The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. -- Barack Obama, Huffington Post, March 14, 2008The key question before Barack Obama today was the one going to his integrity: was he was telling the truth when he claimed in his HuffPo piece of March 14th that he never heard Wright make, in public or private, the remarks "that are the cause of this controversy"?
I listened carefully. Obama dodged the question.
Here's the transcript of what he had to say on the matter.
BARACK OBAMA: We've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike.
I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely – just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.
But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country – a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.
As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems – two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all.
So Obama admits to hearing Wright "make remarks that could be considered controversial." Did they include the comments that have sparked the controversy: "God damn America," America deliberately spread AIDS among blacks, 9-11 was America's chickens coming home to roost, etc.?
Obama didn't say. While admitting to hearing Wright make "controversial" remarks, he goes on to say that "the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country."
The inference might be that since the worst remarks were beyond "controversial," and since Obama admits only to hearing "controversial" remarks, he didn't hear them. But Obama never clearly said so. As a result, we don't know if he was telling the truth on March 14th--although if indeed Obama had never heard the worst of Wright wouldn't he have stressed that fact today?
Bottom line: Obama's speech failed, and a large cloud remains over his candidacy.
Will the MSM notice?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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are you surprised?
March 18, 2008 - 12:47 ET by candanceObama's plan is to divert attention back onto blaming White America so we forget about his lies.
Whitey has always been the
March 18, 2008 - 12:49 ET by mostlymoderateWhitey has always been the problem!!! Don't forget it.
<if you don't know I am being sarcastic, sorry>
Truth or lies?
March 18, 2008 - 16:31 ET by PShannonAre we all forgetting, regardless of anything else, Obama is a politician -- they don't know the meaning of "the truth" -- none of them -- the truth is whatever covers their ass.
He only admits now to
March 18, 2008 - 16:34 ET by motherbeltHe only admits now to having heard him because that quote surfaced, of Wright saying a year ago, that "If [he]makes it past the primaries he might have to distance himself from me." And that he'd mentioned it to Obama, who agreed. (I'd love to see the timeline...how long after that popped up did he decide to do this speech?)
Had that not surfaced, I think he would have stuck with the denial story. He is no better than any other politician who gets up to give an "I'm sorry" speech because he gets caught. And just like Bill Clinton's "getting back to do the job the American people hired me to do," Obama is saying OK, you caught me, I'm sorry, now forget about it and shut up about it.
Mark. Michelle Obama obviously heard Wright's rants..
March 18, 2008 - 12:53 ET by Gary HallMark. Michelle Obama obviously listened to, and took to heart, Wright's rants.. she's been quite clear in expressing her anger at America and her lack of pride. (;~/ gh
No Obama. I have never
March 18, 2008 - 12:55 ET by bassndudeNo Obama. I have never heard my minister make such remarks that I strongly disagree with. My minister concentrates on the Word of God. If it comes from Gods Word, whats to disagree with? We never breach the political line in church. That is the law of the land. One of those things that Jesus taught us to obay. We do not preach race or hate. We have blacks, whites and asian that attend services. We are not a racial church.
Try again, son. You about to fall on your nose.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
it depends on the meaning of "is"
March 18, 2008 - 12:58 ET by wizardjrWell here we go again. Another major figure in the Demoncrat party mincing words. What a surprise.
Exactly...
March 18, 2008 - 13:28 ET by PrairieSkyI have found myself thinking that more and more lately, whenever he opens his mouth. They must teach "How to Speak Fluent 'Double-Talk' 101" in law school, because Obama is a master at it.
It Won't Fly
March 18, 2008 - 13:03 ET by rammingspeedObama has to dodge the critical questions about Rev. Wright. He rejects the man, he loses steam from his base. He accepts the man, he loses support from undecideds. This speech will be picked apart - and despite the fact that liberals are already comparing it to the "I Have A Dream" speech by Dr. King in 1963 - it will remain apparent that Obama is a classic American political liberal, and that biases and prejudices, along with deep resentment and a determination to stand this country on its head, are present within the man.
What's funny is how he's
March 18, 2008 - 13:05 ET by FlashmanWhat's funny is how he's defending himself by being Clintonesque with his answers. I guess it all depends on what the definition of controversial is as far as Obama understands it to be.
Obama loves Racists: Ex. Rev. Wright and IRAN's Leaders
March 18, 2008 - 13:06 ET by Daniel BakerObama cannot distance himself from Wright or Dictators of the world because they are "housing the homeless, ministering to the needy, and reaching out to those suffering"
Don't blame me!
March 18, 2008 - 13:26 ET by ArcherBWhat needs to be brought up is that people like Rev. Wright are not really helping. How does it help the black community to blame the white man for AIDS, drug abuse, and so on? Taking responsibility for your own actions is the first step to picking yourself up and solving your problems. Blaming others is simply devisive and counterproductive.
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary." Ernesto "Che" Guevara
He intentionally stood and
March 18, 2008 - 13:06 ET by bigtimerHe intentionally stood and spun...he avoided the issue of the 14th, he did say he was in the pew to hear some of Wright's hate-filled rhetoric to cover his arse though...but in the meantime making this speech about blame to every single white person since the beginning of this country, instead of the issue at hand regarding Wright, he stood by Wright and his right to spew his venom, blaming Wright's rhetoric on the white man and this country....plus he went on and on about how great the Trinity Church is, did anyone hear Moss who took Wright's place with the press release he made the other day, blame everyone but themselves for whatever is their poor poor me attitude.... it is simply unbelievable and now is his undoing, the silly fool.
Bend over and kiss your arse good-bye Obama and Mrs. you are so fried.
Just wait until Nov. you both and the msm.
They will be passing the tissues crying wah wah and blaming the racist country ...meaning real patriotic people out here who will no longer sit still for this bull, slavery was over a long time ago, it is soooo old now, you Obama made one of the most divisive speeches I have ever heard....
Adios.
BT, I didn't hear his
March 18, 2008 - 16:45 ET by Indiana JoeBT,
I didn't hear his speech; just got in from work. But, on the way home I heard snippets on the radio. The one that really grabbed my ear was "race is the one issue we can't afford to ignore now," or words very close to that.
Now, what could he mean by that? We shouldn't ignore race? Is this officially the end of the "I have a dream" concept of being "judged not by the color of their skin?" Is he falling back on race now that the "content of [his] character" is starting to show some blemishes?
And btw, did he really admit he was there for the July 22nd sermon? I get that from your post, but I'm not sure that's what you meant. If so, it's gone from "he wasn't in Chicago" to "he was in Chicago, but didn't attend" to "he was there" in record time!
LOL! goldbar must be getting pretty distraught right about now!
Hi IJ... I wasn't
March 18, 2008 - 16:58 ET by bigtimerHi IJ...
I wasn't referring to the 22nd...he did admit to hearing Wright's hate-filled rhetoric and being present at times....he was just plain and simple covering his rear...he also refused and said he would not disavow Wright....
It was an infuriating speech.
I have to run for a bit IJ but I commented as it was going live on the OT...along with others...please remember too at the time I was mad as heck.
BTW...I'm sure by now the thread is all jumbled up to-boot if you know what I mean...lol!
Catch ya' later friend.
Plus I'm pretty sure there was one or two other threads I commented about this on also.
"Plus I'm pretty sure there
March 18, 2008 - 17:11 ET by Indiana Joe"Plus I'm pretty sure there was one or two other threads I commented about this on also."
I'm sure. It is becoming a "target-rich environment," after all.
;^D
Gotta run myself. Hope all is well.
bt, now I'm really mad.
March 18, 2008 - 17:01 ET by R D HelmI just read through a transcript of the messiah's message over on Drudge. I guess I missed this part this morning:
Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness...
So, now I'm a racist for having voted for Ronald Reagan.
To hell with Obama.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
What I find so Ironic
March 18, 2008 - 13:08 ET by LCT688What I find so ironic in this whole business is that B.O. has the audacity to claim to be an "African American," or to lay claim to having lived the black "cultural experience."
Yes his father was black but he was from Kenya and his mother was white. So there is no one in his family tree who can lay claim to being the decended of slaves or having suffered under "Jim Crow".
He was raised by his white Mother and Grandmother in the midst of white society where he was afforded every opportunity to succed, and a few his white peers did not have, i.e. affirmitive action etc.
His claims of suffering ring false as far as I am concerned. He might be of African decent and he is an American but he is most definitely not an "African American."
"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one."
Alexander Hamilton
....which goes to the point
March 18, 2008 - 13:16 ET by mattm....which goes to the point that the issues, as framed by the like of Wright and Farakhan and Jesse Jackson, are phony issues. These people are demagogues, playing up the racial strife in order to keep the anger up among the Black Community - thereby keeping themselves in leadership roles and keeping "their" people from rising above all the racial crap and aspiring to lives of accomplishment.
My hope is that this whole fiasco exposes the charlatanism of the so-called Black Leadership, and begins to allow this society to put the past behind us and move on into the future as equals...we on the Right have already done that. It's time the Lefties stop demagoguing race and start behaving like the open-minded, caring people they purport to be....but then, they wouldn't be Lefties anymore....
I'm not holding my breath...
Did I know him to be an
March 18, 2008 - 13:12 ET by R D HelmDid I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy?
I'm sorry, but what I heard, as well as saw, come out of "Rev." Wright's foul mouth went well beyond mere fierce criticism. It was vile, naked hatred directed at a country I love.
...just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.
I have heard things in sermons I didn't actually agree with, but I have never had a minister of the Gospel stand up in front of me and tell me to hate members of another race or culture.
Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country.
A distorted view that I firmly believe both Barack and Michelle Obama share, as they were members of this man's "church" for two decades.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Bull ----
March 18, 2008 - 13:15 ET by DanoDoes this guy thinks we are so stupid ,(some in this country are) , that he and his wonderful wife can go to this church for 20 years and not expect him to be swayed buy these incendiary remarks and that these are just 60 seconds of remarks out of 20 years in preaching ? Give me a freakin' break! This guy is a smooth talking racist that is now trying to cover the tracks of his separatist preacher that was also a advisor in his campaign up until not too long ago.
It doesn't really matter
March 18, 2008 - 13:21 ET by Jack BauerIt doesn't really matter because most of the damage that was going to be done has already occured.
Those predisposed to think he walks on water will have their worship-worthiness affirmed by his fairly substanceless speech.
(Did he mention whether he'd be confortable taking his white mother to his church with him. In fact, did he even mention his mom?)
While many of those taken in on the post-racial hype have had a mask removed. And we are still only talking about white Democrats here.
In years to come, political scientists will write books on how Obama lost the chance to win the Presidency because it turned out he was no different than any other politician.
He cannot win the general -- and I doubt he'll win the nom. Oh how the kidz will stamp their little feet in fury.
Jack... While I did not
March 18, 2008 - 13:25 ET by bigtimerJack...
While I did not hear him talk of his mom, in fact the only time I hear him talk of her is when he is mentioning health care and his mom dying of cancer at 53....but he did use his grandmother today, saying he could no more separate himself from her than he could from the likes of Wright...(I'm paraphrasing here of course)....
Isn't that special?
Obama slaps grandma?
March 18, 2008 - 13:32 ET by Jack Bauerbt -- ah, was that his WHITE grandmother I heard him traducing?
I caught that is passing and didn't hear whether he was talking about his Kenyan grandmother.
Gosh -- that's pretty low -- smacking down your grandma in public. Yuk.
Jack... LOL
March 18, 2008 - 13:44 ET by bigtimerJack...
LOL ...traducing...that's new...I like that.
Yeah, I took it he was referring to his white grandmother.
I certainly could be wrong...wouldn't be the first or last time.
As an aside...are you listening to Rush...he is taking back to back phone calls from defenders of Obama and his so-called pathetic, blame whitey speech...including this so-called real conservative Richard who is speaking now...lol.
Horrible speech
March 18, 2008 - 13:21 ET by KC MulvilleGuess what? This same politician who brags that he can threaten and bully Iraq into national reconciliation with “benchmarks” (!) now admits that our own country has spent 140 years, and we haven’t mastered the art of national reconciliation ourselves. Obama spoke of the anger burning beneath the surface of Reverend Wright’s sermons (how would he know, since he was never there when the anger came to the surface?), and the anger in white America’s rejection of guilt. We’re all steaming with anger, apparently. I never knew how pissed off I was.
I haven’t watched the speech, but I’ve read the text. It’s astonishingly shallow. Before turning on the TV, to hear the glowing adulation of his courage, let me make it plain. Obama said nothing. He’s said that there is racism. He’s said that there is anger. His answer? He advises blacks to repress their anger, which as we know, is always healthy (!?) Next, we have to clean up the mess that slavery left behind. More healthcare. More economic programs, meaning government programs. He understands his pastor’s anger, but he rejects the controversies it creates. Instead, we need to also focus equal attention on conservative talk show hosts.
Unbelievable.
This is audacious hope? To say that welfare reform was a Reagan conspiracy, fueled by the hidden resentment of white people? This is new politics? To argue that the racism can be addressed by more money thrown at schools? Obama exposed himself as an amateur.
'Bama Boy
March 18, 2008 - 13:25 ET by Dano..............and a liar
...and a racist as far as I
March 18, 2008 - 13:27 ET by bigtimer...and a racist as far as I am concerned....
KC - - Excellant Insight on Reconciliation
March 18, 2008 - 13:33 ET by JayTeeSome of us have moved on, and Some of us have not.
Your Reconciliation in Iraq, comparing ti to Obama's / Dems ability to reconcile the Reasons for the CIVIL War, were RIGHT ON.
Had forgotten we had
March 18, 2008 - 13:39 ET by docbHad forgotten we had bigots on the newsbusters site...ummmm
Please tell me what purpose it serves to try to nitpik the exact moment one may or may not have heard an exact phase? A large cloud covers this country and the Finkelstein writer is wearing blinders for the same reason ..We can not transcend this morass with likes of someone who reads the embargoed speech and does not listen to it but is busy readying his reply.
Interesting that the conservative media has gone silent and the black clinton supporters have run to the camera's to rebut the efficacy of his speech...It is not enough...what the hell is enough? The answer is that for the clinton people there will never be enough..they want it to remain a thorn. They have a whole cadre of Monday morning quarterbacks with less skill than the average highschool player. Fox news is especially offensive.
This man is a leader and a stateman who is not owned by the media, lobbyists, or naysaying black business people.
Reply from "the Finkelstein
March 18, 2008 - 13:45 ET by Mark FinkelsteinReply from "the Finkelstein writer."
Either back up your statement that I'm a bigot, or apologize, and preferably go away.
As to your question "what purpose it serves to try to nitpik the exact moment one may or may not have heard an exact phase?" The answer, as I indicated, is that it goes to Obama's truthfulness and integrity. Perhaps those aren't qualities important to you in a president, but I believe they are to most Americans.
And by the way, I didn't have access to an embargoed version of the speech. I watched it live.
What, exactly IS an
March 18, 2008 - 16:57 ET by Indiana JoeWhat, exactly IS an "embargoed version of the speech," anyway?
Is this a new troll? I suspect an old troll in new sheep's clothing.
Barack Obama a Statesman?
March 18, 2008 - 15:45 ET by R D HelmThis man is a leader and a state(s)man who is not owned by the media, lobbyists, or naysaying black business people.
Barack Obama a Statesman? As a devout student of history, I know of no one who has ever acquired the title of "statesman" who has had a twenty-year association with a man who hates the very country he lives in. Perhaps you could enlighten us as to any who have?
You say he is not "owned" by the media? Given his virtually blind support by such MSM outlets as CBS, NBC, CNN, the NYT, etc., etc., as well as the fact that he was saying exactly what that same media wanted to hear, I take issue with your assertion.
You say he is not owned by lobbyists? Baloney.
As for your slap at "naysaying black business people," just what, exactly, do you have against them?
Is it the fact that they do not blindly support a devout Marxist like Obama for president? Is it the fact that they probably are not interested in paying higher taxes themselves? Is it the fact that they aren't standing in line waiting for another government handout? Is it the fact that most of them have reached a fair level of success in this country independent of the involvement of government? What?
BTW - A bigot is not someone who disagrees with a person of color, nor someone who points out where a person of color, particularly one who just happens to be running for the most powerful office on the planet, might just being dishonest with the voting public.
I believe you owe Mr. Finkelstein an apology.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Wassup doc-b .. You are so Wright-On!!
March 18, 2008 - 14:23 ET by Jack BauerWassup doc-b .. You are so wright on.
Senator Obama is the first mixed race man to run for President with a serious chance of winning.
People of pallor such as my pasty hued self... and those who are of any hue, should never ask or query the Saintly Senator on any matter whatsoever.
To do so is, in itself, bigoted and proof of subconscious racism. Especially that demagogue Finkelstein -- whatever sort of name that is. Wink, wink.
Thank you so much for putting me (and all of us at the bigoted Newsbusters aka Newsbigoters) on the path to redemption.
Your less than charitable
March 18, 2008 - 15:33 ET by dscottYour less than charitable comment about NB aside, you have spoken an element of truth here. That being about Clinton supporters. You are absolutely correct that when someone has decided the direction of their support, any perceived mis-statement by the opposition is considered a confirmation of their unworthiness. No amount of apologizing or explaining will mullify such people, as conservatives we understand this, it's done to us all the time.
So docb, consider carefully who waded through hours of DVD or taped sermons to get those quotes??? Was this good old fashioned investigative journalism or the fruits of opposition research???? Who stood to immediately gain from outting Rev. Wright and Obama indirectly through association? That would be Clinton wouldn't it? This is the third time race has been injected into the Dem primary: 1. Bill Clinton, 2. Geraldine Ferraro and now 3. DVDs of Rev. Wright. The first two no one can dispute the Clintons were behind it. Do you really think someone other than Clinton would be behind this? The MSM? Don't think so, they're busy spinning the whole thing away.
I understand the whole deal about guilt by accusation, we as conservatives get this all the time. I've known plenty of people whom I consider trusted friends, relatives or political allies who have expressed how shall we say, less than charitable things about people in general, but that doesn't make me a bigot any more than Obama. We accept people in spite of their imperfections and choose to dwell on the 90% that is good. Everyone's got a crazy uncle Harry who spouts off. We don't disown him for it, we just discount that part of him.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
Bigots...
March 18, 2008 - 15:40 ET by mattmSpeak for yourself, pal.
The bigots are the race-baiting poverty pimps like Wright. I don't know if I could say that about Obama, but since he's so closely associated with him, I'd like better proof than just words claiming that he's not right in line with Wright.
If we're ever going to get over this race issue, people like Wright are going to have to be disowned by the Black Community. But, sadly, people like Wright stoke the fires of racial divisiveness for their own selfish ends.
If you can't see that, then you, too, are part of the problem. And if Obama won't thoroughly and credibly denounce the hatred of Mr. Wright, then he's part of the problem, too.
"The exact moment" I heard
March 18, 2008 - 17:05 ET by Indiana Joe"The exact moment" I heard anything even remotely like this coming out of my pastor's mouth is the exact moment I would have walked out of the church.
And I'm not running for anything.
You must be one who pretends to believe this was a "one-time" lapse in a 20 year relationship.
Dream on, doc. This Emperor wanna-be has no clothes.
And anyone who defends this blatant racism is the true bigot, regardless of their color.
"...my former pastor,
March 18, 2008 - 13:40 ET by Hero Squad"...my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright..."
When, exactly, did he become Obama's former pastor?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
"When, exactly, did he
March 18, 2008 - 16:54 ET by Indiana Joe"When, exactly, did he become Obama's former pastor?"
Um, what day did this story break?
That day.
;^)
»→ Indiana Joe
March 18, 2008 - 17:02 ET by Cool ArrowThe Reverend Wright is retiring, so it wasn't Obama's choice to let go of his hatementor. Obama would be happy to suck the milk of human hatred from Rev. Wright for years to come.
♣ a seal
Hmm... interesting....
March 18, 2008 - 17:07 ET by Indiana JoeWill Mr. Wright go down in history as the first to fall on his sword for this new "messiah?"
Post racial? or Post Toastie?
March 18, 2008 - 17:20 ET by Cool ArrowBut he's doing it for nothing. Obama's Black Klan roots are 20 years deep, and this might play well in inner city Chicago, but lots of us Americans don't understand.
♣ a seal
A bit off topic, but
March 18, 2008 - 13:43 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltI have to say, the accusation that the US gub'mint intentionally spread AIDS to the black community is such a half-baked idea...
If the intent were to wipe out or cause disharmony and upheaval among blacks, why would the government (the inference is that whites within the government) use a disease that would, in very short order, spread just as viciously to whites?
Talk about a boomerang weapon...
I got mine, but you can't have yours......
March 18, 2008 - 13:45 ET by BarkerObama, Wright, Farrakhan, Sharpton, Jackson, etal, all live in expensive homes, drive expensive cars, and wear expensive clothes.
Must suck to be them. ;^(
It;s the Islam influence on Obama
March 18, 2008 - 15:04 ET by JayTeeIt’s the Islamic Influence of Obama’s upbringing - - How you say ?
Isn’t the 100’s of Years of fighting we continue to see over in Islam land all about History, and who did what to who in 500 BC and 492AD, etc..etc.. ?
It’s all about Islam and it’s centuries old resentment from the Greeks to the Jews because of the History of their conflicts. It’s Obama’s lack of USA upbringing, He spent too much time in Islamabama land growing up. . . .and he found a GD Church that agrees with him.