Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has struggled to explain and then overcome his relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the controversial ex-pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Wright’s radical, divisive and racially tinged preaching has clashed with Obama’s message of hope, unity and racial reconciliation.
Wright’s comments have been damaging to Obama's presidential campaign. Is Obama's denunciation enough to save his candidacy? Or is the focus on Wright a distraction? Ben Boychuk and Joel Mathis discuss it in today's podcast.
Thoughts
HISTORIC
Submitted on May 2nd, 2008 by AnonymousIt seems like everyone wants to take part in this historic time. I beleived that Jeramiah Wright knew what he was doing when he made those horrendous comments. I think that is the purest definition of poor judgement yet. I would not want to go do a church where a pastor would go to that lenght to damage me. It is very tragic for a man of God to behave this way. There are people in our community that are like that, yes but there are are a lot more people in our community that are just like Barack Obama who is about bringing healing to all communities.
Barack Obama is about equality and putting the country in a foward direction. He is the type of person that I would like to see become president. He is a leader that want my kids to see in office to let them know that this is a great country to be in. He has stepped up to the plate with tact and dignity that I have never seen before. All of this is being done while he is the senator of Illinois. With the tragedys that are going on in the Chicago area. I am proud of him. and I am also proud that this country is considering his presidency.
But as far as Jerimiah Wright, all people that say they are a person of God, is not. Look at his foot work and look at Obama's foot work. To make a long story short, yes i had enough of Jerimiah Wright.
Adonis Raggs Clay
Chicago Illinois United States
hmmm ... If lovin' you is Wrong, I don' wanna be Wright
Submitted on May 1st, 2008 by John 2000I think I'm catching your drift Skye Plain. I'm pretty good at that right-brain talk, reading betwixt the lines and all.
Just to be honest with you, I thought he was a scream too. But in the vein of being honester, no matter what the good pastor thought he was accomplishing, he accomplished knocking 'Bama maybe all the way back to Selma where he claims to have been conceived.
The all planned out part? I thought about it, but gives the tag-team too much credit.
The if it's true part? Then there will be a lot of roostin'.
Racial relationships is crying UNCLE now. That racial dialog 'Bama was trying to open is a bit of a sidewalk omelet at the moment.
I think he hopes we are idiots.
Clearly catching your drift on the 'not sounding too ignorant part'. Bit of a reach, but okay. (salt?)
It isn't my job to judge the messenger. There isn't much fancy justice out here on the plains.
Judgment has it's own way of happening. Seriously.
Wright or WRONG - "What If?"
Submitted on May 1st, 2008 by Skye RiversWow... I am sure I am going to get slugged on this one John, but truly, after watching the Pastor speak "his" truth, I have to say Wright may NOT be as Wrong as most think.
What IF everything in this campaign had a timeline politicly and all the players in the parameters of the political playing field were batting in a strategical order?
What IF all of this was planned out, since I feel who is going to be President is ALREADY pre ordained and the voters really don't have much to do with it (Gore vs. Bush).
What IF Wright is RIGHT in what he says, and if we just really listened to what his truth is, it may ring home for all of us? Less the racist crap.
OK... Let me start with Wright damaging Obamas presidential campaign. What goes around comes around. If Obama was upfront from the start would this have taken place with his Wrightness? How embarrassing that Obama sat in this church for over 20 years and is now surprised at the outcome. Who is crying Uncle now?
As far as Obama's denouncement, again, does Obama think we are idiots. It's like someone holding in gas so they will not let it go initially upon getting to know someone. Sooner or later you have to let it rip.... Well, Wright is letting it rip........................
I happen to find Pastor Waco utterly entertaining and I am not if it is because I can't take him seriously or I take him too seriously. So in hopes I am not sounding too ignorant, atleast with him you know what your getting. Can you say the same for Obama? (passing popcorn)
In any event, instead of judging the messenger, listen to what the message is. We all hear different things and it's what we do with the information that is key.
Wright ON! or Maybe Off!
Hi John
Submitted on May 1st, 2008 by JoelSorry I didn't see the comment earlier.
I don't think Obama should "fall on the sword." Because I think, frankly, that no matter who the Democratic candidate is, we'd be subjected to a similar campaign directed at something "outrageous" he or she did one time. Some of the outrage is, well, tactical.
MAINLY ABOUT OBAMA--isn't it ?
Submitted on May 1st, 2008 by janmbBIG K ---
Obama & Mrs were the ones who sat in that church and heard I hate America---Jews and Whitey speeches for 20 years when it was not necessary to do so unless they chose to. Pastor Wright can preach to anyone of low-character who will listen to his crazy talk.
Obama slipped up by calling UNCLE Wright his mentor but MRS Obama really said a mouthful when she said she FINALLY liked America cause they both have this chance ( thru Oprah) to live in the White House. Talk about stinking-thinking-----
I have to ask you, Joel,
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by John 2000What is the worst that could happen if Barack just graciously fell on the sword; took one for the party? Couldn't he say, I see the reality of my predicament, sadly, but WE cannot afford to lose this election on my account. Would he not gain a great measure of respect? Would he not greatly take the superdelgates off of the hook? To me, they (SDs) seem damned if THEY decide it either way.
I say this in the light of how I see the whole set of questions surrounding Obama as having an absolute zero chance of sufficient mitigation at this point, plus or minus a point here and there.
Is the risk worth it to you? Even with Hillary's downside, I cannot believe that you would not see this.
Good podcast. I respect you both.
The Wright stuff
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by AnonymousYou can't wait 'til "this guy goes away" so the press will stop writing about him! But who asked the Reverend to step forward in the limelight, anyway, and appear in such obviously "coverable" events as the Press Club? This is like saying you can't wait for the end of the hurricane season so that the press quits its coverage of foul weather! 'Wright may be Obama's "spiritual advisor," but someone should "advise" the advisor that his outrageous behavior and comments are harming his candidate. Can he be so insensitive or smug not to realize this? Can he seriously believe that he can deflect criticism by claiming that it is really aimed at "the black church" rather than at himself?
I personally feel that the damage inflicted by this continuous story has complicated matters even more for Democrats. Obama may go into the convention with more votes than Clinton, but with this baggage raising questions as to his electability.
This is not a matter of "race," though there will always be some people who vote against someone because of this issue. If "race" were such a significant factor, Obama would not have gotten as far as he has. As for Republicans being racists because they will not vote for Obama, put up Colin Powell as the candidate and you'll see who votes for a black man. Would the accusation of "racist" be on the Democratic foot, then?
PUBLIC HAS A SHORT MEMORY SPAN
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by AnonymousI don't want the issue of Pastor Wright to go away.
People need to be reminded it isn't about Pastor Wright its about Mr & Mrs Obama who sat in his church for 20 years listening to his speeches about I HATE AMERICA---WHITEY and JEWS.
Association means everything.
Now that Obama is losing ground to Hillary he decides maybe having this adopted UNCLE isn't such a swell idea after all. But lying about the fact now he never said Wright was his mentor was the wrong choice of words.
What other feelings are hidden now that this mask is off.
Do the Wright thing!
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiFor goodness sakes, I can't wait until this guy goes away so people can stop writing about Wright. It's news no doubt, but rightly or wrongly, I'd like to see the press write him off. Am I right?