John, great to have you in the anchor chair tonite.

John, it is great to see you tonight! You totally rock. We’d like to see Miles there with you.

my passport is tired …iraq, jordan, israel, germany and back to dc in the past week !

so if my live blogging is a tad incoherent (or more so than usual) i beg forgiveness in advance …….thanks for spending your friday evening with us.

Wow, this is getting out of hand. Maybe there needs to be more security on these passport computer files.

Hi John,
Welcome to AC360 tonight, have nicde be here tonight.

There seems to be a pattern with people looking into pasport files. Perhaos there needs to be better security concerning them.

John:

Great to see you again tonight. Watched Situation Room today and it was a great show. Love your political analysis on all that is going on right now.

John, you are one of my favorite people on CNN. You do such a fabulous job of fair and balanced reporting. I love to watch you and Candy Crowley in particular. Thanks!!!

Hi John:

I am so glad for the Richardson endorsement for Obama. That is HUGE! Keep up the good work Obama.

is it just these three candidates, or could it have been more?

John,
Glad to see ya back!! You are the best sub!!

Cynthia, Ga.

Yes, Lesli.
I agree with you……. I don’t trust goverment who snooped all 3 candidates………. they have no right snoop their private life!

I am surprised that Richardson endorsed Obama. The Clinton’s must be disappointed.

that was funny (not) the state department initially wanting to keep private the names of the contractors snooping in private information ….your government at work ….

What is really going on with the investigation into the candidates passport files? Why now find out three months later.

Makes me think of Richardson as ungrateful! The Clintons gave him a career, he should have endorsed Hillary.

Hi John,
Sure like your delagate board…pretty cool.
I’m thrilled that Gov. Richardson endorsed Sen. Obama. I would have thought that since he was close to the Clintons, he would have endorsed Clinton. But he sees an opportunity to unite this country and he sees a real leader. I hope the media does not continue to fuel division, race, etc. WE NEED TO UNITE THIS PARTY BEHIND SENATOR OBAMA!

If the files of three extremely protected and important American citizens have been illegally accessed, how secure can the files of people *not* running for president be? Not very, I’d say.

Is Anderson okay? He has barely been on AC360 all week!

This support from Bill Richardson, a close friend must be very hurtful to both Bill and Hillary Clinton. I’m not certain it will make an difference for Senator O’bama though.

John King & Erica Hill…I Love You!

Question: Do you honestly think that American’s doubt ALL of what Obama has stood for, all that he has said, and even written about…just because of his pastor

Your thoughts?

Yes, Lorie.
I was also surprise Richardson endorsed Obama this morning on CNN. yes, The Clintons are so disappoint with him!

Bill Richardson sounds like a pretty typical Obama supporter – that was high praise in his endorsement.

I wish I had that much faith in him.

Finally, my prayers are answered!

This is an outstanding pairing.

Go Obama/Richardson for prez/VP!!

.@ julie, or maybe he just sees a chance at the vice spot? since it looks like obama is gonna be the candidate.
Richardson is a phony. I used to like him.not anymore!

Hi John: Welcome back to the U.S. I’m finding Richardson more likeable now than when he was running for President. Go figure.

Hi John, will miss Anderson tonight…

Did you ask John McCain is he still going to leave our soldiers in Iraq if he becomes President and how long? And who will pay for it?

What did Senator Obama offer Governor Richardson? V.P possibly

I’m not surprise that Richardson endorse Obama. Congratulation Obama. All the heat you received this week you do deserve some good news!

Carolynn,
Yes, Anderson is ok now……. thanks……

I applaud Gov. Richardson’ endorsement. A great pcik

What would the delegate count for the Democrats be if it was “winner take all” the way the Republicans have it? With all the possible scenarios discussed, that result is never talked about.

Hi John, I appreciate Gov. Richardson’s endorsement of Obama – he is right that the democratic party needs to name the nominee and move forward towards the general election. Obama will still pull through all of this mess with Rev. Wright, because he DIDN’T abandon a friend/mentor of 20 years….just like he won’t abandon us when he is president.

Glad to see you charing tonight!

Ronda, St. Louis

Hillary is to much of a lady to be mad. Her mother tought her better then that.

How much time do you have to devote to the Richardson endorsement? This network and program have gone so pro-Obama — it’s not even subtle at this point. You devoted 30 minutes last night to Obama’s passport file being breeched…where’s the equal Clinton coverage?

I think Hillary would be ahead in the delagate count based on winner take all but if someone disagrees, please let us know

Bill Richardson’s endorsement is about as valuable as Ted Kennedy’s was. He didn’t take Massachussetts or Texas .

@American Abroad–If you really want to make yourself nutty, look at how they apportion delegates relative to electoral votes. If you live in DC, your vote will count about 5 times more in a Democrat primary than it will in November, for example. If you live in Texas, you only get 3/4 of a vote in the primary relative to November. Crazy making!

Richardson on Superdelegates Last Month: Vote the Way Your State Votes. (Oops!)

Superdelegate and new Obama-backer Gov. Bill Richardson told the New York Times in February that a superdelegate’s vote “should reflect the vote of my state, it should represent the vote of my constituency. It shouldn’t be because you’re a fund-raiser or a big-shot delegate. Superdelegates should reflect their state or constituency. If superdelegates decide this nomination, it’s going to look like big-shot politicians and fat-cats decided who should be president.”

Er…Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, won New Mexico, Governor.

Thank you David Gergen for finally saying something positive about Hillary again!

I don’t think Hillary should drop out or Obama. Both have put too much into this to walk away this soon. There’s still elections to come.

I find it disingenuous of Richardson to say Senator Clinton should get out when he told her she should before Texas and Ohio! WHy didn’t he wait until PA and Indiana are over?

Glad to hear about Gov. Richardson endorsing Obama today. It seems most of the news about his campaign as of late has been so negative. At least people are talking about him though. The only thing I hear about Clinton these days is her pleading for MI and FL primaries to count. My opinion is that if you break the rules, there should be consequences.

The polls yesterday showed that, given some days since his eloquent, historic, and courageous speech on Monday, Senator Obama had made up some of the ground he had lost to Senator Clinton last week. Today, the polls show that he has made up a lot more and almost drawn even with Senator Clinton. Give Obama a few more days and he’ll be right back where he was before the Rev. Wright controversy. After all, he says that he is betting on the goodness and generosity of the American people…and I, as one American, think that he will be proven to have placed a very good bet.

I don’t really get it. If Hillary Clinton had the support of many black people, then why do people keep saying that O’bama is the person who can unite the country. To me it seems O’bama is the one who has caused division in the party becuase he is running against Clinton. I don’t get why everyone is so enamoured with O’bama. I see someone without experience and it scares me.

Hey Erica Hill…love that smile.

Is your passport OK? LOL

This is just another anti-Clinton democrat who’s opinions matter very little, just like an alcoholic Kennedy. I wouldn’t put much weight in Richardson’s endorsement, after all he is a backstabber with little crediibility. His state voted for Hillary, and so he is going against the voters in his own state. This is getting bloody -the anti-Clinton democrats in the DNC especially need to stop these attacks, and get the votes from Florida and Michigan counted, this is not a very pretty picture for democracy. I believe now that Iraq has a better chance of less manipulation that we do with the Democrats. OBama cannot win the national election, its just to impossible, with the Rev. Wright racism.

Dog sweaters? That’s so gross and simply wrong and tasteless! What’s with these people?

Debra….Senator Clinton would be ahead if it were winner take all……BIG states matter. Conversely, the Republicans would be battling if it were NOT winner take all. Kind of puts this all in a different perspective, doesn’t it? The media could not have had the love affair with Senator Obama if it had been winner take all…..the numbers would have not supported it.

Took me a minute to get up and running — Happy Friday, everyone!

I can’t believe this all dogs of hair! what they are thinking???? oh no!

Happy Friday to you too Erica!…

I’m so glad gov. richardson endorsed obama,I was for richardson in the begining,I thought he would have made a good president, but he didn’t make the cut, both obama and richardson would be a great ticket.

Enough with the Reverend Wright story. Let’s move on . . .

Erica: What’s so wrong with knitting up a sweater from dog hair? We do it with goats, sheep, alpaca and rabbit hair? But then again, I’m a knitter.

Hillary has won 3 state contest (RI, OH, TX) since Feb 5th and Obama has won 14 state contest during the same period. Keep in mind Obama will end up with more delegates from TX than Hillary so that is actually a win for him. If she was not Bill’s wife she would have been ran out of this contest by now. If the role was reversed I know MSM would have ran Obama out of dodge. So who are we kidding, this race should be over.

Bill Richardson for Secretary of State!!!

@ Billi and Debra–even if they just apportioned the delegates with any reference at all to the electoral college and still did them proportionally, Sen Clinton would have an insurmountable lead. I don’t see why they do it this way, then force a situation where the super delegates have to swoop in and state the obvious. It’s just silly.

Happy Friday to you Erica!

I don’t really care what the sermon was about, but I really can’t understand why any pastor would use that phrase – I’m sure that it is not a way God wishes to be spoken of by anyone, least of all a Pastor.

Hi John,
I am a Hispanic American and I lost some respect for Bill Richardson. Now that it’s becoming more clear that Clinton is not going to win the nomination, Richardson abandons the Clintons and tries to enhance his political career by endorsing Obama. The Clintons practically built his career. Where is the loyalty?

As an Independent, there is few things I have never liked about the democratic party. First, democrats fall in love with a nominee candidate quickly without vetting. Barack Obama is a excellent speaker. Via Obama’s resume, his leadership skills have yet to be proven. No disrespect to Senator Obama, but for Bill Richardson to state “once-in-a- lifetime leader”, to date, there is no evidences to validate that statement. Potentially?!

The timing of Bill Richardson endorsement seem to convenient. Barack Obama desperately needs a headline change from the Rev Jeremiah Wright scandal. So, out steps Bill Richards from the shadows, for more face time. Ending the week on a endorsement. Positive headline change for Barack going into the holiday weekend. Gold points for Bill Richardson to move closer to the top of Barack Obama’s short list for VP.

While we have the freedom to support who ever we wish. I find it disheartening, for people like Bill Richardson, willing to step into the lime-light to endorse Senator Obama. Bill Richardson, Al Gore, and many others, would be no name fame aging government employees, if not for the hand of Bill Clinton. I guess that politics in action – no loyality. Maybe, I am just to loyal.

Context? Unless he was quoting another crazy preacher, I think context is irrelevant.

You know the media is not going to be deciding this election, the voters do, and until the last state, and the last vote is counted including FLORIDA and MICHIGAN…..this race is not decided.

Richardson asking Hillary to stop fighting is just ridiculous and is a slap in the face to women of the United States. Its telling women to step aside, to step down, to follow the men, who have basically destroyed the economy, invaded the wrong country, disparaged the poor and held healthcare back ..from the needy and the sick.

Mr. RIchardson, that is why you did not get the nomination, HIllary has every right to follow this to the convention and she will and she will be all the better for it…its called Democracy.

Having looked over Roland Martin’s article regarding Rev. Wright, I still don’t understand his defense of his sermons message which seems to many to be hatred, rascism and blame??
I learned about this quite awhile ago, and without the soundbyte, made the decision not to support Obama.
His questionable past acquaintances and limited political experience
don’t win my vote.

I still find the sermon hard to listen to. Perhaps if he had delivered the speech without screaming in such an angry way. Lowered the volume of the sermon, so to speak.

The coverage of CNN of the endorsement by Gov. Richardson for Sen Obama, really shows the bias of this network. Did you actually call Gov. Richardson a “cheerleader” and as “giddy as a schoolgirl”. Gov Richardson is very well respected and important player in the Democratic Party. To characterize him in this way, is like trying to marginalize his importance. This sounds like the Clinton campaign, who before today thought he was very important, until he chose Obama.,,,Please stop the race baiting on your network with playing the Rev. Wright videos. Where is the breaking news on Rev. Hagee and John McCain?? You are starting to report like FOX News.

Jolene, I agree with you. To each his own. I do believe the majority of pet lovers find it very CREEPY, though, to wear the fur from your friend.

Why is it so difficult for people to believe that Richardson is following his conviction that Obama is the best democratic candidate? He does not owe support to Hillary because her husband gave him a position in his administration.

Hi Erica, I waited to see the first part before blogging today.

This Rev.Wright thing gets more and more interesting.. and the context is not condoning it either. WHY WOULD BARACK SIT IN THIS HATEFUL CHURCH that is SO ANTI-AMERICAN???
I agree with Bay Buchanan on this.

I am very happy to see Richarson support Obama. Obama is the only one who cares about uniting this county. The news need to stop talking about race and Obama. When I look at the new, I see a lot of racism from certain news anchors.

Jolene, it’s apparently softer than alpaca and is almost waterproof — the samoyed fur, that is. It sounded a little strange to me at first, but the more i learned, maybe it’s not so crazy. The fure is spun into yarn, cleaned, reportedly VERY warm… maybe this couple is on to something!

When are we going to stop talking about Rev. Wright and talk about the issues that matter to the American people? I’d like to hear more on both Clinton and Obama’s plans for the economy and Iraq. They both gave speeches providing more details this week on both topics… Where is the coverage for those topics which according to the polls are at the top of the American people’s minds.

Roland

I didn’t get a chance to get on your blog this afternoon, but I appreciated your blog and your response. Thank you for putting things in perspective. It still doesn’t excuse the delivery of the message in the tone. As my last blog stated, this Pastor is full of hatred and it isn’t about a black pastor. I had a fire and brimstone preacher and he made me afraid of God’s love.

Why does Roland expect that it is ok to have that kind of talk in ANY CHURCH???

between you and fox news it seem that you are trying to dictate who to vote for in the elections…. both channel are showing their true colors.i am 50 yrs i have never seen anything so bad reportin g and bias in my life.it like you been paid to hurt obama …why are you showing the same bs everynight???????i am sick and tired of it …get real or go off the air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i am a blk america and i agreed with what mr wright say…between i seen all the hate and mistrust that ur race put us..it is total evil on how you trying to keep this in the news

Parker thanks for pointing out the opportunism and the flip flop of Governor Richardson (he’s not supporting the winner of his state – as he recommended other superdelegates do). He waited until after the revotes in Florida and MIchigan were defeated – which increases Obama’s chances of winning the nomination – to give his endorsement. Too bad Richardson doesn’t have the loyalty to the Clintons, who made his political career, as Obama does to his pastor.

If you are going to go into dissecting pastors, which i think is ridiculous, why no in depth look at Hagee and his outrageous statements about catholics, gays and the armageddon? McCain went out of his way to get his endorsement.

Thank you for your input Gretchen; greatly appreciate it

Okay enough of Bill Richardson. I want to know more about Hillary Clinton making a statement on St. Patrick’s Day about when she was the first lady she landed in Bosnia and had to escape enemy fire or something like that. However in her documents as first lady nothing like that was ever recorded and further more if had happened I’m sure it would have made national news at the time. She has a lot of discrepencies between her years of “experience” as first lady and I don’t know the truth. I’d like to see some more fact checks.

skm, I agree with you. Why would Obama sit in such a hateful church. It just seems odd that someone could sit in a chruch like that and not be offended.

thanks for the kind words .. sorry if i am a bit sluggish!

richardson is an interesting guy .. we had a fun chat earlier on sitroom …he clearly wants back in the game some.

hard for the clintons to say it doensnt matter when they spent so much time personally lobbying him

Roland, Revered Martin Luther King was VERY pasionate. He never spoke like Jeremiah Wright. They eemerged from the same era. Black Liberation Theology is not a message of hope.

John King is just back from traveling with Sen McCain — I’m not sure where he found the energy for 3 hrs of Sit Room and now this show. Looking fwd to his insight on that trip

No carolyn Richardson doesn’t owe the Clinton’s anything, it just shows his character as a backstabber that he is not endorsing his friends, the Clintons, as he has been for many years.

You don’t stab your friends in the back and throw them under the bus when they need your support, or perhaps maybe you do, but I don’t.

His endorsement does not even align with his state’s voters, so to me he is getting a job out of this, a possible Vice President slot. thats about it. ..so he is a prostitute.

john i dont care what roland says about this man … this minister is way out there………i did listen to this whole sermon that roland has on the website and wright is filled with hate,,,,, i give everyone the benefit of the doubt …..obama was sitting in this church for at least some of these sermons…..after listening to whole sermon on the 911 deal, i would suggest that you take a good long look at the obama rallys….

Roland is so correct. I grew up in a predominantly white Christian church. Everything I heard week after week was the “fire and brimstone” of hell if we didn’t clean up our act as sinners…

It’s not just the African-American churches, or even southern churches. This is religion, and in some cases, there are extremists standing behind the pulpit. You don’t just give up your church because of one or two comments you’ve heard.

Everyone is making it seem like Rev. Wright has preached like this every week in his 20-30 years of ministry. Maybe we should look at the # of great inspirational things this man has said as well. We’ve all said things that are questionable in our lives – I’m sure every one of us could think of a statement or two we would take back – if we could.

If Obama respected a white conservative pastor who condemned homosexuality, Obama would also be feeling the heat. It doesn’t matter if they are from the South or if they are “passionate” or not. Thats not the issue here. The issue is Wright’s viewpoints, cut the spin.

John

Nice to see you again on 360.

Here …here…Mary Ann….well spoken …and I agree with everything you said….

This does make many white people including me- wonder if Obama has hatered/resentment towads whites like the preacher does.

I would like to know how many people have voted for Senator Obama in the primaries or caucuses and now regret it due to Rev. Wright

Anderson, I would like to see the sermon of pastor hagee, which John McCain contacted for support, about the catastrophe of Katrina. But I am sure this wont be played!!!!!!!

Did Govenor Richardson Vote they way His state voted? Well I guess not. What about T. Kennedy? What about Kerry? I guess these super duper delegates don’t trust the american voter. Super delegates should vote the will of the majority of the people in their state or district. Regardless.

Way to go Rolland! Obama has given us a chance to prove we are who we say we are as a nation. I have faith we live in a time when race will no longer determine the outcome. I knew there was more to the story, and the good Reverend, like many preachers, is exactly half Wright! It tells us only that Obama can, as he has shown us again and again, manage to consider more than one perspective. It is wonderful to have someone speak to us as adults.

God Bless America

Erica,
Can you tell me that they already fired from Justice Department including one is already suspenison, I heard C. Rice all apologized to 3 candidates?

Rev Wright apparently is a fire and brimstone preacher and his congregation likes him that way, However I disagree with Bay, when she says he preached about hating White people, all he said America is run by white people, which is true and that the government invented Aids to kill black people which may or not be true….

Oprah left this church years ago. Being as close as she is to Obama, I am sure that she told him to disassociate himself with this church. He obviously thought it helped him politically to stay with Reverend Wright.

Is there just something wrong with me? I just don’t get it, from McCain’s spiritual advisor, to Rev Falwell, why is the hate that they have spewed just so different than Rev Wright? Granted that may be directed more at groups of people (gay, catholics, pro-choice), instead of the government, but hate is hate.
Maybe it’s my generation, but I don’t see this affecting my decisions in any way if I was a member of the church. I may not attend those sermons, but a church is a community of so much more than the pastor. If you don’t agree with your pastor who is like a family member, just imagine the discussions you could have.

Just my 2 cents!

Debra i think many are regretting their votes for Obama, now that the truth comes out, I think people need to think long and hard at Obama’s slim chances of winning the National election.

Slim to none.

Why is Senator Lieberman right there behind Senator McCain? He seems to step in when Senator McCain misstates. I have great respect for Senator McCain but it seems to make him look like he needs a shadow.

I appreciate the attempt tonight to put Rev. Wright’s sermon in context. Roland has done a great job shedding some light and helping us to see the fuller picture. There is an outstanding post from Sam Stein on the Huffington Post that shows about 8 minutes of the “GD America” speech. You get to hear what he said before and after the overplayed sound bytes. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get a clearer understanding.

Relaying the whole story is what journalism is supposed to be about. Hats off to AC 360 for didding deeper!

apropos of nothing: the roman ruins in jordan are breathtaking.

and the israeli press at the western wall makes us here in the us look laid back tame ……..

Roland Martin is clearly an Obama supporter. He cannot see the controversary in Rev. Wright’s comments. Even Obama (after saying he was not in the pews) changed his mind in another interview and said that he was in the church when various controversial comments were made.
Let me tell you, if any preacher from any faith in Canda said those remarks..like God Dam Canada, they would be charged with treason.
Now if Hillary Clinton was in this situation she would have been asked to step down. Obama still has lots of questions to answer.
His judgment is very much in serious jeopardy.

To TN Dave, If the issue concerning Obamas Judgement in this whole affair had been public before the primary season, Obama never would have gotten all the votes that he did. People that supported him , no longer do but now it is too late to change their votes. He should have been vetted far more, before the primaries. He does not have the experience to be President. Belonging to an afro-centric, hate spewing church shows his judgement skills. We are going to learn more and more about him and if this issue is any indication, it is not all going to be roses.

I question whether McCain really made a “mistake”. He sent out a printed statement the next day that was very cleverly worded but gave the impression that yes indeed Iran is funding and helping al Quaida. I believe he is conflating Iran and al Quaida the same way in which was done with Iraq in order to drum up support for a harder line on Iran.

Gov Richardson just opened the door for superdelegates to ignore the will of the people.

Quite frankly, I don’t go to hear either “God bless America” or “God damn America” . . . that is not why I attend church. I don’t go to church to hear politics about politics, or about any political figure.

I want to hear the words of love and of hope and of what I can do to better my world and that of those around me. I go to help bring God to earth and into my life . . . and to learn of the hope via my faith.

Politics has no place in church irrespective of Obama, Clinton or McCain. So whether it’s Reverend Wright or Pastor Haggee, both men do a disservice to the congregants.

I have Lou Dobbs for that . . . and in the luxury of my own home.

What is being missed in review of Rev Whites speach is that amoung the poor and disenfranchised there is a deep distrust of America and it’s motives. As a so called white man I work with the poor and Rev. White to me is only expressing the views of his flock. The well fed and the well cared for mainstream must be shocked that there is a large portion of America that has not shared in the dream. My condemnations of our policy’s towards the medial class and the poor would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. If Rev Whites comments shock you you live in a bubble.

Hi All,
I am getting very tired of all the focus on Reverend Wright’s comments. He is not running for president. Clinton, McCain and Obama are the candidates…not their preachers. This is hateful stuff and Obama is not Reverend Wright…just as I am not my preacher. Is Hillary her hairdresser…should we get tapes of everybody’s barber as well. Let’s focus on the candidates.

Stewart

I believe that people are over blowing the issue of Rev Wright to mask the real issue of race. First of all who honestly believes the man preached like this every Sunday based off a 6 year old sermon? Also people keep saying he let his children listen to this. Well as a African American I can say every black church I have ever attended for 40 plus years has what we call “childrens church” they arent normally in the sermons that are preached to the adults. And my last comment is hw long will we beat this dead horse? Until November, lets move on to the issues.

Apparently Gov. Richardson wasn’t in town when his state elected Hillary Clinton as their choice for the democratic nominee.

With Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s sermon you could kind of sort of see what he is trying to say, that the U.S. is abusing its power over the rest of the world. It’s just the way he delivers the sermon, that is very abrasive, and out there. But I really do not believe that his sermon should shape the way voters should see Obama’s platform.

Lou Dobbs and Anderson Copper have failed to look at the complete story of political leaders and their pastors. The anti-Obama commentators continue to ask “how could Senator Obama have stayed in his church with Rev. Wright?”

Not once have I heard that question answered with let’s look at our history in the south with White political leaders. How many racist organization did they belong to and no one asked them to leave them. They were “disqualified” from office because they belonged to all “White” clubs and organizations.

Your arguments are so hypocritical! Now you have a new standard for Senator Obama— saying he should have left. These White political leaders never left their families members, churches, organizations, commuities where many who believed the racist lies about Black people resided.

I have a question I dare any of you to ask “why did the White people of the south elect racist leaders if they did not believe in being racist?”

Forty three Presidents-ALL with one thing in common- VOTE for real change a new point of view HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT

bill richardson is a traitor for having endoresed obama and not hillary
the clintons gave him his career! fortunately mexican americans don’t care very much for him, we voted for hillary clinton, so the endorsement won’t help very much. it just shows how ungrateful this man is. as a mexican american I didn’t vote for him, i voted for hillary.
if he runs for v.p with obama, i will not vote for him, i’ll vote for Mccain.

About Rev. Wright and Sen.Obama.
To all the people who are criticizing Sen. Obama and know that he
does not agree with any of the things the Preacher has said should also know that the Senator has not written the surmons. If someone can prove that the Senator did write these damming sermons they should come forward.
Otherwise lets stop all of the nit picking and lets get on with the election and may the best man win. And he will.

dah! is someone hoping for the for the VP slot? Why else would Richardson endorse Obama. After all Hillary did win his state.

Oh, can someone tell Rolland Martin that he may find some white preachers that have been as fiery as Pastor Wright but he doesn’t see a Presidential Candidate sitting in the pew!!! That even if they endorse one of the other Candidates, those Candidates have not spent 20 years of their life with them.

If there is a “downfall” of America, history will record that the media played a major roll in the process.

How about just reporting the news and get off the brain washing.

It is absolutely unthinkable that one person could be held accountable for the words and actions of another. How then could anyone ever be held blameless for the ’sins’ of our fathers, mothers, siblings and so forth.

Senator Obama, nor any other candidate, should not be subjected to something as trivial as defending his former pastor’s words.

When Americans get past the “smoking mirrors” and realize what is really at stake, it may well be too late. Sad commentary on what could be a terrific future.

a lot of energy from all of our panelists on politics tonight — i keep wondering if the energy will fade .. and i bet some of you from time to time think: ENOUGH ALREADY.

Jamal, your man ’s campaign is on the attack just as much as anyone. Please stop saying that he is above that. Senator Clinton IS a fighter. Your candidate was “shaken up” by all the reports in the media about his pastor. I want my President to be a fighter – not get shaken up.

Keep talking about the race negatively is not in the Benefit of Great Nation of America. Stop it at once.

Obama is Great, faithful, and can bring US to the leadership of the whole world.

I hope People do not miss this Golden opportunity.

Hello, John, i mean comone the guy is already traveling the world and meeting other world officials, while Clinton and Obama are catfighting. I think they are just wastign their time, because Mcain is already there.

Good Show by the way

I think it is ridiculous some in white America act like they’ve never heard politics in church before especially in the south. And I beleive Hillary Clinton has repeated several times Super Delegates can do whatever they want to do!

I’m sorry did you all seem to forget that the reason for Richardson’s endorsement was based on Obama’s speech of Race. It had nothing to do with betrayal for the clintons. Obama’s speech was based on racial unity for all americans. Richardson had either experienced or felt this racial divide regardless of what position bill clinton gave him. And why does it have to be justified as what the clinton’s have done for him? He recieved his position as an ambassador based on his own intellect and merits. He went to college, was elected into congress based on his own merits. And now he’s ungrateful, booooo! So if Al Gore endorses Obama does that make him ungrateful for the clintons. And just who the hell are they for someone to feel grateful or ungrateful.

In terms of Senator Obama not leaving the church, as a christian, I have this to say: as a believer, one does not have to leave the Body of Christ – the Church – because of the pastor, unless his/her faith is in the pastor. The basic instructions for a person who has a personal relationship with Christ ( A Christian) is in the BiBle where you see
Jesus instructing us to love one another not to hate one another. Therefore, since Senator Obama is not following the pastor, but Christ, I do not see any reason for him to leave the Body of Christ. When a Pastor fails either because of lack of forgiveness leading to anger or whatever, a believer’s responsibility is to pray for him not to just leave.

Thank you,

Marie from Martin County Fl

oh-oh… the fence that ate the garden :: Immigration official

bill richardson’s endorsement will do nothing for obama to get the hispanic vote. hispanics already strongly support hillary clinton.
bill richardson’s name means nothing to hispanic voters. while he was running they voted for hillary not richardson. His endorsement just shows how disloyal and ungrateful he is because the clintons helped with his political careerl

Strange………When John Murtha endorsed Hillary Clinton, CNN reported it, but that was about it. Now when Bill Richardson endorses Obama, suddenly it’s a huge deal with Obama supporters waving signs in the background and Richardson singing the praises of Obama. I would think it would be a bigger deal to have Murtha who was the first to say we needed to get out of Iraq endorse Hillary Clinton whereby showing confidence in her to end the war. I’ve always said Hillary Clinton will win the presidency inspite of the media, certainly not because of its support. It appears to me that every time Obama gets in some kind of trouble, the press (media) tries to rescue him. He should not be a presidential candidate when he spent twenty years supporting a church and a pastor spewing such inflammatory, incendiary, unpatriotic rhetoric. I guess it should be no surprise that Malcolm X supports him!

Governor Richardson’s campaign was all about emphasizing his experience and the importance of experience as a presidential candidate and he endorses Obama, give me a break !
Governor Richardson is a so called “super-delegate” that is going to vote opposite of the New Mexico primary, granted it was close but it went to Hillary. There is nothing “super” about Richardson, he is out of step entirely !

Laura, Hear! hear! Like I have said here before, Love her or hate her, Hillary had been vetted in the most extreme ways imaginable. Her closets are open, the basement has been dug up. She has no secrets. We know it all, the good, the bad and the ugly, and guess what? She is still here, stronger than ever!

I see. If it is U visa, it is ok to harrass? Is that what she is saying?

And now she is eligible for the U visa, so she can just kiss-off?

I am outraged!!!

McCain can ask why Obama stood by and listened to someone say G-D America, but Obama can ask why did McCain help to do that to our economy and our troops when he voted for the war. I think Obama has the better argument.

OH the sea pig is cute!! I want one!

HRC3sure…..great point. I forgot about that. Between that and the fact that New Mexico was Hillary’s, he really looks like an opportunist.

Those are some cool looking aquatic animals.

Good for Bay….I agree with her, I think Obama and Hillary have had the worse week of the campaign. I think Obama has lost alot of votes
over the Wright relationship.
It will be a tough election between McCain and Hillary, but McCain has had a good week. Good Luck to him.
Thank you for a good show and See you next week.

John,
Didn’t McCain say he wouldn’t mind staying in Iraq for 100 years AS LONG AS NO TROOPS GOT INJURED OR KILLED? Hello! We ARE in Iraq and troops have gotten killed and injured! What gives with him?

John,
Really enjoy your clear and unbiased perspectives….Thank you. Interesting the many comments I am hearing about “Richardson living to tell about his stand against the Clintons” as an incentive for fearful supers to step up

I feel that Mr. Richardson backing Senator Obama is very important. Richardson, who is a close friend of the Clintons and knows them personally, is not letting his personal feelings interfering with what this nations need! It also shows that people realize in spite of what the media is trying to do with the sound bites of Rev. Wright that Senator Obama should not be held responsible for what another man said and those people still supporting the candidate that is about HOPE. Now that CNN has played more of the sermon you hear the sermon in its right context; you can get the real meaning of what REV. Wright was saying. You can not put government above God. There is no hate in that sermon!!

Aw, the “Bear Stearns” caption was so much better! I didn’t even try to beat that one…

It seems that Obama’s vision of one America doesn’t include Florida and Michigan. Obama’s not showing the leadership necessary to be the president of this one United States of America.

A real leader would fight to protect, rather than deny the rights of all Americans to participate in an election. Does he really think that we would support him in November after fighting so hard to silence us in the primary? I don’t think putting his own personal interests above the rights of the American people is a good path to the White House.

Go Hillary!

What was it Pastor Wright said that was not true? You can disagree with a persons conclusions, however you must use the same set of facts since there is only one set.
Now as far as what one person desires to be blessed and another wants to be damned is certainly a matter of perspective. So before you get all patriotic and haughty check your position on this highway of life. And make sure you are honest about what you have heard in your churches and your homes, oh yea sanctify your own house first.

Lori, It is not about being accountable for words Wright said. It is about his judgement. Either he didn’t know what was going on in his church for 20 years (pretty scary to be our President with no intuition), or he listened and accepted this hatred that was being spewed. I say that goes to judgement, character, and I question his belief system. In his speech he asked me a 37 year old white man to go back in time. Man we progressed so much in the last 40 years. Am I ignorant not to know that there is still some racial divide- Of course there is, but to blame me for it and not to explain why he continued going to this church and listening to this hatred doesn’t get it. If he was such a uniter and trandsends race why did he do a speech on race? Why didn’t he just answer the question about why he chose to go to a radical cult church that hates America? He should of just disowned him and moved on. I think this has cost him the election and it is sad.

have a great weekend everyone ….thanks for watching …anderson will be back on monday ….

Erica: Thanks for blogging. It seems like you always find the time to at least say “Hi”. Great shot! Nite bloggers!!!

Good program John.

Hi John,

Great job! Thanks so much for framing the Rev. Wright’s sermon by playing more of the speech. I was curious, and I appreciate the coverage!