This isn’t the first time Barack Obama’s church family has gotten him in hot water. Remember when his campaign caught flack from the gay community for staging a Gospel music tour of South Carolina that featured “ex-gay” singer Donnie McClurkin? Now it’s Obama’s longtime minister, Jeremiah Wright, who’s in the spotlight. Yesterday, Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen blasted Obama for declining to criticize Wright after his church’s magazine gave an award to Louis Farrakhan and said he “truly epitomized greatness”:
For most Americans, though, Farrakhan epitomizes racism, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism. Over the years, he has compiled an awesome record of offensive statements, even denigrating the Holocaust by falsely attributing it to Jewish cooperation with Hitler — “They helped him get the Third Reich on the road.” His history is a rancid stew of lies.
It’s important to state right off that nothing in Obama’s record suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views or agrees with Wright when it comes to Farrakhan. Instead, as Obama’s top campaign aide, David Axelrod, points out, Obama often has said that he and his minister sometimes disagree. Farrakhan, Axelrod told me, is one of those instances.
Fine. But where I differ with Axelrod and, I assume, Obama is that praise for an anti-Semitic demagogue is not a minor difference or an intrachurch issue. The Obama camp takes the view that its candidate, now that he has been told about the award, is under no obligation to speak out on the Farrakhan matter. It was not Obama’s church that made the award but a magazine. This is a distinction without much of a difference. And given who the parishioner is, the obligation to speak out is all the greater. He could be the next American president. Where is his sense of outrage?
Today, The Baltimore Sun reports that Wright took took some shots at Hillary Clinton in last Sunday’s sermon:
Some argue that blacks should vote for Clinton “because her husband was good to us,” [Wright] continued.
“That’s not true,” he thundered. “He did the same thing to us that he did to Monica Lewinsky.”
Many in the crowd were on their feet, applauding – amazed, amused and moved by the fiery rhetoric of their preacher, who is about to retire….
In a statement released by his campaign last night, Obama responded to questions about Wright’s comments on Sunday.
“As I’ve told Reverend Wright, personal attacks such as this have no place in this campaign or our politics, whether they’re offered from a platform at a rally or the pulpit of a church,” he said. “I don’t think of the pastor of my church in political terms.
“Like a member of my own family, there are things he says at times with which I deeply disagree,” he said. “But as he prepares to retire, that doesn’t detract from my affection for Reverend Wright or appreciation for the good works he has done.”
What’s interesting to God-o-Meter is that the Obama campaign distanced itself from Wright’s attack of Clinton even as it has stayed mum on his embrace of Farrakhan. With the Jeremiah Wright stories piling up, God-o-Meter will keep watching closely for Obama’s reaction. It doubts Obama will run too far from the man who game him the title to his latest book, The Audacity of Hope. For one, Obama is by all accounts a true believer whose life was changed by Wright. And after more than a year of establishing his religious bona fides, is Obama really going to throw his pastor under the bus?
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posted January 17, 2008 at 5:29 pm
At what point in his political career was Obama given religion by Rev. Wright? I know, that sounds cynical, but a man whose parents are atheists who so boldly proclaims his faith raises my radar in terms of his sincerity. It scares me to death that one main issues candidates are dealing with is who is a better friends with Jesus. From Romney’s “freedom requires religion” to Huckabee charging toward the nomination yelling “onward christian soldiers,” whether they intend to repeal unconstitutional mandates of the Bush government isn’t talked about. They all seem to be asking, “What would Jesus do as President?” Uphold the Constitution, I think, because there already isn’t anything in there of which he’d disapprove. He’d fit comfortably well under its’ guidelines, without his name or his father’s appearing in any way to justify it, or needing to. Jesus had the best advice, in fact: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s…” Our President shouldn’t be tested on whether he wants to push Jesus into politics when he wanted nothing to do with it 2000 years ago.
posted January 24, 2008 at 6:23 am
All this talk about Jesus and politics. I think a true Christian who doesn’t want to compromise his/her beliefs will stay out of the political arena. The race for power will certainly lead to compromise.
posted January 24, 2008 at 6:30 am
I think a true Christian should stay out of the political arena. The quest for power only leads to a compromise of one’s beliefs. It only leads to half truths(lies) being told in order to win votes. To me compromise is NOT a good thing. It’s straddling the fence.Always trying to sound tolerant, not being truthful. I wouldn’t want to be any of them–republican or democrat or whatever. In these days ANYONE who believes the Bible is inerrant without exception will never be voted as president…and that’s a sad truth.
posted January 25, 2008 at 7:32 pm
God approves rulers and authorities over nations. I believe that He wants the heads of nations to rule just and righteous. I would gladly vote for a person who believes in the true and living God Jesus Christ because I believe that person would be a just ruler. If Obama believe in Jesus that is good.
posted February 4, 2008 at 1:50 am
Eternal Father approval and authorities over nation, I believe that He wants the head of nation rules just and righteous. One thing I unhappy to hear his addressing about campagin, so many his opponents any of religions and beleive not as same any to follow in him, He’s not mine of princes, also I am not going voting him, Barback Obama He’s full of hypocrite his false words and smoothies to wave speak his mouth of words, If Obama does not following those comments If He believe in Jesus or not. He will not saves us our country of Usa, He will apology his error to do his jobs. Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. That mean to him Barback Obama is not princes of natior our country, and He cannot to make us saves all his country, He beleive in Koran book isn’t bible, pledge on Koran book his hand toward his worshiped of God.
posted February 24, 2008 at 7:01 am
The Reagan legacy as I see it, The facts Obama ignored
Corporate taxes under Reagan and now GWB have reached their lowest point since 1929. This fact alone should give any reasonable person a good idea where things are headed in this country and the world. Corporations, who DO use water, electricity, garbage collection services and all the other things provided by government through taxes, are now taxed at a lower rate than individuals are. They also receive special discounts on the resources that they use. This trend in America, for individual citizens to pay for the services used and the collateral environmental damage caused by corporations through their payroll taxes, began in the administration of Ronald Reagan. The now discredited theory used to describe this situation was aptly called the “Trickle down Theory.” We were promised a trickle and we did not get even that. Real wages fell in the Reagan years as they have in both Bush administrations.
Labor was also hard hit during the Reagan administration. After Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers for striking for better working conditions and hired permanent replacements, corporate employers followed suit, thereby, for all intents and purposes, emasculating the Labor movement and turning the clock back on the decades of progress made for the American working man. Far from being upset by these developments the majority of voters inexplicably were enthused by them.
So, during the Reagan years taxes were lowered on the upper 1% of the income tier, thereby increasing their wealth tremendously, and those in the lower income tiers received meaningless decreases accompanied by a DOUBLING of withholding on their Social Security. In addition, the Reagan administration could spend this “surplus” on whatever they chose. And they did– every cent of it– with no accountability to anyone but themselves. One of the things that they spent the money on was right wing death squads south of the border. They also spent the money that they acquired illegally through arms sales to the Iranians on similar projects south of the border. This was the famous Iran-Contra scandal that many of Reagan’s minions were convicted of master- minding and participating in. Reagan, of course, alleged that he had no memory of these dealings, hence his other popular moniker: “The Great Forgetter”, a name that would prove to be ironically apropos in the ensuing years.
Reagan, as well as George W. Bush, ostensibly believes in smaller government, strong military, lower taxes, and a balanced budget. However, both presidents have lowered taxes for the rich, increased military spending, and almost paradoxically created larger government and crippling budget deficits. Which they then leave for their successors to deal with. My belief is that these presidents did and do believe in a weak and small government and concurrent unanswerable and vast power in “private” multi-national corporations. The strategy now is to weaken our government, which is the only force powerful enough to control the corporations, by deliberately bankrupting it. There is no other reasonable explanation for their behavior.
Knowing these things, would you consider Reagan to have been a patriot, a knowing traitor, or an unwitting dupe of huge corporate interests? This fracturing of governmental power is a worldwide phenomenon and the way it’s being done is similar in many respects for the different countries involved. The power vacuum is, of course, being taken up by huge multi-national corporations. This is what is being referred to by scholars who know as “the New Feudalism.”
The party of myths has created their own history about a puppet. Even Reagan was not Reaganese. If running today he would be chastised by the right wing more than any of the candidates. Reagan after all raised taxes 3 times on personal incomes, signed pro-choice legislation, and was pro amnesty allowing 15 million illegal aliens citizenship with no restrictions. That is just the start. Reagan has left a legacy that continued under the Bushs at an even more escalating level.
When any candidate mentions Reagan or calls themselves a Reagan democrat or republican please remind them of these things. But you can give him some credit he did great at limiting government powers; he just did it for corporations. He destroyed the ability of the government to protect individual workers rights. This administration also gave us the savings and loan scandals in which millions of dollars in bribes were given out and accepted by high level government officials most of these bribes were taken directly out of the social security trust fund. Even after extensive senate hearings which seemed to outline the guilt of those involved the Reagan justice department did nothing. What is most amazing is that one of the investigated of the 5 senators and who was implicated in having the most involvement is now the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, John Mccain. It looks like we might have another President along with an electorate with Alzheimers.
It is brilliant that the Republican Party has brainwashed millions of people with billions of dollars given by mostly corporations and that top 1% of individuals using ad campaigns, radio, politicians and others. They play on the basic hopes and fears of all Americans. Try to resist if you can. We all know that everyone wants to be rich and safe. Choose based on record not rhetoric.
This is why I despise Ronald Reagan and fear anyone who invokes his name. While I disagree on many issues with Hillary Clinton which are mostly related to her gun control votes and her vote on Iraq, this 39yo man from Alabama voted for Hillary in the primary. I will defend her stance on healthcare to all who oppose it. I am a healthcare worker for over 20 years. Alabama went to Obama but I will fight on. I like his message but he did one thing I can never forgive he invoked Reagans name.
Hillary is the obvious choice for Change, The most intelligent, compasionate, experienced, strong leader. And to you men and repukelicans out there who hate her. I ask you to give me one REAL reason why? To democrats still with Obama Why what has he done? Do you really know him? please just check out http://www.thomas.gov read their Bills. please? I am a Christian who would never vote republican. I am a 39yo white man from alabama, I somtimes think what my Baptist preacher says is just as nuts as some of the things that Obamas preacher says. Don’t judge me for him please. I do think it is a legitimate question to ask about. But to infer he is muslim because his grandfather was is nuts. He never said anything about the Quran either. Christians should love and help not hate and slander.
posted March 13, 2008 at 1:57 pm
this was nasty and rude for a pastor to bump and grind while talking about monica and bill clinton.that has nothing to do with this race and for obama to attend and listen to this idiot preaching.His members should have walked out.hillary should come out and show her disgust for this behavior .folks get real this race is about race and geraldine said what alot of folks especially white are saying behind closed doors.we are so afraid of the black man playing the race card.
obama will get nominated because super delagates are afraid of a riot.
this nasty behavior is going to blow the lid off alot of us.
posted March 14, 2008 at 1:40 am
If white people said the things about Blacks that Obama’s preacher says about Whites and Jews, we would all lose our jobs and be harrassed to death for being racist. However, for some reason, because Obama’s preacher is Black, he can say these things about Whites, Jews, and women and somehow it’s o.k. I don’t get that. This is obviously terrible reverse racism. Also, I don’t care what Obama’s preacher says: Jesus was NOT black, he was Middle Eastern, and was not put to death primarily because of White Romans but by Jewish Rabbi’s who were worried they were going to lose their jobs due to the way Christianity was catching on so fast. Of course, that does not mean that present day Jews are in any way responsible for the death of Jesus. Besides, it was predestined that Jesus was to die on the Cross for our sins. God decided it should be that way because he wanted us to be able to go to Heaven. It doesn’t look like fault figures in the picture at all in the larger context of things. If you want to hear some really atrocious stuff Obama’s preacher has been recorded preaching, then visit http://www.michaelsavage.com. It’s awful! And so many people want to vote Obama in for President when he goes to this idiot’s church!
posted March 15, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Obama really scares me when I thought Hillary was the one who was. His relationship with the not-so reverend Jeremiah Wright is really over the top. He is clearly and strongly influenced by an unapologetic racist bigot. Obama’s signature book is titled after one of his mentor’s speeches. He ascribes tremendous transformation in his life due to their 20 year relationship. He has been a top insider in the campaign, presided over Obama’s wedding, baptized his daughters, was invited to deliver a prayer at Obama’s campaign kick-off, among many other incidents. Dr. Wright’s inflammatory, racist, hate filled speeches cannot be set aside by Obama as simply the ranting of an unwanted supporter. Even as he seeks to set aside the comments he refers to Wright as an uncle, a term of respect. There are photos and videos of Obama refusing to wear a flag or salute the flag. His wife makes unfortunate, but, most likely exposes her true feelings about not ever being proud of being an American. It’s downright weird how he plays up his dad who was never part of his life and downplays his mother who was a huge part of t.
I’m a mixed race (European and native American), middle aged, guy! I thought it was cool Obama was running. Now I’m scared. It’s being reported more than 90% of African-Americans are voting for Obama simply because he’s black. What happens if he loses to Hillary? Too McCain? Will black America explode? I think it will due to bigots and hate mongers like Obama’s spiritual mentor Dr. Wright.
Both Hillary and McCain have been supported by religious individuals with suspect outlooks. Some of their supporters have made inflammatory and bigoted statements. The relationship McCain and Hillary and their unfortunate supporters is completely different in quality than Obama. Neither McCain nor Hillary have maintained deep 20+ year relationships with unabashedly racist and bigoted religious supporters. They don’t put them on their campaign staffs, have them preside at weddings and baptisms, or make excuse after excuse, for the bigot. It doesn’t matter if some of what Dr. Wright or his church do is good – like the bible says, what comes out of your mouth is what was in your heart.
Dr. Wright not only expresses unforgivable sentiments and opinions, he does so in the most inflammatory and vulgar manner. He takes an icon of the democratic party, Bill Clinton, and in very vulgar fashion accuses him of using black people – riding them dirty! Dr. Wright has set back the cause of civil rights in this country by decades! Obama contributes by continuing to cling to and support his mentor, only reluctantly letting go bit by bit, as commonsense citizens and the media react in disbelief. Obama is either a brazen liar or believes us fools as he tries to claim he had no idea Dr. Wright is a completely committed racist bigot.
Unlike Mrs. Obama I’ve always been proud of my country and loved it! I have disagreed with policy, administrations, and certain events but, I love my country. Unlike Senator Obama, I wear an american flag, and when our anthem plays I’ll stand and sing, put my hand over my heart, get a tear in my eye, and it makes no difference who’s president, or if we are at war or peace.
posted March 18, 2008 at 6:48 pm
My personal belief is this Preacher who choose to spread the word of God has no business in politics he is teaching hatred
The word of Gods talks about love to each other there for this person should be removed from the pulpit
and if he is not satified the way the U.S, is ruled then send him back where he came from
Sincerely Cornelis Vanderknaap