Comments on: Lanny Davis: Better Now Than Later

By: Oris

Oris — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:58:02 +0000

We are a Christian nation with Christian values. One of which we read and subscribe to the precepts of the bible. The bible teaches that all mankind descended from Adam and Eve, this makes us brothers and sisters. Our physical attributes and differences evolved predicated on which region of the world our ancestors migrated to. Maybe God was trying to remind us of this when he made the color of all human blood red. Maybe God was reaffirming this fact by giving us the ability to donate blood to each other when needed. While I am mentioning the bible why don’t we read 1st. Corinthians Chapter 13, I am sure it will help us understand how God wants his children to act toward each other.

God bless America and all of it’s citizens.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:23:21 +0000

If loyal, progressive Democrats are now making decisions as to what a future presidential candidate, or anyone should hear, and what his Pastor can say in church, what are the Republicans deciding to subject us to? At least Rev. Wright thought enough of the USA to serve as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. That is much more than many of Barack Obama's critics have done. What gives anyone the right to deny another of freedom to choose his place of worship, freedom to listen to whatever one wishes. I have always thought of the Democratic Party as a supporter of one's choices to speak, listen, worship, protest. If one has to leave a controversial Pastor, or church because he , or she might want to run for President someday . Have we reached the point where we must deny our freedoms to win the Presidency?

By: Kathy - Tennessee

Kathy - Tennessee — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:44:10 +0000

I appreciated Obama's speech on race, but he did not answer the questions about why he remained in that chuch for 20 years. Let it go? I don't think so. It's the core values of a person that matter. We have heard Obama never heard those extreme views, we have heard he associated with Wright for all of the years of his marriage. I can't make sense of that. The pro-Obama press would be all over Hillary if she was attending such a controversial church.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:37:42 +0000

I am a 45 year old woman that was raised in rural Alaska and brought up by parents who had some harsh views on many of the topics coming to the forefront of this election. As an independent thinker I had to find my own resolve to issues of race, religion and political views. I bring this up because of the most recent comments that have ignited in the news regarding Obama's statements that some American's in rural areas are bitter. I know from my own life experience that many degree's of bitterness exist and if we as independent thinks look at our own lives and the lives of others that have been apart of our shaping as adults now, we know with certainty that views that Obama described are present in America.

Open your eyes, confronting issues (demons) is the only way to overcome the things that hold us back from the real change most of us hope and dream of in a better America.

By: Willie

Willie — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:58:52 +0000

Straight out of the gate, Senator Clinton "voted for the Iraq War"... She attempted to qualify this early on by saying "I did not read the entire Intelligence Report." It was her job to read the Report, she took an oath to honorably serve the people of our nation, obviously she failed and there's no excuse or acceptable exoplanation she could offer. Our nations citizens are economically pressed against the wall, forclosures by the millions, a failing dollar on world markets, Wall Street reeling and unable to recover, a trade deficit that's balooning and borrowing from China to cover the expense of the Iraq war. Our nations credibility is at its lowest point in over a century, all because our Republican president decided to illegally – by international law and our own constitution. Every European ally, except Britain, pleaded with G. W. Bush and company to not invade the country. When Clinton, and others, speak of "experience" they're really speaking covertly of racism... "us against them." If anyone cares to open their minds, our nation is on a downward spiral that cannot be stopped without "real Change." It is not good enough to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that what's happening today did not have its roots in yesterday. Hillary and the media, wish making an issue of Senator Obama's comments regarding the state of Pennsylvania, that his use of the word "bitter" in describing the citizens mood, was talking down to them. Well, guess what... I know Pennsylvania, its economic condition has been dire since the late seventies when it's steel and coal industries failed. Drinking and crime are issues within the state, but such is documentated in any area when the economies fail – Ohio is another state with similar issues.. I take pride in the openess with which Senator Obama confronts issues which other politicians refuse confronting. He's speaking truth "to and for the people."

By: Dixie

Dixie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:51:33 +0000

It seems odd to me that no one has the connection yet. The wife decides where the family goes to chuch and it's evident that Michelle agrees with Wright. You noticed they got her off of the campaign really quick when her racism started showing. People think Bill is a drag on Hillary, just let Michelle talk for awhile and Barrack won't stand a chance

By: Len

Len — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:11:30 +0000

If Davis and the other talking heads who can't get off the Rev. Wright had any courage, they'd just come right out and say that they're questioning Obama's patriotism. Then we ask them about whether or not they're McCarthyites doing the 21st-Century version of Red baiting.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:14:33 +0000

Lanny Davis you should be ashamed of yourself. I always thought you were an intelligent man. For you to come out with this all this time later is just ignorant. Sure I dont mind you bringing up the subject now because hopefully after Obama wins the nomination everyone will be sick and tired of the story and when the republicans use it most people wont even care. As of now everyone has pretty much made up their mind, but then you come out here with this editorial like it has been just the heaviest thing on your mind and that is what I find insulting. Obama has been a member of this church for years and usually there are about 52 Sundays in a year and you have three comments, all in a different year and you are trying to say that he listened to this for over 20 years, that is unbelieveable. To just try and say that Reverend Wright preached hate every Sunday is crazy. This preacher Im sure has done wonderful things for the members of his church and the community that he served, and to demean this man should be beneath you Lanny.

By: Lanny R. North, Honolulu Hawaii

Lanny R. North, Honolulu Hawaii — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:31:19 +0000

CNN should seriously consider reining in Lanny Davis. He may be an excellent lawyer or advisor... but he belongs on FOX not CNN. I can tell by his ramblings that he has never seriously listened to Reverend Wright's sermons from which the snippets are taken. I am atheist and have so listened. I would not have left the church!!!
Barack Obama in his speeches, in his books, in interviews demonstrates and defines HIS position and his personal views. To continue that those of Wright (snippets) map onto Obama is simply (well, FOX network).
To continue this barage is simply Propagandizing. CNN has been a network that deserves an ear. Lanny Davis should be asked to take a back seat. He casts a long shadow upon the whole of political reporting done.
And, his name has besmirched mine.

Lanny Ross North

By: Taj

Taj — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:21:26 +0000

Lanny: It is your option to support Hillary. But this country is Democratic & this time we want to bring in the best of the best, that is Barrack. We do not want to do the same stupid mistake as we have done in the last 2 elections. People like you voted for GW. Also remember that in this country we have freedom of speech. Rev. Wright was a little bit overly excited & making it known his frustrations about this country. He is right in some aspects. He is opening the eyes of the people like you who cannot see things right. Like people who elected GW. You are the kind of people who would blame MLK. Give people of other ethnic origin a break. We americans can no longer allow the business as usual. Barrack will be our next President. You can vote for Hillary, I am not. By the way I am neither black or white or a Republican. Good luck to you & Hillary.

By: Cathy in VT

Cathy in VT — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:01:46 +0000

Sure Lanny, and while we are at it we can ask Sen. Clinton to expand upon her claims that she mispoke when speaking of her experiences with snipers and such in Bosnia! Her handling of the fallout from that tall tale was far less forthcoming than Obama's speech about Rev. Wright. As I recall she said she mispoke, made a mistake and then rather coldly added that she is human despite what some people think. Sen. Obama handled the Rev. Wright issue positively!

By: Kathy - Tennessee

Kathy - Tennessee — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:10:39 +0000

When I go to church, it is not about the priest, but it is about the message. Rev. Wright's message was most destructive and racist and by stating he disagrees with it, Obama has admitted he knew about it – FOR 20 YEARS. There is no explanation for that – I conclude he agrees with the man and the message! It will be a bigger issue if he is the nominee and I do NOT think he can overcome it. If he is the nominee, the Republicans will make this the issue to win on. We can NOT afford BUSH III. Please Democratic leadership, make the hard decisions and get us a winning ticket.

By: Slater

Slater — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:08:49 +0000

I agree with this article. Rev. Write has radical, unpatriotic views that are racist to boot. While Obama may not share these views, why did he sit in the pews for so long? Why did he not speak up? Why did he not bring to the forefront that he was a member of a church with a reverend that has radical political views?

I just can't shake my feelings of comfortableness with the association of Obama with a radical reverend. This reverend not only voiced his radical views during sermons, he also circulated newsletters from the church to members with the same material.

Are we really that dense to think that such leaders do not lead followers into deviance? If so, then why are we so concerned about the polygamous ranch in Texas?

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:47 +0000

Any skeletons in either candidates closet are better coming out now and dealt with than later by the GOP – that is too late and could cost the party the White House Whether it be Clinton or Obama's skeletons we as voters need to know about them now while we still have a chance to determine the nominee.

Obama is always talking about the Iraq war and how he alone of the candidates had the good judgment to be against it from the start. As a parent I question his judgment since he took his young impressionable children to Reverend Wright's church since birth. If he thought that what Rev Wright was saying was ok, why has he now disavowed Rev. Wright and his association with him?

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

By: n8k99

n8k99 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:31:12 +0000

this is an interesting set of questions that you are posing, actually there is one question that you bare asking, "Why did a man go to a church, and consider himself to be a member of that community for twenty years while a pastor preached every Sunday?"

Why do you go to your synagogue services? Is it about your Rabbi or is it about your G_d? Perhaps, the reason Mr. Obama went to church is because he was able to feel the presence of God, perhaps he was able to find love and acceptance within a community and perhaps he was able to develop some long lasting relationships with diverse peoples that all helped him to develop into the person he is. Gave him a faith to stand on and grow his own faith. Perhaps hearing the shocking words of his pastor forced him to grow spiritually, rather just swallowing what was spoon fed to him, he may have been forced to find his own relationship with a Higher Power. Perhaps that is why he went to a church for twenty years. Why else would a man go to a church?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:08:14 +0000

It's funny how republicans and clintoneers alike want to downplay statements that they ACTUALLY said, but then want to castigate Obama for what somebody else said. I'll answer the question as to why Obama did not leave his church. #1 In any true church, it's not just about the pastor. After 20 years, one will have forged relationships with many people there besides the pastor that would be difficult to abandon. #2 We have heard a 30 second sound byte of things that were said and were not put in its context. I will be the first to admit that when I heard the sound bytes, I was wondering why he didn't leave, but after listening to the complete sermons in their context, I have to admit that while potentially explosive, I understood where Rev. Wright was coming from. #3 Rev. Wright has been preaching for 30 years. He is well known to white and black scholars, white and black politians. Of those 30 years and after thousands of speeches, sermons and the like, people can only come up with 3 or 4 instances where he said things that were offensive. I don't agree with what he said, but I'm sure someone would have verified by now if Obama was in church at the time some of these things were said. #4 What's good for Obama is good for everybody else. If you have friends or family that have said overly critical comments about the policies of this country or have made offensive ethnic comments in private that would be damaging to them if made public, then I hope you are in the process of getting rid of those ties, like you expect Obama to get rid of his. Frederick Douglas once said that "the true patriot is one who loves his country, but also speaks out against the sins perpetrated by his country."

By: Randy Stewart

Randy Stewart — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:06:19 +0000

A few months back, I was a Clinton supporter, though I had always had the feeling that her ambitions were a bit too personal. As her campaign has progressed, my suspicions were comfirmed by the disgraceful way she and her staff have run the campaign. She does not deserve the nomination. What our country needs now is Obama, and she is too selfish to see that. Goodbye, Hillary. Thank you for your service...now GO HOME.

By: Jami

Jami — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:30:17 +0000

Obama can not say he never heard him say controversial things. and if he did hear that sort of stuff from rev. wright why did he continue to attend that church. who would take their children to a church if they disagreed with what the rev. was preaching.

By: naknudson

naknudson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:27:22 +0000

I agree because he lost me when his wife came out proclaiming that this is the first time she is proud of our country. How racist is that so the Rev Wright incident which only reinforced that belief. He sat in that church 20 yrs and had to know the type of discussions that took place. The thought of him being president really scares me on many levels.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:07:19 +0000

Mr Davis, I think the speech given by Obama covered much of this and it certainly appears that the American people are trying to move forward from this. Why can't you let it go? The continuous revival of this story by the Clinton campaign and Clinton supporters/friends is turning off many Americans. Hillary Clinton would be much better served if she focused positively on her own strengths in her efforts to win the nomination rather than making an effort to win by tearing down her opponent. I think these tactics are just going to backfire. Focus on the issues facing Americans!