Anderson, do not give Senator Obama an easy pass this eveining. Keep him accountable and insist of ownership

Please ask Senator Obama why he would still want to belong to church that is a Black separatist church when his rhetoric is about being united. Please ask him about the church's mission statement below.

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

Hi, Anderson!

I hope that Senator Obama will clear-up somethings with us about his minister and church.

With all do respect, as in many topics in the past, Senator Obama is trying to dismiss or divert this situation. By insinuating Rev. Wright, is nothing more than a loose lip uncle. Being a person of faith, I must say here, I do not seek my spiritual guidance and fellowship for such a divisive character. Senator Obama has stated on many occasions, Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a major influence in his life. Rev. Wright has been Obama's leading spiritual mentor, even indirectly giving the Senator the name of this book. Dr. Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ has been the Senator's spiritual foundation for the last twenty years. This is an information part of his growth as a leader!

The odds of attending a church for 20 years and remaining clueless to the Pastor's sermons does sound a little hard to believe. We'll see

I just don't see how one could attend a church for 10 years and not know that the pastors sernons are exactly positive.

I can't wait see Anderson interview Obama!!!

Anderson, come on. I know ratings matter, but the coverage of Sen. Obama and the Rev. Wright, Hillary Clinton and Ferraro..... Can we please move back to the issues and away from these truly non-issue, sensational events.

Let's put some things to rest. Was Obama sworn into office on a Bible or a Koran? Does he pledge allegance to the American flag or not? Will he represent all Americans if elected?
Thanks

It seems to me, if your pastor is using profanity such as "damn" and the "n" word, and you were a member of that church, it might be time to find a new church.

We can't blame one person, for what another says. We have to learn to discern...and realize who is saying what.
He seems confused as to why the minister is saying what he says... and so are the rest of us. Here's hoping the minister talks more about Jesus, and less about politics.

I hope Anderson will be a real reporter and ask the right questions and demand the real answers. I want to know why people stand behind a man who wants to run the country and protect the flag that he won't stand and pledge to. I know, I know this won't pass moderation either.

He didn't know about this until he started running for president. Sure...

Of course Rev. Jeremiah's statements are news to Obama. If he had known all these statements beforehand, he would have severed ties with him long before.

Obama is not the ONLY member of that church. He cannot tell the pastor what to say or what to think.

And what about the doctrine of "separation of church and state". It's not even Obama's religious statements that your hyping. It's that of an old man who's retired and you keep replaying the same extreme video. Let it go! Judge Obama for what Obama says and what has done, and what he says.

If you have evidence that Obama is racist or likely to bring that pastor into the White House, then repot it.

How can Senator Obama claim to be a person to unite when his spiritual mentor and adviser is clearly a separatist? At it's core, this seems to me to be in direct conflict. I would be rejecting that kind of message, not continue to support the foundation from which it came. On a personal note, if my spiritual leadership preached as Dr. Wright has done. I would not be standing in praise, but rather standing to walk out!

Jeremiah Wright just recently retired as of this year.

What happened to the new opening? Those words have never been spoken in any Church I've ever attended. They should not be spoken in God's house.

Hi Anderson,

The bottomline on controversial race-related comments, Clinton has Ferarro, Obama has Rev. Right and both left the campaigns. So it's a tie. In terms of condemning their respective backer's comments, Obama outright condemned it and Clinton has apologised for them. So it's still a tie and both did damage control fairly well.

This is becoming a recurring issue for Obama and i dont really know if theres anything he can do to correct it.

Personally, i dont care how 'pre-eminent' the pastor is, his comments are still disturbing.

I kind of wish people's religious outings & Sunday church sermons could be personal to them but I understand how this causes a firestorm.

Churches do preach controversial things. They don't like gays, they many times believe women are not equal to men.

I'm not sure to what degree we should dissect people's churches.

I just feel bad that this is going to be used in commercials like the Swift boat ads. I also feel bad that the pastor didn't think enough about Obama to tone down the rhetoric a bit. He could single handedly screw his chances and I hope that doesn't happen.

Obama is not confessing anything. He is lying. How can we have a president who belongs to a church that hates America.

Obama's "confession" is to little too late!

Obama claims he didn't hear about these remarks until he was running for president? That is impossible to believe, as inflammatory as those statements were it must have been the talk of the congregation at the time. That sounds like an excuse George Bush would give.

I just can't believe Obama never knew of these statements until he ran for president.

Wow! great job AC 360, getting to the bottom of the remarks made by Obama's pastor by getting to the source himself!
Although it slightly felt like you were attacking him.

Anderson, my pastor says alot of things that I do not agree with, but I am certainly not responsible for what he says. Also, have you ever watched the christian channels and heard what they say, seriously americans are smarter than this! CNN needs to go back to substansive journalism. this is nonsense

Um... my pastor and I have differing views on a lot of things. His views don't reflect on those of mine. I don't really know what the big deal is. So what Obama's pastor flies off the handle and says weird/bad stuff? Doesn't mean those are the thoughts of those in the church...

AC, you could see through that one, it was all over your face..

WOW! Barack, Go lie somewhere else..

My word he has friends who attend this church....come on....m I to believe no one ever came over to the Obama hom eand said...Wow, you should have heard Pastor Wright's sermon over Christmas. this is such a weak defence. This man is not ready to lead my country.

He can not detach himself from this.

Right on Anderson you nailed that question as I type. His judgement is too wishy washy for this female. No matter how you spin this it does not pass the smell test.

Was Obama at Church on Christmas when Wright made the remarks about Clinton? Wright was pointing to someone in the front "saying there is a man right here" then goes in to the rest of the Obama/Hillary Bill comments

Hi Anderson, I hope you will finally be the journalist that starts to ask some hard questions. It is too unbelievable that you can belong to a church for 20 years and never have heard the kind of sermons made by Reverend Wright. It was in 2001 that he claimed that it was US fault that 3000 American citizens were killed in 9/11. There is no possible way he could not have ever known about the kinds of sermons being preached in the church he belonged to.

This is not good for Obama. Hillary is drooling,

Pastor, needs to read the bible again, God in love not hate.

Please voters, when you say you would not dismiss an “old friend”
just because he had opinions that were not the same as your own,
you MUST remember that we are NOT electing someone to be your
friend.
We are electing someone to lead our country. There is a HUGE difference!

Your opening statement said that this issue "has the potential to derail his campaign". Strong, Unnecessary, and influential Words. What does this have to do with the issues? Trash News!!!

Clinton and Obama followers are SICK of all the sniping ON BOTH SIDES!

I have a hard time believing Barack. Why did he ever have such a close relationship with this man? Maybe there needs to be more said about the good the reverand has done. I still feel like this guy is a reflection of Barack, even if Barack says he isn't.

Let me get this right, Anderson. You're doing the job of Fox News, now?

This is crazy. How can Senator Obama have allowed his pastor to speak in this manner? Even though he wasn't present, he obviously heard about it, and did not put a stop to it!

What context? You went to the church for 20 years, and THAT is the context!

I have never been more proud of Anderson Cooper than I am tonight. Thank you for not backing down to Barack Obama. I do not think Barack is being honest here.

It seems hard to believe that no one ever approached Obama while he was attending service regularly to let him know what the pastor was saying about him. I think that Senator Obama needs to come out and say I not only condemn the messages that are in question about myself and Senator Clinton, but I condemn the fact that the pulpit was used for anything other than spreading and teaching the Word of God.

Why would Obama attend a church whose minister preached
such sermons? I certainly hope he is not elected.

Really, I must say that for the past two weeks or maybe more, I have not heard anything on the issues of these campaigns, it is either a story of Geraldine Ferraro or Reverend Wright, or RACE or SEXISM. When can the media move on

If my pastor went off the rails on any given Sunday and I wasn't at church, I promise you somebody would call and tell me and I'm not running for president, senator or state legislature. This is the audacity of harp!

Either way it's very bad for Obama. If it's discovered that he was aware of Wright's comments before now it' s all over for him. If he really was unaware,that's bad too .We already have an unaware President "what gas is $4 a gallon....I didn't hear that?????

Dwayne Richardson March 14th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

Anderson, come on. I know ratings matter, but the coverage of Sen. Obama and the Rev. Wright, Hillary Clinton and Ferraro….. Can we please move back to the issues and away from these truly non-issue, sensational events.

=================

Dwayne, while i agree that these are 'sensational events' and the other campaigns, and journalists, will keep bringing this up. But i think its still important to ask about them so people can see if that rhetoric has had an effect on Obama, and what those effects are.

This also involves big differences between black churches and white churches.

I know that most of those comments shown were controversial but I have heard ministers make many controversial social and political statements in church.

Also, please ask the Senator if he did or did not say that Rev. Jeremiah Wright is his "mentor".

i attended church faithfully for years. did i always agree with everything that my pastor preached about? no. if every person who disagreed with at least one view of their pastor left their church, i don't think there would be many people in the pews on sunday.

good evening everyone.

It's hard to believe that Obama has never heard the particular speeches of Rev. Wright's that have recently been exposed by the media. Obama was clearly the main topic of some of these speeches. He never heard them, or heard of them? Rev. Wright has every right to his opinions. That's Freedom of Speech. But we also have the Freedom to Listen. Or Not Listen. And regardless of his denials, Obama's been listening for 20 years. As as a Obama supporter, it's troubling to say the least....

I think if Senator Obama knew that he was going to run for President I feel that he would of changed church along time ago.

This is ridiculous!!!

Why is Obama being held accountable for another man's words?

Why isn't John McCain being held accountable for the words of his Catholic-Hating Minister friend?

Before this broke, people were going on and on about him being MUSLIM...and now they want to latch on to this?

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

Rebecca, when your pastor preaches hate would you STAY in that church. Most people who find a fundamental difference with what their pastor is telling them will find a new church.

Give me a break–in 20 years he never heard Rev. Wright make these kinds of statements? Right!!!!

AC, I listened to the words, but it was clear to me that it is coming from the lips and not from the heart.. There is something VERY superficial. He did not express outrage.. disgust.. nothing.. No real disappointment.. "there was no need to talk about anyone that way?"

America is going to have to deal with it, FAST!! This is unbelievable!!

Did Obama not know the pastor had given an award to Farrakhan?

Thank you for asing him some tougher questions, I appreciate it.

Barak Obama is shocked, shocked to find out anti-American, racist statements have been going on in a church he has been attending for 20 years.

Does anyone think that MLK is a radical? He made some inflammatory statements about the US as well, and he preached about hope and unity.

He just loss my vote!!

A simple, ancient truth: A man can be judged by the company he keeps.

Have we forgotten the comments that republican conservative reverends Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said in the '700 Hundred Club" that 9-11 we can thanks "homos, feminists and liberals" for it? And they put Bonzo's pal Reagan in the White House in 1980? So what's the big deal with Mr. Obama's reverend comments? Feedback, please.

Anderson:

Why does anyone go to church to hear a pastor preach about politics? I don't watch CNN to hear a sermon. CNN is for news, politics,etc. Church is to learn more about Jesus and God.

I am a Mormon and people were worried about Mitt Romney having the Mormon Church run the the country. Not so. We do not mention politics AT ALL during any of our meetings. We are simply reminded the Sunday before elections to do our duty as citizens and vote our choice in all elections.

Politicians also do not need to go to church to give political speeches. Maybe they would be doing better if they went and listened to a real sermon.

Telling your congregation to hate America is not a view, it is incitment to riot.

Blacks should be ashamed of this man....racism goes two ways.

Anderson,

You can't tell me that Barack never heard any of this talk from Rev. Wright when he went to the church. Did Rev Wright only talk this way when Barack wasn't there? 20 years of going to this church, come on now....are we all stupid????????????????

Anderson -

if Obama is so against the comments of the pastor and the church, and would have left the church had he heard the comments, whe didn't he quit the church tonight?

Absolutely no way a person could be a member of this church for twenty years and not understand the hatred being preached about our Country.

Good interview. I think Rev. Wright and McCain's nutty religious sponsors should come on and debate one-another.

Now THAT would be good television!

interested to know if what senator obama says tonite.. changes anybody's mind.. ?

This interview is totally ridiculous. The entire congregation is on its feet with applause for this preacher – how can Barack say that the church did not agree with the comments? Is he literally the only one in the congregation who did not agree with the comments?

Compared to Ferraro's comments, this is so much more outrageous. If one of Hillary's supporters said anything like this, she would be done. This country is blind, and naive.

interesting.. some of you are saying this is non-news and doesnt matter, but it certainly seems to be something that people are talking about.. and from the majority of comments it seems like there are strong feeling about this story

I seriously doubt that Obama had no clue about what his pastor was saying. Even if he wasn't in church regularly, I'm sure people talked about these sermons. And to the person above, it's one thing to disagree with something your pastor said, but what this pastor was saying is totally unacceptable and if I belonged to a church in which the pastor talked about others in this way, you better believe I would be walking out that door!!

If it can be proven Obama EVER attended one of these sermons he is DONE. He just said he never knew about them.

I bet he did

He can throw Rev. Wright under the bus, but he won't leave that racist church. What a sham. Obama is lying. He can't get a free pass on this one.

Why does every one hold the candidates responsible for comments other people make? Obama is not responsible for his minister, Hillary is not responsible for Geraldine,and McCain is not responsible for Cunningham. I'm getting tired of hearing every day of another comment that the candidates are distanting them from. Let's stick to the issues and forget this other nonsense.

In covering this subject of Rev. Wright, I would urge you to try to educate people about the tradition of such preaching in black and white evangelical churches alike. This is not confined to Rev. Wright or African-American churches. You have a responsibility to also show how Barack Obama has LIVED a life of openness, tolerance, peacemaking, community organizing, and bringing people together. It's sickening that you make someone - such a person of class - like Senator Obama ha ve to prove his love of country when so much of his life AS LIVED has exemplified these high ideals.

Quit being a sheep and following the other media like Fox TV. Why not cover the deserving issues? And by the way, what an awful question at the end to ask Senator Obama if he would sing "God Bless America." That is very demeaning and offensive to this man who has given decades of public service to America.

Perhaps Obama does not have the "judgement" he profeses that he has. He is either not telling the truth about his knowledge of the Reverend's racial diatribe's or he is extraordinarily naive. Either of these characteristics would not be great on the resume for a future president. It is also quite suspicious that Michelle Obama said she was only recently proud of America for the first time. That statement simply cannot be ignored in light of the fact that these folks have been members of this church for two decades.

Does Obama ecpect the nation to believe that in 20 years he never heard about his pastor's coments? I think this is a matter of his credibility.

The comments do not reflect my beliefs. I have known my minister for twenty years, he is like an uncle to me, his comments came as a complete shock to me. Obama needs to get to know his advisors better before spending twenty years with them. God bless all Americans except on Sundays and religous holidays.

I am here watching the show and I am curious. When Sen. Obama was asked whether he sould sing God Bless America he never answered the question. He laughed it off with some remark about his talent but I would have liked to have a straight answer.

What is on that tape is very hateful and disturbing. I don't mind if America elect s a black, white, christian or a monk for President...just please make sure you don't not elect a racist.

Good evening Anderson,
There is no contrition there whatsoever.... Where's the conscience?
It was completely a political statement. That did not touch the heart at all... and it was obvious.

Cant hoodwink and bamboozzle us!! We are too well trained by the expert investigator, Anderson Cooper!

Princeton University, $300,000 dollar a year job, book royalties, and Obama's not rich?

It sounds "good" in a sermon, but it's flim-flam.

For those who think pastor Wright is using profanity. Damn is in the bible.

Anderson, how can anyone believe Obama is a patriot? You should have made him sing. I don't think he loves his country. I think he has ulterior motives for being president. How can he be a member of a church for 20 years and not know what his pastor is preaching? Jeez. Does Obama think we're morons? I don't buy it for a minute.

It is incredulous to believe that Obama had no idea that his Pastor views on America, Race, …. These were incendiary remarks and I am certain Obama either heard them from the Pastor or from the folks who attended one of these sermons!! Come on Obama I expected better from him.

Jose

unfortunately, your average american will not take the time to understand all of this...they will just get thrown around with the rest of the mud...

I go to my church and the minister is generally picked by the church to reflect the beliefs of that church. So why would he be going to a church like that?

Could 20 years of indoctrination with this hate speech at church be why Michelle Obama has never been proud of America in her adult life? This is a couple of great wealth and privilege, yet she especially just doesn't seem to be happy with her country.

I agree with Obama. I simply believe these are the views of his old pastor. He has no control over what anyone says.

Memo to the Obama campaign: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone-This guy makes Gerry Ferraro sound like a Hallmark Card! In the future you might not get so indignant when campaign surrogates step out of line!

I watched the interview and Barry has a huge problem. it is not believeable by anyone that he did not know this "Rev" is a black racist, hate monger and anti-american. Just wait to see what HC does with this. it will be brutal.

Anderson,
As a former Obama supporter, I find this Pastor vile. I cannot believe that my favorite candidate could not distance himself further than he already has. To "Damn American is just a disgrace" and he did not answer you when you asked him if he would sing God Bless America, but laughed, and did not answer. Very upsetting.

Rev. Wright's fiery sermon took place on Dec. 25th. It is hard to believe that Mr. Obama and his team were unaware of Wright's incendiary sermon when this same team was quick to inflame the public regarding Geraldine Ferraro's recent comments.

Obama fails to appreciate the weight of his close association with a man with these views. His failure to outright denounce Rev. Wright is frightening.

I watched the Olbermann and Major Garrett interviews with Obama as well tonight and you did the best job Anderson on interviewing him. Great work.

My worst nightmare would be Obama becomes president, and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright becomes the White House Chaplain!

Obama never answered your question about saying 'God Bless America' with a simple "Yes" or "No". His answer was indirect and disturbing.

I wish the media would spend half as much time on covering the issues that they do on tabloid sensationalism. Now it is important to hold the candidates accountable for what other people say just because they know them? It just confirms to me that the focus of the media is just political theater. The views that are really important are buried under useless tripe.

I heard the pastor talk on TV today. Mr. Obama is a not convincing. The
way this pastor is talking it is not a one time thing. Mrs. Obama also
mentioned earlier....that this is the first time she is(or) will be proud
of this country ..... I think both may be connected. Things are not
clear here.....

I don't understand why Obama didn't distance himself from this man Wright a long time ago. There are plenty of churches one can go to. Especially if you want to be president. Wright is Obama's spiritual advisor? Would that continue if he was president? I think it causes more racial division Why does Wright say Obama is not rich? It's quite confusing. I don't think I want to vote Obama. Disillusioned.

This "sermon" in the form of ranting and raving against priveleged white people of America by Barack Obama's anti-while pastor is very disturbing and is a definite red flag for American voters.

The fact that Barack admits how close he still is to this pastor and maintains firmly that he continues to attend this church is also disturbing.

This particular ranting and raving by his pastor is obviously not an isolated instance and is a part of his distorted viewpoint. Most of America til now believed Barack would never associate himself with people of this kind. It is a shame.

My God, until today, I fought for Barack. TODAY, I'm sorry, I will just back-out and not vote. His "pastor" who married Barack and baptized his children is an absolute IDIOT AND MADMAN....JUST LIKE GEORGE W. BUSH (FULL OF HATE). i'm just not going to have any responsibility with this next election....it's just EVIL!

tThis is a sad commontary on the state of american race. YES I am a African American women .Do I think that what the Rev. said was untrue, that this country is run by rich white people. if not them please tell me who? This is another attempt to distract from the true problems of this nation, such as the economy the war, education poverty, health care and yes RACE. but i'm sure you won't print this.

I think we can see why we need a man like Obama. Now even though he could not admit it. I will the pastor is VERY CORRECT, about SOME THINGS. Indeed Hiliary did not face as much discrimination as Obama did and probably STILL DOES face, despite his current status.

They say the truth is a bitter pil to swallow, the pastor spoke truth, and Obama is correct that Older African Americans are still stuck in the civil rights era, now thats also a completely wrong view, in an age with Millionare blacks, from entertainers to CEO's things have changed.

But Obama I believe handled himself well, but it is strange to have somebody preaching unity to have such a Pastor at odds with him!

David is right. The media needs to dig deeper into this and see how many times sermons like this was preached.

Cynthia, Ga.

20 years of being brain washed, be careful America.

Anerson I thought surely you would have ask Obama why he refused to wear the American Flag on his lapel this year...sounds like to me he shares his preachers views

Why did you have to "leave it at that" for the God Bless America statement?? The feelings about patriotism is the issue under fire here.

Thank you Tony Perkins! What about the church bulletin and the church newsletters? CNN can you obtain copies of the church newsletters? What else does this man write about?

Anderson, did you notice that he did not give you an answer when you asked him about singing God Bless America? Why didnt you follow up on that! Also, he is part white raised by his white mother and her family and abandoned by his black father, so why does he claim only his black heritage and not the white side of him? Is he ashamed to be part white?

Rev Wright's method of preaching does seem to harden hearts more than soften hearts. I believe Senator Obama wants to do just the opposite.

Since the crowds shown on each of these clips seems to be enthusiastically responding to everything Rev Wright is saying, it seems many of these constituents agree with what is being said.

I did not hear a solid answer from Obama about singing the National Anthem. Also there is no way that anyone will belong to a church that goes against his or her beleifs.

As a black woman I am outraged and angered by the way the media is portraying this issue by rev. Wright. Our long standing history of racism, slavery and discrimination is not that old or in the distance of our mind. Black people are still experiencing racism and discrimination to this day. The older generation of black people have experienced this WICKED INJUSTICE!!! first hand. So let's not be sooo condemning because older generation white americans helped caused this anger and racism, slavery and injustice in the first place.

Anderson,
I see a man trying to walk a fine line. I question his judgment, apparently that of youth. Even without his personna and education, he is too young to judge his own friends, if he wants to run for President. I question his ability to discern whom and how to trust advisors. Either he is too naive and trusting or he is schizophrenic. This is a man who is not astute, despite his education. (Of course he knew what his pastor said!)

Are people really surprised that there is still anger in black america? However ugly or inappropriate this statements may be there is still some truth to what is being said. You would have to be a fool to believe that this is the only thing that is being preached in this church. As far as I know churches offer many other influences. It is not all based on what one mans says. We should have learned that from the current president.

As a church going Christian I can't believe Obama didn't know the pasor's feelings after 16 years in his church. I have left churches more than once because pastors displayed inappropriate values. I was undecided before this but now support Clinton.

The mudslinging is is disgusting. This was put out there to stir it up.
Actually, can anyone deny that what the pastor said is true about this country's past? This latest mud shows how threatened Hillary and her camp are. This is why I will not now vote for Hillary.

David Gergen is Barack Obama's number 1 apologist. So much for his objective credentials....

Anderson, I held CNN to a high standard, your coverage of this nonsense has put CNN in the garbage witht the other trash peddling media outletsk, what a waste

Help!!! A storm in downtown Atlanta causing damage! Please tell me Robin Meade and all of the other members of the CNN news family in Atlanta are alright!

I would hope that no man is judged by the actions of another man. all I can say is judge me for my actions and not my brothers.

David Gergen is right that the election is about the issues but people are very concerned about this issue and, please, do not diminish our need to trust the judgment of our candidates.

Barack Obama has lost his chance to be president. Its just as important how you stand on teh issues as how you stand, period.

Hi Anderson,

Are you now going to ask all the politicians that come on your show if they don't mind singing "God Bless America"? Or only the African American ones who are accused of sympathy with the "Un-American" statements of their pastor? I look forward to a thorough examination of all the sermons given by all the ministers, pastors, etc. of all the presidential candidates on your show.

Obama said, "I CAN'T object strongly enough" to the comments. If he CAN'T object, he is, in essence, in support of the reverend's comments. Further, he states he is pro United States and then says "but". Again, the "but" negates the first statement. Last, he never did say he would sing patriotic songs in a different venue. That says a lot.

Great job, AC...true, I don't agree with everything my friends or mypastor believes either...but if there was such a chasm in our beliefs, especially from my pastor, I would kindly remove myself from such an influence. This is a difficult one to take from the good Senator. And yes...it is an important political point worthy of news...he's running for the President of our country.

David G. is right again…let’s get back to the issues…the economy, the war... It’s more important that we know Barack’s stance on the issues…

What did the Rev say about Obama and Clinton that wasn't true?

Basically, those Americans who understand 'The Audacity of Hope' and have EXPERIENCED an Obama gathering,

... could really CARE LESS. and will continue

the crusade.

Can you believe this guy??? Obama just sat there and lied not only to Anderson Cooper but straight to the American people. Number one this pastor has had these views for a long time. Everyone in america heard about the sermon on the "chickens coming home to roost.', after 911. He says he did not. This was from HIS church. If he is that out of touch and did not, is he who you want for president? There is no way he had not heard about that sermon and the others, no way. He has advisors, many advisors, there is no way this was not brought to his attention right from the start and he chose to ignore it. Now he is caught and he is lying.

I found Mr. Obama's responses to be questionably genuine. My support for Obama is in jeopardy. It is very hard to belive that after 20 years Barack could be suprised by the Pastor's comments.

Lori you said "The odds of attending a church for 20 years and remaining clueless to the Pastor’s sermons does sound a little hard to believe. We’ll see"

They were two sermons what the hell are you people talking about??!!

The last time I checked, most people go to the church where they feel most comfortable. Based on his words, he does not agree with this, but his emotions and body language told me he was just trying to make a cushion for himself. He is inspiring to others. Now that I know this, maybe it's for the wrong reasons. I'm voting for Hillary.

David Gergen is right again. Let's get back to the issues.

This guy is one slick dude.

Anderson;

I think that perhaps Obama's Pastor is ill. His ravings sound like that of a very ill man. Perhaps that should be the focus for a moment.

I can sympathize with Obama. As a devout Catholic, I occasionally find myself on the defensive for individual statements that I may not agree with. I was dismayed at Pope Benedicts remarks that offended Muslims, but many of his other writings and beliefs have touched me deeply. I have yet to find a preacher or priest I agree with 100% of the time. I think we need to see more than two minute snippets to judge Mr. Wright.

Why is Barack being held responsible for something his pastor says in his own church? As an African American I know that what Rev. Wright says will not be understood by white America. We have had a very different experience. Wright's experience and expression of it has nothing to do with Barack.

@ Anderson,
how many people hurt or damage in Altanta GA tonight tornado strikes? or any people die?

I understand that there were terrible injustices done in the past and nothing can ever make up for that, but if white people are going to be made to apologize for the rest of eternity for them, then the least african-americans can do is also acknowledge the amount of racism they spew as well. It seems to be a double-edged sword. No one, including Barack Obama, can unite a country if everyone doesn't step up and accept responsibility for their own actions.

Being a Christian is not about hate, be it to justify racistism and prejustice of black or whites.

Kathy what issues?

He just said it was a part of the churchs tradition...how did Obama miss that?

Condemning America is not hating America? I do not think Reverend Martin Lutehr King would agree with that.

AC, do you think it reflects good on Obama's judgment that he never questioned the pastor BEFORE running for the presidency, never issued a statement condemning the views of the pastor after the 2002 statements?

Roland keeps trying to obfuscate the issue at hand! His voice evens sounds different.

Can someone read the history of the christians in the various parts of the world. Whites have in the past oppressed the blacks/slaves using the bible and what pastor wright is saying is th truth

This is a lynching...
I can't believe some of the comments here.

This Reverend comes out of the black experience, the civil rights movement, and the politics of the past...

This is part of the experience of black America....which until really quite recently has been pretty terrible.

I know that if you took clips from my Unitarian Minister, over the last 20 years, you could come up with thing that sound bad...because he, too has talked about social problems.

A lot of this is what you might hear at many black churches...and if Reverend Wright was always like this, he would not be respected in this country as he is. The United Church of Christ is a National Church, black and white.

What makes this harder for white Americans is the style of delivery..something they are not used to hearing.

I am a white woman, someone who would probably be though to be firmly in the Hillary demographic...and I reject this tarring of this Church, and especially of one of the finest men in American politics,
Barack Obama.

Anderson,

Obama must be the only church goer who does not know what his preacher preaches. With this sort of attention to main themes I dont think he should run for office.

Great interview. This IS about the issues, because if you want any of the country's issues resolved, we need a candidate who can beat McCain in November. It is no longer possible for Obama to do that. When the 527s roll out their ads showing rescuers at Ground zero on September 16, 2001 still trying to save the victims of the attacks and Rev Wright AT THE SAME TIME saying 9/11 was America's "chickens come home to roost," Obama won't win a single swing state.

Anderson, please keep us posted on the possible tornado in Atlanta. We're concerned with the people there. Please let us know how we can help.

anderson why isn't cnn bringing to the forefront John Mccain embracing John Hagee endorsement ? That's not news or information that your viewers need to hear?

I do not at all endorse the racist dialogue promulgated by Wright. However, I do not believe that we should not interrogate the damaging policies of the United States. I would never say G-D America, but I would say that we should not wear blinders about what this country has done in the past.

Interesting that Obama's church just happens to be switching pastors right now...I wonder if the pastor was given an incentive...a generous retirement gift to encourage his retirement...

I think we should stay on the issues that are effecting our country today and not continue to get distracted by racial rhetoric.
I agree with the gentleman on your panel that stated we have to realize that African Americans and Whites view and think differently based on American experiences. Yet , we are all Americans and respect our country.

I feel lucky to be a part of such a historical presidential campaign, and am still undecided as to who I will vote for, but Mr. Obama's pastor's words are disturbing. The pastor must know that Mr. Obama is half caucasian, and wasn't the single parent that brought him up his white mother?

Anderson Cooper I am so dissapointed in this attempt to undermind the integrety of Sen Obama because of the statements made by Rev. Wright. There have been many times I have sat in church in disagreement about what I heard by a pastor. It does not mean that I am governed by everything I hear. I am intelligent enough to to discern what I can use and what I can disregard in my life. Not all peolple are influenced by the same message. Pleases discuss what is important to the american poeple like the economy.

Sam, sorry to inform you, but this has been out for a year and hannity started investigating it.

Now we see where he learned his "oratory skills"!

AC, does the church that Obama attended have registration for attendance that can be used to corroborate Senator Obama's claims and can CNN verify Senator Obama's claim that he never heard it personally?

Watch Obama's side make this be all Hillary's fault...or they could blame Canada...anything but take responsibility.

Robert.....issues are important but remember that Senator Obama agrees that judgment matters – he has said that.

My feelings for Obama have definitely changed.
I really think the people of United States have an obligation to research Senator Obama and what he believes before they give him an office to lead all the people in the country.

I will say this, at least we're off the "Obama is a muslim" story...

Anderson, your rightwing tendencies are starting to show. How condescending of you to make that asinine comment about singing God Bless America. I can't wait to see how you whitewash the recorded statements of McCain supporters Hagee and Parsley. If you even allude to them. Of course, their hatefulness is part of the right wing mantra, so its hands off from the MSM.

So, my ancestors were enslaved by the Egyptians, does that mean I love Egypt more.
Gergen and Martin are trying very hard to cover Obama's butt.
Not buying it!

No Anderson...This new controversy has not changed my opinion of Barack...

Just because a person is a MEMBER of a church does NOT mean they ATTEND church on a regular basis.! So, they wouldn't know what the pastor is saying every Sunday.

Also, even if a person DOES attend church every Sunday, this does NOT mean that they pay attention to what the pastor is saying! We tune them out.

Dig into the church Hillary goes to. What has HER pastor said over the last 20 years? Or, maybe she's not a member of a church? Hmmmm..."Hillary The Heathen" now there's a story for you!

Anderson – you say if you drop these "sensational" stories that other journalists or media will continue to bring them up. Well, why don't you be the first to stop, maybe the others will follow. It has to stop with someone and why not you. We know Fox won't stop, but who pays attention to them these days. Maybe we can get MSNBC to follow suit since they make the same argument as you do – the everyone else is doing it excuse.

Please, issues, politics, not this nit-picking.

sraghavan, can't remember the last time I signed in when I went to church.

This year has just proved how race, gender and religion are still a big issue in America.

Thank you Roland! You have REALLY done a great job tonight.

Religion divides .

Lilibeth, we will have an update for you from Atlanta in just a few minutes. I can tell you I spoke to my neighbor there - about 2 miles from CNN - and she experienced some "wild hail" and lost power. No tornadoes in our neighborhood, but definite wind and she told me it is eerily quiet...

This is why religion and politics don't mix. Let it go.

I thank the Lord that Mr. Wright has retired from the pulpit. I will pray that Obama will not be president of this nation.

Mike you will be more insulted when you find out the truth!!!

do you know if there was any warning about this tornado or did it come out of the blue?

Anderson, is this story worth so much air time? I understand that it should be covered, but aren't the real issues of this campaign health care, the environment, the economy, and the wars?

Its about time people see Obama's a man,and not a god that walks on water.