May 4, 2008
Posted: 12:15 PM ET

From
Rangel appeared on CNN's Late Edition.
Rangel appeared on CNN's Late Edition.

(CNN) — Hillary Clinton supporter Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, attacked the media coverage of Barack Obama’s former pastor on CNN’s “Late Edition”, blaming them for over-hyping the issue and implying that it could hurt the Democratic Party down the road.

“It's disgraceful that he has to make any explanation for anything,” the outspoken congressman told Wolf Blitzer. “The intrusion of the media and Republicans into the sacred relationship that worshipers have with their spiritual leaders, I think, is going to come back to haunt us.”

“To think that we have to go into the lives and the beliefs of rabbis and priests and ministers and imams is absolutely ridiculous,” he went on.

Rangel’s comments defending the privacy of Obama’s relationship with Reverend Jeremiah Wright goes against what even the Illinois senator has said about the issue. Last Sunday, Obama told Chris Wallace that it is a “legitimate political issue” and that he understands why people are discussing it.

But Rangel argued that the Democratic candidate’s beliefs are completely different than those of his pastor— and the media know it.

“Of course he's a candidate, and he doesn't want to take all of you on,” Rangel alleged. “If we've got to get into the Jerry Falwells and to the [Pat] Robertsons and to the number of people that have what appears to other religions to be bizarre beliefs, we'll never get to the issues that America is concerned about.”

Filed under: Charles Rangel


G   May 4th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

Hilary Clinton tell lies. And let the real truth be told, so has Bill Clinton, he just knows how to cover his lies up, well he had to give up the truth about Monica (LOL). I am one who voted for Bill, for many other reasons. Now trust me, if Hiliary runs against McCain. I promise you I WILL NOT VOTE (just like many others). A message to Hiliary …. You can not be the President with only NY, CA, TX, Ohio, PA and a few others states votes. You act like the small states DON'T count. Bet you cannot win without them (the small STATES). You as a President … HA! Lets review the all records of NY (you don't even has control on one State) how are you going to handle the rest of the States in the UNITED STATES. Please. Ps Stop telling LIES.

Lana, NATIVE AMERICAN CHEROKEE INDIAN   May 4th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

I watched Late Edition this morning and specifically that interview with rangel, donna brazil and roland martin. I disagree with charlie rangel. I think that the crazy christian right have dominated the course of America (and have tried to infulence the rest of the world) for the last 20 years and have contributed to THE MESS we're in today.

Religion should stay out of GVT's business, however, these nutty pastors, priests, rabbis and whatever have millions who follow their everyword and if one of their members is going to run for President I think it is fair game to align the candidate with the pastor. LOOK WHO WE HAVE IN THE WHITEHOUSE AT THIS MOMENT- a CRAZY person, who was also an on the job trainee, and pretended to be a christian so he could be crowned king.

all American   May 4th, 2008 5:16 pm ET

I wonder if Rep.Rangel knows who is is in office to represent? It is very inportent that this type of news comes out on a canadidate. These are the values he beleives in and these are the values he will take to the white house and make desions on. This is not about race or what church anyone goes to, this is about the beleiving in hate messages and anti- american statements. And Obama had to beleive this to attend that church fo twenty years.

So Rep.Rangel you are elected to make desions for the good of our country and the americans that live here. Not to defend some one that is in question if they should be president, the most importent job in America.

Tee   May 4th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

tHE MEDIA AND THE CLINTONS NEEDED TO TURN THIS INTO A RACE ISSUE SO SHE COULD WIN. WHAT I DON'T HEAR THEM SPEAKING ABOUT IS, REV. WRIGHTS CHURCH IS MOSTLY WHITE.
ANYBODY WITH HALF A BRAIN COULD LOOK THIS UP. I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD REMAIN THERE IF THEY FELT HE WAS A RACIST.

mt   May 4th, 2008 5:02 pm ET

I am Obama supporter, but I want to thank Rep. Rangel for telling Blitzer like it is, blaming the media for over-hyping the issue on Obama's former pastor. Someone needs to be blunt with this so-called media circus. Why doesn't the media bring out the important issues that the american people want to hear? That's what important and nothing else.

Willy   May 4th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Rangel should know as he too is a race warlord

Bill, Covington   May 4th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

I wouldn't expect anything different from Charlie Rangel. No matter what he thinks, the relationship betewwn Jeremiah Wright ( the Terrorist ) and the Obama is relevent. Wright is dangerous and after 20 years of listening to that crap the entirety of the obama family are dangerous. And, if Charlie Rangel ascribes to Wright's brand of preaching, he also is dangerous as is any one or all the rest of those that ascribe to that crap.When do they start strapping explosives on their children and send them into shopping malls.
WAKE UP AMERICA.

Ben Gabson   May 4th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Thank you Mr. Chairman, you are finally opening your eyes. Don't forgert that Billary made this an issue in the campaign with her recalcitreance-her delusional refusal to accept defeat.

SHERRY   May 4th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

I wondered where the good Charlie Rangel stood on the candidates..somehow I am not surprised. I am sure alot of senior so called "black leaders" are supporting Ms Clinton. Sen Obama must make them feel like the lame ducks they are.

OBAMA 08

acorn   May 4th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

Thank your Rep. Rangel. CNN has went down hill since Ted Turner left. They have now reached the bottom.

Western Voter   May 4th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Congressman Rangell is right on! How dare we start judging political candidates by the sermons thier pastors deliver. I cannot imagine any greater interference of state in the affairs of the church.

Frankly we ought to be far more concerned about candidates whose pastors preach milk toast. Pastors who are true to Christ's call serve up challenging messages….as did Jesus of Nazareth.

This issue raises a serious question about whether Americans are mature enough to permit a campaign to be anything but negative and focused on issues that should not matter. If Clinton's pandering on the gas tax and the side show produced by Rev. Wright derail Obama, it is the Aermican voters who should take responsibility for becoming too immature to deserve a democracy.

MM   May 4th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Rangel is Right.

Hillary, and McCain supporters are wrong for beating this into the ground. Media is wrong for covering this and not the issues. Another example of Media playing on fear for ratings, this time it is racial fear.

The Truth   May 4th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

If Obama sat in that church for twenty years and didn't hear the minister what was he doing in the church. I wonder what he did in the senate for one year? All he does is talk I guess, and he doesn't listen. Give me a break

Tom   May 4th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

I support Hillary but I disagree with Rangel - the pastor and Obama's long term relationship with him go right to who Obama is, his character and what he stands for and no one can get elected with Obama's scary closet full of monsters (including his own words in S.F. and his wife's opinions).

Helene   May 4th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

But Mr. Rangel who started the race card ? If not your candidate and her ex-President husband ? You are supporting the wrong person.

justobserve   May 4th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Of course Obama was stupid to say it's "legitimate political issue". We can debate about religion but we don't have to link it or pastors to anyone. But isn't too late for Randel to say it now? Where was he during all those weeks of this madness?

woman from south   May 4th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

This is so True Obama is the right man for the Job and I support him
and you guys should wake up.

OBAMA 2008 !

Andrew   May 4th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Well gee Rangel, how the hell do you think this issue blew up in the first place? Hillary should have slammed this the moment it came up. But alas Hillary doesn't actually have any party loyalty, and the concept of putting the party before the Clinton name is completely lost on her. A party leader she is not.

nannie bouroughs, Kenosha, WI   May 4th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

Absolutely!

This is a “legitimate political issue!” Even the boy Senator understands that!

The American people really do want to discuss and learn more about Senator Obama, and Michelle, and their relationship with Rev. Wright. This will NOT be buried in the GE IF Senator Obama gets the nomination… and a 20 year relationship of this magnitude simply must be brought into the light of day!

LMAO   May 4th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

Rangel is a posturing idiot who became irrelevant long ago. He needs to pry his lips off from the Clintons' derreires and come up for air.

That's Reality   May 4th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

It is a legitimate political issue and for Rangel to say the Democratic candidtes's beliefs are completely different from those of his pastor is rediculous. Why else would anyone sit under a pastor he didn't agree with for 20 years? Our theological beliefs are what shape our ideologies or vice versa.

Allen   May 4th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

The gas tax is nothing but fluff and political pandering. What is much more critical is the sleazy conspiracy between the Clintons,Rev. Wright and the news media. I have listened to the Rev. Wright speech that sparked this manufactured controversy. Guess what I heard. The Rev. Wright gushes with love for the Clintons. Don't believe it? Listen to the speech. Rrev. Wright Loves the Clintons! The speech never mentions Obama once. Rev. Wright was a confidant of the Clintons during the Bill Presidency and he still loves and supports them This whole Rev. Wright contoversy is a plot by the Clintons,Wright and the media to discredit Obama. If the truth comes out. Rev. Wright would become a Clinton controversy as it indeed should be.

Happy for Obama   May 4th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Can you believe this! WOW, someone is speaking up for Obama, Finally. Great Job!Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York

I'm glad you came aboard!

First Kerry, then Dean, Andrews, now Rangel..
Yes, Yes, Yes We Can!

Donald from SC   May 4th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

See! Even Senator Clinton's long-time supporters are saying enough is enough to the news media about the flood of coverage on Rev. Wright. How many times do we need to hear the opinions of the media and not the news.

james   May 4th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

god bless america

Janet in KC   May 4th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

Thank YOU God.. Its about time someone speak up for Obama.
He has been raked through the coals on Rev wright..

Goodness, I can finally see the sun!

NObama and NOWright!!!   May 4th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Bravo! You said brother and most of the country feels the same way. Dems have to come together and give the party a nominee who stands a chance of winning in November.

Vote Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill-S   May 4th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

The Clintons, Bushes, and McCains have been fine upstanding churchgoers for many years, and they have had pastors who for all appearances are kind, upstanding, patriotic, and not angry. So how come Hillary Clinton is a pathological liar, Bill Clinton is a serial adulterer, George W. Bush is a war criminal and casual torturer and McCain is a divorcee? Just how much influence do you think the pastors of these people really have on their lives?

Ron   May 4th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

If you read Sen Obama's books he goes to great lengths to give credit to Rev. Wright regarding his influence in his thinking both spiritually and on a more personal level so obviously when the Rev. said Obama says what he as to say to get elected you have to accept that as being said by someone who probably knows him better than anyone including his wife.then you factor in why the good rev as been gaged you have to naturally wonder what else he could tell us about the elusive past of SEN.OBAMA

sheep   May 4th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

why dont they cover every catholic preast that sets in the church having molested children year after year ,,hagge WHY only the BLACK church????do women who dont work outside the home like the ellitost comments MS.CLINTON coontinues to say ::well she could stay home and bake cookies ..isnt that just as ellitost to millions of women who think its important …how about reserching just how many years OBAMA was in town not at college not in congress to actually attend ..and what about the thousands who are and have attended your attacking every one of them …right on PAUL VS. CLINTON its current news ..the media is using WRIGHT TO ATTACK THE BLACK CHURCH ..And im white from wa. state and a women ,,54 …P[eople are not dumb

John Wa   May 4th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Heage has insulted the entire catholic church and beleives babies in New Orleans were punished by God. Hillary belonged to a secret right-wing fellowship in the White House. Both HIllary and McCain voted to kill innocent children in Iraq. Hillary has never apolgized for voting for this war. You think these issues won't come up in the general election ? Where are those Clinton Library papers?

JN   May 4th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Thank you Charles Rangel! You are a bright spot in this awful issue that should have never been covered as it was. I am supporting Barack Obama but I just wanted to say that I have a lot of respect for you and your honesty! Thanks again!

Charlotte   May 4th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Rev. Wright will play into the general election big time. No more caucuses, little private box where you won't be labled a racist if you don't like Obama. I'm sure the Obamas will say he lost because he was black. He will lose because he sat around listening to anti-american sermons for 20 years and then lied about even hearing them. Threw his grandmother under the bus, then threw Uncle Wright under the bus when it became politically necessary. Missed 40% of the US Senate votes including the one about Iran. Never held a meeting on Afghanastan in over 15 months of being the chairman of the committee on Al qaeda in Afghanastan. A real go getter this Obama…

Paula in WI   May 4th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Lewinski will haunt us equally

John   May 4th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Religion has always been at the root of mankinds problems. Just think, they promote hate by blessing people going into war to fight against their brothers in other countries. If they would practice what they preach - geniune love for your brother - you'd have far less wars in the world. Relgion is bloodguilty! Those who have adopted their views and practices will be held accountable - yes, indeed, religion will come back to haunt thousands!

Caroline, North Carolina   May 4th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

Gov. Rendel must have just figured out that Hillary just won't have the
numbers to win and is trying to get on Senator Obama's good side to get
his name on the Obama delegate roster while there is still room.

Obama 08.

MD in OK   May 4th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

You know what's ironic? The republicans have the backing of the conservative Christians. These conservatives (Sean Hannity and pastors on his show) profess to be Christians; yet ,they are unforgiving. Whatever happened to forgiveness? I have not heard this word once from any Christian on the right. Barack denounced his pastor; now aren't we (as a Christian nation) supposed to forgive him? What sin has he committed that is unforgiveable? Oh, ye hypocrites!!!

Lynn R.   May 4th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

I TOTALLY agree, especially when we don't treat this subject FAIRLY with everybody!!! After all, our TAX DOLLARS paid for a liaison in the White House for Jerry Falwell to "advise" George Bush on major issues such as the war, supreme court justices, etc. Not to mention Bush and GOP's relationship with Pat Robertson. Nobody even batted an eye or even hammered Bush on any of this and our TAX MONEY went to support HIS so called "spiritual advisors" and their relationships. Mit Romney, belonged to a sect of the Mormon Church when they would not ALLOW Black clergy; McCain, Bush and other GOP have consulted and been supported by John Hagee. The CURRENT President and other hopefuls have had controversial religious relationships, but all of the sudden, Barack and Rev. Wright's relationship is held to another standard???????? What the heck is going on? It's BS…..

It's ridiculous, a total double-standard and I am tired of seeing it dominate the airwaves. Why are we talking about "church and state" anyway? My issues are: going to pay $4 a gallon at the pump; trying to buy a house this year and lowering my healthcare costs, etc. Why is all of the focus on this "dog and pony show," which is really benefiting nobody but the media? Yeah, you guys are making money "hand over fist" but in the meantime, the rest of us are going broke and struggling to survive! And you wonder why we are so divided…

I'm with Rangel, which is a change, these days…we need to get on to the issues! And decide WHO is going to be the next best Commander in Chief; and if Rev. Wright is NOT on the ticket (which last time I checked, he WASN'T), THEN I DON'T WANT TO FOCUS ON THIS WASTE OF TIME ANYMORE! Stop giving him a platform, following him around with the camera and wasting our airtime! Shame on ALL of the networks - we have REAL problems to solve! Let's get on with it!

aware   May 4th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

"Bizarre beliefs" define character and in the final analysis, Americans care very much about character.

When a candidate spends 20 years under the teaching of a pastor with "bizarre beliefs" his character is seriously damaged. And, his judgment and credibility are highly questionable!

There is no way obama can spin his way out of this issue. It will haunt him throughout his political career and mak it impossible for him to win the general election.

Obama continues to change his story with more misinformation and obfuscation. This was not a "sacred relationship" but, it was a relationship that benefited Obama for some time. Now it is not politically profitable so it is discounted and discontinued?

Hillary Clinton 2008 and 2012! She is the only candidate who can take the Democrats to the Whit House! :)

Sharon   May 4th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I went to the local Anglican church in the westend of Vancouver, Canada this morning and the priest's whole sermon was the disgraceful way CNN has distorted the Rev. Wright and Barack Obama. CNN, you are having far reaching reactions to your biased coverage and it isn't pretty. I'm sure you won't print this.

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