On Friday morning's Today, MSNBC host Chris Matthews lamented Obama's pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, "blaming 9/11 on us," and compared that to conservative ministers like Jerry Falwell blaming it on "sodomy and everything else." But Matthews stressed that it really shouldn't reflect badly on Obama, who is still a unifier, and not a "black separatist" like his pastor. MRC's Justin McCarthy did the transcript on the Democratic contest:
MEREDITH VIEIRA: At the end of the week, Chris, who do you think came out ahead of the two?
MATTHEWS: Well, I think it was kind of intermission. I think it hurt Barack to have his minister out with all these mouthings blaming 9/11 on us. It will never sell to the American people.
VIEIRA: How damaging do you think that will be, Chris?
MATTHEWS: Well, that will never sell. You don't blame the crime, at least not the worst crime in modern history since the Holocaust on the victims. Obviously, it's terrible, it's like when those right wing ministers were blaming it on sodomy and everything else, their crazy comments. It hurts victims even worse and the survivors to be told somehow the victims caused this. You can't talk like that. And to Barack's credit he has separated himself from this guy's commentary. In fact, Barack is very much a unifier. Let's face it, politically, he's not a black separatist. He doesn't talk like that minister. We all know that.
Historians will also scratch their heads at 9/11 being "the worst crime in modern history since the Holocaust." Compared to China's Cultural Revolution? The Khmer Rouge massacres in Cambodia? Rwanda?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Uh Chris...seperated
March 14, 2008 - 15:41 ET by bigtimerUh Chris...seperated himself?
Surely you jest!
I just heard on Sean Hannity that Obama is not going to ask Wright to step down as one of his spiritual advisers for his campaign.
I do not call that unifying.
What say you now Chris Matthews?
bt, Obama has posted on
March 14, 2008 - 16:49 ET by motherbeltbt, Obama has posted on HuffPo...providing "context," reiterating that he does not agree, condemns, definitely doesn't hold those views, ends this way:
And while Rev. Wright's statements have pained and angered me, I
believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone
else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my
values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.
Guess what's missing?
mb...look below, plus I
March 14, 2008 - 16:52 ET by bigtimermb...look below, plus I have already posted two of the same links...ROFL.
What is missing is he is not saying he is no longer with his campaign as an spiritual adviser.
Not to overlook your
March 14, 2008 - 16:56 ET by Chris NormanNot to overlook your question, but it seems to me that his long time attendance and participation in the Rev. Wright's Church goes right to the heart of Obama's values and judgement.
You can bet the slimy
March 15, 2008 - 09:32 ET by docbYou can bet the slimy fingers of a clinton surrogate is all over this- with her blessing. I would guess H. Ickes--it is his style.
More to the point- I was raised southern Baptist and the sermons out of some preachers astounded me over the years. Unfortunately, the 9/11 stuff and the use of the epithet were in a mostly black church - all to do the work of the dogma and get the money and keep the flock in tow. I have heard the same venom spewed by Falwell- Dobson and Parsley and let's not forget Roberts and Baker and Rosie Odonel.
As to the the comments on hillary- they were all true- not one of us, white people, has an idea of the slights visited on our black brothers and sisters on a daily basis.
We may see it but do not feel it at the soul level and for this I am greatly saddened.
Obama has brought vision, and integrity to a an otherwise dirty race. He is a STATESMAN and will survive this- but we as a Nation will loose a whole generation plus if he is slimed out of this presidential nomination by her .
Well, as a "unifier" and
March 14, 2008 - 15:43 ET by Chris NormanWell, as a "unifier" and "not a black separist", he didn't have much of an influence on his pastor, did he?
If anyone gets a chance, log
March 14, 2008 - 15:45 ET by marpelIf anyone gets a chance, log onto The American Thinker and read the article written by a pastor (not named) regarding why someone stays a member of a Church for a long time like Obama.
Stupid Dem, brains are for Republicans
March 14, 2008 - 15:45 ET by Mindwerkz"those right wing ministers"
... when will these morons learn to do some research, freddy boy is a democrat that supports communist regimes
http://en.wikipedia....
And to Barack's credit he
March 14, 2008 - 15:53 ET by motherbeltAnd to Barack's credit he has separated himself from this guy's commentary. In fact, Barack is very much a unifier. Let's face it, politically, he's not a black separatist. He doesn't talk like that minister. We all know that.
And there you have it, in a nutshell, from Chris Matthews:
he's not a black separatist...... We all know that. (emphasis added)
We all KNOW that Obama is not a separatist so he can keep a guy who IS, on his campaign?
What, Chris, people weren't sure whether HRC was a racist, so she had to get rid of Geraldine Ferraro? People aren't sure McCain isn't a racist, so he has to "distance himself from" and "condemn" something another Congressman says???? But Obama gets to keep this racist, separatist, hate-preaching pastor on his campaign because WE ALL KNOW Obama's not a black separatist????
Does Obama get a pass on everything????? Is he simply beyond reproach??
He's
March 14, 2008 - 16:36 ET by SMGalbraithSenator Obama's unified Americans by giving good speeches written by others.
But perhaps he needs to send copies of these unifying orations to Reverend Wright. Or perhaps Rev. Wright needs to send copies of his to the Senator (if we're to believe Obama).
Apparently one of the two men apparently ain't getting the message.
It's difficult for me to believe that Obama never heard this bile from Wright. At least some of it. Can all of this be new to him? That will be the next challenge for the press.
If Matthews would stop swooning and clear his liberal-guilt ridden brain, he might understand the issue on the table.
Yeah, another example of me of the triump of hope over experience.
SMG... Here is what Obama
March 14, 2008 - 16:45 ET by bigtimerSMG...
Here is what Obama says about all of this today, he put this up on Huffington Post not long ago....of all places to denounce Wright's words.
Pathetic IMO to put his statement there...I put this here too because I learned about this from Matthews show just a bit ago.
bt, I just replied to your
March 14, 2008 - 16:50 ET by motherbeltbt, I just replied to your post above with the same link....LOL
I'll repeat what I said: Guess what's missing?
mb.... I am cracking up
March 14, 2008 - 16:56 ET by bigtimermb....
I am cracking up laughing...we are interweaving....I posted this link first on OT and commented some, then here, plus I answered you above before I saw this...(my links were in the comment column at one time...hehehee)
Too danged funny!
GMTA.
Bigtimer: Thanks. Reported
March 14, 2008 - 16:59 ET by SMGalbraithBigtimer:
Thanks.
Reportedly, Obama will appear this evening on Olbermann's show to discuss this, although Olbermann himself has the evening off. Clearly, the Obama camp wants to pick the easiest, most pro-liberal venues (Huffpost, MSNBC); at least initially.
I find it difficult to believe that this is the first time Obama has heard such views from Rev. Wright.
Make that extremely difficult.
SMG...Hey thanks back to
March 14, 2008 - 17:05 ET by bigtimerSMG...
Hey thanks back to you, I would not have known about Obama being on Olbermann's show unless I caught the repeat at ten my time...I will try to catch that for sure...while I gag.
I agree totally with you about this "I know nothing" from Obama about Wright and his racist hate-filled words/speeches is totally unbelievable....
I do not believe him, I have always felt he is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Period.
Btw...The msm or somebody is going to be looking for video ect of Obamam attending the church when Wright is sceaming his hate preach as Jack Bauer named it so aptly.
But Matthews stressed that
March 14, 2008 - 16:02 ET by R D HelmBut Matthews stressed that it really shouldn't reflect badly on Obama,
who is still a unifier, and not a "black separatist" like his pastor.
Chris, it isn't as though Obama appeared before their congregation once upon a time, gave a talk, then left to go his merry way.
Obama has been a member of this "church" for twenty years. He had this "Rev." Wright clown perform his wedding ceremony. He had his children baptized by this man. It is reported that Obama donated $25,000 to this "church."
And if Barack Obama has, as you assert, seperated himself from his pastor of twenty years, why is this man still an advisor to Obama's campaign?
Sorry, Chris, but I am not buying your assertions here. Not even with your money.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Earmarks
March 14, 2008 - 16:56 ET by iveseenitallObama's a liar and a hypocrite. As his "personal spiritual advisor" yells "Damn Ameria!", he refuses to condemn him. Now we see that Mr.Clean himself earmarked money for his wife's hospital. I've said for weeks that Michelle is a white hater based on her comments and her "thesis". Wright is a 60's radical; his rhetoric brings back all the ugly memories for me. This is the same crap my generation heard over and over during Vietnam. Then, too, it was "America Stinks, Damn America!" Michelle is a disciple. BO can deny deny, but I and millions of Americans do not believe him.
P.S. What about your friend who was a 60's "Weatherman" BO? And how about your other buddy, Louie the Jew hater? If it walks like a duck...
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Obama and the Rev. Wright
March 14, 2008 - 16:58 ET by joe3Let me see if I understand this;
the two people who know Obama best and who, by his own admission have the greatest influence on him, his pastor and his wife, are both "hate America first" , angry, and bitter racists for whom America has been (until Obama's candidacy) a boot heel on the neck of all "real" black people. (Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, et. al. don't qualify because they are "Uncle Toms"). Please tell me Sen. Obama:
-Why would you listen to Rev. Wright's racist sermons for 20 years if you did not agree with him? You say you disagree with him about some things; what are they, specifically?
-How can you and your wife, having the closest relationship possible for two people, be so far apart in your visions of America? When I compare your speeches about unity and bi-partisanship, elevating our society to the high ideals of our Constitution, seeing not black and white, only American, with the selfish and bitter remarks about America attributed to your wife I cannot understand how 2 such differing idealogies can live in the same house.
-I have taken you at your word that you believe deeply in the things you say. If so, then how can you lead a nation to those ideals if you can't persuade those closest to you? Or, phrased another way, how can you be constantly exposed to the negative, self-centered views of your wife and pastor without it affecting you?
Good questions
March 14, 2008 - 17:11 ET by iveseenitallGood questions, Joe. Excellent post. Unfortunately, we all know the answers. This guy is not what he says he is. He will not "unify"America; he, like all "liberals", will help divide it even more than it is today..
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Exactly!
March 14, 2008 - 17:15 ET by RESTLESS 1You can see it plain as day. Barack is positioning himself as everyman USA, while he spiritual advisor and wife make sure the "community" knows that he is actually "keeping it real".
It Ain't Workin'
March 14, 2008 - 21:34 ET by rammingspeedThe hacks can't salvage this episode. Obama will go on, but this is a deep wound.