I don't believe this is over yet. I am sure that more will come out about Obama and the people he associated with during the campaign. I think there is a lot that we don't know about Obama and what we don't know is not all good. I am sure that private investigators have been hired and that they will produce the necessary evidence the republicans need to derail Obama. It will be interesting to hear what kind of speech he will give when the dirt is dished.

I don't believe that he is off the hook. We can talk about the Reverand, what about Rezco? These are long time affiliations that have shaped who he is. How do you separate from that? Why isn't the media asking the tough questions. The Rezco story has been hidden from the public and it isn't right. It is your job to report the news. I feel like the media is trying to manipulate the election. If this had been Hillary, it would have been front page news. Another reason why she should step aside. You all pressured her to resign when she should have stayed in and now your are protecting Obauma from his affiliation with Rezco. I am looking for you to report the facts and treat people equally and then allow the American public to decide. We don't need to be manipulated.

Obama has never disavowed the core beliefs he embraced at that church for twenty years- living in a house provided by a sweetheart deal from a convicted influence peddler, gaining the nomination through caucuses and superdelegates over the votes of the people- what "change" does Obama really mean? His words require a willing suspension of disbelief.

Obama is no where near off the hook in my book. Him leaving his church was purely political. He still has the sermons and things that went on there ingrained in him and that you can't change no matter how much he says he is done with the church.

You can't stay somewhere 20 years and it not become a part of who you are no matter what he or anyone else says. And who ever says that you can has never went to church or knows what church and someones religion means to them when they take it serious. And obviously he took it serious if he went there for 20 years, was married by Wright and had his kids baptized there.

He has a lot more explaining to do to make this issue mean nothing to me.

Cindy...Ga.

Even though Senator Obama has moved away from his church the associations thru all those many years remain. He can never run away from them.

How have these associations with this church affected the person that we see today? How have they shaped his character and thinking?

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

I swore I wasn't going to blog on politics for a while, & give myself a breather, but....

This isn't over by a long shot. I still can't get impressed with him. I do understand what it's like to get caught up in a political campaign, but the disilusionment of the 60's won't go away. I wil keep trying, because I am a registered democrat, but.....I am even very unhappy with the Democratic Party.

Treading water till I figure it out. Am NOW staying away from politics for a bit.....right...lol.

Hi Brian,
Obama off the hook? You're kidding, right? Right wing that is.
They are going to slam him. I hope he's ready!

I think it's time to move ahead to more important issues. Why keep concentrating on this issue with Jeremiah Wright? I think most people can readily see that Barack Obama is a person with a high degree of integrity and character. I don't think he should continually be reminded of something so hurtful and distasteful as this incidient with Wright (As you can see, I skipped "Reverend" because I don't think he deserves this title.) because no one is responsible for what is said by someone else. It's time to move on and concentrate on more important issues. I think a lot of white people are totally unaware of how blacks can become so expressive in their religion, as well as their participation in dancing, football, basketball, etc. Black people tend to express themselves a lot more when they become so
intensively involved in things they feel extremely dedicated to. How do
I know? I am Black and I'm Proud.

How shameful this is ... we have other in our top government that has associated with people that I would not consider of a good nature. Did you (the news) or we has americans request them to bare the essence of their soul. Even Bush ... perhaps if you had of been on top of him we would not be in this mess today!!!

How clean is your church, your soul?

Yes he is, face it the stuff brought up about him is small compared to McCain and Clinton, a large percentage of White voters are the ones concerned about this, We know more than enough about McCain and Clinton.................... I now along with many others the slate is clean with Obama, I sincerely believe the vast majority cannot get over his race, and won;t vote for him anyway....... SAD

I dare you to find one person which would qualify to the standards you are holding Mr. Obama to. Every one of us will have had some kind of association with someone that may have said something politicaly incorrect. To make this the core of the critisism of the judgement of the man is ridiculous.

How shameful this is ... we have other in our top government that has associated with people that I would not consider of a good nature. Did you (the news media) or we as americans request them to bare the essence of their soul. Even Bush ... perhaps if you had of been on top of him we would not be in this mess today!!!

How clean is your church, your soul?

I think that everyone needs to sit back and think about their future with a third term with Bush. If you have an opportunity to vote for a different candiate that can assist the American people in a positive way, think about that. Think about your pockets, gas prices, economics and healthcare. Do not blame the system because you can not set your petty difference to the side. Put your family first and what is best for your family future.

Obama had the wrong type of people around him just like anyone of us in this world that made mistakes in choosing people. Hilary chose her husband she did not think that he would cheat on her in the oval office. She did not know he was going to offend African Americans to start race divide in this country. She sided with the republicans with a unjust war. She did fabricate about the sniper fire in Bosina and lied to the American people on T.V.! But that is okay because she is human but how about Barack? I think it's hypercritical to say it's okay for one person and not okay for another. What is the real reason?

Rather you accept it or not ... Barack is the Nominee for President. Time to move on or vote for another 4 years for Bush.... Sending your money to Iraq....

Jeremiah who? Its over and done with. Only tabloid minded people will cling to something that is irrelevant.

Get over it people, there are bigger problems to deal with in this country

Just wondering...do any of you recall the things they said about the Clintons way back when? You think you can't trust Obama-can you really trust the Clintons?

It just still bothers me that Obama sat in this church for years & listened to Wright's rhetoric, & didn't seemed to mind it.

I KNOW. I was going to stay away from this stuff, but....you KNOW how it is....right, Anderson?

Of course, this is not over and will not be for a while. The media anointed the new messiah and still ignores the fact he is unknown to the people and his record in the senate is weak. As of today, he is changing his language and tone and some things he said he would not do. I can not and will not vote for someone who has no verifiable record that is in the best interest of all Americans. The DNC backing that he has gotten and the free pass to the White House on rhetoric is not where I see the needs. Today, it's back to politics as usual and change is just another word.

I wonder how many times Obama will have to explain himself, before people actually try listening to what he has to say about this.

There is a lot more to his (prior) church than the few minutes of video clips put together by Faux News from sermons conducted over the last 20 years or so. If people would stop being so intellectually lazy, and bother to look at what Obama has written (long before he started his presidential bid) about Trinity, and the hundreds of other African American churches just like it, they would see that he understand (but does not necessarily agree with) the anger that seems to be present there.

From "Dreams of My Father": "A steady attack on the white race, the constant recitation of black people’s brutal experience in this country, served as the ballast that could prevent the ideas of personal and communal responsibility from tipping into an ocean of despair…..It contradicted the morality my mother had taught me, a morality of subtle distinctions – between individuals of goodwill and those who wished me ill.”

In other words, Obama recocognizes the anger represented by some of the sermons at Trinity, but also understands that this anger is what is holding back the black community... and contradicts the morality he had been taught growing up.

This has been explained over and over again, most notably in Obama's "Race Speach", but either folks are too lazy to try and understand what he is saying, or are purposefully refusing to hear it, so they can continue to repeat the right-wing smears.

Not off the hook!

The Democratic Party can't understand why they are so angry and divided. This is God's will that the Democrats fail, because no one has the right to abort a child. McCain has promised to reverse Rove vs. Wade and God will reward him with the presidency. NO WOMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE MURDER OF A CHILD, EVEN A CHILD THAT'S A PRODUCT OF A RAPE!! GO MCCAIN AND DO THE WILL OF GOD!!!

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE HILLARY!!!

DON’T VOTE OR VOTE FOR A GOOD MAN MCCAIN...I AGREE WITH ALL OF YOU! the hook!

Obama is a person, no one knows anything about.

Evident by his background, the best friends in his life. His history in Illinosi senate. His lack of details, and avoid questions.

Please. I'm over it all. After what the DNC did last weekend, I'm switching parties and voting for Sen. McCain. They can plead and rant all they want about "coming together" and "unity". Gov. Richardson can beg, Caroline Kennedy can preach about how inspired she is(like we care). But I'm finished and I'm moving on to support Sen. McCain.

I couldn't care less about Barack Obama, Rev. Wright, Father Pfleger or The Trinity Church at this point. Total dismissal is a good thing, and frankly I'm thrilled this awful primary is history. And I think there are millions of other former Democrats that feel the same way; we don't like being told what to do.

Susan in PA:

Do you have the same concerns about the associations of John McCain, or is it just Barack Obama. Using your logic, we should be very concerned about what type of "programming" might have happened to McCain during his captivity in North Vietnam. After all, he was held captive by communists for years. Why was he singled out for software treatment by his captors as has been reported? Was he really interrogated by the Soviets, and what information did he give them?

And why, after an entire life of attending the Episcopal Church, has he recently left them for the Southern Baptists? Why has he began actively seeking endorsements of, and associating himself with radical religious figures such as Hagee and Parsly? These religious figures McCain praises suggest that we need to invade Iran to bring on the second coming of Christ. Is this what McCain believes?

Honestly... I think all this is a bunch of crap, but if you are going to fall for the garbage they are trying to smear Obama with, maybe you will fall for these McCain smears too.

TUCC teaches Marxism. He sat there for 20 years and listened . Obama has poor judgement...Rezko, Ayers,TUCC.....I don't trust him to lead America. He said his mother was an expatriot and he sees America in a different way.......A CHANGE I CAN'T VOTE FOR

Give it to him when I am laid off, when I cannot put gas in my car, when my mother cannot afford healthcare. Stick to wright, Hagee, and wathever low life pastors outhere. Drive your revenue and rating while we want to know the real difference between Hillary, Mcain and Obama. Each network has their angle. You are a bunch of losers who did not ask the right question about the war in Iraq. You all have blood on your hands.
CNN=Clinton New Network. MSNBC=Obama News Network, FOX=Mcain News Network.

Obama's poor judgment will come under scruntiny during this campaign. You can count on that.

It's clear that Obama's resignation from Trinity was a calculating and
politically expedient move. Obama will say and do anything just to get elected.

Wright–Rezko–Ayers–How many times can Obama make ridiculous claims that he didn't know these people he associated with were "like that"?!

Obama has poor judgment– And then he tries to worm out with
asinine explanations.

Poor judgment, indeed. Obama is not fit to be president.

Obama and his ties to his fomer church will only go away when the media has a bigger story to carry. The "Christian Right" love to persecute anyone that doesn't fit their description of a Christian, and
for some reason the media listens. I truly believe most of the country could care less. I mean, what else does Obama have to do? He quit the church, and as far as I know, he never ran the church. No politician running for office could undergo the scrutiny of every quote from every church they ever attended. Give it a rest! This won't help the real issues we face everyday.

This has damaged Obama and the DNC. Obama has too many issues that don't sit well with voters . The delegates overrode the voters. We elected the delegates...they should have gone with the will of the people. A lot of voters are going to vote straight Rep. ticket.....I hope they all get voted out....look at the shape of the economy and that is with a Dem. majority. The time for their DYNASTY is over.

Hillary/McCain 08

From a general point of view: Obama NOT having a church in the next 6 months or so is NOT looking too good. We like our candidates to at least give off the air of PRETENDING to be "good and christianlike".

For Mr. Obama to have been in a church for 20 yrs., and for any of us to believe there werent controversial SPEAKERS like the two previous famous ones.... well, thats a tad bit much for me to swallow.

Obama needs to PRETEND to be interested in the religious point of view and attend VARIOUS churches for several months before he settles in the MUSLIM one that is his destiny ( and ours too, unfortunately). I think Obama is in for the nightmare of his life in the coming months. I truly believe everyone was handling him and his campaign errors with kid gloves. Good luck to the candidates !

When a person is a member of any church and sits in the pews for a number of years and dont have an honest feeling about his or her pastor then that person not living up to the truth about what the church is all about.....Sitting for 20 years and listening to all the "hate' put forth by Rev. Wright and continue to stay with the cfhurch.....Obama must agreed with what he heard all these years----Now when he knows that by leaving will benefit him -he makes the exit. This is not the person that I see to be a leader of our country.

I think the most important comment on this topic was a statement by Barack Obama that "the most segregated moment in America is Sunday morning." Black churches have played a vital role in the civil rights movement. I think the country does not relate to the struggles of the black community and the role the churches have played in the progress in civil rights.

Hilary Clinton's comment about RFK went back to 1968. Think of the democratic convention in Chicago in 1968 – the riots. I think the churches – including Jeremiah Wright have helped America to attain better racial equality through a non-violent approach.

WHY doesn't CNN show some of the good things that Jeremiah Wright has accomplished? What good has come out of Trinity Church? There must be 2 sides to this story. (the positive side of the story should not be told by Jeremiah Wright but by a more objective viewpoint. ) The man has dedicated his life to service in the church.)

What is this church about???????????

I visited Chicago and was immediately struck by the relative lack of racial tension that I saw compared to San Francisco. This was just the impression of one person but it struck me immediately.

The sermon by Pfleger was more distateful to me – although it had a lot of truth in terms of Hilary's expectation of a "coronation" as the nominee. In that context, I heard a comment on CNN that every black church in Amerca was going to have a sermon on race that Sunday. Are there examples of a positive speech on race and on what was happening in black churches that Sunday?

As Obama said, he will be blamed for whatever anyone – even a visiting preacher – says at that church.

Some information on black churches would probably open our eyes to some of the good that is done by these churches and to the support that a church provides to black people who have been discriminated against for generations.

I think we all could use some education on the role of black churches.

I have to admit that I was shocked to see this article on the 360 blog. The media have done their best to help Obama "wriggle" out of all types of questionable situations, by hiding, diminishing, or making excuses for any negative information that has come forward about him and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so all the way through to November.

Anyone can see that Obama only separated from his church to save his political career, we don’t need the cable news channels or anyone else to tell us that. I am not so sure that Obama has completely broken with his church because in his “resignation” speech he said, “ It was gonna be very difficult to continue our membership there so long as I am running for president.” This suggests that he may return to Trinity after the election, win or lose. Physically leaving the church without denouncing its hate-filled and divisive teachings was a hollow gesture at best.

It would indeed take an “enterprising journalist” to pin Obama down on the “substantive questions about values and judgment.” Sadly, there are few journalists left who are capable and willing to do so.

Fitzpatrick is right; the media will continue to practice damage control where Obama is concerned and, as the author said, never force him to address the substantive questions. Frankly, too much time has gone by and it would be too little too late in any case.

The majority of the MSM will continue to protect Obama, but fortunately, based on what I have been reading on the blogosphere, there are plenty of intelligent voters out here who will think for themselves and continue to question Obama’s fitness to be president even if the media refuses to do so.

R. Holmes; Nicely said; I am in complete agreement.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Another comment on this issue. I think of Glide Memorial church in San Francisco – a very well thought of and respected black minister and a huge congregation – including many of San Francisco's homeless population.

Why doesn't CNN show a positive presentation of Glide Memorial and the good that is accomplished by black churches.

Get some comments by black preachers who are respected in their communities and put some perspective on this.

Most of what we have heard has been from the Clinton's. A Clinton supporter on CNN actually said "Obama got these delegates before the Jeremiah Wright issue came to light and maybe Hilary can turn this around by showing that." This was said after he was proclaimed to be the presumptive nominee.

I think this has been overdone and plays on the fear of what is not known about black churches.

I actually think the Jeremiah Wright issue can further the cause of civil rights by maybe decreasing the segregated moment on Sunday morning by shedding some light and opening our eyes to another part of our society that we may not understand.

Are you serious? Obama is no where off the hook for this Church..it is only the beginning. Had the media done their jobs to begin with we wouldn't even be faced with a flawed candidte like this. The media has so been in the tank for Obama from the beginning. However, with all that said... in January .. we will Welcome McCain to the White House during a year when the Democrats should of won. I don't agree with all of McCain's policies but I will be voting for him.. I won't stand for a racist to control the White House and cut it however you want... Barack stayed in that Church for some reason .. was instrumental in helping Pfleger receive funds.. Nope.. McCain will get my vote. I only hope the Republicans totally out this guy before it is too late.. why do you think Barack targeted the young? Because they are immatue and easily swayed..they don't have the finesse and wisdom yet to sort out who is truly good for our country.

So none of you have ever disagreed with your pastor/Rabbi/ faith leader? Have you never disagreed with someone and still been able to maintain a relationship with them?

We do need to look at facts and make wise decisions about who will be our next leader, because we did a TERRIBLE job in the past two elections. But we must be careful about what and how we judge people, you know glass houses and all. Look at your life, could you withstand the scrutiny of a public campaign?

Do we really need to focus on his pastor when we should be looking at REAL issues. You might remember them, the economy, the war, gas prices, education.

My feeling on the whole presidential nominee are this
If Hillary recieved most of the popular votes and Obama didn't why can't they just go on the popular votes I mean it seem like the more popular votes one would have would out weigh anything else and another thing that bothers me is of course the gas prices and why do we even deal with foreign countries this is the USA can't our people in charge get the stuff we need and get it together and give us what we already have here like oil we have it here in the USA instead of dealing with people that either hate us or want to kill us give me a break come on people in the white house fight for us I wouldn't deal with China they send in toys that are hurting our kids and pet foods that have killed our pets and then the county we deal with as for as where we get our oil from are screwing us good or maybe I should say we are screwing our own dealing with them they are doing us no good and they talk about sitting down and talking with these people come on I say dig in Alaska make stuff here in the USA let the people over there fight there own war let them hurt themself not us why do we put up with this why do the people in power let this continue to go on in this world why do you think the world is like it is because of the choices people in charge make what do the people in the white house do pull up to there own private pump and get free gas and then sit back and watch our troops fight and worry about what they will be talking about at there next foreign meetings while our gas prices rise and our troop die it just seems like noone cares I mean as much power the USA says we have where is it when we have to pay so much for gas and worry about our lives what has changed nothing it has gotten worse. I just know more could be done to help our own I just hope the next person in charge will make things better is it really that hard we the people in the USA need to take back what is ours and make our lifes better here in the USA those people over there need to figure there own lifes out I mean there so jealous of the USA and want to be like us well why don't they just do that be free and leave us alone can't they figure it out themselfs why do they need us to fight there wars I know being in charge is a lot to deal with but we better make sure we vote for who will do what's right instead of someone that can talk a good talk Thanks just a lady living in the USA

This thread sure seems to be full of a lot of self-righteous folks that seem to be leading the perfect "christian" life, and they apparently never associate with anyone that says anything politically incorrect and are all in perfect agreement with the views and positions of thier churches.

I wonder if a Catholic candidate would be raked over the coals if they were a 20 year member of a church, even after finding out about the pedophilia that was covered up at the highest level.

What a bunch of self-righteous hypocrits.

Splinter; Yeah, well we aren't running for president and not everyone is a Christian.

Obama and his inner circle of campaign staff have become the Masters of Perception. The majority of the political MSM have chosen to accept those perceptions, therefore passing them onto the public unchallenged.

It doesn't seem to matter what network or cable news you follow, as evident by the various political media montages Comedy Central has put together. The political media has sadly taken on a "herd-like" mentality, and that makes it even easier for Obama and his team to guide their perceptions.

Jo Ann –

That wasn't the point. The point is that Republican candidates, and other white Democratic candidates, have never had their church and pastors scrutinized to this level before. Where was the outrage at Bush and his association with crack-pots like Robertson and Falwell? And what about any Catholic candidate running for office and their association with a church mired in a coverup of pedophilia.

This idea that a candidate is responsible to associate him or herself with only squeekly clean perfect people is ridiculous. Both McCain and Clinton have huge numbers of shady characters they have been associated with, and neither of them have had this level of scrutiny.

This is a distraction, and has absolutely nothing to do with the issues that affect Americans.

This isn't Barack Obama's problem anymore. It never was a problem where he was concerned. This is all media driven and in reality this is the result of the public not doing their homework.

IF any of you with doubts about Obama took the time to read his books and do your homework you wouldn't have any doubts about him. Rev. Wright is not Barack Obama. Not even close.

Barack Obama is a genuine, incredibly intelligent, considerate, thoughtful person that takes the high road. For those of you that want to stay in the gutter – go ahead and vent but you don't have a clue as to what you are talking about.

The break with his church is pure political expediency. Of note is that Obama never called to task all the 'christians' who cheered and gave a standing ovation after the latest Pfleger outrage. How can he have been a member there for 20 years and claim he doen't share those sentiments? We will probably never find out Obama's true beliefs until it's too late; unless the media gives up it's love affair and starts doing it's job. I'm waiting for the tape to surface that shows Obama in the audience when Wright is speaking and him clapping. When it does, Obama is toast.

Please not again...don't you have enough of this blablabla

@ Splinter: We are doled out bits and pieces of information from the media sources and we, as responsible voters, need to make a decision that will affect all americans, based on that info. Sefl-righteous? Me thinks not. Discerning? Absopositivenlutely.

By the by: In all my church years: I have NEVER EVER EVER heard a priest nor pastor talk the way Rev. Wright did or Pleger did. Never.
And if I did, I would part ways.

I just thunked on something: a president without a church. Has there ever been one?

The issues of Rev. Wright, Pfleger and Rezko are a precursor of more troubles to come. It's one thing to have no tangible experience, no foreign policy background and no military background but when you also have devisive spirtual advisors and questionable associates, the totality of the evidence becomes overwhelming. Add in some yet unforseen issues and you have a massive PR problem. It's ironic that race, bigotry and racism were brought to the forefront not by the American people but rather by Obama's followers. Some would say Obama is held to a higher standard but the facts show that the media continually gives him a free pass and Obama has been held to a lower standard. Obama seems like a follower who sometimes forgets who he's following. What's most troubling is how he handles trouble. Instead of shouting down bigots or standing up for Hillary when she was attacked, he offers a meek, lukewarm retort. Although Ronald Reagan may have believed that man is mostly good, there are an enormous amount of people in this world who are not. Americans need a leader who will stand up to them and break them down. If he can't do it to dime store preachers, how can he do it to the worst of the worst.

i think we shoulb be focusing on the real issuses obama has been in the public for sixteen months i always watch all of his speeches when i can he does not strike me to be like wright or any of his other asscoiations what about the catholic preist who molest little boys does that mean you do if you catholic what im trying to say is that we are not like the people we associate ourselves with we are our ownselves im sure we all know or know someone in our life times that just dont say or do the right things does that mean we think like them or follow their ways i dont think obama is on the same level with these people sorry i just dont see it

All Americans ( this is NO other nations business) should just Google, “Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church”!
That should give any American an ideal of Obama’s and his wife true beliefs.
I was raised in an Protestant Evangelical, Southern Church. You DO NOT join a church because of the pastor. You join a church because of the doctrine of that church. When you join, you sign paperwork stating that you agree with the doctrine and will defend it! The preacher is only the messenger.

Read what his church doctine is!

A small sample:

Jesus Christ is black, and he was lynched by the racist white Romans (out of Wrights mouth)
That blacks are the chosen people of God, and not the Jews, as the Bible states.
That blacks are supposed to be running the world. But the world order got turned upside down, and the whites are running it. Their aim is to change this and return the world to it’s rightful order. They encourage all blacks to run for position of authority and power and return the world back to the African nation.
If you watched Wrights NAACP speech this spring, he explain why blacks are so downtrodded. Because they think that blacks utilize a portion of their brain that makes them different. That is why they cannot fit into the white world, so they must change the world to fit the black brain ( since Obama is Bi-Racial and was raised white, how does this fit in?)
That Isreal must be destroyed (out of Wrights speech, they are NOT sermons)
There is much more and it is extremely frighttening.
Obama was only known as Barry until he met his radical wife and changed his name.
Obama belong to the church for 20 years and he addmitted that he listen to Wrights tapes for 2 years before that while in college ( Syrian Muslim Antoin Rezko steered him to his church in Chicago)
Obama was the choir director at the church.
Google the “Anti-Christ” and the “end of time”, I was taught in church about the end time and to look for the signs, and the signs are here!
I abhor racism in any manor, against any race. And as Americans, we surely ALL should, no matter the color of our skin or our religous beliefs.
When I grew up in church, we were taught that ALL people were equal under God! To help the poor and downtrodded, to not be racist, because we all our children of God. This is NOT a black church, it is a political racist adgenda church that preaches hatred instead of love, intolerance compared to toleration, seperation instead of all inclusive.
I was taught and sang in church as a child every week the song:
Jesus loves the little children, ALL the little cildren of the world, red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in his eyes, Jesus loves ALL the little children of the world!
One reason I WAS a Democrat is because of my Christain beliefs and upbringing.
What is Obama’s children listening too? With 8,000 members in his church, why are they any different then a radical Muslin Mosque??
Be afraid, be very afraid!

Kim Cole-Francisco
Michigan

Not only does this guy have virtually no experience. He has proven to be the least able to work with the other side of the aisle in the Senate (despite the fact he always talks about unity) and he associates himself with some really scary friends, one of which was convicted yesterday that helped him get a sweetheart real estate deal. He hangs out with unrepentent terrorists and anti-American preachers that prefer to divide to unite. Barack you scare me, and to think you will want to increase taxes and government really freaks me out.

I also feel your campagin team was brutally unfair to the Clintons throughout the primaries, and the media was just as bad. I think this country is ready for the change you have in mind.

McCain\Hillary '08

This is just what the democratic party needs is for the supporters of the GOP candidate to cling to non-issues and allow Obama to get out his electrifying message of restoring the pride and the goose bump feeling we get when we think of country and what it means to us to be world leaders. Bush and McCain have weakened this country in realitively a short period of eight years. We as a people should be tired of this wrong thinking and vote towards the solution and not towards the same old out dated politics of the past. God bless America! and God bless Obama!

Not only does this guy have virtually no experience. He has proven to be the least able to work with the other side of the aisle in the Senate (despite the fact he always talks about unity) and he associates himself with some really scary friends, one of which was convicted yesterday that helped him get a sweetheart real estate deal. He hangs out with unrepentent terrorists and anti-American preachers that prefer to divide than to unite. Barack you scare me, and to think you will want to increase taxes and government really freaks me out.

I also feel your campagin team was brutally unfair to the Clintons throughout the primaries, and the media was just as bad. I think this country is NOT ready for the change you have in mind.

McCain & Hillary ‘08

i think we should focus on the issuses here what about mccain and his pastors not to mention him and karl rove so tight you cant puul them apart i have listened to obamas speeches for 16 months he does not strike me to be like these people just like catholic preacher who molest little boys so if your catholic you do that to cmon what im trying to say is just because people you associate with dont do and say the right things doesnt mean we agree with them or behave like them and i think its pretty sad this is all you have on obama and i guess mccain is an angel yeah right!!!

The people it offended to begin with are still offended and question the 20 year association with the anger and hatred. Anger and hatred of a race, whether black or white is destructive. I think many people have moved forward and are not lost in past injustices but caught up in future possibilities...Trinity seems to be caught up in the past injustices.

Whatever Barack Obama believes or doesn't believe...the negative and antagonastic tone of the sermons are not something I would aspire to listen to in any church...in fact, I, like Oprah would have left a long time ago...He didn't and that makes me question his judgement and what he considers acceptable.

I, personally, need an explanation of why. People wanted to fault Hillary Clinton on her Iraq vote and the explanation, "if we had known then what we know now." Well, I know what is preached in my church and if Obama was going, or had close ties to other parishioners, he knew then...but he didn't leave then! He left when it became a political problem.

Senator Obama,

YES YOU CAN APOLOGIZE!
I live in central Pennsylvania. In your opinion, I spend my time clinging to the gun that I do not own, bible thumping and oh, this is my favorite, filling my days with anger towards those who are different than I.

It sounds to my gun toting, ignorant, religiously intolerant self that you might be talking about Chicago and not PA. Nevertheless, if you had a bobcat in your backyard every night at 3 in the morning, you’d own a shot gun too!
Apologize…this was a pathetic way to appeal to elitists like yourself, suggesting that PA citizens are somehow inferior to their purported western, intellectual counterparts.

Oh yes, further, stop implying that we are uneducated. This irritates me beyond comprehension. Many Pennsylvanians understand that our government is a facade and understand the very real threat of a neoconservative impact on our countries future. We understand that our government is no more democratic than the processions of the sun. You understand this as well. So when are you going to tell your supporters the truth at an Obama rally?

Challenge your base to become thoroughly informed about the platform of change that they can believe in, in the face of status quo. If you are really going to challenge the powers that be, why not identify them for everyone….how about the CFR, or what about the FED and the UN and the WB…..call out the military industrial complex…the media..oh….yeah now I remember why this won’t happen………and you do as well……

So please don’t use our state as some sort of paradigm for the ills of our country and don’t exploit the idea that we exercise the rights that we have left.
Apologize and you will get my vote, you know it was a gross generalization and a just plain unfair statement.

The problem is people think that it is the truth about PA. So let me clear a few things up.

People cling to religion all over this great nation, it is our right.

Antipathy for others is the result of a government that is not protecting the people, if the government would follow their own rules, you would not see nearly as much of this. But you know what is driving the government…so it isn’t a surprise that this kind of sentiment is echoed in some sections of the population all over the NATION….it’s a natural response to betrayal and sure you find it in PA as much as you find it everywhere else.

Anyone who thinks we cling to our guns….yeah…o.k. many of us do and if you don’t understand why please allow me to educate you. Come to our state, you will notice that the Appalachian Mountains run though it. Pitch a tent on a mountain top somewhere for a week. Simulate where many Pennsylvanians live amongst great mountain wilderness. After you’ve been greeted by a bear, hissed at by a raccoon and stalked by a coyote, you’ll join the gun club too.

Please let us see and hear more of Rick Sanchez!!!!

When Wright retired, his church has almost completed his $25 million dollar home, and has given him a $10 million dollar lin of credit account, all to be paid by Obama’s church. Sounds like he got paid well for performing his duty of helping Obama to get elected. It is an extremely large house, 25,000 sq. ft. for 2 senior citizens to occupy.
And there are no people of color living in that new subdivision, so why is he there? He preaches one thing and does another.
Sounds like the Obamas. And why is the church paying for it?
How many college scholarships did they throw away?
How many families could they have feed? How many homes for the homeless could they have sheltered?
I was taught in church that God said that it was harder to get a rich man into heaven then to get a camel through the eye of the needle.
It is not that the rich cannot get into heaven, but that one sells their soul to be rich.
Observe and study what people do, NOT on what they say!

Remember: Google "Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church" and see if you agree. And they are rare in the Black Community of Churches.

Kim Cole-Francisco
Michigan

Now that it's become pretty apparent that anti-white, anti-American rhetoric was NOT an anomaly in Trinity, I have a question:

What did Barack and Michelle do when the rest of the congregation was standing and applauding and cheering the hateful, divisive comments?

Did they walk out? Did they sit on their hands? Or did they stand, applaud and cheer – like the rest of the congregation?

Obama spent most of his adult life in that church. Perhaps he had the same teachings in other churches prior to Trinity.

I feel sad for his mom and her parents who sacrificed so much for him, and he just turns his back on them or tosses a couple of flippant remarks.

Hagee – Parsley is worse for McCain.
He took two months to fall head over, then denounce. How can he be trusted to run the country?

Anobody else read Michelle's thesis? Republicans will have a field day with it.

Teresa in Kent OH –

The "media" isn't doling this out at all. This "information" you are talking about concerning Obama's church is a hit piece put together by non-media political groups. Do you really think the Wright video represents everything Obama stands for... or for that matter, everything Wright stands for? As Obama himself has said, these are the "Greatest Hits" of Wright, but together by the same ilk that put together the John Kerry swiftboat ads.

Even though Wright has nothing to do with Obama's view, other than he helped bring him to Christ, Wright has actually done a lot for the inner city poor neighborhoods when it was very unpopular. Speaking out against hatred towards gays and working to prevent HIV. Obama worked with the church to help them help themselves. I don't agree with Wrights views on a LOT of things, but I still find him a lot more "christian" than the so-called "christians" in the GOP.

Hi Brian,

I hope that while you were writing this article, you stopped to think about all your friends, the people you may have asssociated with or know who have said, done or have beliefs that are contrary.

It seems as if everyone is up in arms, because no one saw Obama coming to derail their perfect show. The train ride should have been over a long time ago and Obama would have beee an after thought, but oh no he had the AUDACITY to be there and to win the nomination to boot.

So therefore you are trying your journalistic best to upset the balance of equation again, let me tell you who cares about Obama church, people like you who do not understand that the church is not a building, but a community.

Obama, leaving his church is viewed as a political move to people like you. It is not! He left the church, because he loves the community and does not want the church to be penalized by people like you who proably go to church, but is not saved in the real sense of the word.

It is so hyprocritical of all those people out there who are going on about Obama sitting in the church for twenty years, what about the people who have sat in churches where there are priests who have raped and destroyed young lives, but these people not only sit there they condoned the very act, by staying year after year, contributing their time and efforts and even if a priest is exposed do they leave that church?

I firmly believe that if it was anyone else most people like yourself would not give a hoot.

Give it up already, Find something important to write about, perhaps the many people who are loosing their homes, gas prices, criminals looking over your shoulders and the the way the rich seem to be going to hell in an handbasket, but it is great news fodder and gets all the attention.

Search your souls and perhaps you'll see that the truth is you have an issue not with Obama's church, but with Obama.

PEACE
Carmelita

Splinter: Google "Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church".

That is what he, Wright, His wife, and all people of that church adopt as their own belief system.
They would not have sat there for 20 years if they didn't!
Would you have not only sat there, but join the church and become their choir director? I WOULD HAVE NOT!!!!!!!!
Use your brain, think for yourself!
This is serious!
I too, hope in my lifetime that I can see a qualified candidate from ALL the spectrums of our great country, to run for president. But not at all or any cost. That too my friend is racism.
What kind of Kool-Aid do they give you guys.
Please, THINK!! And do research for yourself, because the corporate news media run by rich billionares Soros and Murdock are moving our opinions to their favor. There are no skilled journalist that we can trust anymore, only mouthpeices for their personal choice.
Remember, the Germans were not evil people, but Hitler used his oratory skills to brainwash the public so he could use his form of racism. He would gradually turn up the volume to sublimeally exite the crowd.

Think for Yourself.

Kim Cole-Francisco
Michigan

I feel sorry for you Brian and anyone else who refuse to let the issue die. We should all examine our relationships we have with people and see how we can be construed to look like racists, bigots, unpatriotic and any other demeaning term because of our membership in an institution. His church is not his identity and nor is his identity constructed and created by the friendships he have with people the public suspects are questionable. Why aren't we digging up the graves of the many scandals that both Clinton and McCain names are tied to?

Deborah, you should read the DNC voting rules that both Clinton and Obama agreed to - reading is fundamental. If anyone who have similar views like yourself, calling for reform - it's a little late for that. The democratic process only needs reform when it doesn't work in your candidate favor. You should stop throwing tantrums and grow up.

Being a scornful sore loser supporter will not help better this country but I don't expect maturity or open mindedness from individuals who feel the Obama campaign got a media gloss over. I can recall CNN and the many other news outlets being the center of the Wright firestorm, continually day-in and day-out even after he responded to public "concerns". This man has not been his pastor for over 5 years but that doesn't matter. If Obama campaign received the gloss over from the media so did Clinton and McCain. There were many questionable friendships that both Clinton and McCain have that no one in mainstream media has examined. A real journalist is unbias and exposes all sides but I don't expect that from the mainstream media.

Mimi wrote:

"...Hilary chose her husband she did not think that he would cheat on her in the oval office. She did not know he was going to offend African Americans to start race divide in this country..."

Sure, sure, there was no race divide before Bill said anything. We were just one big, happy family on the road to the "promised land."

BO's political antecedents are fair game, as were the Clintons'.

His religious views are of little interest to me. His attitude towards white people interests me greatly, however, considering the tremendous power that he may soon wield over us.

Any sense of entitlement, resentment or grievance would render him unfit for the office.

The only people who are still interested in Rev Wirght are those who do not attend church. I am a church goer and everything my pastor does and says does not represent me, and likewise everything I do and say does not represent him.

There are many horrible things done by various priests and pastors and they did not represent any of the congregants of those churches.
It is stupid to think it does. This is not hard, but change is. I believe and know that Rev Wright is only a cover for the racism we must as a nation overcome. If there were anything negative that the media and any low hateful racist people could find on Obama, it would be blasted everywhere. It is a complement to Obama and his ethics.

The Clintons were the ones who found out about Obama and Rev. Wright and made sure the public knew. They thought it would work. It did not. People need to stop judging him by those who know him and look at him and his work. Get over it! But in elections everyone will try things like this!

Obama '08

This will probably not get on the Blog, but I must speak it any way. I have listened to many persecute Barack Obama because of his name, his church, words spoken by others, his associates, and mainly his length of stay at this church. But I have yet to hear one go into the scriptures and show him where God spoke against any of these acts.
But if I had the space, I could speak scriptures that would show God's disapproval of the many who has done nothing but find fault with this young man. Now many are blameing him because Hilary was defeated, but this was not his doing. Should you take time to read the following scriptures; you will see why Hilary was defeated and by whom she was defeated, and then you can give Obama some peace. You might even want to say, "Thank you, and I am so glad you were born! [1st Cor.11:3; Proverb 31:3, and Matt.24:35]
When you read these scriptures and come to understand them, then will you realize why God called out a man such as Barack Obama.

The only people that think that the "Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church", Wright, and the Obamas are a non-issue are Obama supporters.

I have read that Obama gets 90% of the athiest vote.
I can see why Obamakins feel the way that they do.

So "Smarter Then That", I don't mean to offend you, but you are acting to me "Dumber Than That"!!!

Kim Cole-Francisco
Michigan

Cindy i just have to resond to your post. I have noticed your blogs. You seemed to have one purpose in your blogs. Proving just how much you would love to derail the Obama train. Just what makes you such a expert on him. How do you know what is ingrained in him. did you attend his church, have you ever been to ethnic churchs. He has answerd for his church over and over. . Cindy there are other cultures they have always been part of what makes America, America. I think hate is a result of fear, and fear is a result of the unknown. If we open our hearts it can be the gate way to knowlege. My father is of welsh desent, my mothers ansesters are from lebanon. I'm just one of there 5 childen. We have had a very insightful view of our nation, I thank God every day for giveing a upclose veiw of two very different coultures. I was lucky. You will have go out and get your own taste of it. good luck Cindy

~Red in Denver. I have to agree with you, those "Wright type" sermons are probably business as usual at Trinity. The reaction of the parishioners to those hate-filled words is even more disturbing than the pastors themselves. You make a great point when you ask what Obama and his wife were doing when the rest of the congregation was cheering the hateful rhetoric of Wright. Are we supposed to believe that they just sat there oblivious to what all that shouting was all about?

~Angie. So you are saying that the "issues" include McCain and his pastors, but not Obama's pastors; am I right? Your comment is typical of the people defending Obama. You cannot explain his 20 year relationship with Wright or his relationship with that foul mouthed Pfleger so you try to change the focus.

I don't know what race you are, but either way I guess you are alright with Obama and his family, including his innocent children, sitting in that church while Wright and others like him spewed hate against the U.S. and the white race. Do you honestly believe that they were oblivious to the shouting going on around them as we saw in the Wright and Pfleger tapes? Do you not think that their children remained unaffected by those hateful and emotional outbursts? Only a fool would believe that.

Obama-resignation from that church was-A CHEAP POLITICAL STUNT.

O-bama-–O-forget it.

He's off the hook, he won the nomination, he will be President - get over peope !!!!! Can someone let Lanny Davis know?

Does anyone know what church George W. Bush goes to, or Cheney, or Condi Rice? No? Then why is so relevant to keep bringing up Obama's and McCain's churches? They are running for president, not archbishop! We are a nation of laws and liberties, not petty little religious sects. Obama is off the hook, and he did everything he had to do, everything he could do. Johnny is going to have his hands full defending the constant bombardment of the issues that Obama is going to blast him with. I'm sorry, but the war, racism, economy, health care, education, energy crisis, are far more important than "pastor-wars."

Does it matter? We need to look at the real issue with this country. It seems to me the only reason why eveyone is stressing over this issue is because he is black. Let it had been Mccain or someone else, whom it happened to, would we really stress the issue. I can't believe that we as a people are still judging someone because of the color of there skin. Whatever Rev. Wright said does not define who Obama is, just because he was w/ this church for 20 years. Come on people wake up and smell the coffee.

Excuse me. You people crack me up.

How many of you have remained in this country while blacks had to ride on the back of the bus, drink from colored only water fountains, had to attend segregated schools, didn't have the right to vote? What was that teaching your children?

If you don't want to vote for Sen. Obama because he is black then don't but please don't use Rev. Wright as your excuse.

The interesting thing about black people 40 and older they understand what Rev. Wright was saying. Not all of them agree but they certainly understand because many of them lived this life, and if them, their parents or grandparents did.

Also, many of the quotes have been manipulated, taken out of context or cut out. We all know how to cut and paste.

Obama 08

It ain't over until the superdelegate vote in August. The Fat Lady has not sang yet!!! Neither Clinton or Obama will have enough delegates to win without the super delegates. They will not vote until August. It depends on the RNC, do they wait to show and tell before August or after? So the election is over 2 months away. Nobody is going away!!
Dawn in PA: You go Girl!! We feel the same in Michigan ( w/o the high mountains, but we do have the great lakes) I deer hunted on my honeymoon, but I was clinging to my Bow and Arrow instead of a gun.
With the record number of black on black shooting deaths in Chicago, it looks like some people cling to their guns for different reasons. You think Obama, Wright, (both millionares) and that priest that thinks that he is an inner city black, would be spending money on and trying to fix that horrible situation.
People of God should be teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and not the gospel of "Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church".
Obamakins, please Google "Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church" read it, study it, then tell us again why you feel no concern. I remember the Black Panthers ( Obama is friends with them today), I remember the riots, it set back race relations decades. For politicians to threaten the American voter with "riots in the streets this summer if Obama does win" is a sickening threat! Remember people, you are blogging with mostly Democrats here. People whom have fought for fairness and equal rights their entire life. We are not the enemy, we are men and women, people of all colors,backgrounds, and religions.
We are Americans!!
With Liberty and Justuce for ALL!!! including Sen. Clinton!

My heart is with Hillary.... so my vote is with McCain!!

Kim Cole-Francisco
Michigan

Kim Cole-Francisco –

So I suppose if anyone going to Trinity United must sign an oath to follow the teachings of the “Afro-Centrist Black Liberation Church”, just as every American attending a Catholic church must sign an oath to follow every rule and teaching of the Pope's Vatican... right?

Can you please try to explain exactly what your fears are about Obama? Do you really think Obama believes the black race is superior and could you please provide even the tiniest bit of evidence to back up your claim?

Using your logic, every morman must support polygomy and every morman must believe the black race is inferior.

Why can't you just look at Obama's actions, and the words he has written over the last 20 years and make a judgement based on that, instead of making a judgement based on only the most radical people he happens to be associated with? It would be like basing my entire view of Hillary based on her days as a "Goldwater Girl" and her days in college.

Think for yourself

Kim Cole –

Please provide your evidence that Obama is a "friend" of the black panthers... or ever has been.

There are so many great women out there that actually made thier way to where they are by working hard on their own, why we need to support Hillary when she just rode her husbands coat tails to the Senate is beyond me. And to even consider calling her a femanist when she joins in with Bill to bash the women he's sexually harrassed, is simply incredible.

Kim Cole,

You forgot to mention all the black on black crime in Michigan.

And I read the hate in your posts too.

Interesting how you ATTEMPT to point out that trinity is a racist church with a racist preacher. But you FAILED to point out the many accomplishments of the church. Try listing all the wonderful community things the church has been involved in. But you can't and won't do that because your agenda of hatred has to shine through.

From the Trinity Website About us.

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology

"We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death. You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself. You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

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

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

A congregation committed to ADORATION.
A congregation preaching SALVATION.
A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.
Click here to read about Dr. Wright’s talking points for Trinity United Church of Christ its Web site and the Black Value System."

Ms Ginger:
Be careful of calling people racist to the very ones that have fought since the 1960's so blacks no longer ride in the back, or have seperate drinking fountains or pools, so they could vote without restriction.
The slave owners (whom were a few, rich Americans) had a "Slave Owners Proclamation" that taught the slave owners to coddle a few, so the slaves would fight amongst themselves. (See sociology) They will throw us some crumbs and we will fight over them.
Not one person, including the Clintons, have said anything racist against anyone. That is what sickens us.
But Obama, his wife, his pastor, his priest friend has said extremely racial and cruel remarks!
You better straighten up your own candidate, before you try to correct mine.
The Badge of Courage should go to the Black politicians that are Hillary supporters! This is black on black racism and harrassment.
Why no such outrage from you Obamakins????

I am outta here!

You may now go back to your kool-aid! Kum-Bah-Yaaa!!!

Hi Carmelita,

I do have a much bigger concern then the people B. Hussein Obama hangs out with. I am more concerned that he will be a nightmare for all of our livelihoods as he will tax the hell out of us.

How is taxing corporations and individuals going to solve the porblems with

Losing their homes (Carmelita do you feel it will be easier to pay a mortgage if your take home pay has been re duced 20 or 30%?)

Gas prices (Carmelita do you feel it will be easier to pay a mortgage if your take home pay has been re duced 20 or 30%?)

The rich seem to be going to hell in an handbasket. When did it become a crime to be successful in a capitalist market. Aren't they the ones that actual take the risk to hire people and give them a job?

Search your souls and perhaps you’ll see that the truth is you have an issue not with Obama’s church, but with Obama. Yes I have a very big issue with his TAX AND SPEND POLICIES. They concern me very much.

No kumbayeh speech at an audotorium with rabid democrats speaking about problems with no solutions or specifics as part of the speech will ever pay my mortgage. For someone that claims to be such a uniter, Barack Hussein has never even attempted to work with anyone on the other side of the Senate aisle, and he has hanged out for nearly 20 years with some of the least patriotic dividers this country knows, in Wright and Ayers.

I will have PEACE if Barack Hussein O is defeated Carmelita

PEACE
Brian

Ginger –

I wasn't alive when blacks had to ride in the back of the bus, or drank from colored-only water fountains, etc. I've HEARD about those times - but have not LIVED in those times.

If you choose to believe that everyone who's not voting for Obama is doing so "because he's black", I feel sorry for you, because your lenses are distorted by your own resentment. And besides, I don't consider Obama 'black', since he's half white, he, like a couple of my friends, are of mixed heritage, and a lovely cocoa color.

Also, you insult people's intelligence by saying that the hateful remarks would have not been hateful had they not been 'taken out of context'. How many paragraphs do you have to hear to explain away the AIDs remark, for instance?

"I have read that Obama gets 90% of the athiest vote.
I can see why Obamakins feel the way that they do."

Kim, next time please cite the credible news outlet you got this information from.

Thanks.

Osama Bin Ladan has done much for the Arab Muslim population. She we try to show a good light on all the things that he is done for the Muslim world, and forgive him for the thousands of people he has killed, in the name of Allah?
You don't even make sense, girl!
There is terrible black on black crime in Detroit. But Obama, Wright, Pfleger, they don't live there.
I do not have to point out the racism in Trinity, watch the DVD, read their newsletter! Racism is not an adjetive for any one peticular ethnic group, it is a form of ignorant hatred and attitude, just like the one you show.
I have mixed race family on both my husband and my side, I have Afro-Anglos on both sides, I have 2 Korean nephews, I have Anglo-Ecuadorian nephews. I have the same love and respect for them as I do my Anglo family. I myself am mixed Anglo, Cherokee, and African.
So please tell me again, how racist I am.
Ginger, Heal thyself!!

Ack! In my 1:37 comment, please fix the word "scrutiny." thank you

ginger wrote:

"You forgot to mention all the black on black crime in Michigan."

Or in just about any large urban center in the US. Not to mention plenty of non-white on white crime.

"And I read the hate in your posts too."

Love and hate are two faces of the same coin. You cannot truly love if you cannot hate evil.

You know what I really hate? Whites taking the blame for everyone else's problems. I really HATE that.

First is was Rev Wright Now Rezko. People Obama has had contact with forever but he has no idea how they feel or what they say or what they do. If he is elected what kind of people will have in his cabinet

Splinter; This is not really about the church; it is about Obama’s lack of judgment and honesty. First of all there aren’t any “squeaky clean, perfect people,” no matter where you look. I am suspicious of religion in general so I have problems with all of the candidate’s religious affiliations. Belief in God is one thing; religion is another. However, I find the relationships Obama has with Wright and Pfleger especially troubling.

I have serious problems with the way Obama has tried to redefine his relationship with Wright and Trinity in order to save his political career. He went from calling Wright his spiritual advisor and mentor to claiming that he was just his pastor even after he named his book after one of Wright’s sermons and made him a part of his campaign. He went from saying that he wasn’t in the church to hear Wright’s sermons, to he wasn’t listening to them. The videos showing the vocal and animated responses of the congregation during the sermons of Wright and Pfleger make that statement unbelievable. You would have to believe that Obama and his wife sat there oblivious to the congregation’s reactions; that in itself is troubling. He also allowed his children to be exposed to these hysterical, hate-filled rants and that, in my opinion is bordering on criminal. Obama left the church, without denouncing its teachings only to attempt to pacify the critics. What did that prove?

I have my problems with McCain as well, but he did not worship with Roberston or Falwell for twenty years. Although I don’t like it, it is obvious that, unlike Obama’s relationships with Wright and Pfleger, these relationships are purely political.

I guess it is just a matter of the lesser of two evils. A choice must be made and I have made mine.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

I am a canadian and a huge fan of US politics. Talk about reality television.

Can someone please tell me why Barack Obama is considered to be the first BLACK presidential nominee when he is only half black. It seems to me by saying he is BLACK you are doing a dis-service to his white mother and grandparents who actually raised him making him what he is today (your potential president). I have a feeling he would be the same guy even if he was only half white. I realize this is a small thing, but it does drive me crazy, in news reporting you want to be accurate but everytime someone says "Black" when referring to Barack Obama they aren't accurate. His dad was also a muslim and Barack is not presented as a black muslim (the muslim part is largely left alone, how interesting). From what I understand if the reporting is accurate his father left him at 2 and didn't see him again until at least 8 – 10 years later. Not much good influence there black or white.

I love your political process, I've loved the race and the cnn coverage of it, I can't wait for obama and mccain to go head to head, and I really wish I could vote,but this one thing really drives me crazy. Technically he ISN'T the first black presidential nominee, he's the first 1/2 black presidential nominee, or the first 1/2 white nominee. Either way he is an inspiring man, a man of vision, a man of character and honor. Thanks for taking the time to ponder my question, I really hope someone out there gets back to me. I have learned so much about your process in the last year and think it's a great one. This is just the last part of your process that I can't figure out.

Regards

Karin Jeskay
A Canadian fan of the American Political Process

So I guess McCain and the Keating five get a pass.

Did you people know about this and that McCain was punished for trying to influence the outcome of Keatings criminal behavior?

Oh, and lets not forget he cheated on his first wife with Cindy. So don't hold Sen. Obama to a higher standard then you will hold McCain.

If you are going cite Sen. Obama's flaws or lack of judgment as you proclaim, please cite Sen. McCain's at the same time.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Dear Brian Fitzpatrick,

First off all, I think everyone overlooks that Obama never had trans-atlantic slavery in his heritage: his father was from Africa and his mother a white American. None of his anchestors were slaves, or subject to Tuskegee legacy or have been cleansed by Human genome project.

There is a whole truck load of difference in this.

So, I personally think that Obama and Ref. Wright come from two different points of perspective. And the other white pastor -who made fun of Hillary Clinton – is just an attention seeker and a copy cat.

Nope, and this is why, Because your are influenced by the company you keep..20yrs of influence, you just can't I quit this church, there is still the 20yrs of influence that bothers me...Sorry but that is the way I feel about it for now...

Obama showed true racism and favortism.

He had imus fired and did not feel sorry, for a joke he made on the air.

Father Pleger – for racial attacks, gets put on sabbatical by his Cardinal, Obama statment he was sorry to here that

Wright Obama did not like the words he used and forgave him

Hypocrisy alive and well with obama.

His friends can viciously use racism and attack people or the country and obama does not address it as hard or want and damage to come to their careers lives or what people think of them.

A poor guy makes a joke, and getting him fired was not enough.

I don't know why but Obama quitting the church he attended for 20 years bothered me more than the things the pastors were saying. He attended that church for 20 years, had to have heard at least some of the hateful messages from the pulpit, and yet continued going there. Then when it became evident the church was going to be a continuing problem he resigns from it in a very politically expedient move.

I think you can add "no loyalty" along with the "no judgment" charge to his list. Looks to me like he will do anything to get elected – which is the same charge his supporters always flung at Clinton. I think the GOP is going to have a field day with all of this and we are going to hear far more about it than we ever thought possible.

This is one election that I will be very glad when its over.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Hey people I think lavon has the right point do not judge. Cindy she might have gave you some good advice try it you may like it. I mean you are all nutty If you do not realize this man is real deal,stop trying to say he would agree with the Revarand Wright; what do you want Barack to do?IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII love BARACK OBAMA. GOT BLOOD

Just because he left the church for the simple political reason
to win votes and get elected President, what is to stop him
from going back to that same church if he gets elected.
What are you going to do to him if he did, take away the
keys to the White House ?
You have been PUNKED ... as the saying goes .

With all the Jeremiah Wright bashing the GOP has done to Obama. Isn't it time to call McCain on the carpet over indicted Congressman Rick Renzi?

I dont think he should be judged for the actions of his friend. The again, he probably should have left the church if it was saying racist rants. Why cant America just leave racism behind? Why cant we just move forward without noticing the color of someone's skin? Also, how can Obama be a black supermacist if he's part white?

NO NO NO that is the answer. If you people think the american people are going to forget them problems your living in fantasy land. Besides the republicans are not going to let it that lay. So the people for the general will get to hear them statements over and over and then anybody with a brain will say I don't believe that crap that he went there for twenty years and did not heae any of those remarks. Only a fool who hates america or is delusional would believe that. Plus the republican party is not afraid of the press and has fox to keep things straight when cnn and pmsnbc tries to cover it up. Yeah you can take it to the bank it will come up again to remind people and to alert anyone that might have missed it on cnn and pmsnbc 's baised reporting. Game is even now. It won't matter what john thinks republicans run to win. He is nothing but a figure head to the republican party.

The Church thing again.

I'm African American, have attended the same Church for over 20 years. And guess what? I disagree with my Minister all the time.

The Sterotype: Senator Obama must think like Rev. Wright, after all they're both black.

1..Not all African Americans think alike people.
2. Not all African Americans look alike people.
3. I don't condone or accept the things that Rev. Wright had to say.

We are not monolithic in thought. Give me a break!!!!

OMG, What I find so interesting is that there are millions of Black people who agree with Rev. Wright. Millions of black people sit in there respective churches and hear sermons like this every sunday. But does that mean that they all are racist or buy into theories of conspiracy? some do and other just listen to the opinion and decided for themself. When i first saw the video I knew it would have been a big mess for him, I dont this that any of the comments made by rev wright reflect on his on personal thinking but i do believe that it does reflect the opinions of millions of blacks in america and I also think that him having listen to this type of thinking helps him understand the real issues that a large group of people have concern. I see this just as if her were listening to other sets of cultural expressing their diffferences. In conclusion I will that this and the idea of Hillary as VP both go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

the GOP will turn him inside out. What the Clintons didn't dare to say or do, the GOP will. We will find out who Obama is, before he is in the White House , whether he will be in the White House , it all depends on how much of Obama will be exposed. There is in my opinion unpatriotic , racist dirt there but will it be exposed and how much?

Bill, was a dam good president, people need to look at where this country is going, Who was the president before Bill??? Bush sr.dose any one out there remember DESSERT STORM??????????? I do, But Bill gets blamed for the Irac war,. from the REPUBLICANS. Just look at what they have done to us the last 8yrs. I want to know WHY BUSH AND CHENNY Havent been impeached?????????????????? AMERICANS NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be for we destroy our selfs, I dont here any thing about all the things the Bushes did to us. Obama has no experience, Hillary dose, and remember hes related to Laura Bush and Chenny, Well Ive made up my mind who I will vote for. McCain poor fellow he has no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

When I go to Church, I am influenced by the word of God, and the blessings that I receive from him. I am not influenced by my Minister, He cannot bless me.

If values and affiliations dictate how good a President someone is why did George W. Bush mess up so badly?

George W. Bush's values didn't stop him from making the strategic blunder that is the War on Iraq. It didn't stop the foreclosure crisis, or the bad economy.

So why are we so obsessed with values, when we already know first hand that means nothing.

We ask the question if Senator Obama is off the hook but he really should not have been on the hook in the first place. We all have friends and mentors who we associate with and even look up to and these friends from time to time say and or do some embarrassing things and we ourselves may not be apart or condone but that person is still your friend. We saw but a small portion of who Rev Wright is and yet we cast judgement as if we had read his biography, i am certain that Senators Obama's admiration for Rev Wright came over many years of watching and listening to what he stood for and what he believes in. We are too quickly to judge and yet when we are on the recieving end we beg for Mercy. Rev Wright's mis-speaking was but two times in his 6 decades of life or at lease what we know of and we cast him off as anti Ameerican. You know what is Anti American not having an opinion or affraid of voicing that opinion Thousands of American men and women died so people like Rev Wright can say what he said and i am sure that Rev Wright in hind sight feels as if he was mis-interperted. We all make misstakes and we all have sinned and fall short of God's glory so my american neighbours let forgive Rev Wright and not use his words to cast judgemnet on Senator Obama.
The Bahama is for Obama.

In Today's society you would think that people have learned to except people for who they are and not for what you think that they should be. It is very easy for alot of you to sit here and talk bad about any of the ones running for president, but if you take the time to think about the type of life that you have lived over the years and the type of people that you have been associated with, would you want someone to that because you associate with that you should be judged by someone else's actions. One thing that i truly believe is that white america is really upset with Rev. Wright about is that he wasn't afraid to speak the truth about what has been happening to blacks as long as america as been here. The comments that the priest made was so offensive because it was really the truth, because she did and still does feel that she is entitled and although she didn't win she had it about her. People don't like the truth to be told out loud because when the truth has been exposed it should be dealt with and move on to began a healing process. Many people go to church and just because the pastor is speaking things that they don't agree with, it is this the person's responsibility to seek God for themselves and seek guidance on what to do for the lives of them and their familes. It is vey easy to say that he should have left the church, but you really need to think about the things that all of you have done and you never done anything about it unless you were found out. How would any of you like for someone to dig into your lives to see what type of people you have dealt with, or anything in you life that you know that you don't do now. People should always learn to think what if that was me, because what you are so willing to do to someone else it will be done to you. I am sure alot of americans have done things and assiciated with people of different backgrounds but that should define who you are as a person, because you should be judge on your character instead of the character of the people that you have associated with. The main reason that people wwhat to hold on to the Rev Wright thing is it gives the public a reason not to like him instead of being willing to say that we believe in change and that we as a country are ready for change, and that we can change and put racism behind us and be unified as one Nation under God for which we were all created.