Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 4/29/08
Tonight, Wright is wrong. That’s what Sen. Barack Obama said at a press conference today. The candidate distanced himself from his former pastor and criticized his appearances over the past few days calling them “objectionable and offensive.” You’ll hear Sen. Obama in his own words and we will dig deeper with the best political team on television. David Mattingly also looks at the relationship between Obama and Wright and how difficult it must have been for the Senator say what he did.
Gary Tuchman has the latest on the polygamous sect down in Texas. One of the teenaged girls removed from the ranch gave birth to a baby boy today. We don’t know how old she is exactly but she is considered a minor.
Anderson is anchoring from New Orleans tonight and won’t be able to comment but Erica Hill will be blogging away. Check her out on our web camera. LINK TO THE BLOG CAMERA
We’ll start posting comments at 10p ET and stop at 11p ET.
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One can be Democrat, Republican, independent, liberal or conservative but I believe we can all agree Wright is just "too full of himself". What a sorry "spectacle" and we, including the media, create the attention, so undeserved.
@ Genevieve M, TX
This is not staged at all-you could see the anguish on Obama's face!
BARACK OBAMA IN 08
Barack and Michelle Obama went to the church for 20 years. Please, he was married by the man, his children were baptized by the man and it is a far stretch of the imagination to believe that he did not hear what Rev. Wright preached for all those 20 years. Did anybody hear Barack Obama answer questions after the speech to-day? Really people, the president?
Mike in NC,
You're kindly welcome! 🙂
Mike of Syracuse: I wouldn't be surprised at all! Oh let's start those conspiracy theories.....
Man-Obama can't really get a break. Yes, it stinks that he has been in relation with Wright for over 20 years, but he can't take that back now and we should move on. I am not an Obama supporter, but there is no more he can do now.
Why do I not believe Barack Obama? First he says that he and Jermiah Wright have been close for about 20 years, talking on a personal level. Then he says that this is not the Rev. Wright that he knows. Barack is not handling this well. He is not showing the leadership and I believe that he indeed shares the views of Jeremiah Wright. They shared personal prayers, Rev. Wright married the Obamas and helped raise Barack's children. I would love to hear from other members of his church.
OK, looks like we've got a conspiracy theory forming here.
Barack had no right to turn on Rev. Wright. All he did was diss the man who has been the spiritual leader of his family for near on twenty years. I guess that Obama's political aspirations mean more than his aderence to his faith and the man who was there to help him see the way.
Seems like everyone has forgotten that 6 weeks ago in Philly Obama said during his speech on race that Rev Wright has been like "family" to him.
It's great to see Anderson back in New Orleans. Too bad the majority of the coverage is going to be about Wright.
People have to know the facts, the facts show that barack obama will be the dems nominee..... people have tried to spin the end results of this race. He will be leading in delegates at the end of this campaign no matter what. The dems need to get behind him to sharpen the fight for our country. Barack Obama is a unifier, and an honest man who practices what he preaches. He shows he really is a christian and we see that by how he runs his campaign....suprised some chistians have'nt noticed!!
As much as I'm sure the Senator would like it, he's not going to be able to put this issue in a box at the back of the closet and walk away.
Hello everyone! I am glad Obama has finally expressed some outrage and decided to distance himself from Rvd. Wright. However, I think it is about 20 years too late. I also noticed that his speech seemed to follow the theme that Roland Martin outlined last night. I have to wonder if his main reason for this outrage is the fact that Wright basically outted him as a politician who will say what it takes to get elected. For a politician who tried to paint himself as a "new" kind of politician, he seems to be just as much a politician as any other.
I think Obama is the best choice for President. I hope this is not to late.
Brian>To put it in perspective, I have to think how I would publicly distance myself from someone as prominent as a Rev Wright, or how 'bout how you would distance yourself from a close relative (in a positive way) w/o making the rest of the family really angry or distraught.
I am glad Obama finally answered some questions about his relationship with Wright and denounced him. It clearly was a difficult and personal decision, very emotional, for him. As it would be for anyone (and most especially for a Presidential candidate) who has a religious connection that has to be broken.
Dan n Bama,
I agree with you too, I am not fan of Barack Obama either. I am not support him too.
Obama does look devastated! Obama looks like he'd just been stabbed in the back by a family member. I'm glad he finally formally distanced himself from Wright. It's upsetting that it had to come this far for that to happen though.
The saddest part I think is voters that will take Wright's original statements as Obama's opinion and not examine Obama's true views on it.
I don't think it was staged. Obama seemed really hurt and upset about this. I would be too. For someone that is a man of God, I felt he really stabbed Obama in the back.
Well, I guess for the first time in her adult life, Michelle Obama is not really proud of Reverand Wright...
Anderson, you got that right about "Rev. Wright poisoning Obama's campaign". I really wonder why Obama allowed Rev. Wright to use his campaign as a forum to spout off?
In my opinion, the handslap issued to Wright today not only looks staged, but it is also "too little, too late".
May just be too little too late....
Obama's outrage today doesn't sit well with me – Obama denounced Wright for his statements yesterday before the National Press Club – but these are the same statements that Wright has been saying for years – what's new? The superdelegates are worried that Wright will hurt them in down-ticket races – and the Repubs have started using Wright in their ads – suddenly, Obama is outraged,... like Wright said, Obama is a politician saying what a politician has to say
Jacqui Chan the group is the St Bernard Project.
It's good to see Anderson back in NOLA again.
Obama had some strong words against Reverend Wright, but I'm not sure if it will be enough to end the controversy and he's going to have to be prepared to deal with it as the campaign goes on–it's not going to let up and Wright probably won't stop talking.
Ok, really cynical thought. What if Wright's National Press Club performance was staged to give Obama a chance to denounce him?
You have to feel for Obama. No matter what we think, he was hurt by Wright's words. A friendship ending is always hurtful in some ways.
Thanks Erica, thats what I have been hoping to hear for a while. I just hope he can get us some good answers.
-Megan-thanks for that. 🙂
I can't even believe Wright thinks the government would have to do with spreading AIDS. Wow... amazing.
I have to feel for Obama. Rev. Wright really shot Obama in the foot yesterday. I'm a Clinton supporter but I feel Obama has gotten a raw deal on this whole matter.
Mike from Syracuse NY> I feel the same way. I think the word "outraged" should have been used a long while back when Wright's story first made headlines. It feels very wishy washy going from standing by him to now being almost forced to denounce him.
Hi everyone.
I'm thinking too little too late on this one. Wright sounds a lot like he has in past speeches. Give me a break that he suddenly changed for the worst. Maybe because he's hurting the campaign Obama has suddenly seen the light.
While I'm not an Obama supporter – I find it somewhat saddening that someone once close to him has caused so much damage to his campaign. I think that predominantly black churches in general do not share Wrights views....
Obama has yet to answer why he remained with Rev. Wright for 20 years. It is hard to beleive he had no inkling that Wright held these controversial views.
Senator Obama did the right thing today even though it must have be extremely hard on him. It is never easy to cut ties with someone who has been in your life for that long, no matter how big or small an influence they played in your life
Yes Mike,
You're right. I agree with you......
Good evening Anderson,
Kudos to Barack Obama. I'm hoping Barack will be able to pull off a victory in Indiana and be our President.
Hi, everyone - good to have you here!
Michael, there will be an update on the NOLA folks now being asked to return money...an unbelievable story.
Love the "Obama's Outrage" graphic....lol...He's just so calm all the time...
Did anyone notice that Obama seemed to echo exactly what Roland Martin said last night – Roland said Obama should say that Wright is not the man he knew for the last twenty years and that he should get mad about it and denounce him – looks like Obama took Roland's advice today
Strong words from Obama. I'm glad O. said what he said about this megalomaniacal pastor. Wright didn't serve him well...so selfish!
Hi Erica and everyone!
I'm glad Barack Obama is finally speaking out about Wright.
Greetings bloggers. Well Obama finally denounces Wright. Only 20 years late.
Good evening, Anderson, Erica, and all!
Good Evening Bloggers!
Anderson is in New Orleans right now
Finally, the healing of America begins. Thanks CNN it takes a lot of guts to lead the modern press on the Wright issue. I can hardly wait for CNN presents "Black in America".
Good evening Erica and all bloggers!
I am very glad that Anderson will be live in New Orleans tonight keeping them honest.
A while back on 360 Anderson had a segment with a woman who, along with her husband, quit her job and relocated to New Orleans in order to start St. Hubert's, a non profit group with volunteers from all over the world. This group built (or rebuilt) over 1000 homes for the displaced residents. I learned last week that many of these homes have been (or are in the process of being demolished) in order for the government to rebuild middle class housing in it's place.
Since ac360 is in New Orleans, I hope we get to hear what's going on there and in Mississippi. Hopefully Rev Wright won't fill the whole hour.
Hey guys, hope everyone had a good tuesday, one day til hump day!
-Is AC going to have any new information about those rebuilding their homes who have to return their money? Hope so...that is so wrong.
Good evening Erica and bloggees. Hope everyone had a good Tuesday (although I seriously keep thinking it is Wednesday....what a let down)
Looking forward to a great show tonight. It is great to see Anderson is down in NOLA!!!