Randi,
I thought it was the Latino voters that were the swing voters so the media was making it out to be. So why the big change to it being the white male? Can you all not make up your minds or what?

I do have to agree with the men in your article. Obama does need to show more of what he'd do for the working class than he has. But I don't think that is just for the white male votes I think that is for all working class people regardless of race or gender.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

As a member of SEIU local 399. I believe Obama has to make his position clear for the working families. Is he going to raise taxes on the working families making more than 50,000./year? Talk is cheap.
His talk verses his walk. That is where the rubber meets the road. He is an eloquent speaker, full of words. But when you examine his words and his actions, there is a gap.

Isn't the most important qualification experience? What has Obama done as a Sen. that shows he practiced the governmental "change" that he preaches?

I was in favor of Obama until I heard his pastor.
I will never vote for a racist for President. Obama and all his church are nothing but racist.
If my church put out a sign which read "unashamedly White" would that seem racist to anyone?
I won't vote for hate.
The END

Obama's going to have some difficulty with connecting to working class voters because he aligns more closely with higher income very liberal voters. Those are two completely different classes of individuals. If Obama is successful in making inroads with this class of individuals, it's only because he's been able to find the right words and not because he actually understands the needs and beliefs of the working class.

Why is everyone dancing around the fact that Obama lied on AC360 Friday night? he said he never heard those remarks by his Pastor and that he never knew that he ever made remarks like that until he began to run for President.
He Lied! He is no different from any other politician. He talks out of both sides of his mouth! One side denounces the Pastor and the other side says he will not cut him off because he understands what he is talking about!
How can you support what someone says but denounce him for saying it!
We've been hoodwinked, bamboozled and deceived!

BHO has said he was not on the ballot in Florida. True or false. Did Obama do some advertising in Florida even though delegates weren't suppose to count,. Please answer these questions.

Thanks
Joy

I believe we've had the finest example today of what Mr. Obama, and more important, the nation, is capable of.

He wants to transcend the "race debate" and have all Americans united to form a (more) "perfect union," which, my fellow citizens, is what this whole ball of wax is all about. Not division, not attending to the words of surrogates, not the old vision of past years and worn-out Washington bureaucrats.

As a working diplomat, I've seen the steady decline in our reputation and standing overseas, and now domestically, as credible financial institutions, mortgage brokers, and working class Americans fail.

We need to restore America to its greatness, and it will be done with pro-active, multi-partisan, community and family activism - just the message and mindset of Mr. Obama the candidate. He deserves our support, our prayers, and our vote to make America strong and respected once again.

Excellent speech: now let"s have all major media markets broadcast it openly and often. Unite as a nation to set a new course.

Barack Obama needs to repudiate in no uncertain terms not only the racist comments of his pastor, but also the same kind of talk coming from many black clergy as well as from charlatans such as Louis Farrakhan. Once Obama can show that he can do that, and be consistent about it, he has a good chance of winning the white male vote and defeating McCain. He should also think about joining a mainstream church that does not feed on its own self-pity.

I think that the real issue is weather America (specifically African American) would be able to forgive a white public figure for using racial remarks in public even if life experiences drove him or her to feel resentment tour's African Americans or if a white politician would be forgiven for condemning the message "but justifying and glorifying the messenger . Recent history tell us that this would not be the case and that African American would demand an apology and would want that person to disappear from the public just like it has happened to many white public figures. I think that one wrong does not justify another wrong regardless of your race.

Race is NOT the issue but we all know in America racisim is ALIVE AND HIGHLY PRACTICED. African Americans say what they really think white people have been doing that for years in the free press and the media. It wasn't racist what he said it was FACT, and until you been a person of color in America you will NEVER understand the true problems.

If you look on his website he has issues and pick an issue and has alot of details on what his plans are. If you have questions you can always ask. He also gives people "THE PEOPLE" the opportunity to submit ideas and he will consider them!

The USA is ours. We have to move to take it. We have to contribute and he has been the FIRST to give us that chance to be a part of it like we should be.

I am white and he has my vote! I believe he has been very forward and motivating. Hillary has alot of scandals and bad history and failed attempts to do any good. Time for a "CHANGE"

What we have here are venerable white racist to the core using anything they can use to rationalize not voting for Obama. Only sissy men, whether they are white, black, whitetino or blacktino, will vote for Hillary Clinton.

I suddenly feel like Obama is completely over. He originally seemed like an agent of change but now between the Rezko scandal (where he bought land...how typical is that!) to the Church scandal (he was clearly lieing about not knowing what his minister was all about AND had kept the minister on the campaign until he got found out) to his terrible judgment on his advisers (the one who called Hillary a monster and blew it on iraq and the nafta one) it is clear to me that obama would be crushed by jmccain. I am a hillary supporter but think it is almost certain mccain will win–he really is a positive change from bush.

We can all agree that the country is in a bad place and there has to be CHANGE. I agree that Obama might not be experienced or that he hasn't proven what he preaches. However, to create a true CHANGE we need someone different in the White House. Different right now means a little inexperienced, but extremely intelligent. Look at Bush, his second term (The most experience one can have as a president), was a joke. The status quo has landed us in a recession, in a war we shouldn't be in, and the lost respect of foreign lands. I don't see how a little inexperience is going to make the situation much worse.

I was also in favor of Obama until I heard his pastor. You can’t tell me that he looks to this man for religious guidance but doesn’t share the same racial sentiments.

I thought Obama spoke to me, a white middle-aged middle-class person who grew up hunting pheasants at 7 near Pottstown, PA. Until I went in the Army at 22, I worked in construction, electrical work, and as a steelworker (Local 480 USWA).

I'm sure the Clintonites and the McCain/Bush 08 people will use this to smear him, but America doesn't want to live in the 20th Century with Fear and Paranoia any more. We've moved on.

I really don't understand this country. When will we ever get it? I thought that the presidency is about the issues and not the race. It was never about race until Obama entered. And just to think, I as a black woman try to instill hope for this country in my children and I hear racist, sexist comments on the idiot box, newspapers, and different blog sites such as Perez Hilton. What has this world come to? Obama has a white mother and a black father for crying out loud, why would people go on record to say that he is racist? Does that make any sense? People should begin to think about the things that they say before they open their mouths. Racist propaganda. It makes me sick.

What a pity folk feel the way you do – minorities are saying things like 'unashamedly ...whatever' because for hundreds of years they were made to feel ashamed – I'm not black but I am a minority – I know what it is like to come from a mixed race and always feel or be made to feel less than someone who is apparently white (I say 'apparently' because it's hard to prove sometimes, who is really 'white' and who isn't, looks are deceiving as are genes!).

As for Obama not being able to understand the needs of the working class, come on! He came from that class, as did his wife, very recently! He just had the opportunity to go to college, made good, went to Harvard deliberately to strengthen his ability to access the platform from which he could deliver the change he felt the country needed!

Folks, READ HIS BOOK – then comment again. Don't just read headlines and a snippet here and there. That's very misleading.

READ HIS BOOK – both his books, if you have the time. But especially his autobiography, Dreams From My Father. He is very frank, open and courageous in it, telling all, baring and sharing his soul. Very few do that – it's moving and inspiring in every way.

I listened to his speech and he was very straightforward and honest. All of have associated with people that hold views with which we might not agree, and we have not just 'walked away' from them. Obama made a good case for his situation. I personally am still undecided in this election. But, in reading this article and other responses, if the deciding factor on whether someone gets your vote is how "Pro-Union" he is, or whether his policies will directly benefit you at the possible expense of others, then this nation has already lost its bearings. The question we need to solve now is what do we do today to make sure our children will have better lives. I expect corporations and lobbyists to be short-sighted, looking only at the immediate payoff, but I certainly hope the electorate takes a longer view or else our children will paying for our short-sightedness.

I believe that the stubborn nature of this group is the reason why we've had bad leadership over the past 8 yrs, and why it's a real possibility that their stubborness may screw this country for another 4 yrs.

Please recall that Obama was not always wealthy, but instead grew up in a working poor environment and has actually experienced many of the pains felt by American working class families. On the other hand, Ms. Clinton has been wealthy her all life and has never really struggled for the basics of life. I do not understand why so many union members support her?

The people that think Obama is a racist, based on his church, are just ignorant, and the exact demographic that political parties like to target with negative messages. I'm a white, educated, male, and plan on voting for Obama. I've done enough research to know where both Obama and Clinton stand, and feel that Obama is right for the US now.

To call Obama a racist is silly, as is Hillary's current campaign. By the numbers, she has lost and by the rules Florida and Michigan will not count. The whole fiasco is a ratings driven media built feud bought into by the Clinton campaign. The only way she could win is by some coup, which would destroy the democratic party. Obama is smart and his use of rhetoric as compared to Clinton is minimal. Sure, he talks of hope, but he is what our country needs domestically and internationally. Our stock market functions on hope. Obama has been clear and consistent in his message and he doesn't change his story just to make it sound better to the voters ... Clinton does time and time again. There is a reason why educated white men favor Obama, it's because they see these things as I do. If you are intelligent, join us, and welcome Obama as the outstanding INDIVIDUAL he is.

Obviiously these people wasn't listening to Sen OBama speech this morning. This is the reason we have racism today. Here you go condeming a person for what someone else beliefs. Why no talk about the two White preachers that are talking racist talk that are associated with John McCain. Her we go again double standards.

If Barack Obama does not understand the needs of the working class then who does? Hillary Clinton? John McCain? Give me a break!

Also, Obama has time to go county to county and talk to voters one night at a time. I think he should do so and hit Pennsylvania like a candidate running for state senate.

I voted for Obama twice in Texas, the Primary and then the Caucas. I made a HUGE mistake. If Hillary Clinton does not find a way back into this I will be voting for McCain in November.

While Pastor Wright and Sen. Obama highlighted the difficulties of Americans swallowing hard words by them, I think Blacks, particularly Sen. Obama have to realize that he's not running for President to improve the black-white-latino-asian gaps. That is the job of Civil Rights activists. The Blacks also need to realize the more help a minority is given, the worst economically they will become, even though this is an politically-insensitive statement. We rarely give privilegde to Blacks in major sports and music, like Basketball etc... and look how well Blacks did! But we want to ensure the rights of minority in other areas... just see how well the Blacks did? Obama should understand this very well, that his Kenyan father doesn't get much special treatment and Obama doesn't, and see how well they do?

The racial divide is there, not because of Whites alone, the Blacks should also bare some responsibilities. And please, Obama, you're running for President for a United States of America, nto a Black States of America... if you are running for a position for Civil Rights activist... I'd have given you my strongest of vote. Most people want to see not an Al-Sharpton in this race but many are disappointed by you recently.

How does Hillary Clinton feel about competing for a voting block in which the very best she can do is 15%? The black vote has always been prejudiced for whichever candidate could produce the most programs. I guess now they all feel Barack Obama can produce the goods.

How much does hillary have in common with working class Americans? Nothing! She is gaining votes off of name recognition and the booming economy while her husband was president. I think that Obama has more of a grass roots upbringing and has background of working with and organizing for workers in Chicago. He should be able to connect easier than Clinton who has led a very privledged life and has never worked on behalf of ordinary working class Americans. In fact, she even represented corporate interests by working for WalMart of all companies. Give me a break!

I am a white male that makes under $50K, and I can tell you that Obama represents exactly what I want in a President. I am tired of sneaky tactics and divisive politics. I'm fed up with the "kitchen sink" approach that Hillary and Bill are using. I was a big supporter of both Clintons until I finally saw them for who they truly are. Hillary is in it for a power grab and will stop at nothing to win. She has shown that she is willing to destroy the party, and Obama's chances in November, in an effort to win the nomination. In this regard, she shows concern for herself instead of the working class that she says she represents. Obama is not perfect, but I believe that he is honest, and I believe that he truly wants to end the destruction evidenced by the Clinton approach.

It would not matter to me if any person of color is elected president. That is not the issue. The concern, which Mr. Obama has still not addressed, is where he is aligned insofar as his church's position on race is concerned. It is hard to believe that after spending 20 years in that church, his personal beliefs do not somewhat parallel what we have heard or what is written in the mission statement of that church. I would be equally concerned if a white or any other candidate of any other color attended a church that espoused the degree of racism and egocentrism shown by Mr. Obama's church. So far, Mr. Obama has not put any meat to his words of "Change" and has not calmed my fears that his White House be not be anything other than a mirror of the beliefs of his church. Until he does, I will vote for either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. McCain.

Its just a shame race still plays a role in the this country. This is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. JUDGE PEOPLE BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER. Here we go again, another way to bring him down. I hope to see an African American President someday. Looks to me this country is still not ready, so when a black man is running now, every angle is trying to draw him to something, religion, statements that do not belong to him. What a shame!

If Barack Obama were exactly as he is in substance, words and action, except he were white, the race would have been over about a month ago. And all the white men that are saying they have a problem with Obama now would have voted for him without reservation.

Geraldine Ferraro is just a lonely old half white lady.

When you guys start fighting the Chinese do not come looking for me.

Obama as President WILL change America for the better and also change how we are perceived globally. I am not racist but have many, many family members who are. I would not denounce them anymore than Barack should denounce a man who has been like a surrogate father to him. Additionally, I often hear things from my pastor at church that I do not agree with, but I keep going. Don't judge Obama because we all live in glass houses.

"I will never vote for a racist for President." Wully Bully writes. That is laughable as I guess it's alright for all the the white dudes who have been racist presidents but not ok for a black guy! Why is everybody equating what his pastor says to what Obama feels? Talk about double standards! Remember all the venom the right wing nutty religious crap that was said about Clinton while kissing up to the entire Republican party? Remember Falwell, Robertson and their ilk spewing hatred? Hell they are still doing it now. Be honest at least. You were never going to vote for a black man and now you've found your excuse in the guise of Obama's pastor. I really thought the country was ready to move beyond race but I guess not.

Obama has never been about the common man,he is about the more privledged and if you read thru his philosophies and proposals for his admin, there is little that specifies workng class people in his definition of change. He has lost his roots from Chicago and the words change is just a catch phrase or a cutesy election banner.

If I personally were attending a church where the minister spoke the way Mr Obama' s minister spoke, I would be out of there in a heaartbeat. Congregational members discuss the Sunday sermons. How could he attend for 20 years and not know the kind of messages that were being preached? This is inexcusible. What kind of message does this send to his own children? What happened to love thy neighbor?

Obama has proposed to lower taxes for people making less than $75,000 a year. He wants to eliminate any taxes for seniors living on Social Security.

Please do some research, go to his website if you want to learn more about him. The media has been complacent in not doing more to cover how EVERY candidate stands on all the issues– they are more interested in "he-sad/she-said" and the negative attack of the day.

Obama is the only candidate who did not grow up rich.

His baseless charisma and inpration does not appeal to working class individuals who want a tough, tested fighter we can count on to deliver for us and the Country! It's bread and butter we're worried about and we can't take a risk! We are in such a mess that we cannot afford one more dissapointment or screw up on the economy or foreign policy. Some people may not "like" Hillary, but they know she's got the policies aced and can deliver in office. We'll be in good hands. And finally, Obama's finance adviser's backroom meeting with the Canadians re: NAFTA? That is truly unforgiveable. I want her answering the phone.

Wully Bully,

Whether or not you vote for hate or a racist is not up to you, because the true cards of most players are kept close to the vest. People and thier camps do and say things to connect with voters but how they personally feel about issues isn't necessarily reflected in these public opinions and beliefs.

Question: If your church did display a sign "unashamedly white", would you stop attending services at the risk of being labeled or miscategorized by others' interpretation or misinterpretation of the sign?

Clearly you do not understand the meaning or gravity of the sign and I wouldn't expect you to. To you, "black power", "black unity day" and so on, are all racist. It is one thing to exhibit pride in any nationality without preaching hate or intolerance of others.

-WR

Hillary will promise jobs, but she won't deliver.
Just ask any of the people in Western NY who voted for her in 2000. She promised us 200,000 jobs- and we lost 100,000.

We need more than Candidate Obama...

We need President Obama!

disclaimer: from another one of the millions of white men strongly for Obama.

He talks of tax credits for working families who are struggling to pay for college. He talks of expanding jobs and giving tax breaks to companies that keep jobs in America. But all these "supposed" working class white people are hung up on one thing. Race, race, race, race, race, race, race , race. If you choose to selectively pay attention to one thing (that includes the media), it's not the candidate's fault.

I don't know whites feel that simply discussing oppression is somehow hateful. Obama is not racist...HELLO HE WAS RAISED BY TWO WHITE WOMEN!! Everyone needs to step back and take a deep breath.
Black people are angry about their discourse in this country. And when that is expressed whites jump all over it and call it racist and full of hate. Let's grow up people.
Wully Bully, please think about what you are saying. It is hateful for someone to be proud to be black? For so long blacks were taught that being being black is shameful and less than human (3/4 to be exact). So thank God that it's okay to express that now. Why would white people take offense to a people having some self esteem? Blacks had to fight for that self esteem, let them have it. You and I both know that being "unashamedly black" is not racist. That's how you choose to perceive it. Would you prefer for Blacks to be ashamed of who they are? No!

I once thought Obama might be worth voting for. Now there is no way!! He's had a 20-year close personal friendship with a hate-filled, nut-case "pastor" and he will definitely not get my vote. There's *no way* I can vote for a politician whose "spiritual mentor" has been spewing hatred of America for the past 20 years!!! And how could Obama say he didn't notice it?!! What the hell was he thinking by associating with someone that hateful of America? For all I know, Obama secretly shares the same hatred of white America. If he's been hearing "white men are evil" for the past 20 years, maybe he believes it. As far as I'm concerned he's guilty by association and he can't talk his way out of this one.

HOW can OBAMA be called a racist he has not said anything!! his EX PASTOR said it and he is not running for President! i want to know when are the Gas prices going back down, when are the TROOPS coming home! has Bin Ladien got caught and JAILED YET?, is my family going to be able to have good HEALTH CARE... there will always be someone that HILLARY & OBAMA are friends with, close too what ever that will say what they feel {FREEDOM OF SPEECH} we cannot keep going back and fourth on silly things AMERICA has a HISTORY of being a Racist place!! the only race never affected by anything is "WHITE" ... lets just tell the truth and stick to the real issues AMERICA is not ready to talk race issue because it will open up alot of WOUNDS....

Please lets not judge a man by the comments of an idiot racist pastor.
Judge the man for what he stands for, beside Obama's mon is white
how can he hate white. white or black we are all american.

Obama is in trouble (period) with American voters. His speech today demonstrated that he is less than truthful and completely the type of politician he deplores. When the controversy first erupted he was on the airwaves denying that he ever heard Wright's Anti-american and racists comments. Now, we know in private conversations with Wright he was well aware of Wright's politics and never denounced them before the video's were released. Yet, Obama remains the golden child in the media's eyes especially CNN.

Obama will not solve all our problems created by bush and this endless spending in the war. We should hold all of those accountable of those who vote for war. Sorry those who think Obama does not connect with working class and so does Clinton and even more. As long as this war goes on so is our deficit increase and dollar will fall. those who think Hillary is for walking people think of the economic problem and how we ge there. The war in the middle east.?

Obama's community organizing and his being raised by a single mom show that he knows about the middle class far better than Hillary Clinton does. With the Clintons, we're just getting same ol', same ol'...

The question is not only who is for change (Obama), but who can get beyond partisanship to actually make change (Obama again)...

As far as hate goes, Obama clearly denounced the words of his pastor – that's all I needed to hear.

I wonder why he didn't end his speech with GOD BLESS AMERICA?

He came across to me as not being sincere in his Christian Belief.

CNN, home of the Censor and Obama love-fest.

Obama is a racist hyppocrit, doesn't have a clue about what it means to be poor, and should have been a preacher, not a presidential contestant.

Ohhh gaawwdddd... Here NOBAMA goes again >>> time to talk about issues HILLIARY has not only talked about this whole campaign but has brought solutions to her WHOLE LIFE!

This man does NOTHING but take ideas from other people! He has NO EXPERIENCE FOLKS!

WAKE UP AMERICA!

Thank god with all the DRAMA over the past 4 days Clinton won't have to worry about putting him on the ticket any longer.

We all know that the Republicans are going to make the campaign about EXPERIENCE and STRENGTH in a time of war.

A ticket that will ASSURE VICTORY is CLINTON – GENERAL WESLEY CLARK 08 !

Imagine CLINTON with a 4-star General as her VP!

THE REPUBLICANS WILL STAND NO CHANCE!

AGAIN>> CLINTON-GENERAL WESLEY CLARK in 08
EXPERIENCE-CHANGE-STRENGTH!

I had a priest that molested little boys for years. Does that make me a pervert or a molester? It is not justifiable to assume that all who hear Obama's pastor speak agree with everything that he has to say.

I agree that Obama's mentor and minister will cost him some votes. Such a hateful man. I won't vote for hate either.

Obama isn't for the white people-period. He is for the blacks and he will staff his cabinet with blacks and favor legislation that provides more "give away" programs and financial/education aid for blacks.

Voters may not see race, but Obama sees race and he see black.

It's funny that all you union folks say, "What is Obama going to do?" "He hasn't proven anything to us."

If you look back, Bill Clinton is the reason you can't negotiate pay. NAFTA took away all of the jobs, and being a recent college graduate, I am finding out firsthand how difficult it is. Hillary Clinton up until recently was a big supporter of NAFTA, aka, let's make more revenue and pay less expenses. Speaking of, where are her tax forms, because I'm sure NAFTA benefitted her and Billy Clint.

This show and this reporter, as he likes to represent himself when he tears up over Katrina survivors is so blatantly anti Obama , its no surprise. I thought I would come here and see an honest analysis, not yet another one of his shows/blogs where he is anti Obama.

Obama has talked endlessly about schools in need, changes needed in education, college tuition help for working class kids, etc.
People hear what they want from the person they feel most open to listening to. Any psych major can tell you that. The gov made it clear no candidate of color had a chance in this state, so who does Mr. Cooper interview about Obama, white men in that state.
Imagine that!

All the speeches and speechwriters cannot change my opinion about Wright. And any American that goes to that Church and applauds when Wright make sthese commnets is anti-American. Anyone that goes to this church know exactly what the Pastor has been saying for years and to claim that they were unaware of this is unbelievable.
To come out now and reject these comments is hypocrisy

To Wully Bully it is sad that after hearing the speech on unifying this country into a perfect union, individuals such as yourself small-minded and ignorant continue to try to divide this country in half. If you would listen with a open-mind you will see the greatness of Barack Obama words and his appeal to end the division among us. This country has been divided for centuries and it is only getting worse. Until everyone on both sides put down your swords and pick up that Holy Bible that we all should live by and read the words of our Lord Jesus Christ . When Jesus talks about loving each other. As Jesus speaks he states how can you say that you love me that you don't see yet hate your brother that you do see. It is time to end the racial divisions among blacks and whites in this country and to begin the healing process for America to grow.

Pennsylvanians should not be put off by his eloquence – his words have the ability to inspire and unite... two things that Clinton is less effective at – and the two reasons that Obama will get more things done for the lower-middle class. The last thing that the working class needs is the republican resurgance that would likely follow the more abrasive Clinton candicacy...

I don't know if it's Obama fate as much as it is America's fate. Will America confront the issue of race front and centre or will it bury it's head in the sand?

It really makes me sad to see that people don't understand the issues and what each candidate stands for. If Pennsylvanians had been watching the elections before their own, they would know what Obama stands for. Everything they want Obama has. They just don't know it. Obama has repeatedly said that he would give tax breaks to the middle class and raise taxes for the wealthy. He has repeatedly said that he wants to get rid of dependence on foreign oil by creating less pollutant fuels that can be made here in the United States. He has repeatedly said that he wants to give jobs back to the American people, and he has also said that he wants to make education more affordable. Everything that Pennsylvanians are worried about is right in front of their faces. Obama is the right one to pick, and it worries me that the public doesn't understand that. Do some research first. Then pick your candidate. Don't be as ignorant as Texas and Ohio by basing your opinion off of one speech or debate. Get online and look the stuff up because if you're voting without doing adequate research, you are doing an injustice to the American people.

Claudia, all that I can say is that it appears that you have not been following the campaign. Obama has clearly stated goals with respect to the elimination of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy while offering tax relief for those in the $50k region. I don't believe that you have "examine(d) his words."

Barack Obama was bluntly honest today in his speech. If White Males cannot stomach honesty then I guess they will vote for the other candidate.

However, I do not think that a majority of White Males are that shallow!

One union worker wants, "to hear a guarantee of jobs, that the price of gasoline is gonna come down, I want to hear about better schools for my kids.” He might as well vote for Santa. It's too bad that people in this country look to elected officials to guarantee the unguaranteable. Perhaps unions should be more flexible in its own arcane work rules that essentially kill many jobs in union heavy states. Price of gas? Supply and demand, my friend. Better schools? How much more money can we spend on schools so that Johnny can actually read his diploma? People look to government for magical solutions that aren't going to happen. Ultimately, the sad fact is that union member will give his precious vote to the candidate who will lie most and smile while doing it.

People are trying to justify Obama's association with his pastor by saying that he is just his apstor... Obama can not be held responsible for his views..just like he can't be held responsible for the views of his barber etc...

Why is Wright on Obama's campaign committee if he is just his pastor???

Come on, do you all really think Hillary Clinton – the filthy rich millionare spoiled, silver-spoon, trust fund baby – represents the interest of blue collar workers!?!? She's had more money her whole life than any of us will EVER even dream of having, she is more privilaged than anyone reading this news story, and all of her true interests and ambitions are tied to lobbyists and old-school democratic dinosaurs!!

Obama's reverend is a flat-out racist, I will give you that...he is an ignorant moron who is more racist than most white people in the nation, and anything he says should not have any signifance to any of us or our decision making on who Obama is and what he stands for. If you are making decisions on who will run the most powerful nation in the WORLD based on what a candidate's preacher said, than you should NOT be voting.

When we examine the word "experience" and the actions behind them for Sen. Clinton, there is also a gap; not to mention her word to publicly post her and former president Bill Clinton's tax returns. There is definitely a gap there.

-WR

I think everyone in America should listen to the speech Obama gave today. After you do, nothing else needs to be said. I had to hurry and get my lunch so I could be on time for work and just wanted to hug complete strangers in line because I felt so moved. This is exactly what America needs. UNTIL AND ONLY UNTIL you have watched the speech completely please keep negative comments to yourself. We cannot grow as a nation when people keep saying silly comments. Let's build this better America together!

Obama '08

The ugly side of Obama is coming out. So far he is hiding behind the words CHANGE & HOPE. It seems the change he wants is "taking revenge" for the past .He is more polirizing than any one else.
Let's see how the news media will try to hide his racial views. For sure the media will try their best to hide the other side of OBAMA.

After hearing Obama's minister I've changed my mind I will vote for Hillary. I think Obama is as racist, if I associated with people that denagrated blacks I would be a racist by connection. I can't go down that road and take that chance with him, he will devide the country along race lines. He will be a disaster.

Obama is just out to win. He stated the he was different from all other candidates that we should hold candidates accountable but then when we catch him in lies he wants us to not hold accountable but to blindly vote for him. NOT HAPPENING

I am not black or a white person by race. But I hate to see blacks voting for Obama just because he is black. Almost all black are voting for him regardless of what he has to offer which is just wrong. AND I don't see him saying to blacks "Hay please don't what for me for my race but vote for who you think can do a better job" Imagine if whites start voting for Clinton and that's you whites should do. Then you will see him whining about whites voting for her and him. In the mean time he is enjoying the black votes.

I would very much like to support Senator Obama in his chase of change in our government. It is sad to watch what the current administration is doing to this once great country. Unfortunately, he has not outlined this change and seems to be very much a talking head.

Senator Clinton gets my vote. She has the experience to work within the government and already knows the road blocks and pitfalls to overcome and avoid. Put Senator Obama on the ticket as VP, teach him the political ropes and then let us revisit him making a change after eight years. Yes – EIGHT.

Catholics ARE NOT leaving THEIR religion because of things some of their priests have done. All the cases invovling molestations in the Catholic church has not caused a mass exodus of the Catholic religion. The Catholic church was full BEFORE and AFTER the molestations surfaced.

Why is Obama being treated so cruely about something that he did not say?

I cannot see why Obama is being crucified for the comments of his priest. Let's be real if we judged everyone by comments and behavior of their priest many of us would be locked up for life for one crime or the other.

I often hear comments in church that angers me and some that I endorse wholeheartedly as we all have, but does that make me responsible for my preacher's choice of sermon or message? Can I dictate what should be preached? Not unless I am the preacher.

I am sick of the double standard. McCain is supported by someone who related the Pope and Hitler, and talked of the Catholic Church relating it to the holocaust.

Bush had Bible thumpers who said much worse things after 9/11 and nobody talks about that.

Double standard from racist America and that is a fact.

Obama is loosing ground for not separating himself from this fanatic. Extremists on all sides are to blame. Balance is the key. Looks like Clinton has the best balance.

Independent still for Obama but wavering, and that stinks.

Before you call someone a racist, please walk in their shoes and live in their skin. Blacks are reminded everyday that they are black in this society and it takes a lot to keep going on a daily basis. We experience at work, on the street and where we live. This experience alone is enough to shorten once life.

But we have to keep keeping, we don’t have a choice, we were born with black skin. Since the 2008 voting began I felt a sense of a better society especially when white Americans had over and over voted for Obama. My experience with white people was a very peaceful one until I came to USA 24 years ago from Africa.

This society is clouded with hate. It's was strange to me when I first got here that a human being will meet another and without any words exchanged, the person with black skin is automatically hated.

America should show the rest of the world how people from every ethnic should exist as human beings, because there is no other country that has the mix people as America.

I hope that white America will let the hate of yesterday fade with yesterday and embrace a better future.

After all some day we all be dead anyway, 100 years from now most people alive to day will be dead. Will race matter to them then. I don’t think so.

May God help and bless America

I am a white male, college graduate and registered Independent in my mid 50s. After listening to Obama's speech, I have decided that I will vote for the Democratic nominee. However, I hope that Hillary wins the nomination.

It's not Obama's pastor or race that scare me. It's his big government tax and spend ideas...

to xtina

If you must know I dont look at experience too much. I do look at what they have done so far.

Hillary has a very shady past as well as voted for the war, Bill put NAFTA into effect since then jobs went overseas. She claims she didnt know about Blackwater etc.. yet it was the clinton administration that put them to work. She is now against the war, NAFTA and the military contractors (blackwater) etc. How many things is she going to be for then realizes the people are against it and its gone bad that then she wants to fix it or is the only one that can fix it etc. Enough mistakes.

Obama voted against the war. He has also tried to present laws that would cut the amount of troops in Iraq. He has also sent a military contractor accountability to her committee which she rejected and after 4 years she claims she didnt know contractors were unaccountable? and she was on the committe that overseas this? And as she stated she was involved in her Husbands reign yet she didnt know the Clinton Admin used them?

Bush has the most experience team in his administration and look what has happened.

John F. Kennedy was one of the least experienced he had no foreign relation experience yet he did great.

Experience isnt always best. I do believe in track records though and Obama wins there hands down. Hillary has pages after pages of mistakes. Obama does not.

That is how I will be voting. Its so obvious when you take the petty things and look at the things that really matter in this world. Race issues at the moment wont determine my vote. Issues do. Track record does. And right now I would rather have Obama in Office than a person who is going to make decisions based on political favors and false accusations of their credibility.

I agree to Claudia. The guy Obama had so many words.
He can foul his people but he can not do to rest of American people.
I give my strongest support to Hillary (and also Ferraro too..about her comment to Obama)

Way to late, shoulld of unloaded his baggage long ago.

What he has done, not only to himself. But to the others that were supporting him. Color was not the case. It was his Baggage that, he protected , now that it is out , he wants to diclaim it. Yet he still hangs on to it . Obama, get rid of it, an come clean , or get out. For you know they will trash you as is.

God Bless America.

I don't think that Obama is a racist. I think his pastor is a quack and a coward for not coming forward during this difficult time for Obama. What kind of man does that especially a pastor? If you a brave enough to make these comments, then you should be brave enough to stand up or defend them.
It has been my understanding that in the black church that the reverend, pastor, or preacher does not say and do things like this. This Reverend Wright, I believe, is the exception and a total disgrace to the word of GOD.
I hope that most people in America will take this into consideration because we all know someone who has ran his or her mouth and put their foot in it.
Honestly, I think he has taken advantage of Obama by making these statements [when Obama was not in church] to put himself in the media light. Whoever put up those videos, I bet is sorry now because it didn't have the effect they were looking for. More so than that, I think this Reverend White may have been jealous of Obama and all the attention he is receiving being a presidential candidate.

For a Presidential nominee who speaks about "uniting the country",Mr Obama has done more to damage race relations than anyone in the last 40 years. He is an inflamer and has learned well from his pastor. Hillary is our only hope.

I was totally in favor of Obama until I heard this ranting, racist pastor. I'm tired of the blame game against whites... blacks have forfeited the gains of the Civil Rights era by embracing ghetto culture. I thought that he could elicit compromise, but you don't go to someone's church for 20 yrs. without agreeing with what they say. BTW... slavery still exists, in Africa, today!! Why not get pissed about that, instead of blaming whites today for something that happened 400 yrs ago? One more point... many whites also helped to END slavery...

I think its really unfortunate that people hold Reverend Wright's comments against Obama. Everyone has their own opinion, which is uniquely their own. Just because he attends the Reverend's church, doesn't make he agrees with everything he says or is a racist.

Anyone that has taken the time to follow Obama's life and his stance on certain issues should know that he is certainly not racist. His first book, written over 10 years ago is a true depiction of his feelings and opinions. I hope a large percentage of voters will take the time to research these things, rather than jump to conclusions. Let's all take the time to make educated, informed decisions.

Barack Obama has the support of a large number of white voters in the United States. Obama's overwhelming wins in states such as Vermont, Maine, and Iowa all demonstrate this fact. We want people to see that Obama's campaign for the presidency is one of gender, class, and racial UNITY. Through his supporters—who judge Barack not by the color of his skin, but by the contents of his character—the world can bear witness to the genesis of a more unified and dignified United States of America.

It won't be long before those without access to the internet learn first-hand the good Obama has done, and what he means by the "change" that they hear about. They will come to see that it is more than just a word, as the majority of democrats have now come to see.
Visit our site to see some of the solidarity of this campaign: whitefolksforobama(dot)org

Thanks to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, McCain is our next president

If the situation was reverse and Hillary's pastor said somethign racially motivated, the press and the campaign pundits would have made it such a big mess. Obama is clearly getting the break because people are afariad of being lablled racist. Clearly we have seen that in the past weeks. I think he is a very calculated and politically savy person. He is in a good spot. But, being a working class white american, I do not care about the race. All I care is how do I put more food on the table for my kids, how do I get better education for them, how do I take care of my health. I have not heard a single bullte point action plan about these from either Clinton or Obama. Damn you guys... you should run for presidency in Hell....not the USA. Give me an action plan so I can vote for you.

I cannot trust Obama. He's no different than Spitzer – horrifically bad judgment. No way should this guy be leading our country. How could you associate yourself so closely for 20 years with someone who hates America so much? Did he think no one would notice?

Mr. Obama just gave the most inspirational speeche I have ever heard. I am a white male, 58 years old, have four kids and a middle class income. We need someone who can inspire our "better angels". Lincoln did it and so can Obama. He just got my vote!

Come on people. Obama has said much about the issues facing the working class!

Obama has a FREE download on his website called Blueprint for Change. Stop listening to 15 sec sound clips on the news.

Read about both candidates. Or, just say, I feel more comfortable with a white person. The Clinton's are full of scandals. No outrage. Bill Clinton openly lied to the American people saying with indignation, "I did not have sexual relations with woman, Ms. Lewinsky!" But, that's forgive-able. Hilliary was investigated openly regarding White Water; she was "fortunate" to have the lost papers found years later... in the White House.

It's okay to choose someone due to racial comfort. But, with our present day issues, it's not the smartest decision. I urge all to read.

Obama supporters unite. His message is still the same. He has stated over and over again he disagrees with the comments. Labeling by association is a dirty game and we are above that.

IS THERE ANY "SUBSTANCE" IN SEN. OBAMA'S SPPECHES? NOTHING JUST "CHANGE.....CHANGE......". IT IS EASY TO SAY THAN TO DO. HE HAS TO COME FORWARD WHAT CHANGES HE WANTS TO BRING – SOCIAL..... ECONOMICAL......POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS?

Not to mention that Obama grew up poor, where as, Billary didn't live the hard life ever. He spent years helping and defending poor people. I can't recall any kind of community service that the Clintons have ever performed that even measure up to what Obama has done. To say that he has to prove himself and that he appeals to high class voters is ridiculous.

If anything, he should be appealing to the low income, down and out families becaus has stayed on the issues and is a foundation for change. He's the only one we've got, because McCain will beat Hillary, and even if he doesn't, Hillary doesn't care about the broke folks. She's rich and in the know. She is status quo. Get back to reality.

I’m an African-American woman and I voted for a white president. Why is person running for President of different ethnicity, race or gender must prove themselves to the white dominate male culture? Just because the minister preached and said some negative remarks, why condemn everybody in the church. I pretty sure, that all the previous white presidents’ ministers had said the same racially charge remarks in their church.

Please stop condemning Obama. He is NOT David Dukes!

Rahni, Connecticut

Barack Obama's "speech on race" went far further than simply addressing the Jeremiah Wright question. It was a sweeping and inspiring statement on unity that re-asserts the spirit of the Obama campaign as we saw it in Iowa and South Carolina. Obama's speech was intelligent, fair, comprehensive, and should put to rest any suspicions at least among rational people that Wright's comments in any way reflect Obama's opinions or the aims of his campaign. The Clinton campaign and its new-found Republican allies on talk radio and in the editorial pages will be hard-pressed now to come up with any further excuse to push the Jeremiah Wright story as something we should all be thinking and talking about. I have no doubt, however, that they will try.

Obama does NOT ever explain the substance behind his words, no particulars on his "change". There is a stark contrast between "Speech Obama" and "Debate or Press Conference Obama". He does not do well thinking on his feet or answering questions on issues. Clinton is far superior in that way. She is not a great speaker, but she is VERY knowledgable and quick on her feet. That is one reason she has my vote of confidence.

xtina,

You say, "What has Obama done as a Sen. that shows he practiced the governmental “change” that he preaches?" I agree! Insofar as either Clinton or Obama, the question is equally valid as well as the answer being just plain equal.

The facts are that Clinton has no greater "experience" beyond being someone's spouse. A close examination of her claims fall far short of reality.

If Obama gets the Dem nomination, I think all Dem voters should cross over and vote Rep. Obama has no long term experience in running anything. He has no place in the US Gov if he and his wife keep the company they keep. Why are they not letting anyone view Michelle Obama's thesis on line from her college? The American people are now seeing the type of person Obama is and we will find out more as the year progresses. I just hope and pray the American people can see him for who he is inside and outside.

I think Obama has done alot within his community on rebuilding and finding jobs, if people would read his background on what he has done, they will have a better outcome of him. How can we judge him on other people words, when every other country has judge us on how we treat each other, and other countries. We need to clean up our problems with each before we can even fix our country.

Unfortunately neither Obama or Clinton can bring blue collar jobs back to the rust belt. Those jobs left the US with the help of NAFA many years ago. Clinton will promise anything to get your vote, but she cannot deliver. Since Clintons are and the present administration are responsible for the decline in your income, you probably have a chance of a better out come by changing top management.

It seems that, like most others during this campaign, white men have first, made up their mind. Then second, they attempt to find ways to support their decision. Instead of objectively looking at the candidates and using their own independant judgement.

Those who refuse to change are destined to perrish...

In the bigger picture this will be better for the country because we need to elect a person with qualification not charisma. My science teacher lacked charisma but he sure new science. The same goes for all areas of expertise.

Obama is a good man but no more qualified to be president than I am.

Its about time people realize who the engine is that drives America .It is just us plain old white men that go to work every day take care of business and do not cry for handouts or set up white blocks to vote .We are America ,and do not cry to be called Irish Scottish or whatever just plain old vanilla people happy to be called Americans,its about time we are recognized for being important .

Anyone who thinks race is not playing a part in this primary campaign is not awake – Anyone who thinks any president can do much for this Country is also dreaming. All the pundits pick and choose the sound bites which will get the most attention and make news, while the real problem remains off the redar.
What this Country needs is to empty the Congress and start over, the only thing that will save this Country is to eliminate the "self-perpetuating good ole boys club" , eliminate the lobbies, stop the pork giveaways. It is time for term limits in Congress. The President has term limits, now it is time for Congress – every one of them is more interested in self perpetuation that any good for the people of this Country. Corruption is rampant = ask the candidates what they will do to stop the waste and how they will do it. When this happens maybe we can all live again without worrying about our next meal.

Anyone who thinks Clinton has the best interest of the average working Joe in mind is in for a big suprize!

I like Obama, and I'll probably vote for him. But I hope he hears a message that he may not have heard yet. There are many whites who feel that the problem is not crumbling schools, but what goes on inside them. The perception, on the part of many whites, is that many black kids don't want any part of "the white man's dream", instead holding out for the big bucks associated with being a professional athlete, a professional rapper or musician, or even a drug dealer. The perception is that the black students who take education seriously are harassed by those who see them as "sell-outs". If this is an erroneous perception, the white community needs to be educated with the truth. And if it's true, then the black community has something to work on. Maybe, it's a little bit of both.

Obama continues to suffer from soaring rhetoric but little actual gameplan. Problem is the devil is in the details and after two terms of Bush's grand vision, the public is looking for a more solid agenda than "change"

Obama is doing a good job paving the road for McCain to waltz into the White House. Unfortunately.

As a white middle class male voter, I believe that Senator Obama offers the best chance to change the way the government views the public that they are to "serve" The Clintons and the Republican party will be Government / Economy as usual.

Well, the way I look at it Obama hasn't defined what he means by
'change' that scares me.

Wully Bully:
I happen to also be an African American. One big problem we have is that, most of us have friends and associates similar to Barack Obama's pastor, and even though we don't ascribe to their views, we still have close relationships with them.

The problem is that we continue to be judged by the way our friends behave, and the judgement is usually unfairly harsh.

I understand the problem that Barack Obama is facing very well. You need to understand that we are not monolithic. We do not all think, talk and act alike. We also don't destroy our relationships simply because we disagree with them. We can't afford to lose support, because we were born with a social disadvantage. Some of us are angry about it, and some of us try to rise above it.

It's perfectly fine to not support him, but you should at least consider that he is trying to rise above the issue of race, unlike Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. He's not perfect, but he is a vast improvement over those two.

I just wish you could walk a mile in our shoes. You might consider reading a book called "Black Like Me", by John Howard Griffin. It's about a white man who has his skin chemically pigmented to appear black, and visit the deep south to witness how blacks were treated first-hand.

But even that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's like trying to understand blindness by wearing a blindfold for a day. You can take off the blindfold any time you want, but a blind person can't.

I really don't care who you vote for, but if just one more person at least attempts to understand someone of a different culture, race or creed, then the world will become a slightly better place.

Voting for Hilary is fine BUT what did she do/has done to convince the two men above that jobs are going to be available? Hillary is not Bill and Bill is not running for presidency. The same old approaches to the same old politics are going to prevail and we shall see if Hillary is going to provide"the so called solution" to the two men's (referenced above) problems.

I was going to vote for Mr. Obama, but after hearing his pastor and very good friend of 20 years, he new him well and he stayed with him. And even today he is still staying with him. You know for years as a white man I went outer my way to show ,that alot of us don't practice RACISM. I felt that Blacks practice more racism then the white people that I know. I don't know any white church that would say what Pastor Wright said, Ican't belive that God would going along with him.

Bob

I think all Americans have too decide WE THE PEOPLE are going to elect the next President of the United States or are we going to let the Media pick him or her for us. I beleived the explannation Obama gave in his speech. We do have racial issues in this country are we going to let it devide us or are we going to come together for CHANGE in America. I understand the comments of Rev. Wright upset alot of people; white and black, but one man does not speak for the black community or any community. We cannot let the silly season in poltics did up dirt on anything they can to get America off the issues. My grandmother calls it Mudding up the waters so people want get a clear picture of whats going on.

White men will decided Obama's fate? What else is new?

People are known by the company they keep. Obama has been a member of his church for how long? I'm sure his pastor has preached his brand of hate for a long time. It has been my experience that people who don't agree with a particular message usually find a church that speaks to them. All of a sudden, when his pastor comes under scrutiny he reacts?? What does that say of the man...what does that say of his character...his virtues. He is not fit to be in the politcal arena, let alone a President.

Obama did well explaining his pastor, but has yet to address his wife;s viewpoint of not being proud to be an American until now. Has her mother said that, it would be tolerable. She, however, has enjoyed all of the Affirmative Action perks that we have to offer. We need to get real here about what to do with this country that most of us are proud of, get past racial problems of 40 years ago and try to move on like adults. What do we do with jobs, the credit crunch and the housing debacle? How do we take care of seniors, the disabled, children, and the wounded Iraq war veterans? Talk sense, Barack. Hillary understands the needs of working people. Convince us that you do, too.

Oh, and this whole stupid controversy that has to do with people that Obama is affiliated with is complete crap. So his pastor said some things that he probably shouldn't have. So what? I'm sure everyone has a friend who they don't necessarily agree with politically or in any other way. Everyone has different ideas, and everyone is their own person. I'm not saying that Rev. Wright was right for what he said, but I will acknowledge the fact that he's probably a pretty decent guy, and that I shouldn't judge him just because of one single thing he said. Not to mention that this whole thing shouldn't reflect Obama in any way whatsoever because Obama is not Wright. Obama is Obama. He is his own person, and the actions of other people should not effect his nomination for the presidency. People need to realize that no one is perfect and that presidential nominees are just like you and me. Again, one person should not be held responsible for another person's actions. The media has been ridiculous with things like this recently and it truly sickens me to see the immaturity of our media and news associations.

We could just as easily say that African Americans could decide the race because of their overwhelming support for Obama, or that women could decide the race. I think its good that the "white male vote" is split and I wish the campaign and its results would be made less about race/gender. I'm quickly losing interest in what started out as a great example of all that is good about the political system in this country.

I am tired of hearing about experience. Dick Cheney had lots of experience. So did Bush, Rumsfeld, and the whole bunch.

What we need is leadership and motivation. Obama is the best for that.

Obama racist? Give me a break....His Mother is white, and I am quite sure he loves her. Dont forget that. Racist/ism is having the ability to implement policy that prohibits the rights of a group of people based on differences i.e. jim crow politics. Black people never had the power to be deem racist, because they never had the power or authority to implement prejudice in law. I never knew a Black Group that said White people were unequal and implemented legal policy to that effect. Quite simply most people in America can not discern racism from other prejudices.

I am a mid 30s working class white male and Obama's got my vote. I do not dislike Hillary but she is just far too representative of the "politics of old" for my taste, and McCain, while I respect him deeply as a veteran, is just going to be more of the same that I am already tired of Bush/Cheney for having thrust upon us. It would be pretty hard for Obama to lose my vote at this stage of the game.

Obama needs to speak more of his accomplishments in the Chicago areas helping the working class man, black, white, or whatever. I've read his books and I know what he has done, but the rest of America has not. Everyone talks about what Hillary has done, but where is the proof? She hasn't brokered any international deals and she is just like all the other idiots in Washington, line her pockets with $$$$ and she'll help you do anything. She has sold her soul to the devil. And what was up with her press conference? She said NOTHING! Did she just want to be on TV because Obama was?? Shameless!!!

Also, regarding the notion that the most important thing is experience...sorry, but I really don't want an "experienced" person in office, who knows all of the lobbies and lobbyists by name, knows all of the corrupt and scandalous politicians by name (and likely has been in more shady deals with them than we will ever know), and who has been getting kickbacks and authoritative privilage for the past 20 years. I want someone who isn't tainted by Washington, who can come into office with no strings attached, and who can make his or her own decisions based on the interest of the people and the greater good of society...not their own interests and those of the tobacco, media, and oil lobbies (i.e. Clintons).

What people should think is , can we trust OBAMA as president? His wife doesn't seem to like America. His paster said,
God damn America. How can OBAMA's views be any different.

If OBAMA gets Democratic nomination, the Presidency will be gifted to
Maccain

As a white male voter, I find it difficult to vote for Obama or Clinton for their stances on domestic issues not their race or gender. Both candidates support capping green house emissions and both candidates support banning the construction of nuclear electrical facilities. I agree with the former, but I find their logic for achieving energy independence flawed. They indicate they want to improve education by recruiting teachers for urban communities and establishing early childhood education. This type of policy is geared to a specific population and is not equally distributed to smaller communities. I do not support a nationalized health care system. On most other issues I agree with both of them; however, these issues will push me to another candidate.

Obama lied when he said he was never in attendance when his pastor made the hate speeches and that will be why the "white men" along with many others won't vote for him.

Is everyone out of their minds? If anyone (including the media) believes that Obama has a a snowballs chance in hell of winning the Presidency they are out of their minds. McCain will be the next president and it is very unfortunate. The democratic party such as Perosi, Kennedy etc deserve what they get.

As as White male Obama made a wonderful speech today, he is also a once in a generation chance to have a great leader at the helm in the US. He has shown better polictical judgement then McCain and even Clinton. People seem to forget that he spent alot of time as a state senator before becoming a US senator, he has plenty of experience and the right judgement. His family is not rich and his family worked up through the world as did his wife. Listen carefully because he speaks for all men and women and he will change the US for the better.

How can Obama be a racist. Please first he wasn't black enough now he is to black. I have had friends and family say things that would embarass me. Does that make me stop being their friend. Obama is no racist. Are we racist now by association. My concern is how to send my kids to school. My concern is will my pension plan be raped. My concern is how to afford gas for my car. My concern is bring back good paying jobs. I'm not a member of that church so I really care less what the pastor has said.I commend Obama for even talking about race. Maybe if we stop all the shouting about our dislikes and put the welfare of our families first we can stop falling for all the wedge issues.While we argue whose more American and who is less racist our kids are dying in Iraq. Being a vet myself i know the enemy has little regard for race when you are in his crosshairs. Lets rebuild America and stop rebuilding Iraq.

Obama's speech showed courage, integrity, the ability to recognize problems and the williness to work with all segments of the population. Obama would be an outstanding president, if given the chance. This is a historic time for our Country. People who are unable to move on and chose to stay stuck in the past- will have the problem, not Obama or his followers.

He is just a talker and a chance taker. we are not ready for a guy from the black group with uncertain values for our society.

The problem we faced today is more international than domestic and in order for us to get out of this the winner we need to regain the confidence of our allies overseas. With all the money we have spent in the Middle East in the last few decades we still don’t have any friends. No one is helping us in Iraq. We need a leader who understand that every country is different and every nation have their own national interest at heart. The world need a leader not a dictator!

So is what union workers want to here just lies? Anyone can say they will bring jobs back. Anyone can say they are gonna bring gas prices down. What we need right now is a leader that has the courage to say that he is going to try. Enough politicing, enough running on lies and sweet nothings. Hillary has the Mitt Romney syndrome: she can't help but make promises that have little to no chance of paying off. We need leaders who are honest, leaders who really care more about people and America than simply being the President of the United States. I typically identify as a Republican, but even I can see that Barack Obama is the Democrat in the race that fits that bill.

Wow! I definitely don't envy Obama! This has to be the first time that someone is being considered guilty by association because of their Pastor! People are digging deep with this one. Issues, issues issues. I need to hear about economy plans. C'mon media, I get the Enquirer at the grocery store.

Barack Obama is an accomplished orator and he's not really even that old. Great speech in a difficult context, but that does not make him the most qualified candidate for president! A local Seattle newspaper- The Stranger- has an article entitled "The Church of Obama". It is clearly a pro Obama article and a very worthwhile read.

However, upon reading it, I became convinced that Barack Obama may be president one day, but not with my vote in 2008.

I think you need to read more Wully Bully. Obama isn't a racist. In fact he has tried very hard to keep race out of his campaign. You will be voting for hate if you don't vote for Obama because of his Pastor. Who do you really think is stirring this all up? Come on, really, how many things have your Pastor/Priest said that you don't agree with?

I will no longer apologize for being white or for things that my ancestors NEVER did.

I am a 63 year old female voter. I will not vote for Clinton because she has no more experience than Obama but a vote for her is a vote for both she and Bill running our country. She has demonstrated she cannot tolerate different viewpoints – you are either with her or she considers it a fight she will win no matter what. Obama has the right temperament, intelligence and experience to find new approaches to all the challenges we have in this country.

As I am a blue-collar white man from a red state, I will vote for Obama. He is the only person in this election that has tried to give the truth. Clinton and her spin police have done nothing but push me away and I can't wait till the end of Bush/McCain unilateralism.

I am so surprised by how poorly informed so many Americans are. It is not difficult to learn about the position of each candidate and yet no one seems to take the time.

Senator Obama has not proposed to raise taxes on those making more than $50,000, unless you mean people making way more than that amount. He has proposed to raise taxes on the wealthiest 2%, as Senator Clinton has. By contrast, Senator McCain supports tax breaks for the wealthy, so that the money will trickle down. Trickle down might work if the goods and services purchased by the wealthy are actually provided by Americans.

Senator Obama is not racist because his pastor has used inflammatory language. If this logic is accurate, I am a racist because I support Senator Obama and Senator Obama has listened to a "racist". Similiarly, I must be pro-life because I am a practicing Catholic. Wrong. I am pro-choice, even though friends and family believe this stance incorrect based on the teachings of the church.

Americans need to stop politicians and corporations from dividing us based on small differences and come together to bring real change to Washington DC and the reast of the United States. Senator Obama recognizes that when Americans are united that they have unlimited power. If we do not hang together, we will undoubtedly hang separately.

Obama and his pastor are two separate ppl. Please let us all stop pretending like there were no truths to his words...this country is still divided by race and pushing it under the rug doesn't solve the issue. Tell me how you feel when a cab on 5th ave doesn't stop not because it's off duty or occupied but because of the color of your skin. Look at the Senator Obama and tell me that his skin color is not an issue in this election and I'll tell you "look again." CNN remains my favorite news station but should be careful not to fall into Clinton's trap of "the media being too soft on Obama."

Obama has a lot of experience with the working class people. He has to get out there and talk with the people and tell them what he has done to help those who has lost jobs or in the process of loosing jobs.

A lot of people want to vote for him but need to hear what he is going to do for them.

Please, Obama, tell the people what you have done and will continue to do for them.

ALOBAMA 08!

Hillary is better for the unions when it helps her campaign. She is pro union, and on the board at Walmart for eight years. She says that she was always against NAFTA, but she praised it in her book and her earlier remarks to the media. She says we will see her tax returns on or about April 15th. We will not see the tax returns until after April 22. She has a lot to hide from the voters in PA. I wonder what the union workers and the average white man is going to think of the Clintons when we see the contributions to Bill's Presidential Library, and whatever else she is hiding. This is the Clintons we are talking about. Just look at their history. How many more scandals does this country need?

The union worker in the piece thinks that the President can lower the price of gasoline, and that is another example of people not understanding basic things about our economy. A lot of the commenters seem to have adopted the Clinton PR line about deeds versus words. Don't be misled people, Hillary has less experience than Obama, and she has done nothing for Union workers. She is the one who talks and talks and yet her Senate record is bare when it comes to job creation. I agree that Obama needs to spend more time talking to working class people, and believe that once he does, the numbers will swing his way.

As an African American, I view the church that Barack Obama attends not as a racist church, but a church for the priviledged elite. Which I loathe more than racism. Many people are saying that the pastor was angry as he gave that speech. I don't think he was angry per se, I think he was trying to rally up this elite predominately African American audience.

Now I was raised in the city of Houston. The church I attended was in an poverty stricken neighborhood. Race was not mention in the pulpit. The United States wasn't discuss neither. The sermons were uplifting, but most importantly, it was about making it through the week. These mega churches to me are for those who seek social and finacial prospertity. And nothing is wrong with that, but I believe in those hole in the wall churches across America that preaches: How are we going to get through the week?

I like Barack Obama because he doesn't dumb it down for the audience, and he challenges us not to accept applesauce over steak, which President Bush is the master of. I don't want a candidate that says buzz words. Senator Obama is full of them, but he also has substance, complexity and depth. I seek and crave that from every aspect of life: Music, relationships, religion, and politics Senator John McCain, Hilary Clinton, and Barack Obama are qualified to be president. However, the question is which candidate is best for the 20th century?

This presidential race is very complex, and that is the way it should be in my opinion. I am tired of seeing the United States being divided over childish playground tactics. Barack Obama challenged us to be smarter than the Orwellian tactics of old politics today.

Vote however you like, but please do not fall for the typical spin that the media and political pundits give us. Challenge yourself this year.

When anyone asks a Voter if he can name anything that Obama has done for the country.......the answer is repeatedly, "No." When asked about the influence of Obama's Pastor, voters all agree that the Pastor has influenced Obama over 20 years. Everyone is really angry that they voted for a man who has these Racist Ties. Is Obama really qualified for President.......an Emphatic... NO!

It's not about race, it's not about gender. The message he brings is hope. A message that only the hopeless or those who have ever been without hope can hear. I hear what he's saying loud and clear. It's all about new beginnings. I can testify because I know where all my help comes from, and my LORD say's my sheep know my voice.

Also, experience is not the most important thing when it comes to this election. Not to mention that Obama has been a senator for years, and before that he was a politician in Chicago. He has plenty of experience, but the real question you should be asking yourself is:

Who is more determined to actually help the American public?

It's not experience that gets laws passed. It's good writing and convincing that gets laws passed, and I feel that Barack is the best candidate to do that. Representatives are not going to pass a law just because the president is experienced; they are going to pass a law because it sounds good to them. If reps feel that it will benefit the American people, they will pass it.

i am white and will never vote for a racist
he is a very intelligent racist thats right
a racist if we dont wake up soon and vote HILLARY
we are done for,, the promlem here is this guy
can do no wrong if he was white and his priest said what he said
his run would be over

God did not think you had to be EXPERIENCED to become a parent. If God doesn't think EXPERIENCE is a requirement, who are we to feel it should be? EXPERIENCED parents don't always mean that they are GOOD parents.

Some of the comments I've read, act like everyone who votes for Clinton is a dumb fool. Anyone with an education votes for Obama. Now who's the dumb one?? Big degrees do not make you smarter when it comes decisions about people, only in your job. I don't expect Obama to disown his preacher or mother or anyone else. BUT, it is his choice to go to a church that preaches racism. I do not want a racist for a President. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck guess what it's a duck. If you are raised with racism, then there is a bigger chance you will be one. Look at his wife. What she said was definately what came from what the church preaches. All I hear is to make it better for the blacks because they've been so burdened. Not one of them was ever a slave, sorry , get over it and move on like the rest of the blacks have. They do for themselves, and no pity party for them. They are ashamed of you. They see you making race an issue more than anyone. We need a president that is for ALL the people, the red man, mexican, cubans, everyone, not just the black.

I will not vote for a racist. What is the difference between a white man talking racist and then a black man like Obams's preacher. He is a racist. If a white man said what he said, he would be shot!!!

White men will decide Obama's fate? How ironic.

Obama truly has worked as, with, and for the working class people of this country. He is the product of a lower to middle class family so he understands more than Clinton or McCain what it's like to struggle to pay bills. He just needs to get that across to people. If he does, there will be no stopping him.

What Obama's pastor said is NOT and SHOULD NOT be used against Obama. I've been to many events were speakers say things that I do not agree with but no one holds it against me because I was standing in the room. That's just plain hypocrisy. For a country built on a foundation of welcoming people of any race or religion to live freely, we sure know how to turn every comment or action into a race and religious issue …especially if it's not our own race and/or religion.
I, for one, am sick and tired or the mud-slinging and would just like some change. Change for the American people, that is. Those Americans of many colors …

xtina:

Check out the library of congress website and compare bills that Obama has introduced/co-sponsored during his tenure in the senate, and compare that with those Clinton has introduced/co-sponsored.

I think you will be surprised that there is far more substance to Obama's record than of Clinton, and he has had about half the time to do it.

When you actually look at what each candidate has done, rather than what they claim to have done, you will likely end up supporting Obama.

That isn't to say Hillary is bad or unqualified, but judging from the agenda she has pushed so far, she just isn't as deeply qualified as Obama. The main difference between the two isn't even so much the intent of what they support... it is the level of success and traction an initiative receives, as well as deep understanding of the ROOT of an issue shown.

Do the research, and you will find Obama is "more than meets the eye" (to quote tranformers).

It seems like every person debating on the Clinton/Obama choice asks what are they going to do for me. Whatever happened to "Ask not what your country can do for you?"

Voters should honestly ask themselves which candidate is better to lead this country, not which candidate is likely to get me what I want.

Obama is not just a member of Wright's church, but as he says a good friend of him. Wright gave his church's highest honor to Farrakhan. Need one say more? If Obama had accomplished a lot during his lifetime and were a proven quantity, we could weight this against that and I still think he would come out poorly, but without that background it's hopeless. I will not vote for Obama.

Wully Bully – I'm with you.

I am NOT voting for Senator Obama because of his links to his pastor, the right Reverend, Reverend Wright.

"it may be white men who decide the fate of his campaign"...
It is clear: the man is now, in one quick swoop, UNELECTABLE.

Shame on Reverend Wright, Shame on Senator Obama for not tellinng us about this skeleton earlier and for not denouncing him until the media came knocking.....

I'm heading back to Hillary..............

I am an African American woman who supports Senator Clinton, not based upon race, obviously, but because I perceive her to be the more prepared and qualified candidate. I am glad to hear Senator Obama address race, and not insult the intelligence of the American public that his receiving 80 – 90% of the African American vote has nothing to do with race. Of course it does. If Senator Clinton was receiving 80 – 90% of the female vote, there would be discussion regarding gender. Let's have an honest dialogue as to what the African American population expects in return for their vote.

Oh thats nice. Even after such an important speech full of the answers you asked for we still continue the divide. Those of you stuck in the past will be left behind this coming election. Hope will always overcome fear. That is the END.

hard working people do not have it easy in life. Taxes are killing them.
I do not think Obama really knows what we need as whole nation and as every class, individuals.
This country is big mixture of races, of people, and this is what is nice about it. No racism should be allowed. His church is anything but this, it is very deeply racist.
This church involvement is not what we want and need.
We need someone who is for all without any dividing. So far it was Obama's campaign which was dividing people, which was crying for apologies, which was insulting others, which was not speaking about others, but certain race mainly, too many problems with this campaign already – be it Rezko, his pastor, Canada, etc.
His experience is not the right one. This is not how the good leader should do, and whom he should have around, and whom he would pick for his "spiritual" lead and support.

living in canada all my life i have seen all types of people from various ethinic backgrounds run for office and I have never heard of race or religion play such a crucial role in the electing of any position. Should it not be about what he can do for the country as a whole rather than who preaches at his church. This is not a major surprise coming from a country that elected George Bush twice. What a joke.

Obama has had far more contact with the poor and working class than any other candidate. I do think that it is a mistake on his end not to draw focus on his community work. However, I think that so many people are looking for their 'easy out' reason to not support him and Wright opened that door. The question to ask now is "How many supporters of McCain and Clinton have made remarks at least as questionable as Wright?" Clinton can't go a day without someone in her camp saying something stupid, and well McCain just keeps breaking federal laws that he co-wrote and knows better that anyone alive. I have no concerns throwing my support 100% behind Obama. I felt this way when he announced his candidacy and feel even more committed today.

Wully Bully:
Your kind of comments are exactly what causes divison in this country..Maybe you should have heard Obama's speech about the issue today. That could have helped you make a more objective decision instead of jumping to quick conclusion like you just did.

The people who are trying to link Obama to his pastor should be worried more about putting someone in the white house with their spouse who have lied to this nation in way never seen before. How can we think about putting such liar back in the white house?

How can we send someone in the white house who was to busy to read the prewar document before sending our sons and daughters to their death. How stupid can we get as a nation? Now I can see why bush won two term in office…..

As a white male myself, I have never been as confident in a candidate as I am in Barack Obama. Despite what anything anyone says about him, he is infectious. And while many closed-minded individuals think he is a bunch of talk....look at his campaign. The success of his campaign directly correlates with the actions and involvement of his supporters. Change can happen, but its not a flip of a switch. Similar to his campaign, it is initiated by the people.

And that previous comment on not supporting Obama cause the person thinks he is a racist is borderline insantiy.

Obama keeps telling voters " change", "change" ! Does it refer to his Pastor whom he idolized for 20 years and now he is going to change his pastor just for convenience purpose. He! He! It does not make sense! But it sounds change !

I have a problem with a man who would "throw his grandmother under the bus" to justify his 20 years of sitting in the pews and breaking bread with a man who brings with him an atmosphere of hatred toward white America. One does not do so unless he subscribes at least in part to such an ideology. Because of this, I can not trust the truth in the man Obama versus the politician Obama. His speech does no more than tell me what I want to hear but his 20 years of sitting in the pews with such an atmosphere of hatred on the surface shows me what he does. What you do is more important to me than what you say.

I guess we all wait until the economy really takes a dive and then jump on Hillary's bandwagon. Better late than never. Go Hillary!

Wully Bully – obviously you didn't listen to his speech today? It was about the most non-racist speech a black person has ever given in the history of the nation. What else you could ask for is beyond me.

Comments made by Rev. Wright and now by Obama only serve to further cause racial prejudice and descrimination. Seriously question Obama's judgement and true feelings. Feel now like we are seeing an act. The body language when he talks about these issues is very revealing in what it does and does not say.

Would have voted for Obama before this all came out but doubt I can not support him now. He is charismatic but sadly lacking in experience and good judgement.

Obama does not align himself with higher income very liberal voters. If you would just take time to listen–his policies are 90 percent similar to Hillary's. The difference is that he has a more realistic agenda. Why would you believe that Hillary understands the working class? She is from a privileged background and bases her promises on her husband's work. Please give someone else a chance. As for Hillary's experience, I am still waiting for her resume.

And to those who will not vote for Obama because of the race and church issue, please note that it was the Clinton's campaign that started this mess. Geraldine Ferraro simply verbalized Hillary's thoughts to ignite the firestorm and destroy his campaign. But we all believe what we want to, and I am not out to change anyone's mind.

There was a commentary on the NY Time yesterday, and it started with something like this, "In this article I state that Senator Obama was present in the church on Jul 2 2, His campaign has since provided information that he was not. I apologize....." but he published the editorial anyway!!!!

And you will not vote for someone because of what his pastor said? Obama was not present and he did not put the words in the pastor's moth. I guess your support was not very strong to begin with. He is not racist–the Clinton campaign is.

Why would I as a white man even think about having a leader that willingly sat 20 years under a "spiritual leader" that espoused hatred for me and kept telling him how bad the blacks have it.

Maybe 150 years ago, that was true, but their lot has improved by leaps and bounds in recent history and most of the improvement came at the hand of white leaders.

At age 6, black kids sit under the same teachers as whites, in the same classrooms. They hear the same material, so where do they get off stating how bad they are oppressed and what we are doing to them.

Obama is not a viable candidate to lead a diverse nation after what his mind has been filled with all these years.

after finding out that Obamma takes his children to listen to racist and bigoted sermons on sunday at his church, why would i want him to lead my children

obama has no integrity

OMG you guys don't stop!!! Can u go to south side of PA and find out how these candidates are going to fix schools, health care, communities. Not who is voting for who. The news media is terrible at reporting news. Make the senators, mayors responsible. Who you do is identity politics. I guess those who complaint about the media bias towards obama were right( I was loving the JFK Halo until the media pounced on obama). You created obama and now u want to destroy him by what he has no responsibilty watsoeva. "Hey has been attending the church for 20yrs." So wat. Does he transtlate everything the pastor says to politics. OMG people ar so ignorant. "oh he should have known after attending 20yrs of service." OMG you are talking about 3-6 15sec clips. Way less than 1% of the millions of seconds he has preached. OMG I cant believe people can be so prejudice.

Why would I vote for hate? I was very troubled by Pastor Wright's words. God D– America. No he made it clear that he was going to stand by Wright. Not with me by his side.

How can Obama calls for unity? the one whom he listened to for 20 years is a racist.

The thing that I think distinguishes Obama from others is that he was born into a less than favorable position (minority, single mother, etc.), yet was still able to work hard to go to college and eventually go to Harvard Law School. This is the American dream. I can connect to that.

Although, I am college educated, my parents and grandparents were blue collar union factory workers who worked hard so that I could have an opportunity to go to college and be successful. I am living my white blue-collared parents' and grandparents' dream. I think that Obama should emphasize this connection more.

I will vote for a black president when blacks stop playing the race card to get their way about everything they want. Senator Obama is an intelligent man. I just couldn't take 8 years of having to see Jesse Jackson's and Al Sharpton's nose in everything they think should be done "now that we have a brother in the White House".

How could a person who was smart enough to be the head of the Harvard Law Review be so dumb as not to see the church he goes to is a racist church?? It was not only what the Pastor said it was the response of the congregation in the background that ran chills up my spine. He's attended and been a memeber of this community for 20 years and he never noticed the racial bigotry there?? I dont believe that for a minute and he has stated that he is remaining in that community because he is comfortable there. Now,.. I understand what was behind Michelle Obamas remarks about not ever being proud of her country until now. AT the very least the president of the USA has to be a patriot. And this man is patently not a patriot. My family freed their slaves and gave them all land to own before the emancipation proclamation. My ancestors fought and died for Barak Obama's freedom in the Civil War, I supported MLK and the freedom movement as a young woman and this really hurts me to see this attitude still thriving after 35 years. I was ready to vote for him, not this time but down the road when he had a bit more experience but no more. He is not a team player either, he is a diva, a team player would accept that after 35 years of hard work for the party, the working class and Americans of all color, Hillary Clinton has earned the right to run for President and he wouldnt be doing this. I shudder to think what John McCain will do to him if he gets nominated. That Republican war machine will eat Obama alive. I know that right now they are watching all those films just looking for one shot of Obama in the congregation with his hand in the air. The only honorable thing he can do at this point is to withdraw his name. Both for the country and his party.

I think obama is doing a great job speaking his views! go obama

Obama cares nothing about whites, only votes, I will move to Canada if he is elected

Plain and simple; if Sen. Obama is tied into radical or controversial black leaders, there will be, unfortunately, a white backlash. That's my opinion.

i was a voter for obama until i started hearing all the bad stuff from the media, ie. he won't wear the american flag, his wife stating she's never been proud of her country until now, etc. i haven't heard of anything that he has done politically as a senator, but all i know that it seems like he's just worried about his race all the time. you never hear anything else, except for him backing up his african-american color. if he wants to become the president, he's going to have to live with that, and not make everything about it. there are plenty of other conficts going on this this country, and we don't just want to sit back and always hear who offended him yesterday. that's just my opinion. talk politics...talk about what he will do for the country...talk about the changes he claims that he will make once put into the office! not just about who called him what on the news.

Obama is no longer on my list for consideration after hearing his apologia on behalf of the hateful reverend. To subject his children to this type of hatred in a modern day church is inexcusable and borders on child abuse. He can get away with that garbage in Chicago, but not in the heartland-inexcusable-I hope he's finished.

Obama's speech today was all about, uh I guess I lied.

I was an Obama supporter, but am no longer.

I will not vote for a racist into the White house.

I hope all those dewy eyed fools who supported him because of his smooth talk are enlightened soon.

It seems Obama's speech today had something for everybody-isn't that what every "slick" politician does? Is he really different?

Talk is cheap. What exactly are Obama's strategic plans??? We all know he is a great motivational speaker but that WON'T PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE of American families.

Another 30,000 people gone from Delta airline? Not many "working-class" left to worry about. That's the way they want it – black, white or rainbow-stripe. The only color that matters now is GREEN. And even that ain't worth much these days.

Yet Obama is a working class man and Hillary and Bill are wroth $37million. You people need to use your brains.

Let's see. When the steelmills were going under, Obama was out there providing community service to help my union brothers make it through those troubled time. Where was Hillary? I am Catholic, some of our priests are child molesters, so therefore you all are to assume that I believe in child molestatation? Guilt by association can be a very destructive instrument and one must understand that. Let's investigate all the candidates ministers, former misisters, ministers they have had contact with and dig up the biggest pile of crap we can on everyone. I do not want a Bush or slick Willy and Hilly in the white house, the country has had enough of them.

I really thought that there was no possible way the Democratic party could screw up this presidental election. However, they have managed to do so...I was clearly for Obama until the last couple of weeks. We do not need racial battles for the next 6 months and that is what will happen if he wins the nomination. How is it possible that we (Democrats) do not have a better candidate??? We needed John Edwards. As of this moment, I have absolutely no idea who to vote for–the economy is on the brink of total collapse, we are in a war without end, I'm spending $60 every 3rd day on gas to get to work, and all the news media wants to talk about is irrelevant blabber about comments from a retired minister. OUT COUNTRY IS OUT OF WACK.

I supervise a union workforce and my dad has been in the uaw for 39yrs. Union jobs will never be at their1970's and 1980's levels. Those days are over no matter who the president is, this is a fact.

Obama is against me.

Sincerly,

Tax-paying, middle class, never divorced, gun owning, Navy Dad, pro-life, 50 years plus, V-8 Chevy truck driving, balding white guy.

Wully Bully – Did you see or read Obama's speech today? The man is not a racist. His parents even come from different racial backgrounds.

I think the analysts suggestion that "Obama needs to talk more about his experience as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, where he worked with steelworkers and their families." is a great tip.

As a white male, I'm a big fan of Obama and his message, but I agree he could do much more to reach out to those in unions.

Personally, I think it's time for the media to be part of the solution instead of the vessel for the problem.

By that I mean it's time the press STOP the racial dissecting of white men, black, religion, latino, women, etc. voters and just focus on the issues.

So let me get this straight. Obama has know this Pastor for over 20 years, but he is just now becoming aware of his racist & anti-American tendencies. I was born at night, but not last night. Sorry Barack, I'm not going to let you pull the wool over my eyes.

I agree with many that Obama's speech today is historical and he is openning a new chapter of American history. I won't be surprised that future generations will go back to this speech again again and again. What courage and audacity!

This is not so much about race as it is about class. Working class voters perceive Hillary to be closer to the working classes than Obama. I'm sure some union/blue collar voters will based their vote on race, but those are a fringe few. The rest are much more concerned about their financial future. Unionized workforce has now fallen to 8% of the national labor market. The day of the Union has passed, and workers need to focus on education rather than re-stabilizing industries that are past their prime.

Critical thinking / God fearing folks attend church to worship God not to worship the pastor. Truth be told, everyone has issue with their pastor over some topic. Critical thinking followers don't have to agree with him/her on every issue. I'm not understanding why everyone is holding Obama responsible for someone else's words.

It's amazing that everyone says that race is not a factor, yet when you see the polls, it obviously is.

Have we forgotten Obama is half white and half black . Are we really suggesting he is a racist against his mother and himself ?

Oh m'God, don't lay this one on the white male!

Hey Wully Bully I'm with you – Obama denounced his remarks today but flat out refuses to disown this guy and still wants to be a memeber of that church – he just threw his candidacy away. By By Bama – Hello Hill.

Somehow Sen. Obama keeps missing the point. He needs to spell out clearly what he will do as president, not tell us what we will have to do. Talk is cheap, but it takes prosperity and solvency to buy groceries, that's not going to come out of an Obama adminstration.

You are judged by the people with whom you choose to associate.

I'm trying to understand how Hillary can relate to "Blue collar workers" when she lives in newyork (affluent community) and the clinton's are millionaires.

To anyone that claims they won't vote for Obama because of the statements made by his pastor:

1. Obama was not the one who said the remarks

2. I'd question whether you'd vote him anyway – is this just an excuse?

3. If any of us were to be held accountable for everything that our friends, family, co-workers, or associates have ever said, we would all perish.

4. Google the hateful, intolerant and non-Christ-like comments made by Rod Parsley and John Hagee (both McCain endorsors and in the words of McCain his "Spiritual Guide").

Give me a break. If white pastors made racist remarks they would be tolerated just like they have been for 200+ years in this country. I have heard racist and sexist remarks from pupits before (white churches). No one said a word because no one in the congregation was running for president. I would not want to have to defend everything my pastor has said in the last 20 years and I doubt anyone would.

Obama has lost his appeal.

And he lives in my city, I am college-educated and make well over what is defined as the group of "working-class white males".

Take note of these words from an article I read: "Thinking critically about government policy is the strongest shield against government excess.

We will continue to voice our disagreement when we feel the government has stepped out of bounds and will do so with the conviction that one of the highest forms of patriotism is devotion to the Constitution and the freedoms guaranteed within, including the right to speak out in disagreement with the powers that be.

"

We all knew Obama's fate was inthe hands of white men anyway. What has changed but these white men don't wear hoods.

I fear what will happen to our country if we Elect Obama. He is obviously no different than any other politician in his ability to spin . Our country was fooled in the last 2 elections. Wake up people, Obama is not the man to reunite our country. GO HILLARY

People have been trying to paint Barack as a Muslim extremist since day one of his campaign. People need to get their heads out of their butts. If you want to know Obama's stance on issues, read his web page, you took the time to read this article, so you can take the time to read his page.

Clinton has lost, Florida is out, and Barack would almost surely win Michigan anyway. She has no chance. If you want to be a Democrat, stop ruining the party by supporting false accusations. However, I can't blame you because you are generally uneducated folks, which means nothing more than you believe everything the media feeds you, and that you aren't smart enough to find information that isn't provided to you via the media. Find some information for yourselves.

I do find it quite funny that a bunch of middle class people support one of the most elite Americans that makes more money in a year than any of us can expect to make in a lifetime. She has not seen a hard day in her life, and if you call her husband cheating on her hard, than you haven't seen a hard time either.

That's it for my rant. The best thing we can all do as a party is come together, vote for who you want to vote for, but stop trying to ruin the other candidate, especially when smearing Obama does us no good when Hillary can't win the nomination anyway.

I was very much pulling for Senator Obama, but after the words of Pastor Wright, and connecting the Dots to Mrs. Obama's comment of being the first time she was proud of America has given me pause.
Todays speech leaves more questions than answers and until Senator Obama gets more specific on Issues I'm afraid that it is just more feel good talk. If I made the same comments that Pastor Wright made I would certainly be painted as a racist and a bigot. Racism works both ways!!!

Listening to some of the comments from "white male voters" in both PA and OH, I'm shocked by the lack of issue knowledge. This is generally an informed section of the electorate, but to hear them speak about not hearing Obama say anything that says he will protect unions and jobs is appalling. I don't know if they just made up their minds, haven't been listening, or refuse to listen. Like Clinton, I've heard a lot about plans to help working class people. I should know. I'm one of them. Frankly, though, since 9/11, I haven't made many inroads into better pay and I believe Clinton's been on duty for a lot of that.

He’s been a memeber of this Pastror's churck community for 20 years and must have been blinders. Did he not hear the congregation as they cheered this Racist Pastor on from the pulpit. I can't believe Obama. Yes he is an eloquent speaker, but that is about all he has going for him.

CHANGE, nice slogan, but what changes. Haven't heard anything concrete from his lips. The man has no experience, and does not belong in the race. Speaking of Race, what is that we had the Black Music Awards and other award shows only geared toward Blacks.
Wonder if we had a White only music award show, how the outcry from the black community would be.

I am a Liberal Democrat, but am tired of the imbalance. The crack in the white/black division is starting to appear already, and if Obama gets the dems Nod, watch the white backlash that will begin to take place in this country.

Let me pose a question...When in a job interview and a potential employer wants to know how would you handle problems, doesn’t the potential employer ask..."How would you handle ______situation if it arises? In my experience, they do.

What Barack Obama did today is the most important factor in my decision to vote for him. If you look outside of the race issue and you look and the steps that he took to address this issue, it is the EXACT characteristic that this country needs in terms of a President or any elected official. They fact that he CONFRONTED the issues...gave is HONEST views then addressed the fears that you have( I say you because this issue with the Rev. Wright was never an issues to me...I saw it as what is was...a spin to make Obama seem discredited) and give us solutions to solve it. Barack cannot make you feel how you are going to feel, but he did today help you understand what would make a pastor say these things and he showed that he is a true man of integrity by being a standup person about it.

Unfortunately in America, the race issues will never be quelled. As long as we as a people are not truly understanding of others cultures and issues, it will always be in the forefront of anything that we aspire for. But in my opinion, what has happened in the past few days has made us really understand why we are voting for whom we are voting for and if it is not a relevant and well thought out reason, then you will flip to the other side when the heat is hot.

So if you are now leaving the Barack camp because of the views of his pastor that only looks out for your spiritual well being and you are leaving because you think that race will overpower the white house, I ask you to remember 2 years ago and what you saw and heard in Sept 2005 and the Katrina coverage. Race has been in the white house before that and it will be after that. So tell me that you are leaving his campaign because he is not the right candidate, but don’t tell me it is because his pastor, when we know that we have heard some things in our churches, temples, synagogues that we did not agree with, but we saw the bigger picture and still stayed.

Please believe that this is not something as far as the Rev Wright tapes that came out of the thin air, they came from careful investigations and the hunt for dirt. The Resko thing is not going to amount to a hill of beans so they had to find something else and race was it. Shatter the "Safe Black Man" facade and we will win. God is wish that the job interview did not come to dirt, but it did.

In conclusion, look at the tone and the stature of this man while he was speaking...Cool, Calm, Unraveled...now at 3am, I want THAT person to answer the phone.

Tammara Beach
Single Mother of 2
African-Panamanian-American!
Supporter of a great candidate

If you are not a woman, you will never understand what prejudice women have to deal with.
If you are not "fat", you will never understand the prejudice a fat person has to deal with.
If you are not of average height, you will never understand what those have to deal with.
What about the Italians and those of other heritages (Asian) have had to deal with when their American forefathers were locked up and herded like cattle during the World Wars?
Every one of every ethnic background has a history of some sort of prejudice.

How is it that everyone seems to talk about him having a white mother and not remember that she is the one that married the black muslim man to start with so at some point in her life she must of had the same beliefs as he did, so my point being what would her being white have to do with changing the way he was taught and the way his father and mother both brought him up, if her feelings were different than that of his fathers she would have put him in a different school are something but no when she divorced his real father she then married another muslim. Get the Picture

If anyone here believes that Obama attended this church for 20 years and did not know what type of hate was being preached, then they are wearing some very powerful rose colored glass that were probably handed out by Obama himself.

Sorry Obama, you can not convience me that you sat in a Church for 20+ years hearing that type of preaching and you do not buy into that ideology. If my church preached racism and hate, I would quickly find a new house of worship, not keep coming.

If I wanted a motivational speaker as a president then I would vote for Obama. Funny thing is, I want a president who will follow up their speeches with action. Hillary has been in the White House before, she'll knows what to expect from day one. She and Bill are respected and well received internationally. We need a candidate who can restore our international relations. We need strong leadership that can turn our deficit into a surplus again (it didn't take long for W to blow through the surplus Bill left behind). The United States is suffering and we need strong leadership.

I just don't think Obama is up for the task. Our country isn't in the position to take a chance on a rookie, especially one whose trustworthiness seems to be a little questionable lately. We've seen Hillary face very public scrutiny and she persevered with grace and didn't let that keep her from doing her job. That's the kind of president we need...committed and capable even when the "you know what" is hitting the fan.

I listened to Rep. Obama and he made it clear he did not condone his preacher. That preacher let his mouth overrule his good sense , Marines tend to do that . And anyone that changes his church because he doesn't agree with his pastor is a small person . This from an athiest.
I do not know how I will vote yet; But it wont be because of race.

People please, give up his church because his pastor said something inflammatory, oh and I guess every catholic politician should leave there church because of all the scandals associated with there religon. just because someone stands in the pulpit does not mean they think for you. Many ministers of all races say things that one race or another will view as racist do we disown them no.
Experience wise well where is all this experience Hillary is talking about? practicing law, well Obama has that experience as well, working with communities they both have the experience except Obama has not had to defend any Whitewater stuff. As far as the Rezko it was all disclosed in the past, typical campaign rhetoric bringing up nothing.
One last thing CHURCH AND STATE are separate, the church all religons have know business running the politics of this country.

Many people on this page have commented on why union workers are centralizing around Hillary. There is a plain and simple reason for this. Hillary knows that in order for her to win she must make claims and give people what they want. Union workers for some reason believe that Hillary will give them everything they need so that they can move out of working class America and into some luxury style of living where everything is perfect and they don't have to pay for anything. Certainly their entire basis for voting for her is because there will be something that directly benefits them. I would call it a selfish vote. On the other hand, Obama repeatedly provides programs and services that would help future working Americans. I think that this is more important to America then guaranteed pensions. There are very few laws that Bush was able to pass in his time as President that will really effect society. The main thing he has done is try to pave a way for future policies of America. This is where Obama and Clinton diverge. Clinton is obviously looking for the selfish, immediate solution vote, while Obama looks at the Presidency from a much broader perspective. Clinton would certainly continue on the same lower class/upper class policy that Bush has set if she is elected. Obama been through everything that hard working Americans believe, and actually knows how to solve them. Not by immediate solutions but an immediate change in policy and an immediate change in political mindset. This change will happen, but not if Hillary is elected. No change will happen and I guarantee the only thing that will be done during her time as President is universal health care, a decrease in the quality of health care for low income Americans, and troop removal from Iraq. The difference between low class Americans and upper class Americans will certainly enlarge if she was elected. It is time to end this nonsense and to start thinking about change. It is time for Americans to stop expecting everything for free from the government and to start looking at the world in which the next generation of Americans will be raised. As a white male, Barack Obama most certainly has my vote.

I beleive as many others on this blog that Obama is toast!! I bleive that McCain will eat him alive if nominated. Should he somehow win, i will move permanently to Mexico. I am a while male senior.

After learning of the type of church the Obama's have attended the last 20 years, we now know why his wife made the comments last month that for the first time in her life she had been proud of America. She was listening even if Obama was not.

poor lil confused white men, still heading in the wrong direction, JUST BECAUSE CLINTON TALKS ABOUT THOSE THINGS DOESNT MEAN SHE WILL DO THEM, every four years someone gets up and says what they will do and fills the voters' ears with everything they wanna hear.......
these same white men elected Bush twice and now look at the country, we got soldiers fighting for nothing and our economy is failing, if these white men make the wrong decision again America may crumble

I voted for Obama in the primary. After watching his pastor of 20 years rant and rave about the damning of America and such, he has lost my vote. I watched his speech, and it was well spoken and well thought out. He made some great points, but what I heard was that the white man is still to blame. Now I am one of those working class he spoke about, nothing has been handed to me and I have earned my way. I won't be blamed for the sins of past generations, my family was not here. What about all the white folk that stood up for the rights of African Americans? What about me teaching my children to treat others equally? If I went to church every sunday and heard our pastor say the same things that pastor Wright said, my family and I would leave. Garbage in, Garbage out. Right?

I'm a white male, 61 years of age. Obama has indeed given me hope for the future of America. I say, based on all that I have seen in my lifetime, let's give this man the opportunity to prove what he can do. Our president, more than anything else, needs to inspire us as Americans; and really, to inspire all the world. Obama is truly our best hope.

Can we please get religion out of politics!
Clinton-Gen. Wesley Clark–now there's a ticket without religious undertones.
"It's about the economy (& war) stupid!"

Firstly, I'm not certain about what part of Obama‘s pastures speech was racist. Perhaps I didn’t hear the speech in its entirety. Secondly, it is Obama that is running for office – not his pasture and it is Obama’s words that should be at the forefront and not the other way around.

Extremely well said Shannon in Minnesota and so many others. Diddo! It's great to see open dialogue. This is a very deep all encompassing issue. I am glad to read the thoughts of so many critical thinkers that listen with an open mind and open heart.

Can you imagine if Hillary Clinton’s pastor would have said those remarks about black people? Not to mention this pastor married Obama and his wife. He also baptized his two children. It wouldn’t surprise me if Obama’s support among blacks even grows higher from his 88% in most states because of this.

Regarding Bob Merk's comment: “I’d want to hear a guarantee of jobs, that the price of gasoline is gonna come down, I want to hear about better schools for my kids.”

Is this really what people are asking for from politicians...guarantees? Unfortunately, those are simply false promises, and I'm sure Hillary Clinton bestows them willingly. The question is, do you seriously believe her. Seriously?

What is important is that we stay united as a nation. Let's respect each other's opinions, let's understand not everybody has the same perspective or situation. Stand by your values, but don't attack others.
We are one nation, under God.

Barack Obama is running for president. His pastor, or for that matter the pastor of any of the other condidates, is NOT. Why is this country so obscessed with what the religious community is saying when we clearly have a separation of Church and State?
If you want a theocracy, move to Iran. If a country where religious values are the most important item on the agenda, consider a move to Saudi Arabia. This country is SECULAR.

I think everyone has the right to choose who they want to vote for, for whatever reason.

The people that are not going to vote for Obama has the right to do that just as the people who are voting for him has the right to. Until people start being honest with themself, things will never "change".

First of all Obama is a product of a White Woman and a Black Man. He is black but he is also white. Obama is a mix of 2 races. As a Latino I’m a mix of 3 races. For people to say or think that obama is a racist is ridiculous. Obama was raised by a white family. This man knows more than anybody what it will take to bring this country together. He best understands the views of white and black people. Obama is a bridge between the black and white. This man clearly wants the best for our country as a hole. He truly wants us to go beyond race and unite as Americans. Americans are all decedents of immigrants. The only true americans are the native Americans. The native Americans where here before anyone. We have become a melting pot. If we don’t get beyond all this none sense this country will have a hard time moving forward. This is the perfect opportunity for America to come together behind this man.

Sing God Bless America for the people you want to vote for you Obama.. They are waiting and listening . Get Rev. Wright to
sing along with you.. Maybe, then you might sound a little bit
sincere. Until then .. you just have great speech writers .

it is simply very foolish to support BHO. If he was not half black he would never have gotten this far. What about substance and specifics regarding real issues? He has none.

Hope is what we need in this country at this very moment. I wouldn't say Obama is the perfect choice but that is what we get. Clintons have their chance and they are too power hunger to care for the average American. Sure they will manipulate the average American in order to go to the office but once they get there, they have the 'special interest' and the big greedy corporation to please first. Can the average American wait another 4 or 8 years for our turn? Playing the racial card shows how low they are prepared to go to be in power. Why do we need a person who is divisive to be our future president?

As with McCain, do we need another Bush? These people get filthy rich at the expense of the general American public! We have failed to safe guard our country from the 911 and instead of take stock of our negligence and move on but Bush chose to divert the attention and went to wars instead. Do driving the Talibans to the mountain and hanging Saddam make America safer? Absolutely not. We sacrificed thousands of our men and women in uniform for more enemies, more hatres and $110/barrel oil. Not to mention what the war cost of $trillions can do for our ecnomy.

I admit Obama did make some mistakes. Who didn't in their life. What is important is how we live up to our mistakes. He deserves a chance and he represents our hope. Hope is all we have now. Lets unite and work together for a better future. Unite together and we can do it!

Boosk, Utah

All these union people voting for Clinton???? I always thought one of the first things they taught you is YOU CAN'T shop at WAL-MART!!!! For God's sake Hillary was on Wal-Mart's Board...Not following Union protocal. Go Figure!!!

One question for those who blame Obama for attending his church: Where do you expect him to go? Another black church? A white church where his wife and children have no connection with? What would you do if you were black?

Where is the apology he owes to Ms Ferraro? If it's alright for his pastor to spew hate why couldn't he and his campaign staff understand where her remarks come from? Guess he still expects special treatment. NO DOUBLE STANDARD! If he cries racist at her supporters then he better do a whole lot more explaining why Wright should get a free pass.

How many Republicans does it take stir up the Democrats and keep them fighting while the economy falls apart, wall street is bailed out, folks loose jobs, the environment detriorates, health care becomes less affordable......(then John McCain is sworn in to continue the Bush legacy, pick the next set of supreme court justices, start another war with Iran, hire Halliburton in a no-bid contract to clean up, raise gas prices to $6 a gallon)? Hmmm

Pick a candidate, vote and then get back to work. We've got a lot of cleaning up and rebuilding to do.

As a European, I laugh when Americans vote for a man,who is a talker(bla,bla,bla) and nothing else(Obama Hussein).Time to wake up.

Any chance Obama might pay back that FREE RIDE College education all the working class workers paid for?
My white kids have school loans going into the next decade.

Diane in Idaho
No defense of your Pastor for 20 years is necessary. But you don't attend a church where you disagree adamantly with the theological and sociological philosophies of him or her, do you? And don't those philosophies have the potential to dramatically affect the way you look at the world? Do we want a Prez who has listened to and supported this mind set . . . for a day, much less 20 years? I don't want a Prez who has listened to and bought into the philosophies that you speak of having been tolerated by white pastors of 200+ years either!

It is clear this country has such a long way to go. The media continues to pit on group over another to make other groups feel unimportant and decieved. Is this because we have no other "playbook"? It's easier to blame and fight one another than looking in the mirror and make a commitment not to participate in a ANCIENT war. Shame on us all!

Who is Obama kidding? Everyone to some extent is a rascist. We are only human.

However for the past forty years our country has made great progress to overcome rascism. Martin Luther King was great leader because his vision for America transcended race, religion, gender or politics. Rather, a man should be seen and judged not by the color of his skin but hischaracter and integrity. Today, opportunities are available to all who work hard and want to get ahead.

Now, Obama presents himself as a candidate for unity, change and hope for a better future. Those are just empty words, words, words. How can you speak for unity when you are a member of a church for the past twnty years that spews hate and encourages division. I do not need to repeat anything other than "GOD Damm America".

Everyone exercisesjudgement in the company one chooses. Typically, people associate with people who sare common values and beliefs. Obama has aligned himself with likes of Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson.

Now, I know why Obama won't wear a flag lapel pin, place his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, and Michelle Obama just now is proud of America. What she really meant to say is I am really proud of the Nation of Islam.

I will never vote for someone who this country the USA of KKK.

By the way, where is is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? They sure pipe up when Don Imus makes a race comment. I get it it is okay to run Imus through the fire but not them.

It's amazing as we can see from the variety of comments that his absolutely amazing speech didn't really put a dent in anyone's perceptions. Which ironically was his whole point.

People who thought or think he is a radical racist who is going to start the black revolution will hear the speech and take out what they want to confirm those views.

People like myself who support him do not need to be convinced that he is what this nation desperately needs. It is not enough for people who like him to believe in him. For him to do the change that he wants he needs to reach those who dislike him, those who are unsure and those who are scared to vote for a black candidate.

For me personally it was one of the most passionate speeches I have ever heard on race relations, next to MLK of course. I think even if I was not a supporter of him, I would have to at least give him that credit (but I see that those people cannot)

Willie Robinson – you really don't get it do you – why is it ok that there is a Miss Black America, NAACP awards, Black Pride Day, Black History Month ( to name a few). If there a Miss White America, White only awards, White Pride Day, and White History Month they would be labeled racist. Willie, can you look in the mirror and say RACIST

HEAR'S THE BOTTOM LINE:
If you were for OBAMA at the start of this race, then the rantings of Rev. Wright will stir you as it should, but not serve as an indictment of the Senator, because you have come to know his heart. Don't be swayed but the pundits that what to use this to continually divide the Democratic Party and the Country. What OBAMA did today is unprecedented. He faced this issue head-on and dealt with it, not hide behind his spokesperson as we've seen so many candidates do in the past. IT'S TIME TO PUT THIS TO REST. Those of you who wish to see this as guilt by association, then stay in that one place and allow the rest of us to move to the nomination.

OBAMA 08!

I am concerned with Obama's (previously stated) alliance and allegiance to Reverend Wright. Wright is racist and appears to be anti-American. He does not appear to support our government, either; we can expect him to criticize in hopes of offering "change", but it is unacceptable for Wright to have made the negative comments regarding who is at fault for 9/11. Obama has openly supported this ill-informed, poorly-spoken racist who also demonstrated a lack of control and respect as he addressed and criticized the Caucasians in his very own congregation. Obama is about race...

brendon. you are unfortunately uninformed and seemingly closed in your world causing you to forever remain frightened. don't be afraid. the white house and obama's cabinet will comprise a multitude of talented people representing the united states which includes you. much luv.

Unfortunately Les, it has become an obligation of Sen. Obama to consistently prove that he is a Christian and not a "radical muslim" as smear campaigns have set out to demonstrate to the those Americans vulnerable to extremist fear-mongering. In doing so, he has been forced to invite everyone to examine and scrutinize the viability of his religious practices. The inclusion of religion in his campaign is more the product of having to neutralize the rampant ignorance regarding race and religion in this country than it does with any will of his to make religion a major component of his message.

Obama is a joke and his pastor has cost him the general election! MCCain will now trounce obama. Obama has lost the majority of white votes now.

All you obama fans-enjoy it while it lasts!! Like bill clinton said- it was a fairy tale!

If the so-called "preacher"that Obama listened to and believed to be honest for twenty years,and a spiritual leader as well,this man needs his head examined.I voted twice for Hillary in the texas election,caucus,and plan on doing so again.I saw his apologetic speech,but he did nothing to ease my mind about the hate-filled rhetoric he has raised his family on.He scares me badly.Don't even try to say that AA's are not racially bigoted towards whites,because ihave lived and worked in America for nearly sixty years.Liars always destroy themselves.

I ask any Obama supporter reading this to respond with specific reasons you are supporting him. Hope? Change? garbage. At least be honest – becasue he's black? because you hate republicans? What about all the support Hillary had until this guy came around. GIVE ME DETAILS, not hope and change......

"Change" is not a message, it's just a word. It is easy to make promises, but a very different thing to keep them. Obama's inexperience is showing.

It is very discouraging to read some of the comments on this blog. I am a Black woman, and the majority of my friends are white. Towing that line for a Black person is something most of America will not understand. Not speaking or looking too 'Black', especially in an office setting. Have my friends said things that were prejudiced? Yes! What that did however was open a discussion of where those comments or thoughts came from, how they were raised & how to change it. Did I disown them as friends, one of which even dated & shared some of the views of a skinhead? No! Knowing me has allowed some of them to see first hand some of the racism in ths country. You will never 100% agree with someone. To suggest that even though one may not fully agree with another’s values, thoughts or opinions you still cannot learn about them and yourself is foolish.

A majority of people do not REALLY know our history. Thoughts & words passed down from generation to generation without knowing why. Many people of color Latin, Black, Asian have to walk that fine line in order to succeed in this country. Are we ready, truly ready to see past this? I still hold out hope that you listen to the message. If you listened blindfolded to all of our candidates before you knew anything about them, would you hold on to the same thoughts & assumptions?

My white grandmother walked into a funeral parlor once to bury her husband. The owner was white, the worker she was trying to deal with was black. The white owner made some odd comments about the worker, to which my grandmother proceeded to spout out a string of racial slurs against white people and left.

The worker was shocked and called her at home later. He didn't know you could be a bigot against your color, especially if was white. My grandmother responded that she was just a bigot against bigots. He offered her a place run by a younger person who he assured him was all right.

See her husband was black. Neither white nor black funeral parlors would bury my grandfather. The place that was recommended did bury him, but only after charge my grandmother more than any other white women. They were black.

He was a sweet, loving man. Even in death the bigots were against him. That was just over 13 years ago in "liberal" California.

And yes white people are still bigots.
And so are black people.

I've seen both sides.

Obama is right. We can't hide from this any longer. And he is right, he can't do a damn thing except inspire the nation to change. It is up to us. Don't be lazy, don't look for somebody to change this country, Obama is asking a very important thing: Start the change yourself.

To those calling Obama a liar -

FYI, he did NOT lie to AC360 when he said that he hadn't heard the remarks made by his pastor until they were publicized by the media at the beginning of his campaign. He made this statement in direct reference to the infamous youtube videos.
As CNN themselves report in the recent article summarizing today's speech:
"Obama was not, as some reports placed him, in attendance the day Wright delivered the well-publicized comments, according to his campaign."
In his speech, yes, Obama does admit to hearing controversial remarks in church. However, whatever he heard is SEPARATE & DISTINCT from the 2 sermons currently being circulated in the media.

OBAMA '08

WHY is Obama talking about race only when he thinks it will help his campaign? He avoided talking about race when he thought it wouldn't help his campaign. He' s an opportunist I think, and disingenuous.

I think that Obama's true colors are shining through...no pun! You don't have to look any further than his Church and his constituency. Why is it that it took 25 years in TV for Oprah to finally endorse someone? Why do 80-90% of blacks support Obama yet white people vote across the board? Obviously, affirmative action has finally paid off! Put race and everything out the window, he is not as qualified as Clinton or McCain...PERIOD!!!
Anthony
Wildwood Crest, NJ

What would the backlash be if Obama were white and belonged to a predominately white church that expoused a white racist position? Would we hear Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton and others calling for a black boycott of this candidate and for him to drop out of the race? I think we all know the answer to that question and for better or worse that kind of precedent has been set for years by leaders of the black community.

The stuff I'm reading is unbelievable. To think that Obama is racist is just hateful. I hoped America was better then that. I quess my black children will continue to deal with this and I must prepare them that no matter what racism will never end. I'm so sad that some people couldn't see how amazing his speech was.

Obama's speech today showed me he's apologetic and sympathetic to Rev. Wright's racist speech. He just lost my vote...

I was going to vote for Obama until I saw the video of his pastor of 20 years spewing hate towards the white man. I am the white man.

You know, it's headlines like this that do nothing to improve the lives of Americans. Headlines like this one do nothing but enhance the divisiveness that destroys our country. I respect anyone's right to vote for whomever they choose, however, I reject any notion that a particular race, ethnicity, class, gender, or political party will "decide" any election. We are not numbers. We are not statistics. We all are living breathing human beings who want to be able to work to earn money to pay for our food, our healthcare, and our educations. I am voting for Senator Obama because he inspires me to recognize my own complicity in divisiveness and my own responsibility to make my life better. He speaks a truth that is difficult for people to hear, that–even if as some of you claim, is motivated by politics–acknowledges one of the biggest problems in this country and asks others to consider, learn, and think. It is not a matter of white or black male or female. We are ALL Americans. And we should work together to make this country a better place for our children. I hope everyone here who is "hating" on the Senator and demanding "specifics" will go to his website and actually do their own research rather than depending on anyone else's words. That is the first step. Learning.

I'm impressed with how easily manipulated many of you are. You take the few little bits of tape of inflammatory remarks by Wright, which the Republicans are only too happy to play over and over, and you jump to the conclusion that this guy talks like this all the time, in every sermon, every week. You obviously can't stop and consider this in a more complex way, or even listen wtih an open mind to the actual speech that Obama gave.

People get the kind of government they deserve. The easier your buttons are to push, the less attention candidates have to pay to your actual needs and issues.

And to those people who "don't know" what policies someone stands for, you're already on the internet – go look them up.

If Sen Obama, grew up in the same America as all of us, and him being an Africian American, with slavery is his past, explain how he was provided with the opportunities he has obvioulsy taken advantage of by attending ivy league schools, etc. . I'll tell you how, all opportunities are open to anyone who lives in this great country America. It is up to you to take advantage, work very hard etc. I am tired of hearing about slavery. I do not deny that slavery existed, but come on now, that was a very, very long time ago. Do Africian Americans not realize that people of their own country were responsible for selling their people as slaves? I believe instead of preaching in your churches about the history of Black Americans, encouraging hatrated against anyone other than Black Americans should stop. How about preaching about family, education etc. Education is the key along with hard work and if you think it works any differently for the rest of us your wrong. Black Americans are living in slavery because the perputuiate it. Why not work with your children to educate them, make them sit down and study, and don't tell me that the schools are inferior, you are still being taught the same way in all schools, its just that some Black Students dont invest the work involved to get ahead. I have work hard my entire life to get where I am today and I am just able to take care of myself. In stead of looking for handouts or the easy way out, why not try working for it?

Just because someone close to you has specific beliefs does not mean you share them. I love and respect my parents but lord knows I do not share thier opinions or beliefs about everything! To say that Sen. Obama is a racist is saying he rejects his own mother's race, half of who he is. People move on so he can get back to what is important, the economy, the war and health care. I really have not heard anything better coming out of Sen. Clinton's camp to make me think that she would be a better candidate.

Cindi, Latino voters have always been strongly for Clinton. Never I think have they ever been considered swing voters.

It's funny to sit here and read about half of you bashing Obama and the other half bashing Clinton.

Both of your candidates are terrible. Period.

I don't need to back that up with facts; you're all doing that for me....

When the Black Congressional Congress allows whites to join, then I'll vote for a black president.

black,white,yellow or green, any man voting for obama or clinton has to be out of his mind. Obama and his pastor are full of hate towards this country and the white man. GOD HELP US ALL!!!

Some of you are so ignorant. You don't even hear Obama referring to Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson (referring to the "now that we have a brother in office" comment). Most people would be quick to defend their pastor as well, even when he or she may be wrong. That is not to say he agreed. If you did listen to his speech, YES, he did condemn his pastor's words. This is simply another weak attempt to discredit him because people can not find anything else. This has NOTHING to do with the election. What a wonderful distraction for the losing Clinton campaign. This is why educatiion is important for everyone. Ignorance is bliss. Stay in school people!!

2 points- Either Obama agrees with what his pastor stands for, or was too timid to seperate himself. Either way I am very worried. He made this a race issue. He made it seem like I was in church listening to what happened to african americans long ago. He is saying that this country is divided. This is going to do more harm then good.

When Obama started his campaign he told us that hid great quality
is that of having good judgement in his decision making, and being the one capable of bringing people together. He said that he was the only one who showed good judgement in saying in a speech that we should not invade Iraq. Now the good Senator seems to say one thing,
and do the opposite. He has shown very poor judgement in respect to
his associate Rezko and Wright his pastor. The saying " You can fool
some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time." truly belongs to Senator Obama.

I was an Obama diehard until I began hearing the racially offensive clips by rev. Wright. How can one take Senator Obama at his word claiming to be the one that can bring unity to this country?? Senator Obama still defended his bigot pastor? How can you trust someone to lead this nation running with the primary principle of “Change” while having been indoctrinated by a racist individual such as pastor Wright ?

Why does the media work so hard to put us all into neat little groups? white men, Latino women, older white women.....seems a bit racist, sexist, agist to me.

We're all struggling with the same issue – survival.

You call Obama racist for absolutely no reason. I can live my life with nothing but white leaders, white politicians, white CEO's, white Teachers,white police officers and so many more, and respect them as people and give them the benefit of the dought, no matter what society tells me, no matter how much hatred and racism i've seen and heard of. As a black woman I will still respect these people and never assume they are racist because of what someone they know thinks. I'm curious people that are reading do you have friends are family who say racist things and would you like people to judge you because of them.

Neither has been able to secure the white male vote because neither candidate has CARED about the white male vote, they have been too worried about securing black and latino votes. It's a little late to pretend they care about us now, I refuse to vote for either of them. I used to be a democrat but they betrayed me a few too many times in recent years, and I can't stand Mccain either. I'll be voting for whomever the best INDEPENDENT candidate is, even if that means voting Nader.