Comments on: Erica's News Note: Serial nightmares

By: Kathie

Kathie — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:00:21 +0000

It was absolutely brillant of Anderson Cooper to ask him to sing and
watch Obama evade it and squirm. Tell me Anderson was it a planned question to close with or was it a spur of a momen thing
when it dawned on you what Obama is really all about.
That sign behind Obamam "Change" really is scary now and takes
on a whole new meaning after hearing the type of spiratual
guidance he has been getting for the last twenty years.

By: Barry, IL

Barry, IL — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:58:00 +0000

Senator Obama might not hear about the particular piece of sermons different medias are airing, but he cannot claim that he did not know Pastor Wright is very controversial. I just don't undersand why pastor deal with such issues instead of preaching what's written in the Bible. And Pastor is not an axception. Some of our pastors preachers preach politics, sociology, history..more than they do the direct content of the Bible.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:40:53 +0000

I agree you can't go to a church for that time frame and not know what your pastor is saying.... And then to state he is your mentor ; and not know what this mentor is preaching. Talk about wanting your cake and eating it too. Then to top it off did any one hear Obama say when asked to sing God Bless America ..... yes !!! I will sing God Bless America, just not right now. NO, when asked...he said well I will not sing now and then Coop said ok I'll let it go at that. yet Obama never said yes. I would like to have someone ask him that again.

By: Charlene Harris

Charlene Harris — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:38:16 +0000

Why not admit that race is as part of America as motherhood and apple pie. When will we face the truth about what we have done to other people, say the Native American for example. Do you think that Native American's see this country in the same way as white Americans. Of course not. Is America going to get angry because Native American's don't think Columbus was the great discoverer as portrayed by American History. Why would you get angry at them. Think about what happened to Native Americans when the white man stepped foot on this continent. It was not a good experience for them. I think it is arrogant to say that the way white people see our country is the only acceptable way for it to be seen. Charlene

By: Nandini Shah

Nandini Shah — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:45:46 +0000

This pastor’s comment does not surprise me and it is impossible to believe that Obama never new about it and about its mentor. We heard about Obama's one lie that Tony Rasco collected $250,000 donation instead $150,000 over ten year period previously declared by Obama. If we keep asking again and again he will confess Rasco collected $250 million and he (Obama ) one caucuses using this money. Some how I always felt Obama is a manipulator.

By: Chris in NH

Chris in NH — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:45:25 +0000

Has Roland Martin been hired by the Obama campaign?

By: monika

monika — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:42:17 +0000

I don't believe Senator Obama -Would like to know if he went to the church post 9/11. If he was present, better yet if there is a video tape where he is shown in it.

I think news media should do their research.

Regarding asking Senator Obama to sing...Ridiculous...no one will sing on National T.V. if they are running for President...wait John McCain did...bomb iran...bomb Iran

By: Jimmy Lopez

Jimmy Lopez — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:20:44 +0000

Anderson Cooper was easy on Obama....Anderson forgot he is a professional journalist ,and not an Obama fanatic...........

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:20:07 +0000

Something to consider!!! On the very night that CNN attempted to expose excerpts of Barrack Obama's pastor's sermon stating that his comments have no Biblical nor spiritual merrit . Well, it's ironic that the very news center that promoted its bias position against Reverend Wright's comments gets hit by a Phenomenal storm which is very rare and possibly historical for downtown's Atlanta central business district. One must ask from a Biblical perspective (Isaiah 66:14-15)why was the CNN center area devastated and most impacted by a tornado or a whirlwind which has a directed path from the Creator while the discussion was being aired. CNN stick with the POLITICAL race of the candidates !!!

By: Pat Pickrahn

Pat Pickrahn — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:16:11 +0000

Your making too much out of what Obama's Pastor said. Ever
been to a Catchlic Church listen too Coglin. This is stupid.
The Priests say horrible things about all the candidates all the
time. But to listen to this Minister, it's not that bad. It seems
like it came out of the Clinton Camp.

By: Aida Gurwicz

Aida Gurwicz — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:51:36 +0000

Anderson,
I watch your show regularly and always come away with the feeling that all sides have been fairly represented. At least that was how I felt until tonight's show about the Wright – Obama connection. You let Roland Martin do what he always does; spout his "message" and never answer a question. Then there is the anything but balanced position of David Gergen. I used to think that he was a competent political analyst. He's not and should not be CNN's Senior Political Analyst. He's Obama's Senior Apolgist. I was totally stunned to hear him say that Wright's hate-mongering sermons were unique to black churches and that the problem is that white people don't understand black churches. Really Anderson, just how stupid does Gergen and CNN think we are? And speaking of stupid, does Obama really believe that anyone will buy into his protestations of , "I never heard him say those things?" He's been mentored by this rascist "uncle" for 20 years and he doesn't know that Wright is a hate-monger? How often did he attend church over the last 17 years. If we are to believe Obama heard nothing in all those years and all those sermons, not very often.

By: I. Rashada

I. Rashada — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:24:11 +0000

What is CNN's commitment to balanced reporting? There have been numerous replays of Rev. Wright's comments, but the limited replays of the ministers who have made religiously and/or racially charged negative comments who are supporting Mr. Mc-Cain are strongly apparent.

I appreciate the earlier opportunity for Mr. Obama to provide his perspective during your interview. However, in fairness and integrity, please air Mr. McCain's ministers' comments equally. There are so many immediate references to other persons that it is not clear what the ministers themselves were saying. Thank you.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:19:30 +0000

Did Anderson pay attention to the issues Katrina raised??? Is Anderson REALLY surprised that a black man of that age is ANGRY at the POWERS THAT BE for RACISM that was not ONLY the NORM during his lifetime, but it was the LAW??

I'm a 40 year old white man, who went to private schools and can't possibly understand what it feels like to be a member of an OPPRESSED minority. BUT, I sure as HE, I can understand why someone who IS, might not be happy about the way in which his country has behaved towards people that look like him. Get your facts straight Anderson, you are an ignorant fool. Emphathize with the suffering of blacks and you will understand.

By: lb

lb — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:19:00 +0000

Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!,my god ,what god was Obamas pastor talking about ,my god is agod of love each other ,black and white we are all gods creatures .that is how you teach equality.MR,OBAMA,is very very hard to accept that you did not know about it ,for God sakes the man was your mentor and inspire your books title.By the way we all could tell that perhaps you were
not telling the honest true.............Im sorry wait until maybe 2016.

ps,change your church it will help,,,,,,,,,

By: Wade

Wade — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:13:54 +0000

I would like anyone to refute what the reverend said, did we not bomb Cambodia? and other countries, why do we love to bury our heads in the sand when someone is telling the truth.
Those of us in the African American community do not put anything past the US government. Remember the experiment on black men in Alabama.

By: Peppita Poerwowidagdo, Surabaya, INDONESIA

Peppita Poerwowidagdo, Surabaya, INDONESIA — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:11:39 +0000

But what the pastor said was true, right ?
Can't a pastor speak the truth in his own church ?

By: jake

jake — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:03:40 +0000

obama is done.....march 15 is the Ides of March. March 15 is the Ides of Obama or the death of a presidential bid. Put a fork in him. He is done. He is guilty either by association or lack of judgement of having an association. If a member white preacher said hateful comments about jews, gays, blacks, or women, anyone associated with that person would have a political hot potato on their hands. And, that is what Obama has now and he is burnt and done. Ciao.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:02:42 +0000

Rev. Wright is a victim of the attack on Senator Obama. As the new young pastor of Obama's church mentioned, Rev. Wright's many years of service in the church have in one day been reduced to a toxic 30 second sound bite. I'm sure there are many American preachers, both black and white, who could be equally smeared.

The truth is Obama's political record cannot be attacked. His personal life cannot be attacked. His writing and speeches cannot be attacked, so his opponents are attacking everyone around him in an effort to undermine him by association. It is a pathetic and tragic attempt to prevent a worthy presidential candidate from taking office and enacting real healing and change.

I am increasingly concerned about the attempt the Clinton campaign is making to incite the black community to anger. If the media plays into this they will be fanning the flames of a potentially greater tragedy. It is my prayer that the media will be motivated by humanity rather that ratings and those who are insulted by veiled and overt racism will maintain clear heads. I am profoundly impressed by Barack Obama's choice to respond honestly and compassionately to those who strive to deeply wound him and those he loves. He stands as a model for all Americans. I hope I will be able to call him Mr. President with pride and honor.

By: Mirella

Mirella — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:02:02 +0000

To pretend that race does not continue to be an issue in the US, as it is in many other societies, is nothing short of sticking one's head in the sand. While not condoning the incendiary tone and message of the Reverend's sermon/s under current review, some of the statements made by Wright about the racial divide are correct (simple fact checks can verify this) and reflect wounds-in both the White and Black communities -that remain to be healed. Wounds, which unfortunately no presidential candidates, current ones included, have had the courage to address in any meaningful way during their campaigns.

That said, while it may be difficult for some to believe that Obama could belong to a church for two decades and not be affected by the beliefs of the Reverend, one should assess the Senator's past and current speech and actions before passing judgement. To date, there appears to be no evidence that anything he has said or done supports the Reverend's divisive message.

Additionally, while there remains issues to be addressed, the US has come a long way with regard to race relations, reflected in the wide ranging support for Obama's campaign. And for this, America should be proud. Don't let a couple misguided sermons by an old generation leader throw you off track.

A foreign observer in Washington D.C.

By: MaryBeth Lunsford

MaryBeth Lunsford — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:01:27 +0000

Hi Anderson, I know you will dig deep & keep `em honest. Your story on Michelle Obama on Thursday night exposed to me a black woman who will stop at nothing to promote the black agenda. She came across as being racist, especially coupled with her own anti-american comments.PLEASE dig around some of those older tapes from Barack Obamas' church. This is a very serious matter. This could very well divide our Nation. I, like most others, do not believe he knew nothing about this side of his Pastor.