america is aracist country period…even on this blog they delete any post that is against whites and anything against blacks is posted…..this country massacared indians, lynched and burnt black people alive…and then invented HIV to wipe all of us black pople out…am so angry right now……..the only people who cares about us blacks are the alqaeda……most of us black people are so angry REV Wright was not even close to what we feel…but one thing for sure….we will revenge the killing of our grandparents….this time there will be no marting luther king, which means nothing will be peaceful, we’ll be blazing ourselves out…we dont really care about life, we were born dead already…yeah anderson….and racist CNN go a head and delete my blog

Mr. Wise, thank you for this article!
The media is notorious for taking issues out of context then feeding it to the vulnerable masses.
I applaud you for bringing these issues into context.
It's time to stop the character assassination of Obama

It is about time the truth is told. Thank you.

Thank you for articulating how distorted media wordsmithing throws fuel on the fire of our country's interracial wounds. Reflections like yours gives me hope that this can be a time of turning, a time of repentantace and reconciliation if we can open ourselves to this.

I am a fellow United Church of Christ minister and see truthful speech and just actions as the only real "Balm in Gilead." I am thankful for Rev. Wright for trying to get some of the truth out in the open. By the way, I grew up in a working class and very prejudiced neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rev. Laura Rose, Alameda, CA

Wright seems to be the one Feeding Racial tension and Provoke much more.

There is no way of knowing if obama is serious about denouncing wright.

Since he lied to the public before over hearing wrights, comments in church.

They have been best friends for over 20 years, and obama said he bounced all his political decisons off of wright.

So It was pretty evident when wright said, Obama says what he has to as a politician and he as as pastor, that the friendship will not be broken.

Considering all that, Obama has a long way to go to prove what he says.

The reality and the truth won't give the media the ratings they need. So the poke and twist and snippet 24/7. It's the people that stupidly follow everything they say like it's gospel that cause the most problems.

A very interesting post.

I agree that Americans, and specifically the media in the U.S., tend to mention race as an very important issue without really questioning or researching much at all. America is very divided, both by race and class, and this post brings to light the fact that both the media, and Americans as individuals, need to look at themselves and question why they believe what they do.

Assuming Obama wins the Dem. nomination, I don't think it's too far out there to predict rising racial tensions to explode this summer and into the fall. Especially as the U.S. economy continues to falter and the cost of everyday necessities rise, the recipe for anger is already starting to simmer...

"Liberation Theology" under the recent controversy with Rev. Wright, seems to link it to the Black Church. I wish you, Mr. Cooper, would talk about the history of this theology that was started in Latin America in the '60s by the Catholic Church and it deals with the oppression of indians, mezstizos, black and especially the poor including whites. There are millions of poor people in this country and they are not all black.

Amen for this article it is 100% correct.

Only if media helps to uncover that reality, and encourage a real discussion about what it means, for all of us, will we likely make progress on the road to racial equity.

If you're depending on the media to help us make progress on the road to racial equality, I'm sorry to tell you that the road is no doubt blocked and you're probably going to have to double back and take a detour.

The media lives and dies by ratings, which are driven by conflict-oriented coverage, not honest discussions with context. If people truly want to see the coverage on their televisions change into something helpful, they're going to have to vote with their remotes.

The April 29, 2008 article is the truth and right on point. Yes, America is in denial, and the American media is comprised of propaganda operatives that only report half truths and help to cover the truth. A good example of this is the events that led to our invasion of Iraq on lies promulgated by the American press in consort with the most oppressive regime that I ever have experienced in my 58 years.

The ploy that the media (in consort with the "Dirty Clintons" and promiscuous Clintons) to distract from the relevant issues. Why is it that Black men have to do so much explaining that is not required of others? Not only is the American government in denial of the facts, but so is its right arm (the American media). Bill Clinton was impeached for taking advantage of a young girl and lying about it to the entire world. Do you take the trash out at your house and then bring it back in. If the Democrats go as far to steal the nomination and "give it to" Hillary (ala changing the rules on Blacks including Obama as we go through the nomination process) my sole mission in life will be to discourage Black people from voting Democrat or from voting period since the elections are blatantly rigged, and now it appears as thought the nomination process is corrupt. If the Democrats insists on further discounting Black votes and further disrespect Obama more Blacks will certainly smell the coffee. I do.

Thank you Tim Wise. Thank you and Reverend Doctor Jeremiah Wright. John Wayne or George Bush were (and can never be) my hero, but, gentlemen you are my heroes.

Thanks again

last night anderson cooper was again addressing what obama should do about jeremiah wright and he was of the opinion that obama should get mad about wright's remarks. as long as the media keeps giving coverage to wright, he will continue to spout off whatever he wants. when asked questions, he does his little sarcastic smile and dances around the question never giving any straight or direct answers. he is arragont old smart a__ b______ and just "full of himself". he seems to be enjoying all the free publicity he is getting from the media. it is feeding his huge ego. the way to shut him down (although you never will shut him down completely) is to start ignoring him. he is old news and any future coverage is simply going to be wright dancing to the same old tune. he is trying to achieve something for himself out of this; an appointment? to what? what is his thinking? dump him. get him off the news.

All I have to say is: whomever wrote this article is on "point". Thank you.

Oh! Tim Wise. Thank you

In America everything is a big deal. Media hypes & spices it up pretty good for marketing, people have no better business to do, read it & buy it. In this capitalistic society even doggy pooh is marketable let alone cow dung used as fuel & source of methane gas. When are we going to be sober, take things as they come naturally? We need to change.

Barack Obama has experienced what many Americans have in their church. We care for our religious leaders and believe in the need to respect them, but we do not agree always with what they say. For example, as a Catholic, I have heard many a priest denounce homosexuality and encourage those who love gay people to convince a loved one that his or her lifestyle is wrong and that will never change. I also have often been told that women are to obey their men. I certainly love my husband but I do not "obey" him. I do not believe that I should try to change the sexual preference of anyone. Does this mean I should leave my faith? And then, when Reverend Wright said "God...DAMN America," all we have to do is listen to Pastor Wright's inflection. I took it as meaning the condemnation of misguided actions aour country sometimes makes. We need to admire Senator Obama for feeling pain in having to part company with a friend who is wounded, albeit wrong, so that he can focus on the issues he wants to address in his campaign for a country in need of his visionary leadership.

Are you all kidding me? CNN last night took 70% of their 5 hour prime time coverage and discussed the Rev. Wright.

So I ask again, are you guys in the media gone loopy? Have you all lost your sense of purpose or integrity as newscasters?

Here's a reality check... I am a single mother with NO health insurance and a daughter diagnosed with BPD (look it up, you may learn something) with one of her symptoms being bulimia. I am devastated and overwhelmed by the lack of information and assistance out there.

Now, walk in my shoes for a moment... do you really think facing what I do every single day, not knowing whether my child is going to live or die, would have the Rev Wright as my priority?

You guys in the media need to wake up and realize that we are real people out here facing real problems ! Why don't you all get over the soap opera garbage and do some good by providing folks like me who NEED information, who NEED help with some substantial & informative reporting. Do some good for the people of this country instead of losing your souls, your integrity in the hunt for ratings.

By the way... don't you all think Americans need to know what is happening in the rest of the world? After all. there's a big wide world out there! What a tremendous disservice to the American people.

I find myself deeply saddened by the whole media circus surrounding the Reverend Jeremy Wright. While not an Obama supporter, I took great civic pride in knowing that my countrymen (and women) had risen to a cultural awakening where they could see beyond differences of both gender and skin color in choosing both a women and an African American male to be the prospective nominees of the Democratic party for President of the United States.

I was astonished to hear the hatred coming from Obama's Pastor, that we are responsible for the bombing of New York by Al Queda, that the U.S. Government spread the aids virus to kill innocent black children, that Israel is a terrorist State, that white America are all racists, that our soldiers are no different than the Roman soldiers who crucified Christ, that blacks and whites have different brains and therefore need to be educated differently. I may have been able to turn the other cheek if these were statements made decades ago, but there was Reverend Wright on National Television saying them all over again this week. When Americans were, in the words of Barack Obama, obviously offended by these comments, the Reverend responded that the vocalized offense was not an attack on him or his statements, but an attack on all blacks, thus further dividing the races rather than unifying them.

The ramifications of such divisive oratory by Reverend Wright could be much greater than merely hurting Obama's chances both in the Democratic Nomination and (should he receive the nomination) the General Election this fall. The tendency may be for other Black leaders to rally to Wrights defense (which is made more probable since Wright made it a black verse white issue). It would set back race relations in this country just when we all thought we were seeing the realization of decades of hard work to bring the racial divide to a close.

I therefore believe strongly that it is incumbent on both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to speak out now to address this situation in the clearest of terms. Not for the benefit of their own political fortunes but for the benefit of the citizenry at large. In order to be effective and truly understood as heartfelt, as opposed to pandering, I put forth that Hillary needs to speak to White America and Obama needs to speak to Black America.

Here's a sample of what I believe they need to say:

Hillary Clinton:

Recent events have put the issue of race back in the forefront of the American Dialogue. I wish to make a statement to my fellow Americans who are not African American. I wish to make this statement loud enough that everyone in North Carolina and Indiana who will be voting next week can hear me. I wish to speak it loud enough that everyone throughout our nation and throughout the world can hear my statements as well. "If you plan on voting for me because of the color of my skin than yours is a wasted vote and I would rather you stay home and don't vote at all". The color of my skin will not help me one iota in being the best President of these United States. It will not make me better at addressing Health Care, the Economy nor make me a better Commander in Chief. I come before you to let you know that I believe I would make the best President because of what I am on the inside and not what I may be on the outside. We all, black and white, male and female need to realize that today in America we are farther along the path to racial and gender harmony than at anytime in our country's history. We need to stand together to ensure that no one, black or white, male or female, can push us off this eternal path we are on together. We must celebrate our accomplishments in reducing discrimination, division, bigotry and inequality at the same time that we recognize that we are still on that path and have a ways to go before our dream is realized. If anyone tries to tell you that we are not on the path to racial and gender harmony then you should feel comfortable in telling them this: "Look at who the people of the Democratic Party have selected as their prospective nominees!!! A Woman and an African American. And on November 6th, we can tell the world, Look at who the American People have elected as their President and we will say it with great pride"!! Now let this woman get back to talking about the issues that face all of us regardless of our gender and regardless of our skin color...

Barack Obama.

[I admit this one is harder for me to write, because I have not truly been immersed in the black struggle. However, I do not feel Barack has any way out of the box his Pastor has created for him other than to take the tact I about to espouse. He cannot merely attack his Pastor since by definition Barack was a member of that Church for 20 years and so an attack now, would only look political. He also might offend his largest voting block (African Americans) and cannot afford to lose them now (in the beginning he split their vote with Hillary). On the flip side, he cannot say that he agrees with his Pastor without losing much of White America who will view him as an Angry Black man and people just can't be asked to vote for someone they feel hates or holds anger towards them. The only solution as I see it, is that Barack needs to formulate a speech to be given to the African American community itself.]

Let me address for the moment, my fellow Americans of African Heritage. Many of our ancestors and many here today have had to struggle through the worst of times. Through Slavery, Lynchings, Prejudice, Bigotry and all forms of inequality. There can be no one who could deny this as fact and therefore appreciate how such an overwhelming struggle would affect the black community and their prodigy. But today is not the day of slavery, it is not the day of segregation in restaurants, hotels, and residences. Something universally good has changed. It should not breed anger, but hope. It should not foster continued despair, but a new realization that today is brighter for us than yesterday and tomorrow looks better still. What has changed? Non-African Americans have changed and more then ever before can be seen across this great land of ours reaching out to us to build one family known as the American Community. I know that is hard for many of you to accept. It is often the case that the victim of discrimination is the last to shed the ties to such victimhood because of the distrust such discrimination has instilled on the minds of the victims themselves. While racial harmony is not yet perfect, it is moving in the right direction which my candidacy itself manifests the clearest evidence. And so my fellow Americans of African descent, if we are to find racial harmony in this great land, we must open ourselves to the reality of change here in our land and accept that it takes two to tango. Most non- African Americans are sending us an outstretched arm of hope and love. If we are going to find hope, unity and equality for ourselves, then we must find it within our being to meet them with our own outstretched arms of love and hope with an equal determination to come together. It is time to break our chains of victemhood and the poison of anger and distrust that it ferments and walk together with our fellow Americans towards a brighter future where race is a celebrated difference and no longer a measure of status or privilege.

Well that's it, I have said my part and hope with an outstretched arm of love, that someone out there hears me.

What is questionable is that " It took Sen.Obama twenty (20) years today April 29th 2008 to discover who Rev. Wright is and what he stands for while the American people took only three (3) public appearances to know who he is and what he stands for" . Is it because he's contesting so he wants to distance himself from his Rev.? Super delegates and voters needs to be more careful in making decisions on who to select or else we might head for more problems after President Bush is gone.

well its about time someone in the news sees the way other news people cover this racism thing going on we are all amercans why cant all these polls show that insted of all the different catigores that we list but i geuss there is no devide listing it as just americans and definely no overblown news in that

In my opinion there is one candidate that decided to make race a central issue in this campaign (Hillary/Bill Clinton). She interjected race into the campaign. She decided to not openly portray herself as a victim by playing the gender card. Her strategy to undermine Obama's campaign by sneaking in the issue has actually backfired in some way. If by any chance she does receive the nomination, I am not voting for her.

I would like to hear from Michele Obama, Does she denounce Wright?

I saw her give a speech and at the end she put her fist in the air several times. What did that represent? I was told it was for black power?

Excellent article and so true!

I watched Rev Wright's interview with Bill Moyers and his speech at the NAACP. Both were excellent and informative. When he spoke at the National Press Club, he definitely was on the offensive and I don't blame him one iota. The media hounds deserved a smackdown. However, they came out of it like crying children rather than apologetic for treating him so badly.

The media is to blame for this mess. It was shoddy journalism from the beginning and should be categorized as "entertainment" on the same level as the shock jocks.

What I find interesting is Rev Wright's reference to "the chickens are coming home to roost" which means the very same thing as "blowback" that Chalmers Johnson has described in his books since 2000. I notice Mr. Johnson was not vilified for bringing to light the injustices that the US/CIA has perpetrated on other countries. Why is that do you suppose? [okay, I am being sarcastic here]

If I can get "it" being a 50-something white woman in the middle of redneck country, I am sure other people can too if they would just stop and think about how they are being manipulated by the press with these 60-second sound bytes and not getting the full story.

In the words of Bill Cosby, "Come On People!"

True!!!

Spin, distortion, sensationalism. Can I have a large helping of issues please? Today I put $50 of gas in my tank and it wasn't even full. The issues matter. Sen. Obama is not resposible for the words that come out of any mouth but his own. Please stop this rabid chasing after ratings and let us enjoy some journalism for awhile. I miss Aaron Brown and his common sense.

Generationally speaking–most youth and young adults of today–are clearly not as race conscious as the author may presume.

The abject–refusal to accept that the recently viewed "sound bytes" of the Rev. Wright by many Americans of all races is a testament to the fact that Americans aren't as racist as in past years.

Most are outraged–that a man of God–still hasn't realized it yet!!

The Rev. Wright–is doing what earned him prestige among radical blacks in the past–and continues to fuel his gravy train. But he has no concept of what the current culture in America is–or he'd never have said the ridiculous things he has said.

Robert @;36pm: Do you walk upright and have opposable thumbs.

What do you mean by this:
Assuming Obama wins the Dem. nomination, I don’t think it’s too far out there to predict rising racial tensions to explode this summer and into the fall. Especially as the U.S. economy continues to falter and the cost of everyday necessities rise....

Are you insinuating that black s will somehow be embolded by Barrack's nomination and riot!!! All races are being affected by the Bush White House, I don"t see anyone picketing the white house.

If Baracks the nomination and the white house the day after I will get up and go to work like any other.

I would hope that someone on this network would have the courage to exam Rev. Wright's comments about the government infect Black people with AIDS in the context of what happened to the Haitian boat people on Guantanamo Bay back in the early 1980's. I am Haitian-American, and most Haitian-Americans have known for a fact that the Haitian refugees referred to as "boat people" were experimented on during the Reagan Administration in Guantanamo Bay. The reports we received by the Haitian-American journalist stated that the men were experimented upon to the point where they were growing female like breasts.

It is a widespread and well respected belief in our community that it was during this period of experimentation that the refugees were infected with AIDS and then sent back to Haiti. If CNN has courage, not only would you post my comments, you would investigate this claim in the Haitian-American community, consult with some Human Rights watchdog organizations along with your governmental sources.

I have a question. I just recently learned of Pat Buchanan's response to Barack Obama's speech on race called "A Brief for Whitey" Why is there limited coverage of this? He wrote this on March 21, 2008 and no one has talked about it. However the Rev. Wright clips have been played over and over. Both the clips and Pat Buchanan's article are damaging to the race relations in this country, yet one is basically excused. Why?

The mainstream media has always been an outlet for white thought and culture. Never that I have known the media either local or national to even consider the views of any other ethnic group but white people.
When I was growing up, all I ever saw on the national news was white men discussing the issues of the day. These men were like "all knowing fathers" who had the answers to all the questions Americans were thinking. Racist comments and attitudes were said with so much astuteness, I just reasoned that when one watches the news, one is watching the way the white people view the world.
I hope that through this election cycle in interest in different cultural perspectives, we can grow as a country. There are more views to this country than just the white view. If whites can accept that, we can handle more effeciently terrorist thoughts and ideals, because a lot of that is based in anti – European and anti- Anglo thought processes.

Let's face it, ratings and revenue are the bottom line for the media. They want conflict and look everywhere to find a big breaking news full of brouhahas. Having said that, I do think race is a bigger issue than most of us want to admit. We need the media to bring us together to solve those issues, not stir up more intense anger. We are all Americans. Labeling us in compact groups, does nothing but show we all are individuals, who have our own agendas when we vote. Our life experiences shape our choices. If our lives are unequal, then we need to help each other overcome those hardships that tear us apart.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

I am outraged that CNN would give Rev. Wright such publicity especially at this crucial time in the presidential campaign. The man is crazy. He should NOT have been given the attention he has gotten in the past few days. I feel sorry for Obama. He has run such a wonderful race and thanks to CNN, you very well could have ruined things for him just so you could make a story. It is Obama's privilege to attend the church of his choosing and I can't for the life of me figure out why you found airing Rev. Wright's "homilies" (or whatever crap you want to call it) so necessary.

Just curious as to why there was no media up-roar over Falwell and Robertson when they said 9/11 was gods punishment on American citizens..oh yeah that's right because BOTH Falwell and Robertson are white! These are the same people McCain said are his friends!

For what it's worth, an "outsiders" (Canadian's) view.

The so-called "Wright controversy", in my view, represents all that's wrong about American politics and the American media. Barack Obama is not his paster. Reverend Wright's views are not Barack Obama's. The media's obsession with Wright is mere sensationalism. Choosing to report so heavily on Wright and stories like this for their mere "shock value" while paying scant attention to the real issues is, in my opinion, "shockingly" irresponsible. Even when the media chooses to deal with real issues, it does so only in the most facile, superficial way. Giving passing reference to economic issues or health care issues, or "the war in iraq", simply naming issues and occasionally adding a rhetorical flourish giving expression to their seriousness is not really seriously discussing the issues. Finally, the predominantly white media's obsession with Wright and it's seeming determination to have Wright undermine Obama's changes for nomination is a clear indication of the profound racism that still resides just below the surface of American society. Surely, Hilary Clinton's Bosnia lie is a clearer indication of character than Barack Obama's association with Reverend Wright.

CNN in the person of commentator Roland Martin have reached a new plateau in sanitizing the news. Yesterday immediately following the Reverand Wright debacle at the National press club Mr. Martin was full of understanding and did not report any problems with the rants of the rev. Now today he is replete with understanding of the Obama distancing from Rev. Wright. Is Mr. martin a commentator, reproter, or a supported of Reverend Wright.

the media spins all this stuff ... sound bites.... comments taken out of context etc only for the ratings. What ever happened to journalistic integrity? Isn't it time to focus on the issues, yes main stream media it's boring but creating and sustaining issues when they don't exist only harms the process and the ability for the American people to make an intelligent choice for the leadership and future of the country. Especially, and here I show my personal bias, you now have a unique individual that shows up as a candidate that brings something completly different to politics in the country. Honesty, intelligence, character and compassion for the real issues that affect people every day. But you focus instead on the poison, no wonder there is so much apathy, the media keeps it alive!!

The US election, from an outsiders view, is beginning to look, not only like a racial conflict, but a religious 'war' as well.
(At least now we know who Obama was talking about when he mentioned bitter people clinging to religion. aka Rev Wright)
Get this! The ministers that support McCain believe aids was God's punishment. Wright believes 9/11 was the USA paying for its sins.
Now both or neither of these scenarios may or not be true, but it more than humoress that both sides will use 'religious belief' to prove their stance. If you can believe a god can punish gays with aids, how can you then disclaim that god could punish a country for having a history of slavery and terrible foreign affairs policies?
If one of these ideas is laughable, so is the other.
(I am not saying, and I do not know if god planned aids and 9/11 as punishment. Don't misconstrue my observation that people do believe these issues, that I believe either or none.)

I beleive it took this long for Senator Obama to denounce Rev Wright because he has known this person for 20 years. This individual has helped him grow and developed so I am sure it was hard and sad to have this press conference today. I think he is going to be a great President but I am not sure if white American( especially the older ones) is ready for a Black President. However, he had to say something about Rev Wright, he could not just ingore it and I think it too this long because of their relationship and his membership with the church. it is hard to just reject/denounce someone that's like family, good or bad.

First of all, I am white. It seems to matter for some reason. I think Rev Wright was dead on 100% accurate with his sermon and interviews. I think Obama should embrace these principles. I never thought he had the record to be president, as opposed to Clinton, but I would have voted for him out of principle just as I voted for Ralph Nader. As if it is not true that the US has commited terrorism around the world and that we have Imperialist values. This is the main reason I wanted Obama to win, I thought he realized these truths and stood ready to correct our horrible image that bush and cronies have made of us.

Racism,what a joke and overused word.If a person does not like blacks?,whites?,asians?whoever?, this makes them racists.NO IT DOESNT.I'am not comparing people to dogs,cats,food,or anything else, but common sense tells you that what we like or dislike is based upon our experiences in life.If during your life you have had bad experiences with Asains then you will not like Asains.If you have been ripped off by Asains a number of times you will not have much trust of them.This is not racism, its life experiences period.I dont have to like anybody, nor does anybody have to like me.That being said if you are of a different race than me and choose not to like me OK,BUT LET HAVE THE RIGHT TO NOT LIKE YOU WITHOUT IT BEING RACISM.Leave Obamas ex-preacher alone and let this crap die.You are only fueling the flames and giving this man his 15 minutes of fame and he's running away with it.A bunch of crap for nothing.

For all the people who has already voted would they change their vote now if they knew what they know now about Obama. as a West Virginian we havent voted yet and i am from a big family of 342 and we are voting for Clinton

We Americans need to reflect on ourselves on why there are people like Rev Wright thinks that way. I am sure there are more people in the Middle East believe what Rev Wright said.

I think this last episode of Rev Wright is going to help Obama. Obama is a very decent human being and now everyone can see the difference. I wonder if Bil Clinton paid off Rev Wright or will pay him off in the future for doing this to Obama at the "perfect timing.! I believe anything from the Clintons. But now you can see how special Obama really is. I believe that he has just taken a hugh burden off his back and now he will rise to the top. Just watch.

The media coverage of the racism in this election is hurting the relationship between communities. The impact of their coverage of the race issue will have in the Americain society will be great and bad; a lot of people are bieng hurt and this election, which had a change to bring people together, is dividing America. I think, the media is playing with fire, in this age of religious extremism, racial divide can bring the fall of this great nation

I knew on Sunday while watchIng Rev. Wright that Barack Obama would again have to devend himself for words he himself had not spoken. Oh" how the Hillary camp must be enjoying this. However , I don't think it's going to stop Barack chances from winning. It has not changed my vote. NOTHING could make me vote for Hillary !!!

This article hit the nail on the head! Thank You Mr. Wise.

The media has let the American people down in this country. They try at every corner to try and divide us as a people and in particular in their coverage of this presidential primary. I am so saddened for Sen. Obama who I really believe can help this country come together and do a lot of good for us as a nation. I believe in you Mr. Obama keep on pressing forward in spite of the clowns who enjoy dividing us.

Angel Brito in Pennsylvania

CNN news is a source I have looked to for NEWS for several years. I am angry and disappointed by your continual coverage of Jeremiah Wright. It seems CNN's only reason was for gossip and not news. I am disappointed that you feel Wright is news yet you have not concentrated on Hagee, Parlesy or any of the other nut jobs connected to presidential candidates. I guess I'll now find a REAL source to get my news. I will not continue to support such a silly, divisive news organization.

hmmmm....

let's see a super racist anti-black USA is ready to nominate and possibly eventually even elect a president of African heritage.

Keep in mind the black population is at or around +-20% and I don't beleive any other predominantly white country has even come close to doing this.

Mr. Wright's whining and complaining doesn't add up, but is good fodder for a Sunday anti-whitey spectacular sermon.

kevin jetz – I am a Hasidic Jew and the Torah teaches us to look at human kind with our eyes that act as a window to our soul. We are to bring light to darkness. We were put on this earth to do kindess and make this World a drelling place for G-D. If you allow yourself to be this hateful, it would only consume you and not see the good this Country does. President Bush has increased the AID to South Africa and has helped more third world Countries than any other recent Presidents. Please keep in mind, that half of the Jewish population in the World was mudered just 60 years and we do not hate Germany, cause daily riots, or wish death to Germany and Poland. What America did 250 years ago was a terrible thing, but that was 250 years ago. Look at President Bush Cabinet. Sec of State is Black, Sec of eductation and the former Attorney General was Hispanic. Why would anyone blame todays population for the errors of 10 generations ago? Just ask yourself, are you better off in America or your own homeland?

I think Wright is an aggressive preacher. He is very smart, and he knows the Bible from all over in/out. I think his delivery is too harsh and although we have been through bad times, his "descriptive" ways are thought provoking and somewhat offensive. I do not think, Obama should be judge because of Wright. I do not think Wright should be attacked because his argument is skillful and many Master minds get a little crazy as their knowledge advances.

Watching this unfold, it is apparent to me the reason, Obama tread very lightly on Wright in the Philadelphia speech was that Obama realized that any attack of any sort would unlease the anger in this man. If Obama had not been such a rookie he would have left that church the day he decided to run for president. I seriously doubt that Obama has the spine to stand up for Americans and the judgement to call someone or a country when inappropriate actions ocurr.

I think there should be a debate between Rev. Wright and Pat Buchanan. This could be the beginning of a serious discussion about race relations in America. Right now, we're only becoming more divisive.

His outrageous behavior is a bad case of “generational resentment� and he is spinning out of control. Ask any parent who feels that their kid just does not appreciate all that they have done for them. Obama is benefiting from civil rights advancements that were not available to Wright, even though Wright was a foot soldier in the movement. Consciously, or unconsciously, he is trying to sabotage Obama. I hope the Rev. comes to his senses.

I find it odd that white America is so quick to jump on The Rev. while their Catholic Priests are fondling little boys. They are still attending that church and giving money willingly. What's up with that? Get your own house in order before you start putting down someone elses.

I think its very unfair on CNN's part to air Wright's speech, i think they teamed up with Hillary to Denounce a black man to stop him from getting nomination.

This guy is a clown looking for his 15 minutes. He obviously got more than that, but he is not satisfied. I have attended many churches and listened to many preachers in my life. Never seen anybody so angry, sarcastic and hungry for attention preaching in the name of God.

It's got to be a new religion!

When it was being said about whites and the usa it's how they talk in a black church. When it was about Obama it is rant.

I felt the speech given at the NAACP Convention was very good. It truly gave new insight to the fact that people are being different, but not deficient. However, the press conference was a bit dicey, in both the questions asked and the answers given.

Isn't interesting that Barack Obama didn't have any issues with the Rev Wright until now? Besides dropping poll numbers, what changed? I am sure that Barak's children miss Uncle Jeremiah........

Why should Obama be responsible for someone else's comments? It's called freedom of speech. He does not have any control over what someone says. Is Hilary Clinton the Senator of New York? What will she do to keep the peace between the outraged African American community and the police that was NOT GUILTY for firing 50 shots that killed a man. A life was taken. America is just trying to find something to keep a African American from being in office. I know there will not be a respond as usual.

Come on America... can you not see what Wright is doing. If we turn our backs on Barack Obama, then Rev. Wright wins. And I refuse to let him win. Don't be fair weathered (when things are great we are for some one when things don't look so good or the press is spinning all over the place we turn our backs? We are smarter people than that. Hillary has "tons" of baggage and so does McCain, so does that make it right to turn our back on Barack he is in the eye of a storm that Rev. Wright is knowingly putting him in. Where is our back bone and our fight for change. Wipe your eyes and brush away the smoke screen.

CNN should not give so much to this one topic "Rev. Wright" – by doing this, you are giving too much power to him. Rev. Wright is acting like a puppet for a distructive voice. The voice is against the direction this country needs to go in. As a country the people need to unite in a direction that's good for the people. (not the politicians, and clergy). It's about the people in this country! We the people.....

Thank you for your article Mr. Wise. The media is making a mockery of Rev. Wright and Senator Obama is only buying into this negative view by continuing to condemn Rev. Wright. In his quest to win over the white "working class," Senator Obama will alienate the black voters that have been supporting him all along.

WE ARE ALL RACISTS! Get over it!

I'm white. If we had over 200 years of black presidents and this was the first year we had a viable white president, I'd vote for the white guy in a heartbeat.

Blacks are voting for Obama, because we've had over 200 years of white presidents. The icing on the cake is that Obama is a great candidate. Blacks should proudly vote for Obama. If blacks vote only based on skin color, then I completely respect your position.

But blacks should not automatically assume all whites are racists if we're not as consumed by Obama.

I think you (Tim) should look at what you're (the Obama campaign) are feeding the media and the people. This is becoming the election of fictitiously plausible ideas. You want me to believe that Rev. Wright wasn't vetted in 21st Century American politics? Come on! Wright was a problem, they set up this divide, and the media is buying it. Why aren't CNN reporters examining the "Divorce" speech closer? Because you're (Tim) feeding them bs and they don't want to question the "I didn't vet my pastor" lies. This divide was perfectly scripted to put Barrack opposite Write. I couldn't figure out why Write went so over-the-top at the National Press Club – now it's clear, to give Obama a plausible divide from him. All for show. Again, does anyone believe Wright was ignored by the political strategists – Axelrod would have to be an idiot.

At best, Barrack has shown poor judgment and no leadership skills – the public actually had to lead him to the understanding of who his pastor is. Wow!

At worst, this is all a shame, and Barrack is lying through his teeth about the divide.

I continue to feel troubled by the slant that CNN and other news media have taken regarding race and the Obama campaign. For instance, the Governor of Pennsylvania, and admitted Hillary supporter, publicly announced that 18% of the residents of his state are so racist that they won't vote for Obama because of his race. Then, after losing by only 10%, CNN and other news media feast on the story that he can't close the deal with white working class males. Wait a minute! A simple statistical analysis appears to show that if the Governor actually knew anything about his population then Obama did an incredible job of cutting the devout racist numbers in half or gained enough cross-over or other votes to close that gap.

Now, it appears to me that the Governor of Pennsylvania has no problem with proclaiming to the world that almost one in five (20%) of his population are avowed racists (I will no longer purchase anything I know to be from the state of Pennsylvanis either!) which is a story unto itself, but the fact that CNN and others seemed to miss the point that Obama overcame quite a bit of that is amazing.

It is a sad state of affairs when the news deliberately focuses on the negative racism but fails to show that the American people can overcome the racist element within their population. I only hope the rest of the world can figure out that this isn't 1956 in Selma, and that we have made some progress in this country.

CNN and the rest get an F in journalism. Sounds like Hillary's folks are getting all of the racist press they hoped for and you morons are going along with the program.

This article completely misses the point: Barry Obama was not just a member of Wright's congregation for many years, he was married by Wright, his children were baptized by Wright, he named his book after one of Wright's sermons. If he didn't know what Wright was all about for all those years as he claims then Obama is totally clueless. But in reality Obama is fudging the truth or outright lieing. Obama's association with this guy matters because he was so closely associated with him. Words matter as Obama says over and over. Wright is completely relevant to this campaign. Wright is even MORE relevant because many americans, including blacks, are now abandoning Obama because of this association. so every time CNN claims it doesn't matter they are completely wrong. Obama should do the right thing and withdraw from the race.

This was a good article. IMO

The American dream is based on the principal that our country is free of discrimination and full of prosperity. Liberty is the sole reason our society has experianced such progress. Lets not allow the words of the few to outweight the words of the many. America is on the verge of something great. Its our time to reach prosperity again, all we need now is the strenght to lose sight of the past, and to venture into the unknown. Obama is the only leader that can speak to both white and black americans, and help forged this country into its new found prosperity.

Even worse that racist, America is sexist.

The media and the Obama campaign have continuously pushed out the most sexist remarks against Hillary. Yet, the Obama and the media dared to claimed holy as thou.

If the media used the same sexist-style remarks about race on Obama, there would be an outrage and the NAACP would cry foul. Yet it's completely okay to denegrate a woman!

Tell us (black america) something we don't know. We already know this. It's white america that is clueless. Except, of course, you Tim and a few others. At least you are honest about it, but you aren't getting anytime on national television, are you? They aren't breaking down your door with an invitation to speak.

Obama, Obama, Obama, we now know who your friends REALLY are and what they stand for. Know we KNOW who you REALLY are. It was a nice run. But, a racist president is NOT what this country needs. You've known this racist for 20 years. LOL and now all of a sudden, he becomes a ranting racist. I guess you were sleeping through his sermones, for 20 years. The Land of Lincoln must be proud..

I'd agree but lets be honest sexism is horrible in this country. In New Hampshire a man stood up and shouted to Hillary Clinton "Iron my shirt", whats shocking about this is it hardly got any coverage. If someone said a racial remark it would be all over the news which should but at the same time sexism is more apparant in this campaign than racism.

I agree with Pat Nelson. I thought the speech Wright gave at the NAACP convention was thought-provoking, funny, and truthful without being hateful. Then Wright fuels the fire with his remarks about HIV and Farakhan at the Press Club, thus making people forget his powerful NAACP speech. I think Wright is enjoying his time in the limelight a little too much.

The question is, Could Obama have listened to this man spouting
such vitrol fro twenty years and none of it have rubbed off on him?

If if he didn't agree with Wright for those 20 years, why did he stay
in that church?

I wonder why the media and the pundits continue to blame Obama for Wrights words and actions? Falwell, Robertson, Baker, Swaggart, and even Graham, all pastors and preachers, have at one time or other said and done things that their congregations or followers disagreed with.

They stayed in their churches and continued to support their churches.

The catholic church with all its sex scandals continues to receive gifts from their parishioners even though their money has been used to pay settlements. The parishioners continue to attend their churches. They do this because of their faith and beliefs and not because of their pastors.

Unfortunately, Wright is also being used by Clinton via Barbara REynolds. It's the same old game of slavery, pit Blacks against one another. If they kill each other, we don't have to kill them.

wow, really good article, nice points and concerns raised...thanks

The problem with Rev. Wright isn't that he's black. It's that he's mentally unstable. He's not running for office. A much saner, more intelligent and less angry man is, and he'll make a great leader!

The bottom line is, religion is to unite people of different look, life,and social status to salute to love, peace, and forgiveness. But all I see Mr. Wright doing is to spread hatred, division, and resentment. Religion fanatic is the Devil itself

What a win-win obama and jeremiah show. The pastor makes outlandish remarks to prepare the way for his book as well as give obama the pretext to show his disgusts over the remarks.

These two have the chutzpah to insult our intelligence.

Hello, I'm a brown brother who was lost, but now I'm found. I hope if Mr. Obama becomes president he will ask Gods, and Rev. Write's forgiveness. And, host a real town meeting with many different brother, and sisters possible. Lets put racism to bed, once and for all.

Wonderful observation. In the past two months I’ve seen the power of the media to create something out of nothing and destroy a 20-year relationship between a man and his pastor. Only a black man would be asked to vet his pastor’s sermons in order to be President. Blacks have always been asked to prove who they are as if they were not born here, when at one point there were more blacks slaves in America than white colonists, during the initial building of the country.

I am saddened by the ever-increasing prospect that the presidential bid by Senator Obama is dead in the water. That his run for the presidency was torpedoed by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, makes it all the more difficult to accept.

Senator Obama was such an inspiration for young people from all walks of life. Black nationalists like Reverend Wright are such an interesting contrast. When the smoke clears and we look back at this whole episode we can lay Obama's failed bid for president at the feet of those that would rather hold on to the hurtful past than embrace a hopeful future.

Rev. Wright is a racist clown and Barry Obama is the court jester. Obama is fatally flawed as a closet black militant and it is too late to pretend otherwise now. Obama should withdraw from the race and try to rehabilitate his image.

Funny how he's just outraged now. This guys has been saying off the wall stuff for years and only NOW is Obama outraged. The guys a joke.

Wow. This article is so true. I even found out some things I dind't know. Most of the media sickens me. As this article proves, they consider one race superior to all others. Things haven't changed. All this stuff about Rev. Wright is ridiculous and shouldn't be an issue. Especially since Barack has done his best to tell everyone these aren't his views and that Wright doesn't speak for him or his campaign. What more do people want from him? We need to get back to the issues that actually affect the American people. This is ridiculous. And unfortunately all this coverage of a Reverend who is NOT running for president is hurting the person who is running. Really sad.

So let me see if i have this right. Obama supporters claim its not fair to hold Barak Obama responsible for something said by one of his supporters, namely Rev. Wright. They dont seem to have the same fair-minded ideas when it comes to something said by one of Hillary's supporters, namely Bill Clinton. I see two faced duplicity runs deep in the ranks of Obama supporters. As a white male blue collar voter I think the DNC better wake up and smell the coffee, Obama is done and is unelectable. I am a lifelong democratic voter and have never cast a vote for a republican, if the DNC chooses to run Obama that will change. All of my white male blue collar friends feel the same way. I would no more vote for Barak Obama for attending that church than i would vote for a David Duke for hanging around with who he hung around with. I keep hearing the Wright apologists claim that i cannot judge the man by just a few sound bites. Oh really? The Ku-klux-klan had bake sales for orphans and helped out widows but i damn sure can judge them for the other things they did. Maybe Obama supporters want to give the Nazis credit for making the trains run on time and forget all of that other nasty business. We judge people on the evil that they do and attending such a hateful church is evil, pure and simple.

There are a lot of good points that are made but what is missed is how plain hurtful and racist are so many of the comments of Wright and his supporters against America and Jews in particular.

Isn't it obvious that it is an attempt to sabotage the strides made by a credible candidate (shades of Al Gore) This is an illustration of a sad state of affairs...

Very well stated, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Anderson,

The problem is racism. It is real. It is huge. And it will decide this election. My own mother voted for Barack in the primary, but only because she thought Hillary would be a weaker candidate against her Republican favorite, who, mercifully, did not make the cut.

We have made great strides in this country against racism, but not enough, I fear, to propel Barack Obama, who is probably the smartest and most inspirational leader to risk a run for the presidency in 3 generations, a chance to serve. Even among Democrats, there are 40 or 45% of us who are too bound bythe racism of our fathers and mothers to break free.

Perhaps after I am dead (another 20 or 30 years, actuarilaly, we will finally overcome.

Tom Wyckoff
White in Wheaton, Illinois

if i see one more show on CNN in defense of Barack Obama i will no longer view CNN as a unbias up to the minute Election Central show...all of your correspondents and analysts are in the majority for Obama..how can i make a choice with your show only going one way...can your show become unbias...anytime soon or just name your shows CNN for Obama...

I am so sick and tired of the media and how they continue to spin this issue with Reverend Wright. Bill Clinton aired his dirty laundry for the world to see, and now his wife and daughter says that it is personal. We did not know Reverend Wright before Obama ran for president. Why is national news for the Clintons so off limit now and they get the opportunity to not ever comment. I agree with the very first blogger that America remains a racist country. The media as well as the Clintons and John McCain is showing the world what minorities have been facing for decades in this country. It is sad that at the highest level of government, this country the most powerful in the world is showing the world the hatred that exist among blacks and whites. Like the first blogger you may not post this comment either. I hope you do and if you don't what gets polled is not a true indication of how many in this country feels. We are just fed up about the turmoil that Obama contiues to endure at the hands of you people in the media. I am quite sure that if you go back twenty years in the Clintons, and McCains background you would find much worse, but you dare not air such findings. Shame on you guys. I guess the media wants him to get angry so that they can say that is how all blacks act. WE ARE AWARE OF THE GAME BEING PLAYED NO MORE NOT NOW NOT EVER.

It saddens me to see the extent some will go to in order to devide a man and his pastor. I love Obama and I feel that Rev. Wright is a good and very wise man. I know that Obama is a smart man, I hope there will be no success in this evil. They say you reap what you sow. I pray that all those that are behind this evil will suffer instead. This just goes to show how vicious Hillary and Bill are. Aren't we moving out of a vicious relationship with a president in this country who didn't give a damn about anyone but himself? Why are we even talking about Rev. Wright? He's not running for president. Why are we not talking about the gas prices, mortgage rates or some of the many, many other problems created during Bush term? I just know that George Bush is enjoying this distraction from the poor job that he did for nearly eight years. That's right...put it on Obama.

This was truly a great article. I think you on point with everything you said.

nobo dy is calling for Hillary to leave the race now. when Jeremeiah responds tomorrow, Obama campaign collapses under weight of contradictions and no "speech" will save him.

Some of these comments are so intelligent and decent that I find myself printing them out to share with my students tomorrow. Keep them coming.

Why did it take 20yrs for Obama to condemn the preachings of Rev. Wright?!

Good evening Anderson!

Mr. Wise, Thank you for the excellent comments. I agree completey with everything you've said.

Those who continue to ask why Mr. Obama remained a member of the Trinity Church of Christ just don't get it. They continue to ask why he sat there for twenty years and listened to that. One person does not make a Church. Mr. Wright was not the Church. The people make up the Church. Why would Mr. Obama leave his Christain family of over eight thousand members. The media and politcal analyst speak as if Mr. Wright had breakfast, lunch and dinner with him in his home.

Mr. Wright is only a human, not God!

Did millions of Catholics leave the Catholic Church in the wake of their priest's sexual molestation of thousands of children over many years.
They may argue that only Mr. Obama is running for president. My response is: Remember Jenifer Flowers, Paula Jones and Whitewater.... for Bill Clinton?

nice job, Hillary – whatever u paid Rev Wright was clearly enough for him to sell Obama out and throw him out the bus...

It seems that everyone is just waiting for Obama to fail. This race is over, Clinton cannot over take Barack in pledged delegate's and that is a fact. Yet, here we are in the final months trying to rip his campaigne apart and for what? The democratic party has a great leader in Obama, and a leader that will win the white house. Now stop jeopardizing the chances of a democrat from reaching the white house!!!!

It is obvious who you endorse. If Obama did not make a statement about Rev. Wright he would be wrong. He made a statement and he is still wrong. Why do you keep on talking about it. You are the ones that keeps it alive. I am sure if you wanted to you could find something on Hillary but you find her angelic. We all know the illegal and under hand things the Clinton's have done and are still doing, but of course you don't know about that. How about the money they supposedly raised in one night? We are going to boycott your channel because we are tired of you continually bringing Obama down. You have no other news it seems. Please give it a rest.

It would be really interesting to see how this row effects obamas support amoung the african americans not just in the remaining primaries but also in the general elections, cause it will most definitely be divisive not to mention being obamas strongest support center.
Secondly i think this is double trouble for obama since it already has and will cost him more white votes...since they ll be thinking wait first he didn't denounce those views and now they ll be like wait " he went to the church 20 years and was he that stupid that he didn't realize that Pastor Right shared such controversial views.

Thanks for the insightful article. At least someone in the mainstream is carrying this discussion forward in a productive way.

We are better than that which divides us. That doesn't mean we need to always agree, but respect each other and understand the context from which we come.

Obama '08

Every time I hear Barak Obama speak and/or respond to a campaign "crisis" I am more impressed. He tempers his responses with reasoned, thoughtful analysis and yet, he inspires us with his passion that looks beyond the narrow views that fuel sound-bites. He is the first person in this country to address race relations with forward-thinking notions since Martin Luther King.

The African American community is as diverse within itself as all of America is diverse. Not everyone will agree with Barak Obama, so it takes courage to do what he has done so far in this campaign. I am very proud of him and hope that we have the opportunity to vote for him in November.
Santa Cruz, CA

I am an American with African father and American mother just like Obama. I must confess it is appalling the amount of favorable positions that the media have taken when it comes to Obama. I stopped watching News because of all these subjective news coverage. I am black but detest black only church. I do not support having black college, TV, group or black anything. Obama knew his pastor visited Libya with Farakhan. His pastor’s speech is the view that most black churches share and that’s what keep the congregation together. It is wrong for Obama and the media to think all American are fools. I know there are some people that are gullible enough that believe the theory that Obama do not share his pastor’s view.

We talked about this situation in one of my college classes today. I agreed with my professor in that it's clear the hype proves to be a test if the American people will believe in individual identity or collective identity. This country prides itself upon ideals of individuality but at present seems to think it's ok to clump all black people together. If one speaks out, the one speaks for all. I would like to think our society is more progressive than to succumb themselves in believing in the hype.

Mr. wright is supposed to be Obama mentor and inspiration, his words are his words, and his actions are more than words, wright has done some good but that doesn't excuse what he has done, he has to stand by everything, you cant do good and do evil and say well he has done good, evil and hate more than out weigh any good he has done, and as for Obama, he was the one to say he was his mentor and should be held accountable for that

It never even occurred to me that the "working class" vote didn't include blacks. This is just another example of an incorrect assumption on your part Tim. I'll leave it @ that because I wouldn't want to be incorrectly analyzed by you or your friend Wright.

Come on, can you all not read between the lines? Obama clearly shares the same views as his Pastor or why would he continue the friendship for over 20 years and listen to his nonsense speeches. Of course Obama is outraged because he knows this could cost him the nomination. The media should have questioned this candidate long ago. His advisors have polished him to be someone he's not just to get elected. Here in NC, many of us share the same views that Obama has been sketchy from the get go. He won't wear the American flag or sallute it, has been shaped by the views and sermons of Rev. Wright and as for his dealings with the other terrorist guy. What in the world, if Obama is elected do you want him to invite this guy to the White House when he wants to bomb US buildings?? This election is all about race and always has been. Blacks are only voting for him because he's black, they could care less what he says. He won't bring the country together.

I certainly hope that Americans can see this for what it is, an attempt once again to flaw our judgement of the only canidate who can bring about the kind of change this country so desperately needs. I will not continue to watch CNN or ABC news cast because of the obvious negative biases that the networks have shown toward Barack Obama since he has gotten closer to becoming the actual nominee. Rev. Wright should have never been given the type of coverage that he received on this network, I guess ratings are more important than the real issues dealing with the economy, health insurance, and a no ending war. Besides, Hillary and John have much more baggage that comes from a personal attribute and not just an Association with someone. Change is never easy and if Americans can keep that in mind, Obama will be o.k.

excellent post!

america is tied in a dead heat over race!!!!

To all of you people who just can’t stop saying “He just needs to explain why he sat there for 20 years� Why don’t you ask the hispanic or white people who attended the church how they could sit there? Are you people just plain mad? You act like Obama was a pastor or that he even went to church every Sunday. How many of you go to church every Sunday. BE HONEST. This pastor did not preach like this every Sunday. Lets stay focus please. Why did no one speak up to Mitt Romney with the mormon view that to be black is the curse of Cain and if you touch a black person you will be curse. Do your homework people before you start saying “I just don’t understand� Why do we not get on Haggi or Farwell, oh I forget they are of another color. We get on Obama because he does not wear a flag pin and I have yet to see the others wear one, why is that? When Sen. Obama came to the faith he came for many reasons and the main one was what the church and the pastor did for people outside the church walls. We beat on him for his clinging comments when anyone with common sense knew what he meant but he was called an elitest. A black man! That is a hoot. I guess McCain having an affair with his current wife when she was 25 and rich is ok. I guess Clinton who came from surburia and went to the best schools and now has a combined income of over $109 million. I guess that is okay and they are just down home folks. You all are hypocrites and we will be judge for this believe me.

I am also sitting hear watching CNN and Anderson Cooper I am very disappointed in you. You have gone out of your way in trying to destroy this man. Why did he wait 24 hours to answer to who you? Maybe the man did not see it remember he is running for President and how do you know that the man might have been praying before he opened his mouth. God does say Be swift to hear and slow to wrath. Shame on you.

We did nothing about Clinton standing there lying over and over again about Bosnia without blinking and we moved on, but we are crucifying someone who has been about changing America.

I know how about this how about getting tapes of all Rev. Wrights sermons in Sen. Obama’s 20 years and listen to them first before you start running off at the mouth. That is what I am doing. Because unlike all of you, I am trying to be a good American.

All this attention to the Rev. Wright, the media is obsessed with trying to make Obama look bad. What about the court case against the Clintons in Calf? The Judge gave Hillary a pass, the media has given her a pass. this is borderline pathetic.

Rev. Wright represents the past and is trying to hold on to it. He has made a living on the hatred that blacks have about the way they have been treated.

Barack is trying to move us forward away from devisiness, racism, and separatism. He has a very, very, big challenge, because there are millions of dollars earned by people based on these issues.

Gabriela, I really like your comment. It should be about individual identity when it comes to Obama and Wright. I sure everyone on this site has disagreed with their parents at one time. People can be friends with a person and still disagree with them without ending the friendship.

What a sad day for Mr. Obama. I must say I feel duped. When the "roosting chickens" and "GD America" turmoil was going around, I didn't know who Mr. Wright was or what he was about. So I listened to some of his sermons, the WHOLE sermons, on the web, and I was struck by how intelligent and compasionate he was, and how all of these people just hearing the soundbites were all over-reacting to the 10 second clips they were catching on the news. Now this weekend I hear the HIV comment and I was dumbstruck. What the heck was he thinking? I stood up to all of the people I know that accused him of hate and division, and now this? I feel suckered. I doubt Obama will recover from this. But I still hope.

After reading many (not all, many) of the positngs on this blog, I am amazed that this country has survived for as long as it has. And that it has prospered and judged as the greatest country under god. We are far from perfect, far. But if we cannot agree about the basic goodness of America and its people, we are doomed. And for those who don't see it that way, leave and make room for the millons who live elsewhere and want desperately to come here. Some of you morons should really think – why do so many want to come here if we are so terrible? But I guess thinking is foreign to some of you.

Democrats our renowned race batters and promote class envy at every opportunity. Their obsession with race is destroying this country. Wake up people and put down the kool-aide. I can care less about Rev. Wright, it's Obama's tax and spend policies that I'm concerned about.

I could have a friend I’ve known for 20 years and never known he was a serial killer folks it happens. And if Barrack did know about his Pasteur that doesn’t make it his believes. I am black and have close friends and some family that don’t like white people. So my close friend and family members affect the way I feel. No they don’t one of my best friends is white. No one truly can speak on the situation better that Barrack. I mean people his mother is a white woman. I don’t think this man dislike or resent his own mother. This shouldn’t be an issue and I hate to say this but it’s only an issue because he’s a black canadate. He’s the only candate that the media has dugged and dugged until something was found. What even stupid after all these years Racism in all races still exist. It just now it’s not up in your face like the past. Most black people in the USA have dealt with racism. A white person will never truly know how that feels. That’s where the bitterness comes from regarding the Pasteur and his believes. The Clintons have been in plenty scandals I’m sure if the media dig as much as they do on Barrack they’ll find something. They won’t because that the way society is. If we as a country don’t look pass this blown out of proportion issue we will lose the best canadate for the job.

This is what Obama meant :

I did NOT have "relationship" with that pastor.

Come on. Give me a break. It's 20 years, not just several minutes. "Outraged" ? Where is the judgement?

This is not about black or white. This is about a man who said that he does not "subscribe" to what Rev. Wright has to say, but attended his church for twenty years? I heard most of what Rev. Wright had to say these past couple of days had he makes no bones about what he has to say or what he believes. If Obama had a problem hearing his own pastor what makes us think he can hear what we have to say as Americans.

Obama is a hypocrite. Only now is he coming out and denouncing his mentor, Pastor and Spiritual Advisor on his campaign.

You mean to tell me in 20 plus years Obama never heard Mr. Wright unpatriotic views? Obama is doing and saying anything he can to get elected. Just another slick politician who is decieving the American public.

"Change We Can Believe in" Yeah right... We no longer believe you Obama.

How can we say that Obama has a good judgment to be the President of the United States when it takes him 20 years to “divorce� himself from his conspiracy theorist and controversial spiritual leader?

How can we say that Barak Obama has a good judgment to run this Country and the world when it takes him 20 years to find out and learn about his spiritual leader and his church that he is a proud member of?

If it takes him 20 years to learn about his church and his spiritual leader, how would he know what happens in the country and the world? What we are seeing is a Barak Obama has a clear lack of judgment.

Do we need a president with this judgment?

I sense that Rev. Wright is REALLY mad and insulted that Obama didn't condone his viewpoints or come to his defense right away.
Now he is standing to make a lot of money selling his newest book that he's been working on. Good PR, Reverand.

Makes you wonder, sometimes, where some of these pastors' love is. Wright comes across as very judgemental and cocky. For those of us white people who really do love Obama, we feel sickened that this ex-pastor and former friend really has chosen his own career over trying to help his church member to succeed.

All of this while Bill, Hillary and the Republican camp is licking their chops. They couldn't destroy Barack by stressing his second name...(which he didn't choose himself) they didn't get him by sending out his picture in tribal dress, trying to make him look like a Muslim. They didn't quite get him with their lies about him being a secret Muslim on a mission to take over the United States and turn us all into Muslims! ( I got one of those emails, by the way from some "loving" Christian friends.) But since they couldn't get the Muslim thing to stick, and it's obvious to anyone with half a brain that Obama IS a Christian, the only ingredient needed to provide a good hot scandal was to have Rev. Wright in the game....With friends like that, Barack doesn't need enemies.

Call me childish, but I do believe Obama. I also travel a lot, and he has been residing most of the time in Washington. He doesn't have the time or the opportunity to be in that church very much of the time. It is very plausible that he hasn't been focusing on what has been preached from the pulpit there the last years. Maybe he stayed because his kids had a good Sunday School class. Most of us have done that before!

In regards to the news looping Wright every few minutes; it is really getting sickening. I have watched and loved CNN for years, choosing it over Fox, because I just can't stand Fox. Fox's emotionalism and one-sided, unresearched opinions are enough to make you throw up. So why is CNN trying to copycat them? Why are you using guys like Glenn Beck, and now.... Tony Snow???? Why????? Who next?? Rush Limbaugh?? What's the second CNN station trying to do?
Dumb itself down to make you wander if you don't look at the station number if you accidentally landed on Fox!! You should call it CNN for Dummies!

Does anyone besides me almost love it when something else happens in the world, just to take the heat off the discussions about Obama?

Although I'm a news junkie, I am getting so sad that I think I must stop watching CNN or I may never recover. It's time to focus on the important issues, and give Barack a break. Please.

Dr Wright has exposed Obama for exactly who he is, " a hypocrite". There is no way I could be affiliated with a church body and not agree with the fundamental principles of that body. H eattended that church for 20 years, yet was not aware of the teachings, beliefs of Dr. Wright. Americans must be stupid; and he is not playing the same game as the other politician. THINK people! Rev. Wright's beliefs are comparable to Barack Hussein Obama's; there is no different. I disagree with things my pastor says at time about the word of God and the interpretation because I might not be at the level spiritually. However, these are humane issues expressed by Rev. Wright; Obama and his wife are lawyers, intelligent; all of a sudden they are ignorant and uninformed about what their pastor beliefs? Did they go to bible study? marriage counseling? their daughters got baptized and at no time these views were expressed in their presence? rev. Wright was just playing nice in their presence but when they weren't there is went wil? Come on novw!!!who's fooling whom

I just gave another donation to Senator Obama. This man has been put through the ringer and subjected to a double standard. If his pastor connections must be vetted, then the same standard must apply to Clinton (the Family, her former pastor who was convicted of child molestation) and McCain (Hagee and Parsley who don't like gays, Catholics, Jews).

The media has been biased against Senator Obama and holds him to a greater and unreasonable standard. He is NOT his pastor. If you want to make everyone "guilty by association", then you have to apply it to ALL of the candidates.

Obama 2008

I challenge anyone on this board to grab a train, bus, or plane and head to inner city Chicago (or Philadelphia, New York, etc., your pick) When you get there, you'll need to guess again, because likely you'll be on a pretty street with a great deal of hustle and bustle and lively commerce. Once you've reached this pretty starting point you must first find, then traverse the ugliest, most downtrodden street you can find. Upon finding this street, you must wander down it as far as possible until all vestiges of reality have long since disappeared. I would now wager to say you have found yourself in the ghetto. Kudos. With 300 plus murders and thousands of shootings in Chicago every year, you can now safely assume that if you stand in your current locale you will be mugged or shot within a matter of minutes, perhaps hours if your lucky. Do you call me narrow minded? Perhaps, and hopefully you can sleep better for it. But please, try it for yourself, and see how your life and views will change. America is divided, and there is racism, which is an ugly and original sin which all whites should carry great empathy and remorse over. However, there is a dark side to racism as well. Many African Americans harbor a deep and vengeful hatred against whites, and many who do not at minimum have deep seeded feelings of resentment. In this we find the wellspring of the Rev. Wright, a man consumed by his hatred and anger. Perhaps his feelings are justifiable, and perhaps Obama is justified in calling him his pastor. But America is much more than a country, it is an ideal. Despite our flawed past and the pragmatic and very real horrors our people face today, the country cannot go on, and indeed cannot succeed without a strong and emphatic patriotism that has defined and set apart America for hundreds of years. Look closely at Obama. Listen to Michele Obama, read her senior thesis from Princeton. Draw the logical and rational conclusions about both Barack and Micheles association with Rev. Wright, and I believe you will come across a truth which you are very much trying to deny. They are liberal because liberalism feeds money from the top down and castrates the moral institutions of society in the name of secular and pro government rhetoric. They are ultra liberal because socialism is a means to accomplish the radical end they seek. Their ideology sits readily upon their sleevs. Indeed Rev. Wright and Obama preach the same message, albeit Obama has cleverly veiled his hope with flowers and smiley faces. Look again, I challenge each and everyone of you. Spend a day in the ghettos of America, if you make it out alive, think about what life must be life, think of the anger, think of the revolutionary ideas that must be brewing there. There are many things that must be done in this country, many changes that must be made, but Obama is not the man to do it properly. He does not love America, and it will be Americas end as we know it to allow a liberal and socialist agenda to take roots in our proud capital.

If Reverend Wright doesn't want the press to "cherry-pick" his comments, perhaps he should stop running the orchard.

Wake up America we do not need Obama in the White House. Do you really beleive that he has disowned Reverend Wright? He used Reverend Wright and now that he doesn't need him anymore he throws him under the bus. Reverend Wright was used by Obama.

I do not think Mr. Obama should to held accountable for anything. Mr. Obama is an highly intelligent man and I know he, like myself and others, are able to fliter out the negative and nonesense that is spoken in church, with friends, between family members, icluding what is said in the media.......not to mention in political campagings.

I surely have to fliter out a lot of stuff my pastor says on Sunday mornings........but that is why God has given us a mind to think for ourselves.

Mr Obama looked to this man as a friend and someone who did speak to him about God's love and the role the church plays in the community. I am sure Pastor Wright was on his best behavior when the Obamas were present. For the media information, Mr. Obama's children were in Sunday School and not sitting during Pastor wirght's messages, good or bad.. Children have their own classes in most churches, they do in mine.

The media is the instigator and plays the devil advacate way too much..........I am sorely disappointed with how the media beats a dead horse and over kills a story, especially when there are so many other real stories and serious things happening in the world.

Like Mr. Obama said, "manufraction distractions." Move-on to other noteworthy stories such as "Iraq and the food natural disasters" Mr. Obama gets my vote in November with his name on or not on the ballot......I will write his name in, because I will not vote for anyone else.

Thank you!

I think it's fair to question Obama's core beliefs regarding his patriotisim and feelings about race. Sure, it's easy to distance yourself from comments your reverend makes now that you're a presidential canditate. I'm sure Reverend Write didn't just come up with this garbage over the past month. Why didn't Senator Obama oppose him earlier?

Obama conveys the true essence of Honor, love for country and the qualification to be president of the United States of America. It shocks me that the American people/ the media can be so naive to say they don't know Sen. Obama. Believe me if the American people did not know Sen. Obama he would not have reached this far in the campaign. So America this is the time for us to show the world the greatness of this country, true democracy and a land of opportunity for all who can DREAM and HOPE. Lets focus on the issues and NOT VALUELESS TOPICS LIKE REV. WRIGHT. As a born again Christian myself, I do think Rev. wright was totally wrong in his actions and reactions. He needs to focus on leading souls to Christ.

This great country I love so dearly, but it needs a change drastically.

Matthew Higgs

As long as you are on the air and digging deep for the purpose of destroying a young man who challenged the chemistry of your brain and who happen to leap over the bar which has been set by the guy like you who don't want to see in the American politics secen, the controversy never go away.

You made the nation cry, you have no mercy and remorse for the gentelman whom you are bleeding everyday. You don't represent the wider white American who see him as rising star who has been annoyted and praised by almost every walk of life not only here in America but around the world.

I am asking you to be fair for him and dig deep by representing the both voice. It is all I am asking.

I have only listen to Rev. Wright twice this past weekend and I am angered, Yet it took Obama twenty years to become angry.

I am black. I am a Christian. I think what Reverend Wright is missing from all that he expresses is the most fundamental of Christian principles, "Forgiveness" Without forgiveness, the Christian faith could not exist. The Christian faith is about GOD providing forgiveness for the sins of man, and one of the main commands of God is that we forgive others. We all know about the history of slavery in America, but at some point we (Black America) must "Forgive" We cannot continue to hold every white person responsible for what their fathers, and forefathers may have done. We must give each person a clean page to write on. and please give them an eraser also because you will need one also. We all have sinned. And we (black People) have sinned against and mistreated our own people also. Rev. Wright misses that very important point. It is about healing, restoration and moving forward which cannot be done without forgiveness. We cannot live as a perpetual "victim" Our forefathers were held in physical slavery against their will for hundreds of years, we in this generations cannot be guilty of remaining in a mental and psychological slavery willfully. Unforgiveness will do just that. Rev. Wright needs to re-examine one of the most fundamental tenet of his faith "Forgiveness" Whatever happened to "loving your enemies"
Is Obama supposed to hate his mother and only love his father ? what type of nonsense is that ? He is supposed to love all people. and be the president of all people equally. and that is what I think he will be. Don't listen to the noise.

You CAN NOT go to a church for ‘20′ years, choose to be MARRIED there by Pastor Wright, have your children BAPTIZED there by Pastor Wright and NOT know the beliefs of the minister!
By staying in the church, Obama was saying that he accepted what was being preached. Obama even called this minister his “MENTOR�. We all saw the clips of the congregation laughing at and applauding the outrageous ideas of Wright. Yet, today, Obama called the congregation “good people�. This cleartly shows where Obama’s head is!!! Indiana and North Carolina. It also explains Ms. Obama comment about not being proud of her country until ‘now’.
EITHER SENATOR OBAMA IS ONE BIG HYPOCRITE OR SIMPLY LACKS THE GOOD JUDGEMENT NECESSARY TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT!

I think that the reason why racism is still a huge issue is because that media keeps talking about it; they continue to add fuel to the fire. I mean everyday you hear how Obama can't get the WHITE vote; the media always separate people and never seeks to unite us. We are all American and you would think that as a nation we would be able to put all of the things that separate us behind us and move forward as one nation under God. I think that the media is giving Rev. Wright to much attention lets talk about the issues. The only way that Wright can hurt Obama's campaign is if we let him, it is up to the American people to move beyond this and look towards the future and a united America.

I do want to say that although Obama disagrees with Rev. Wright it is important that we put into perspective what Wright says. I am an Obama supporter as well as a minority and I do think that a lot of the issues that we face as minorities are encouraged by the actions of government and our concerns dismissed, which is exactly what we are doing with Rev. Wrights concerns. If you are not a minority you understand that struggles that we face. I do want to make this clear Obama and Wright speak to separate audiences and Rev. Wright has a constitutional right to speak. Obama has done all he can, its time to get back to the ISSUES!

I think Obama said it the best. He said if I give Hillary Clinton 9 complements the media will not report it, but if i says one thing negative it will be play on snippets and loops ever hour. The media needs conflict to sell their market not unity. What a shame and the world is watching.

40% of whites vote for a black candidate and 7% of blacks vote for the white candidate – the numbers clearly show where the racisim is and its not where this author thinks.

Tim,

You say: "consider the way the media has been pushing the question, “Can Obama win working class voters?� Or, “Why is Obama having trouble connecting with working class voters?� Both questions ignore..."

...which makes me think you probably went to college, to learn how to have a "sensitive" opinion, at the expense of being factual.

Because you, Tim, ignore...that actually most news outlets, CNN is included, have been asking: "Can Obama win the WHITE working class?" See? They used whiteness to frame the question. For weeks we have been seeing Barak bowling, and eating sausages, and standing in front of gas stations. We have heard pundits claim that he needs to get the hunters' vote or the gun owners' vote. By all this they mean "the white vote." To stereotype "the white vote" with cultural signifiers like bowling and jello molds is totally racist: it would be like saying, oh that candidate is trying to get the hispanic vote and so he is going to need to be seen around town wearing a sombrero...I could go on in this vein, but what's the use, it would only offend people, just as the media's stereotyping about what they thought were white cultural signifiers offended me). The media pundits have thus been racist. But not in the one-sided way you portray: They have scoffed that to win the white vote Barak will have to carbo-load and break out the jello mold. All of these horribly narrow minded cultural signifiers have been used to indicate "white" or "mainstream" culture. It is totally insulting. And now, instead of debating Hillary, Obama choses to play basketball: trying to "connect" with things Hoosiers are "passionate about." This whole thing about him being beyond politics is a total joke. A fairy tale. And the idea that the "white" media (have you WATCHED this media these days? there is an OBVIOUS attempt to make their commentators as multi-ethnic as humanly possible) is being particularly insensitive to blacks, any more than they are being insensitive to whites or any other racial group is simply failing to see the obvious. But your college professor would have approved of your article, because you demonized white people once again. Oh you're so enlightened. Congrats.

I just wanted to say that it seems to me, and I'm sure a lot of people that the Rev. Wright is trying to bring down Obama so he can not win.

and if they keep giving him time on the airways then he might do some harm to Obama. the man(Rev.Wright) is a clear nut case,

and should not be given any time on t.v.

How long must Mr. Obama clean up this mess.

Only a creazy person would feed in to this man, (Rev. Wright) and the rest of the people should understand this and should just ignore everything that Rev. Wright say.

Or are we still blind people still stuck in the 50's and 60's.

Come on everyone we are better that, Right.????????????

This was an excellent article, yet in reading some of the comments some of these people are clueless.

My great aunt told me a long time ago that people tend to accuse you of doing the things they are actually doing.

With all of the opinions, can anyone tell me (who is on Social Security Disability) how to fill my gas tank for less than $60.00, how to get decent health and dental insurance for less than $375.00, how to reduce my prescription cost, or my grocery bills, or any of my bills(basic living cost) for that matter?

I thought not! Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one.

No matter, I'm still voting for Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who's right...? obama of course... he's always right...
Like when he said... Republicans were the party of ideas in the 90's....
or when he admired what a great president Reagan was...
and also how bad the 90's were under Bill Clinton...
and let'snot forget his unilaterally bombing of Pakistan....
and when he said he doesnt take pac money...
only the money from the people in charge of the pacs...
Then there'a Rev. Wright who was minding his own business and who did not seek out obama as member of his church... quite the opposite obama sought him out as his pastor who presided over his marriage, who baptized his children, and brought obama to Christianity
But for some reason the great obama never found out in 20 years of attending Rev. Wright's church the contents of some of his sermons... he just found out in the last 20 days not the last 20 years...
And now he's finally decided t throw Rev. Wright "under the bus" and in addition ruin the reputation of a man who did not seek him out... so now the media can talk about the deranged Rev. Wright... who before he became involved with obama was considered a scholar...
But as we know obama is always right... even if it takes him 20 YEARS!!!....

Wright should seek new employment outside of the church, his outrageous behavior yesterday is so out of control the world should stop and pray for him. A Pastor should preach forgiveness and understanding and work together to bridge the gaps in our community, not divide us. Rev. Wright forgot about the youth of today when he showed his insane side of emotional remarks. He should had used is logical mind explained his sermon and answered any questions. Rev. Wright sent a very negative message to the youth of today "Don't get mad get even" How sad.

I feel the media has been very unfair to Obama, indicating he can dictate to Dr. Wright what he needs to say. Dr. Wright is an adult, that lives here in America where we do have the freedom to speak. I would not try to tell my Pastor what he must say even if I disagreed with what he has said. I am sure those that are making these comments would not tell their pastor's what to say (if they go to church).My pastor is accountable to God and not to me. Dr wright is accountable to God and not Obama! I personally believe this is not a Dr. Wright issue with the media but a Black /White issue! I am in the working class and an Obama supporter. I resent the fact that media is indicating, the "working class" is voting for Hillary. There are thousand of working class citizens that are supporting Obama. I would like to see the media get back on track and deal with the issues each candidate is addressing , including Mccain (you have left him out of the loop). America needs a Change and a President that can help initiate that change. Stop giving Dr. Wright so much coverage, he is not running as a candidate or President!

Thank you for your eloquence and insight.

I have had enough of Dr. Wright. Let me explain. I believe that everything that he has said is ABSOLUTELY true. Walk in the shoes of any black man in America today and you will feel the sting of racism all over your body. It is no mistake that there is a rise in sensationalism over the words spoken by Dr. Wright right when Obama is gaining momentum in what will be an historic event in American history. At the same time, New Yorkers are up in arms over the unjust murder of yet another Black man, shot 51 times by the police. I feel a bit of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man coming out here. You see, these events are all connected to America's refusal to face the insidiousness of the racial divide. In the midst of the struggle to validate the seemingly invisible body of Black American men, Barack Obama is made to denounce (angrily) his (angry) pastor of 20 years. He is made to denounce all things "too black" about him in order to obtain the vote of Americans. i.e. He needs to lie in order to win. If he has to deny the very thing that has shaped his life, what is it worth? This entire situation has been so painful for me to watch. Obama wants to bring about change but how can he successfully do so when America is blind to change, to justice, and to her own faults? America is not a spotless lamb. America has issues just like any other country and it is time that we face those issues, publicly, and seek ways of reconciliation. Until the philosophy that holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation until the colour of a man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes(Haile Sillasie), then we will have division, separation, and the whole "YES WE CAN" will never make sense to people in America. It is time to wake up and smell the coffee–dark coffee, that is–our dark past is haunting us and history certainly repeats itself in so many ways. A black man is running for office and has to denounce AND reject everything black about him...There is something absolutely wrong with this picture. Thank you, Tim Wise and others for weighing in, honestly, on this subject. Let's face it, racism exists and it's not going anywhere until we all become honest with ourselves and each other.

Why is the media giving Rev Wright so much coverage? He is entitled to his opinions no matter what they are, for every nut there is a notion. The media is making the issue bigger than it is. He no more speaks for Obama than Roger Clinton did for Bill.
Racism is alive and well in the USA. Has anyone thought about the fact that when Africans were brought to America as slaves no one talked about them needing documentation or illegal immigrants? If the undocumented people (human beings) here today were willing to work for free the debate would end about immigration and amnesty. Have a discussion on that.

With that said, I believe that Rev. Wright is the least of our problems. There are greater issues to confront in our society and playing his sermons time after time will do no good for this election or any future efforts to unite a divided country.

I don't believe anything Obama says. His speech today was to save his own butt. I bet he truly agrees with everything Wright has said in the past. Nothing Wright said in the past few days was any different from what we've heard from the so called snippets. In Philadelphia he couldn't disown Wright, but he can. Yeah, because his poll numbers are dropping.

forgive him for he knows not what he does....sad way to exit the ministry and sell books and hit the late nite circuit....no Semper Fidelis coming his way from fellow Marines...he has been written off as a human being and i don't mean a God-like figure!

It's about time. Wake up America, wake up.

I was a strong supporter for Obama but now I can't even believe what he has to say because when my friends lie to me, I just cut them loose and find really friends. I find it hard to believe he doesn't feel the same as the Rev. Sorry my support is starting to go toward Hillary because she has not assoicate herself with anybody that is a bad person.

Is it so hard to believe that the government or people in government could do some bad things? When will we wake up and smell the coffee? I know that Rev. Wright seemed upset but doesn’t he have the right to be? Think for a second. What if you were on vacation out of the country and came back to the U.S. to find your face all over the news because the media has a good story with sound bites that will score huge ratings; how would you feel? Dr. Wright did not ask for this to happen to him, his church or his family. He was thrusted into this media induced controversy, not asking for the attention at all. He has been made to look like a fool while both his family and church have received threats by the true “wackos,� of the world. Yes, in the good ole’ U.S. of A. our first amendment rights are not protected from the “wackos.� We cannot say what we believe even if there is proof of neglect or misconduct by our own government. Why are we so afraid to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and apologize for slavery and injustice to the descendants of slaves? It is easier to make Rev. Wright the scapegoat because we do not want to believe that some of what he is saying is true. It is easier to condemn a man that has lived through Jim Crow, the Vietnam War, and the assassinations of Medger Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, John and Robert Kennedy without understanding that these experiences shape who he is. I guess it is not easy to understand that someone can criticize this country and still love it. It is possible for Dr. Wright to speak passionately about America because he cares and wants to make it a better place for not only Black Americas but for all citizens. How else can you explain his 6 year voluntary service in the United States Marine Corps? He was serving our country when many of our elected officials were dodging the opportunity to do so. He is a man who has earned the right to criticize our government. That’s right; he criticized our government NOT the American people.
Does anyone remember how long it took for this country to aid the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina? Does anyone know about the Port Chicago situation or the Tuskegee Experiment? Long after the headlines from these events fade from topics at your dinner table and from the forefront of your minds, people of color remember and internalize them. The real issue here is America’s inability to understand the Black experience in this country. African-American people understood terrorism long before 911. We survived lynching in the South and Jim Crow in the North, substandard housing and education. We fought for civil rights and continue to fight discrimination today, even though we are told (by those who don’t experience it) to get over it….that it’s a thing of the past and that we shouldn’t “hold on� to the past. Yet, the reality of the situation stops us driving while Black. And so we want to get bent out of shape because Rev. Wright says things that don’t make us feel like we “should all just get along�. Maybe his words should make us uncomfortable enough to address the past, have honest dialogue with resolution and move on from it. We should not have to disown, denounce or reject Dr. Wright just because we don’t feel all warm and fuzzy when he speaks. If White America was genuine in wanting to have the ‘race conversation’, now would be the time to come together, analyze the preaching of Dr. Wright and several others while beginning to bring closure to the wrongs that have never been addressed by leadership in this country. Yet, I see his comments reduced to bullying Barrack Obama into disowning him. Well, the media got their demand, as well as all you cool-aid drinkers; however I predict that it won’t be enough to satisfy the bloodlust. I predict that more demands will be made on the candidate to reject and denounce others he knows. Like none of us have ever strongly disagreed with people we know yet continued to associate with them. Think people, if we only associated with people we agreed with we’d be really narrow minded people. But that’s how prejudice continues to exist anyhow. So all you pen-heads continue to associate in you small little groups, with only people you know, like and agree with you.
Those of us that really want a change will continue to support Barrack Obama. For as much as I see wrong with this country, I am still hopeful that we can come together to make this country and the world the best that it can be.

Kevin Jetz >> If I lived in a country where I felt as you do, I'd consider leaving for a better place to live and raise my kids. Why would I want to stay in a place where I feel I'm hated and where I am already dead?

This is 2008, access to other parts of the world is easier now than ever before. Why not take advantage of it if it means you'll be happier and better off?

I just can't see why some people both black and white who trash America as if they were held here against their will. Why remain in an environment where you are consumed with hate as you seem to be?

Life is too short to live with hate or fear. You have to be responsible for you and your family. No one is going to hand anything to you on a silver platter – not that you are asking for that. Your life is your choice, you can live it however you decide.

But if it were up to me, I'd give serious thought into moving away from America, especially if I felt as you stated you do. You need to evaluate what you gain by staying in America and feeling as you do with moving to another country and starting a new and hopefully better life.

Some people become so used to their environment, no matter how bad it is, they feel as though they can never escape. I read in the news all the time where women are abused by their boyfriend or husband repeatedly but never leave. It's almost like they loved being abused, although, I don't think that is the case.

I think they are mentally stuck in their situation and getting over the hurdle of the fear of change and starting all over out weighs an easier choice of remaining with a life they know and are accustom too.

Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to help them open their eyes and see there's nothing to fear about beginning a new life. However, more often than not, the fear becomes stronger than any prison ever built.

Rev. Wright has fed the racial divide and lent aide to haters, just as Obama said today. I watched Obama finally sadly but unequivocally disown Wright, and although I don't support Obama I believe he was being honest and my respect for him has grown. The problem is partially the national media's fault – not for bringing up Rev. Wright (he put himself out front and center the last four days), but for not doing it sooner when it might not have been so deadly. We find out now that Rev. Wright in an interview with the New York Times a year ago suggested that Obama might have to distance himself – so at least Wright knew that some of his positions were too radical. Obama was being treated with kid gloves by the media until recently and getting a free pass. Be honest, the media and much of the Democratic Party establishment supports Obama, and they have actually been falling over themselves trying to explain away Rev. Wright's statements as just being misunderstood or taken "out of context." It will be interesting if these same apologists now fall in line with Obama and discover that Wright was wrong all along.

Yes, Black culture and church is more emotional and demonstrative, and that is part of what is so jarring to Whites (and part of where Wright was right). Yes Blacks have suffered discrimination, and in the past much worse. But the fact is that Rev. Wright's theology and his radical political views are not even accepted by a large majority of Black churchgoers. And most Blacks do not believe that the U.S. government invented and planted AIDS, is a terrorist nation with no more moral stature than Al Queda, that homosexuality should be celebrated, or that Jesus was only a prophet and Islam is equal to Christianity. Rev. Wright is indeed intelligent and probably in many ways a good man, but he was grandstanding and putting his own smart-alecky selfish interest above that of the first serious Black presidential candidate and exposing his own cockeyed ideas too blatantly. Obama finally got it. Now many of his supporters are in a quandry – do they cling to their defense of Wright or their loyalty to Obama. That will be interesting to watch.

I don't make a ton of money, but I just gave Obama $100. I think he's honest, good, smart man. I want a President that will work hard for the country and I see that in him.

I think I have had about enough of the Indirect character assassination of Barack Obama.

Please put this to rest immediately. Let's not fool each other, most of us know this is ludicrous. This is ONE story that has very little impact, yet its blown up to where it seems like the biggest thing since Bill Clinton cheated on his wife.

I think Im going to try a test. Im going to shut my TV off and not watch the news for the next week and hope that when I turn the TV back on you guys will finally have MOVED on.

What are we all talking about? While the media's responsibilities are numerous and increasingly demanding, I am preplexed by the obvious omission of the of the complexity Wright-Obama relationship. It is, and is not , about race and politics. Are we Americans really so shallow that we cannot have a more sophisiticated discussion? This is not so simple.

I would be very interested in a discussion of what it means for a black man born into two different and divided racial cultures to untangle this oversimplified drama in a public forum.

How does a man love and cherish a father figure who has radically different views? Where are these questions for the panelists, commentators, bloggers? It would be wonderful to hear from other mixed race people about what it is like to struggle between two cultures.Most of us have had influential mentor, parents, siblings, friends who we love deeply but who do not share our beliefs. This is the nature of important and lasting relationships.
Why are we expecting perfection?

On a psychological level, I see a "father" figure who is enraged at a "son" for achieving something great without him. On a racial and political level, I see a "father" figure who is incredulous and deeply envious to think that this mixed race-black man can navigate the challenges of a racially polarized society. How inadequate Rev Wright must feel.
Let's hear about the reality of human relationships.

Obama maintains the character and qualities to transcend race and unite our country. To unite us regardless of race, religous belief, gender, sexual orientation, etc.. The consequences of this struggle can result in a discussion that can help us with accepting and appreciating all of our differences while uniting us all to be better to each other. Senator Obama has inspired me, a 36 year old white independent from small town Iowa. I have seen the inspiration spread. These detours provide opportunities for us to address at our core many of the struggles that have faced many in our country for generations and bring us together. That is exactly what his campaign has been about. Please don't let these become instead a barrier. He is not a win at all costs politician. He is a caring, outstanding individidual from a diverse background that truly understands what our country is made of. It is how me manage conflict that we will improve. We can choose seperatist, or we can be inspired by a leader that is on message of transcending our differences and making us want to be better people.

Again, a fault of honesty for those that are claiming that Barack is being less than genuine.

Guys, this was the pastor of his Church. He was not is live-in lover, as Pat Buchanan would have you believe when he keeps repeating that they had been intimate for 20 years.

It was also the pastor of the church of many, many movers and shakers – and regular folks – in the Chicago area, and it was also the pastor that President Clinton called upon when he had to ask for forgiveness for committing adultery with a young WH intern in the Oval Office, while HIllary stood by and did nothing. Hillary has been associating her whole adult life with a man, in fact she is married to him, who has repeatedly, admittedly committed adultery.

Also, as I understand it is not a "Black Church," as some have said but is a church that has substantial participation from white and other communities.

But, hey, that's OK because one time in our life Hillary said we should have universal health care but totally blew any chance to achieve it because she was so egocentric that she refused to seek any help in really making this happen. She and Bill did not stand up for us, they just laid down and the let the special interests, well... we won't go there.

People, if you want another Clinton to represent you – fine.

If you want to continue the Reagan-Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton dynasty, then vote Hillary.

Let's just hope that she approves cheap meds from Canada.

Of course, it is clear that the majority are ready to move on.

Let's move on.

April 29th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

We talked about this situation in one of my college classes today. I agreed with my professor in that it’s clear the hype proves to be a test if the American people will believe in individual identity or collective identity. This country prides itself upon ideals of individuality but at present seems to think it’s ok to clump all black people together. If one speaks out, the one speaks for all. I would like to think our society is more p
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When someone is preaching hate and you sit in the pews every Sunday, you must agree with what they are preaching. I know of people who are haters and will not attend a peaceful loving church. I know people who do not believe in heaven, you will not see them in church. When someone is running to be president of the US. They better not be racist or anti american. do you understand what the president of the United States supposed to mean? Grow up and come back 15 years from now, and you will understand.

The whole controversay re Obama vs Reverand Wright is real affirmation as to why politics and religion don't mix! If Mr. Wright wants to be a politician ... he needs to get out of the business of religion. If Mr. Wright wants to get into politics ... fine, run for public office as a citizen. Don't use your pulpit as a 'bully pulpit'.

Please stop showing Rev. Wright every 5 minutes of the day. I am tired of this whole process. Tell me something that matters to my life. Tell me how to get a cheaper gallon of gas. Tell me how to keep American jobs from going over seas. Tell me how to keep China from shipping millions of goods to the USA everyday while we ship the empty boxes back for more crap!!! Tell me where Osama Bin Laden is. Tell me how the troops are going to come home and stay longer than two weeks. These issues matter to me ... Blacks and Whites ... Latinos and Asians we all have children that are going to suffer if we don't start getting our acts together SOON!!!!!

Racism will exist forever at the rate we are going. It not only exist in America but overseas as well. Not particularly against a certain race but also religion or region. People have instilled throughout history beliefs. Beliefs have carried from generation to generation and so on. I am fortunate enough to have an open mind and except people for who they are not what they appear to be. Stereotypes are far to common and to most very hard to overcome. I am white and my sisters all had with relationships interacially leading to marriage. There are differences between people as I have learned over years. This country stands for all ethnic and religious groups. Most people I have been in contact with other then white people feel as if this country devides them. The politcal campaign for one is seperating votes. Why? This is about the people of America. This isn't about black, white, hispanic, asian and other races including gender. This is about American votes for two American people working, not working, high class, middle or low. The media continues to play out the race and along with class. Who care about the polls or white working class people or non educated blacks or high class income or hispanic vote. If you are American your vote counts and it shouldn't towards a catagory. Stop, it's easy stop seperating and just use words wisely. Obama got 55% of the vote Hillary received 45%. That way your not specifying who's who and it's about the vote.

My comments towards Rev. Wright are simple. He can say what he wants and the 1st ammendment gives him that right. Everyone who's posted here can make their own minds up if his statements are right or wrong. To what this has to do with a presidential campaign means nothing to me. I voted Obama and still support him.

This is about Obama not about Rev. Wright nor Bill Clinton. By the way Barack is half black not 100% to everyone who keeps characterizing him as black. That there is a racist filing also. He has a black father and a white mother. We have someone who understands both sides and each race are trying to take a side from him. He is not someone who was considered part of the first black presidency (Clinton) and does not use working for poor folks as a reel and bait move to get votes (hillary). He was raised in a white household and worked for all groups on the Chicago's southside. Maybe we should pay more attention and we can progress under someone who better understands. Stop seperating it's only making racism existant and makes all of us ignorant.

Reading these comments just goes to show how little we have moved forward on race. When I heard the speech Obama gave in Philadelphia I thought in some way it would bring race to the forefront and there could be a positive dialogue. I'm half black and hispanic and I'm so disgusted in reading some of the comments, society continues to keep the US divided. The media does not help when they continue to give this Wright character the stage. Here we are in a recession are economy is in shambles, are jobs are going overseas and health care for Americans is a joke. For the first time we can nominate a black or a female for president and all the media knows how to do is to divide America even more!

Im going with Hillary now. For sure. No doubt about it. I was very interested in Obama but he has turned out to be a real guessing game. His friend Rev Wright is a nutt and I dont think this is news to Obama after twenty years of friendship. At least Hillary owned up to her mistakes... Obama is still blaming others.

"HOW CONVENIENT!"

I'm embarassed to say I was a Obama supporter. Now, Obama speaks out against Rev. Wright when he's losing ground against Clinton and polls show him unable to defeat McCain. This has raised a red flag with me...an obvious one!

He speaks so often, almost daily, about McCain and Clinton saying that they say whatever they need to say to get elected, "playing the old game of politics." It's funny how now he's seems to be doing it. If you ask me...I think he's been playing us all along.

I am glad to see him speak out against the Reverend and his hatred but why so late in the game B?

Does this mean that after 20 years of close ties to the Reverend and his church that you never saw things so clearly until now???

I doubt it. I'm glad I for one can at least see things clearly now.

People don't change who they are over night. I certainly don't expect to believe Obama has suddenly, miraculously, seen the light now! Not without any self serving reason, like becoming President of the United States for example.

He's invested too much time, energy, effort and money to not try and save himself now. Even other peoples financial investments of this candidate are on the line....Again, how suddenly convenient!

He should have just answered the questions more honestly and quickly seperated himself from Rev. Wright when asked at the Pennsylvania debate, when he had the chance....but no!

Does this mean he will be straight with the American people now and say. "I, Barack Obama, was wrong." I am no longer associating myself with this man ever again."

Don't hold your breath. After 20 years of friendship, mentorship even, I doubt we will ever hear those words. Obama is not one to quickly offer up an "I was wrong." I mean come on! I know about 20 people whose marriages have lasted only a year. 20 years he befriended this man! 20!!!

Even when pressed in the Pennsylvania debate about Wright he skirted around the issue. He even complained about the questioning. The American people have a right to know!!! So...Why now?? Why speak against him now B? Suddenly you're so forthcoming.

Why else people? But to win!!!! It sickens me!

Don't be snowed people. This man is no better than everyone else he's accused of lying and playing the political game. He is after all a politician. In fact, he's worse! He tried to pass himself off as one way and now come soff as another. I feel I should maybe thank Reverend Wright for showing us Obama's true colors.

Extremely disapointed former supporter,

J. Sanchez

Twenty Years and now he is denouncing WRight, his insperational leader, his friend, uncle and mentor !?Talk about saying anything to win.
I believe this is a conspiracy that OBama, Axelrod and Wright has
come up with...Why all of a sudden does Wright come out?
These people will do anything for the presidency!

Obama, Wright and Axelrod have made this about race since Iowa!
Obama and his preacher of twenty years are two of a kind!
TWENTY YEARS!!! how can he tell us that he did not know!
By the way where is Michelle, the one who thought America was a mean America, first time she was proud of America and lets not forget her theseis..She has also demonstrated the same under currents mentality as Wright only with with caution.. Wake Up America and read betwenn the lines!Rread the under current of his last speech, which Obama brought out race to divert Americans from the real reason His Mentor's hatred towards America and his radical racisim.
Why would someone stay with an Anti-America radical racist for TWenty Years and now for Political purpose he comes out and denounces. his mentor, friend, uncle like???.Does Obama think Americans are mindless?
To Little To Late...Lie with dogs you get up with flees, tell me who your friends are , I'll tell who you are...all these saying from the olden days
are oh so true....Lets not forget them!!!

Wright has positioned himself as our the number two ego maniacal narcissist constitutionally incapable of being honest with himself, falling just behind Ralph "Don Quixote" Nader, who edges him out for the top spot only because of his repeated ventures into the depths of the hellhole known as blind self-righteousness.

Obama is the brightest light that many of us has seen on the political horizon in our lifetimes. Just as principled as Gene McCarthy in the 60's, or George McGovern in the 70's, yet probably brighter than either of them, but most importantly, gifted with a savvy not fueled by ambition as much as by some kind of natural instinct for doing the right thing, even when he's wronged.

Hopefully, Americans will be wise enough to see his candidacy as a once in a lifetime chance to break the mold of the plasticized poll-driven politicos who inevitably seem to forget why they got into public service in the first place by the time they are mature enough succeed in a major election.

Media pundits are brought on to your show as though they need to tell us what to think. Your viewers when presented with objective reporting can think for themselves. The pundits brought on are not objective but have political agendas.

Reverend Wright spoke the truth. People are different not deficient. That is not racist. The government of this great country has and is making many mistakes. It is patriotic to point them out, learn from them and not repeat them. It is ignorant not patriotic to believe everything our country does is right. Help make the country greater by electing a president who believes this is a country of all the people by all the people and for all the people not just the wealthy minority.

Obama was given bad advice to throw Rev. Wright under the bus. Reverend Wright should have been advised to avoid the event. Obama explained himself in Philadelphia he should have moved on to other questions and not take the bait.

What Rev Wright said was wrong. This is the reason I do not have faith in the churches. Rev Wright is a pastor a servant of God, a person who is suppose to bring people into the church not run them away. Its a sad day when a man you trusted for 20 years betray you the way this man has betrayed Obama. What Rev Wright said was said out of anger and people who judge Obama based on what Rev Wright has stated is wrong. All I can say is a true servant of God would have never took the road Rev Wright took.

to steve:
Having lived in some other countries, I've got to say it's largely for the money. If they could receive the same wage and/or education (also for the money) in their home country, many would stay. For evidence of this, consider that people who formerly emigrated to the UK from Eastern Europe are heading back after the EU expansion since economic conditions are rapidly improving.

Barack Obama is being held to a higher standard. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have aquaintences that would make Rev. Wright look like an innocent schoolboy. Why are white peole so quick to dismiss Obama over something another man said? It is scary to see that white america is so quick to "move acroos the street" on Barack Obama. This past week has spoken volumes of race relations in America.

you are the reason I watch CNN!

I was happy and content, delighted that the Democratic Party had two wonderful candidates, one a woman and the other an African-American. I was leaning toward Hillary because she studies the issues, because of her maturity, and because she is always prepared with an answer. But I was impressed with Obama's ability to lead and inspire people and his remarkable growth demonstrated from beginning to present of his campaign. I was excited that America had taken such a dramatic step forward over our ingrained racism.

Along came Jeremiah Wright. I know that there are many, like Jeremiah Wright, who are hopelessly mired in their prejudiced thoughts. I accept that. I am saddened by it. But I know it is still reality in the USA today. I believe that nearly all Americans are racists. Race has far too great an impact in all our thinking. We need to all recognize that and begin to deal with it.

But my disappointment is not with Jeremiah Wright, rather with Barack Obama. I was really beginning to believe that a young man had come forth who could help to bridge our racial gap. But that's not him. He is the guy who said (1) Jeremiah Wright was like a crazy uncle, (2) h

Truth– Obama's candidacy was an uphill struggle against racial tensions in this country. So all of this back and forth questioning about race not being an issue today and then again tomorrow is so untruthful. This is a country built on the backs of black people provided free labor that was the bedrock of the properous southern lifestyle. We wish we didn't have to look back– but we still have to deal with all of our flaws as a country. No one can truthfully say everyone is treated equally in this country, never was never will be. So a man by the name of Wright comes along and tells us different does not equate being less of a person and the xenophobes are upset– the ones who walk on eggshell and don't want to upset the status quo- only because you do not want to deal with the realities of pain and guilt which continues to fester in America. Jeremiah forced us to look at ourselves bared down to our collective American conciousness-He simply provide the mirror for us to see our reflections– and we are offended because we don't like what we see. It isn't his fault or problem– it's ours.

Simple look at how some undeveloped minds in America are reacting to the REV WRIGHT'S WORDS.
Why are so many people upset with what Wright spoke?
truth: "He defended his earlier comparison of U.S. Marines to the Roman soldiers who killed Jesus, saying the "notion of imperialism" is the same. Killing is wrong– period. Look how many innocent lives we destroyed in Iraq– American and Iraqi– wrong is wrong. Apologize for slavery? Clinton did it once, why not again– America apologized for putting Japanese in camps.
Truth to power is dangerous- only if we choose to associate Wright with Obama. Wright was speaking on Wright- not for anyone else.

The poster Kevin Jetz is the kind of blatant idiot that the black community doesn't need on its side. Bringing up what a country did 50, 100, 200, 400 years ago doesn't solve a damned thing! Every country that ever was and will ever be will have those dark, and unmentionable periods in their history–periods of genocide, periods of hate, and periods of exclusion. Justifying your own hatred and violence of America, the white community, and the goverment on the back of what evils our country did in its past is both destructive and ignorant. While we should never forget such atrocities in our Nation's past, it's vermin like Rev. (and I use that term very loosely) Wright and Louis Farrakhan who continue to needle their blind masses with thoughts of hate, revenge, conspiracy, and distrust. And then they say they believe in God...in Jesus...wow. Oh Black Community, will you ever wake up and fight your oppressors with the light of truth, whether they be your black oppressors or your white oppressors? Will you forever wallow in self pity and destruction? Have you the courage to stand together and bury the ghettos of this country-to stop the slaughter of your people by their own hand? Raise up!

Mr kevin Jezts shows how narrow minded and ignorant he is. I am a black man and i know that what most black people desire is a better racially integrated America. We should be looking into the future and stop blaming our lack of purpose and direction on whites. Obama and numerous other blacks have shown that hard work and deligence can break any boundary. If Obama had n't raised himself from the mind set of people like Kevin, he would not be where he is today. America should learn from its past. The world is filled with evil people! everywhere including America, Whites, Blacks.... But we should overcome evil with good.
Obama represents this new focus to the future! The new HOPE, the new PAGE. The time to continue in the old ways are gone. CHANGE is the word. Went OBama came with this message it inspired us. Let this inspiration grow to fruition.

Am I the only one who heard Mr.Obama say today during his press conference that " as of today" Rev. Wright nolonger speaks for me or this campaign. So I take it that until today the Rev. Wright has the blessing of Mr. Obama and his campaign. Now I have watched the Rev. Wright and I find that he said the same thing that one of Mr. Obamas senior economic adviser said to a Canadian government official that Mr. Obamas anti-NAFTA retoric should be taken with a grain of salt because he is trying to take a political positioning than his true stance. Funny how a man who has know Mr. Obama for 20 years, the same man who married him and baptized his two children seems to be saying the same thing, don't believe what he is saying he is a politician, he really does not mean what he is saying.. Hello

The chickens have come home to roost! Sen. Obama sold Rev. Wright out, this in his own words, when he stated that he did not speak with him before his Philadelphia press conference and now he want to say he feels disrespected. Grow Up!!!!! This man has no character, no back bone. He is the one that stated the Rev. Wright is my spiritual advisor, etc. He is now learning about the media and sound bites and not liking this side of the political game and it is only going to get worst. Because the more you hide and denounce your former pastor, the more the media is going to research your past with him. The truth will come out and prove that he is not the man that your want to portray to the ordinary Joe.

For Obama ti think that we believe what he has to say now is a joke in its self. YOU will never convince me that he has been taught this for 20 years and BELIEVES and stands for Rev. Wrights beliefs!
He is just trying to look good now that the truth has come to light about his religion and beliefs. For anyone to over look this and believe otherwire is BLIND and DEAF because they want to be!
.

speaking as a white, working class male, with all the privilege that i automatically am given in this country can i just use that privilege for a second to say that its about time someone in the mainstream media actually had something intelligent to say about the current racial divisions in our country. bravo.

Subject Obama's speech to a lie detector test because I don't think he is being truthful re Rev Wright. He has known him for over 20 maybe 30 years and doesn't know "him"??

I grew up in the inner city and respect people of all race and color. I always thought that the Federals Union white Civil War soldiers who fought and died to free the black slaves, provided a tangible loss of life behind the gift of freedom. More whites died in that war than ALL wars combined. Of the 2.7 million Union fighters, a HUGE percentage of the population in the 1860's, over 360,000 lost their lives for the cause. In 4 major battles alone, some 10-17,000 Federals were killed in EACH. Not to mention the enormous wounded. And in those days, they just cut off limbs of wounded. I would think that in honor of those who lost their lives, and the myriad of families whose loss was a tremendous sacrifice, that mention of this historic fact whenever any descendent of any slave makes accusations of inequity... should be a requirement of thankfullness. Those white sacrifices earned their recognition in the blood of death, dimemberment and familial loss. As We deserve some credit for that, and at least "honorable mention".

I perplexed as to how the media became the issue when it's Rev. Wright's comments that bubbled the issue to the surface. Why is there no outcry from others besides Obama in the black community over Rev. Wright's against whites and America in general? Is this what they truly believe?

It is not true to say Black are this frustrated. I am a Black woman and I do not allow myself to be a victim. Blacks should stop using anger and the past as an excuse for anything but positive movements to improving themselves in the US and the wider world.

America is NOT the only country in the world. What about the image and plight of Blacks living in places like Europe (where I am based now after living in America most of my life), Africa and other places. Being Black is not just about skin colour but character, faith and integrity.

Black Americans need to stop the "I was wronged tape"....and start fresh. Find positive ways to impact society.

I refused to put the fate of my life in the hands of anyone and my destiny is not tied to Whites, Blacks or any one person or thing. It is my faith the transcends me and what I hope everyone into ONE race....human.

The problem Obama has is that it appears that he was a member of this church and stuck with it for so long to curry political favor with his constituency in Chicago...to 'prove' he is black enough. Now, it appears he is denouncing his pastor for political reasons, in order to be acceptable to his (hoped for) new constituency...to 'prove' he is not racist.

But, he *does* appear to be political. And one of his main appeals was that he was different, a change from the usual politicians we have all grown so tired of. Now, he just looks like another one of those politicians, willing to do or say whatever gets him elected. Doesn't make him any worse than the alternative white candidates, but the problem is, many people hoped he was better than that.

Casey,
We all (or those of us that attend church) go to churches where we may not agree with what our pastor's are saying sometimes. That is reality. No person sees eye to eye ALL the time with any person. Obama, most likely, really loves his pastor and is probably at this point very hurt that he has to distance himself, but that does not mean he agrees with those particular comments. I attend a large church in Houston, and sometimes I go to church, enjoy church, love my pastor but may not agree with something he said on that particular day that. That does not mean he's a bad person or that his comments are unwarranted. His comments are a based on his experience and I may not understand that experience. It's the same with Rev. Wright. Barack can totally have attended a church for 20 years and NOT agree with those particular comments. To help you understand I'll give this example – if you are married, you don't always agree with everything your spouse says but that does not mean you leave (at least you don't if you're wise). Barack is doing more to distance himself now because he thought this story would die down in time, but it was revived with pastor Wright's recent speeches. Barack is not being fickle. He's just doing the best he can to stay afloat in a nation where ALL odds are still, sadly to say, against him.

i am a female Cameroonian and i have been following the elections up very seriously, considering they are never clear in my own country.

it was always exciting for me from the beginning to think a woman could be the president of the most important nation in the world..oh yes, thats the United States but that doesnt mean there are uneducated people there, criminals and racist. this simply means we are all human beings. if i immigrate to the US i ùay end up at "black church" but that doesnt mean i am racist its just a sort of culturals comfort

i begin to wonder if the Rev Wright as elloquent and educated as he is, if he isnt trying to set up Obama. believe me Americans i am just a foreigner who follows up your electiosn: if Obama doesnt winthe nomination the demacratic party is in for lots of probs bc i beleive Mrs Clinton fights so mean she might lead u guys to war one day

just my humble opinion

I am annoyed by this idea that there is a "black church" and Rev. Wright speaks for it. There is no more a "black church" than there is a "white church." The idea that there is a "black church" presupposes that all black people think alike. Rev. Wright speaks for himself. He does not speak for Senator Obama. And please, let us give the man the respect that he is due given the office he holds – Senator – rather than referring to him as just “Obama.� Rev. Wright is not Senator Obama's child. He does not have legal liability for his conduct. Likewise, Senator Obama should have no political liability for Rev. Wright's conduct.
Since there exists an overwhelming concern for accountability, let's hold Pat Buchanan accountable for his March 21, 2008, "Brief for Whitey." If Rev. Wright needs to be held accountable for his words, let's hold this former presidential speech writer and candidate accountable for his racist tirade.

This is a very facile and insulting take on race. It is columns like this one that are the very roadblocks to really discussing race in this country. You are nothing but an apologist for Obama once again using race as a tool to shame otherwise decent people into second guessing themselves. Shame on you, and how dare you once again insinuate that Hillary Clinton is the one behind the very devisive racial politics which you yourself are injecting into the dialogue. Absolute trash.

As a black man, I nominate Anderson Cooper as the next black leader of America since his view tends to represent my views better than any of the other so called "black leaders."

Since most of the comments on here are concerning the Wright incident, I might as well say a few things about it. I'm sure Obama feels like he's d*mned if he does and d*mned if he doesn't. If he doesn't denounce his pastor people are upset. If he does, people still complain. I hope he realizes that the people complaining the most about this were people who had no intentions of voting for him before the reverend wright controversy.

I respect Obama because his message has not changed since DAY 1 last year. It was a powerful message that had America flocking to him. American were so moved by his words and motivated by them. Nobody had any question in their mind of his patriotism as they broke into tears listening to what he had to say about this country. But as he got closer to winning and the lame attacks started to fly, America has been distracted from that message. He still speaks that same message everyday out on the stump. But the American people have been misdirected by the slide of hand trick into focusing on what Wright and anybody else around Obama without coming close to piercing the armor of the candidate himself.

I sympathize with Obama. He was making a bet on the American people that they were hungry for change in the way that politics are run in this country. While the bickering was quiet America said yes we want change. But once the politics as usual started up, America did not realize that it's not just the responsibility of the candidates to change their retoric. But the responsibility of the citizens to not get absorbed into the rhetoric.

I think Rev.Wright has more character than Obama on this whole controversy. The Rev. has defended for himself and his followers, has spoken consistently about his opinions.

Unlike Sen.Obama, his speeches are inconsistent and unjustifiable. Maybe Wright is right: Obama is a politician. Wright get my sympathy on the issue

I went to church 3days ago(sunday) and frankly I dont remember a word of what the priest said.
It amazes me that the right wing press is pinning Obama to Rev Wright to the extent that they are asking Rev Wright (whom they dont believe and have labelled a megalomaniac) to tell them who Obama is and seemingly dont believe Obama to say who he is.
Tells me that there is only one agenda!!
Chelsea Clinton says dont vote for her Mum based on what her father is or has done and here we are talking about Obama pinned down to explain what his pastor-on-sundays-for-twenty-years said or did not say because somehow he may have believed him. Obama is cast as a simpleton who is bathed and scrubbed by Rev Wright everyday because he is mentally retarded or else he worships the pastor .
At the end of the day, its simply about Obama being the underdog, his audacity to be the front-runner against the established Clinton Machine.
Only the comedian has the audacity to ask the question the fear-mongers are all alluding to but do not have the courage to ask- he asked Obama whether he was going to enslave the whole white race.
The genuine and spontanous laughter put this issue to where it belongs-a joke!!
But the fear-mongers have turned a joke to fear and reduced America to Rwanda where the tutsis and Hutsies are in mortal fear of each other. American shame!!
Every 3rd world despot who rigs elections in his country now refers to Al Gore/ Bush as an excuse. Tell me what happens after Obama is not elected as POTUS. What will America tell the World about democracy!!

I think in order to clear this whole thing up and get a full perspective of racism in Politics and America, Hillary and McCain need to address the voters on race as a forum just like Obama had to do. This is the only way for this country to now move on. Rev. Wright nor the media should be given this much power over the voters decision. Neither are running for office. I say shut up the media and Rev. Wright about the racial issue and let Clinton and McCain now speak since race has become part of this campaign.

In my opinion, Obama's excuse that while attending Rev.Wright's church for 20 years and being his friend but never heard his racist and divisive views is ridiculous. It astonishes me that anyone would believe this!! His wife's comment about never being proud of her country until now, and his failure to wear or salute the flag are telling. He is lying to the American public about his belief system. If he did not agree with Rev.Wright's views he would have attended another church. It is that simple. To overlook this would be irresponsible.

I think the preacher had some issues to address after being used as a target of reflection. Pastor Wright is an educated man. He had to give a response to the negative commentary regarding his surmon. He said his church is supportive to helping the community. His church has a positive congregation fighting for issues that affect the community at large. Wright wanted to express how he felt about being called a racist when he is addressing issues that are being targeted in the black community. He led on to say his church like the NAACP is not racist in that they help people of many races and ethinicities around the globe. His speech wanted to share that these things needed to be into consideration of promoting positive changes addressing the nation. I do not think he intended to cause any harm. It is not what he said it is how he said it. Like do you disagree in what I said, what you thought I said or what you wanted him to say. Men of liturgy are spokesman for religeoun. They have a congregation to run. Obama can not be held accountable for what Revern Wright said. Not everyone going to church agrees what the ulogy is saying all the time.

Beverly:

That is not what I was trying to get at; I'm afraid it's possible there will be a racist backlash against blacks if Obama wins the nomination. This country still has people who will go to extremes to keep a black man from being President of the United States. I hope to hell I'm wrong, but I've seen and heard some terrible things, and I'm assuming it's just the tip of the iceberg.

The unfortunate thing is the two are tied together. I am disappointed that the pator would decide to open his mouth at such a critical time in BOs campaign. I am not 100% aware of what he has said/feelings/who said what - however, a lot of his comments, I felt, were of a typical fashion.
I hate to say this and may be way off base; situations like this exemplify the classic crab in the barrel syndrome. Black America is always striving for "equality and acceptance". Sometimes I feel like LOUDLY shouting DROP IT, move forward, and focus on tomorrow. You do not hear other races continuously harping on what has held them down, why they are owed, and an excuse why they arent moving forward. Either they move forward or THEY DONT! Drop it!
I am an interracial American; black and white.

I feel a new kind of energy for change in this country. People of all colors are rallying around a candidate who has few obligatory ties to big business and isn't politically dirty enough to have anyone pulling his leash. In response, The People are once again rising to demand this country clean up it's act and start acting like the democracy we push around the world.

But there is an opposing energy…an energy that seeks chaos, division and repression. Consider who would want to break Obama's growing Rainbow coalition by creating chaos and spread misinformation? Who would stoop to pretend to be irate black bloggers raising the threat of black riots? Who would turn friend against friend? Who would want to fracture the black community by inciting infighting now that they are coming together and affirming their political relevance? Who would be threatened by the poor of this country… a growing number of citizens who have started to demand equal health care and economic rights in the richest country in the world? Who ignores the failing public school system…a system that has been an acknowledged pipeline into the penal system for many disadvantaged students? Who would want to divide and conquer the American people and lead us back into a frightened, somatic state of antipathy and hopelessness?

If you are someone who wants change do not become discouraged! Shed your tears and then get back in the fight. Now is the time for change. Our ears and eyes are open. The youth of this country are leading the way. They are crying out for our help. Do not miss this opportunity for change. We must go through this birthing process to enter the 21st century. The human race must make a sociological transition and take global action now or we will perish.

Like any birthing process there is pain as well as joy. There are many who are afraid of the future and would prefer to isolate themselves in the comfort of delusion, cronyism and hedonistic distraction. However, we must have the courage to examine our acculturated prejudices. Those of us in the white community often do not even recognize the ways we discount people of race. I have made many biased statements this year and did not recognize them as such. As Mr. Wise states, there have been MANY instances in the media this year when I have been appalled by insensitive "racial" or "biased" statements and statistics that discount the black vote. The fact that no one called foul before now is astonishing. In most instances, the white commentators were not even aware their view or comments are biased. And I'm not "too sensitive" about comments...the comments I am referring to were obvious enough to get my attention as a teacher who has been trained to promote equity in the classroom. Fascinating! It's all part of the birthing process.

Will we all act responsibility and examine the biased views we may hold? Will we start a dialogue about "that other stuff" some politicians and citizens would like to ignore? Will we care enough about our neighbors to choose not to offend?

Be the change you want to see – Gandhi

Obama 2008