08

Cynthia   April 13th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

As we all have known all along Senator Obama is not Reverend Wright and Reverend Wright is not Senator Obama. I think the reporters were unethical for going into a funeral - did they not once think of the greiving family.

Missy, OH   April 13th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

Hillary will never be my president, she just won't be. Miss moneybags is the biggest elitist on the planet. She can spin, lie, whatever–Miss Westchester is a liar.

She dismisses questions that she knows she can't answer. Such as when it the last time she went to church.

She's a liar who will never succeed.

Obama 08

RealityCheck   April 13th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Shame on the reporters who sneaked into a funeral to cover a "non" story. This was disrepectful to the family of the person being funeralized. Where is the dignity and if not that, then the good judgement in journalism. Dignity has fallen into the streets.

Susan, NC via LA   April 13th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

So why is this news?

Greg Erie PA   April 13th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Now this tells you something about this man. Using a persons funeral to send a political message.

Ron R   April 13th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Who cares CNN…….let it go for crying out loud!

Grif   April 13th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

The Demon Practitioner's

Louisiana Ed   April 13th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Come on CNN, give it a rest!!!

Boomer   April 13th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

Holy controversy Batman!

Spirit of America   April 13th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Was the funeral and eulogy for the Obama campaign?

Seth   April 13th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Incredible. This shouldn't have been news even if he HAD mentioned Obama - but absolutely not considering he DIDN'T mention it. I know I sound "bitter" but this upsets me.

a little sad   April 13th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

I'm more concerned about what this man has been saying TO Obama for the last 20 years, and what he has said as the spiritual advisor to Obama's campaign, than anything he would say ABOUT Obama.

molly   April 13th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

REV UNCLE WRIGHT
BITTER PA PEOPLE
FL & MI VOTERS
SUPERDELEGATES

OBAMA
CLINTON

SADDLE UP!!!!!

Mary Hasan, Dallas, Tx   April 13th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

The Press has no shame. They will do anything for a story. I

Slow News Day at CNN   April 13th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Will you be letting us know every time Rev. Wright uses the bathroom now, too? What a sad attempt at keeping a dead story alive.

kitchen sink!   April 13th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

CNN is particpating actively in the kitchen sink strategy by Hillary Clinton. Shame on you CNN. Be fair once.

Jerry   April 13th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

"Typical blacks," who want vengeance (OR reparations) against whitey.

SLA   April 13th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Now, here is a story that will make Pennsylvanians even more bitter. They are bitter about losing jobs, bitter about immigration, bitter about free-trade and most importantly bitter that Jeremiah Wright went to Virginia but is not coming to Pennsylvania.

Slowpoke   April 13th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

We got notification last time he preached too. That time he also didn't mention Obama.

I'm guessing he will continue preaching occasionally and continue to not mention Obama - at least until the election is over. Big deal.

Shirley   April 13th, 2008 5:05 pm ET

CNN should be ashamed, reporter's sneaking into a church for 'political news' while ignoring the Federal case 'Clinton vs Paul'.
Hillary is accused of knowingly accepting 1.2 millon dollars in illigal campaign funds and this isn't news worthy? Senator Obama's 'bitter' word has made your front page for 3 days.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   April 13th, 2008 5:05 pm ET

And Mr. Wright, did he get another "standing ovation.? And was
the church full with standing room only, because I heard he drew
huge crowds. Did not his church have a congregation of 8,000
and they all came to hear him and no one walked out. Oh, they
must have stayed the duration of the speech.

P. McKinnley   April 13th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

. . . .They aren't joined at the hip for crying out loud.

John Kay   April 13th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Why picture him with Obama? I sense something fishy. I wonder who paid for this. CNN or Clinton network news.(cnn)

MaxW   April 13th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Obama’s original question was about how people in Pennsylvania VOTE, and that Obama was talking about what makes them vote the way they do. He was talking about religion and guns as voting issues.

DNC=GOP   April 13th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Is he still alive?

DH   April 13th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

So If Rev. Wright did not mention Obama, why do you report on this and underline the non-story with this picture of both of them????
Are the Clintons paying CNN for it ???
This is no serious journalism - this is digusting.

Pete, Pa   April 13th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Sometime your harshest critics for the United State are their own citizens. We should all way be willing to listen to both side of a story. That's when understanding begin, this is what makes America so great.

Let's move on.

Illinois   April 13th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Is it true that those two guys still here in America?

midge from ohio   April 13th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

Sheesh, I guess you will have to check FOX NEWS to get the whole story about this. Biased aren't we CNN???

KE   April 13th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

People don't like two faced politician. Obama needs to study history of America.

Vig   April 13th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Wright was shouting at Sean Hannity on Fox - I think that church has arrogance in it's drinking water.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   April 13th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

So, what's the rest of the story?

Steven   April 13th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

Yeah, now that everyone is on to his racist views he's watching what he says in order to protect Obama's candidacy. I'm sure he'll rebuild those bridges should Obama become the president. Watch out America….do we really want to go down this racist's path?

Mary Sue   April 13th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Wright's license to preach should be revoked. I wish he had the good sense to keep quiet. Nothing he says can help Senator Obama.

George   April 13th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

HOW EMBARRASING that Virginia even let Obama's racist preacher enter their state.

Jake, California   April 13th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

So reporters will be following every little move this guy makes? I wonder they are also in his living room.

Since I am bored, I am just going to say something really Ant-American so I can have a huge company of Paparazzi….who says attention's not good.

Obama the Great Deceiver   April 13th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

God Bless America!

Mike   April 13th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Isn't this a nice photo!

Wright & Wrong!

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shannon   April 13th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

The politics of hope and change are sure hate filled. Why is it, that Obama supporters parrot this little slogan with such devotion, but turn around and trash and insult anyone who doesn't agree with them. The Obama supporters are some of the nastiest I have ever seen. It should be the campaign of hate and hypocrisy It reminds me of FOX News saying they are fair and balanced. It's a catchy little line, but it has no basis in reality!

paul in pittsburgh   April 13th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

What's wrong, Jeremiah?! We know he's still close to you. Can't talk about him anymore? I loved your views on white America and I really hope you continue to voice them. It will help the best candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Arkansas Undertaker   April 13th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

Oh No!

Willy   April 13th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

Watch the movie Leap of Faith. Then you'll laugh like I do at the rent a preachers.

Anonymous, Somewhere, MI   April 13th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

I'm less concerned about Wright's feelings about Obama then about what was deficient in Obama's life to cause him to cling to Wright. What was Barack's bitterness?

ANTI CLINTONS   April 13th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

You mean spmeone listens to Wriight? that is wrong! who cares what the little freaks says anyway!

Mike   April 13th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Which one is Dumb and which one is Dumber?

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!

Huh   April 13th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Was he supposed too.

Marie in California   April 13th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Wright doesn't preach….he rants and raves, hollers and yells….and most of what comes out of his mouth sounds like hateful garbage.

Hillary or McCain - 2008

seah   April 13th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Rev Wright is Obama's best friend, mentor and confidant. He molded and shaped Obama. He has helped in his career. Obama owes him more than he owes anyone.

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