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Reactions to Obama's Press Conference on Rev. Wright

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:01:34 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, Rev.. Jeremiah Wright (all tags)
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Following up on the thread below about Barack Obama's press conference today on Rev. Wright, Chris Matthews says Obama needs to turn the conversation back to the economy and win both North Carolina and Indiana. If he doesn't and Hillary does well, the race will go on until August. (I disagree with that and believe it will be decided by the superdelegates in June.)

CNN's Bill Schneider says the same. This is an attempt to win Indiana and N.C. and get Hillary out of the race.

Candy Crowley said it was hard to see on tv but he was uncharacteristically very emotional.

Shep Smith on Fox says the same.

CNN will replay the entire press conference, including his statement and the q & a at 3:00 pm ET.

Comments closed. New post here

< Obama Live Press Conference on Wright: Throws Wright Under the Bus | Obama Does The [W]Right Thing >

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    Reactions to Obama's Press Conference on Rev. Wright | 221 comments (221 topical)
    More Pandering By Obama....CYA Speech (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:04:11 PM EST
    Is he going to have another conference tomorrow too to fend of Wright's comments.  Obama has never shown any emotion even when he is talking about the poor and their plight.  His campaign is in trouble and now he can muster up some emotion?
    Makes me ill.  

    Will he make another speech? (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by myiq2xu on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:12:25 PM EST
    Will it be the bestest speech on race EVAH! just like the last one?

    [ Parent ]
    Checkers Speech? (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by jerry on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:39:27 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    This is a very strange statement (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:46:20 PM EST
    and it may not be an exact quote (I didn't know the speech was going on -- see what happens when you have a long lunch?):

    What we saw yesterday was that when you overly focus on the plight of the oppressed, it doesn't bring people together.

    What does it mean to "overly focus on the plight of the oppressed"? Is that like when the Bushies accuse us of being "overly" concerned with civil liberties?

    [ Parent ]

    Huh? (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:50:38 PM EST
    Well, forgive me if I think that Bush and his party of thugs are overly focused on the plight of the oppressors!

    [ Parent ]
    I heard part of that as well--and I was confused (none / 0) (#200)
    by jawbone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:02:05 PM EST
    Was Obama saying Wright is trapped in the 60's, like the Clintons?

    I need to see a transcript.

    [ Parent ]

    Unfortunately There Are Videos Of Obama (5.00 / 3) (#145)
    by MO Blue on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:49:48 PM EST
    contradicting most of what he said today.

    "I got to give a special shout-out to my pastor. The guy who puts up with me, counsels me, listens to my wife complain about me. He's a friend and a great leader, not just in Chicago but all throughout the country. So please, everybody, give an extraordinary welcome to my pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr." [Obama remarks, Hampton University, June 2007; video]

    "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..." [Sen. Obama speech, 3/18/08]

    No Quarter


    [ Parent ]

    Yup, total mess (none / 0) (#208)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:04:08 PM EST
    wipeout

    [ Parent ]
    No he did show more emotion than (none / 0) (#23)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:15:10 PM EST
    I've ever seen him show.  There was some real burning anger behind his words today.

    He should have gotten angry and made the break after the Hillary, "rich white people" sermon/political speech Wright made in January, but I guess it took the extra twist of the knife in Obama's back for Obama to see what poison Wright really is.

    I am glad for the Democratic Party that Obama finally let go of Wright.

    [ Parent ]

    Honestly. .. (5.00 / 14) (#35)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:18:51 PM EST
    although I feel for Obama on this issue his reaction is really turning me off.  He only seems to have reached the breaking point when Wright showed a lack of respect to him, personally.  Where was his concern when Wright was showing a lack of respect to  the Clintons or, indeed, to much of the rest of America?

    [ Parent ]
    good point! (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by bjorn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:19:52 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    agree, that's a big issue (n/t) (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by DandyTIger on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:21:30 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I agree. (5.00 / 6) (#46)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:22:10 PM EST
    I think Obama is a classic narcissist. Nothing affects him until it affects HIM.

    Just my impression, of course.

    [ Parent ]

    Yes, that is the same impression I get. (5.00 / 6) (#80)
    by FlaDemFem on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:32:17 PM EST
    He didn't get upset until the controversy affected HIS campaign. And he talked about respect for HIS campaign, etc. It's all about Obama, all the time. Voters are starting to notice. And they don't like it.

    [ Parent ]
    You have posted virtually the same comment (none / 0) (#115)
    by independent voter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:41:41 PM EST
    in each thread at least once.
    Chatter much?

    [ Parent ]
    Obama Disinvited Wright To His Press Conf. (5.00 / 1) (#201)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:02:05 PM EST
    to declare his run for the presidency (which he said wasn't going to happen to Tim Russert).  He knew then Wright could be a loose cannon and did nothing about it.  He didn't say a word when Wright dissed the Clintons or made his other abhorrent statements, until it looked like his campaign was in trouble, then he made his first cya speech.  He made a speech yesterday regarding Wright's comments, tepid though it was.  Then he finally read the papers and heard the news and really knew he was in the sh!t and made ANOTHER cya speech today.  No, obama cannot say he had no idea what Wright was about, as that would be an outright lie.

    [ Parent ]
    Wright is at least a raw persona. (none / 0) (#76)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:30:53 PM EST
    Authentic if you will.

    Funny this is all happening around passover and near easter.

    Reminds me of the passion and Jesus entry into Jerusalem.

    Here's the kicker--Obama's the Pharisee and Wright is taking on the role of the persecuted Prophet/Messiah.

    Wright is in his element here. So is Obama.

    [ Parent ]

    So you envision The Rev. Wright (none / 0) (#95)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:55 PM EST
    riding on the donkey?

    [ Parent ]
    don't give him any ideas (none / 0) (#123)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:45:14 PM EST
    just sing Hosannah!

    Obama just damned his priest.
    He is on another level now. Has he sold his soul to gain the world?

    This is like an Irish Catholic publically excommunicating himself from from his parish.

    [ Parent ]

    I think it depends on how many African (none / 0) (#131)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:47:04 PM EST
    American Christians identify with The Rev. Wright's brand of theology.  

    [ Parent ]
    I agree with you (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by stefystef on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:49:23 PM EST
    Personally, I'm not buying this "outrage" from Obama.

    I think Rev. Wright and Obama discussed his press conference prior to Obama making his "throw uncle under the bus" speech.

    IMO, the damage is done.  The speeches Rev. Wright gave his weekend can be seen in their entirety.  They are not taken "out of context".  Wright's arrogance is only rivaled by Obama's.  

    I understand another black leader reprimanded Obama:
    http://www.nypost.com/seven/04292008/news/regionalnews/sharpton_raps_obama_108577.htm

    No wonder he's pissed off.  I think Obama thought the black people around him knew their place, so he could win over white voters.  Well, IMO, it is not working.  

    [ Parent ]

    I've been thinking the exact same thing. (none / 0) (#113)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:41:16 PM EST
    It is sad, but I have been thinking the same thing.

    [ Parent ]
    It's the Circle of Disrespect (none / 0) (#151)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:51:38 PM EST
    (cue Elton John...)

    Wright disrespects the public.
    Obama disrespects Wright.
    Wright disrespects Obama.
    Will Wright disrespect Obama, yet again?
    And at some point, will the public disrespect Obama?

    Although I didn't see the press conference (I trust someone told Obama not to look at the ground like he did yesterday), it does sound from the descriptions that he was speaking in large part from personal anger at Wright.  Only NOW does he feel the relationship can never be the same?

    And don't I recall that until the first Wright flap, Wright was on Obama's counsel of spiritual advisors, or pastors, or something like that?

    [ Parent ]

    agreed... (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by kredwyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:20:44 PM EST
    but I'm pretty sure that Rev. Wright has not let go of Obama.

    And the new pastor may well step into the fray.

    [ Parent ]

    Wright has a book scheduled to be (5.00 / 2) (#120)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:43:45 PM EST
    released just prior to the general election.

    He isn't done.

    [ Parent ]

    Dear God (5.00 / 2) (#124)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:45:26 PM EST
    I forgot about that.  Would he do something like that?  Well he's done this much so why wouldn't he?  Your reminder just chilled me!

    [ Parent ]
    This is Key (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:46:33 PM EST
    This will erupt at about the same time as Rezko.  
    It's certainly not over.

    [ Parent ]
    Oh Jeez (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:53:31 PM EST
    You mean this isn't the book tour?  I thought the book was coming out now.  A book coming out in the fall? Happy Birthday, John McShame....

    [ Parent ]
    The book tour... (none / 0) (#185)
    by kredwyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:58:49 PM EST
    hasn't even begun to tour.

    [ Parent ]
    Won't harm Hillary.... (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:00:02 PM EST
    Wright's book release near the GE is only a problem for Obama and he's not going to be involved in the GE :)

    [ Parent ]
    He is a Jeremiah afterall. (none / 0) (#86)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:33:32 PM EST
    "Strike off the hand that is raised against my people" and all that stuff.

    I await Jeremiah's invocation of the Works of the Merkavah

    What a lark.

    [ Parent ]

    Until it touched him (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:57:10 PM EST
    Obama could have cared less about addressing Rev Wright. Had this not shown it would be a big negative on his campaign, he would still be ignoring it. Obama showed a strong likeness to Rev Wright when his NC speech post-PA debate included all those nasty hand gestures toward Hillary, but he has never been asked to denounce that childish display, and it was HIS OWN.


    [ Parent ]
    Not so sure he did let go (none / 0) (#206)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:03:40 PM EST
    Remember in Wright's interview with Bill Moyer that Wright emphasized on several occasions that Obama says what he has to as a politician and he does not feel that Obama has denounced him at all.

    I'm pretty sure that's one part of Wright's belief system that is realistic.

    [ Parent ]

    3 pm, Jeralyn... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by kredwyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:04:18 PM EST
    It's now 3 eastern.

    fixed, thanks (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:06:45 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    yes - TL is on CST (none / 0) (#8)
    by Josey on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:07:16 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Mountain Time (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:13:53 PM EST
    2 hours behind ET.

    [ Parent ]
    Your timestamp is 1 hour behind EDT. (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Joan in VA on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:00 PM EST
    Correct? It's confusing.

    [ Parent ]
    So when is the presser re-running? (none / 0) (#172)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:56:24 PM EST
    Has it already happened, or is it happening at 3pm Central or Mountain?

    [ Parent ]
    It was 3pm EST (none / 0) (#192)
    by kredwyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:00:11 PM EST
    So it's happened. But no doubt if you wait long enough, they'll replay it again...

    [ Parent ]
    media narrative - Obama is a victim (sniff) (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Josey on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:05:35 PM EST


    That's not really what I'm hearing. (5.00 / 5) (#77)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:31:05 PM EST
    Not yet anyway.  It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.  They may end up going after him for not understanding how dammaging Wright's comments were until they became detrimental to him personally.

    Wright was going around challenging/insulting a whole lot of people for a while there.  It wasn't until the challenges/insults were directed at Obama, Obama didn't seem to have the capacity to understand how Wright might have been perceived to be hurtful and destructive to other people.

    That is admittely kind of a harsh way of looking at it on my part, but I was as offended by that "rich white people" rhetoric that Wright was pushing as I would have been by nasty characterizations of any other group of people based solely on race, ethnicity or gender.  I also wasn't at all impressed by Wright's description of Clinton which exhibited zero compassion for the struggles that women have faced in this country.

    [ Parent ]

    I would love to ask Rev. Wright if (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by FlaDemFem on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:42:04 PM EST
     
    that "rich white people" rhetoric
    means his neighbors in the gated community, mostly white, where his congregation is building him a huge mansion for his retirement. Bet his future neighbors are really looking forward to having him in the neighborhood, what with being "rich white people" and all.

    [ Parent ]
    Yeah, according to Wright (5.00 / 3) (#182)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:58:16 PM EST
    Women have never had to work twice as hard to be considered as good as a white male.

    My jaw dropped at that one.

    [ Parent ]

    That's the part (5.00 / 1) (#207)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:03:57 PM EST
    I've been complaining about to my friends.

    He has no freaking clue what women go through in America. Aren't some of his constituents women? I would think that would bother them too.

    [ Parent ]

    My butt!!! (none / 0) (#203)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:02:57 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I appologize (5.00 / 11) (#6)
    by beyondalldoubt on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:07:09 PM EST
    On a personal note, I read over my comments here and they were harsh and I appologize to everybody here. Thats not what a democrat should be doing. I will change my attitude in the future.

    I wouldn't be supporting Barack Obama if I didn't believe in him with all of my heart. I think he can get us out of Iraq the fastest and start a new era of foreign policy that the US has never seen before.

    I will say that if Hillary wins the nomination, I will vote for her.

    On topic, I hope Obama and the media can stop acting as if Jeremiah Wright is running for office and focus on issues.

    thank you and (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:08:50 PM EST
    your suspension for today is lifted.

    [ Parent ]
    apology accepted :) (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Josey on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:09:27 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Good for you. (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:21:49 PM EST
    There's plenty of harshness on all sides of the current Democratic divide.

    Frankly, I think we'd all be better off if we followed the calm and principled example set by me.

    (Ducks).

    [ Parent ]

    Don'f forget some blogger (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:23:53 PM EST
    termed BTD himself usually analytical and calm.  

    [ Parent ]
    Oculus (none / 0) (#78)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:31:32 PM EST
    where have you been? Welocme back.

    [ Parent ]
    Not back yet. Flying home Thurs. (none / 0) (#100)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:36:21 PM EST
    a.m. after a quite delightful 3 weeks in Rome.  Aren't I lucky_

    [ Parent ]
    Yes, You Are (none / 0) (#130)
    by BDB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:46:39 PM EST
    I'm very jealous.  I'd give up this primary crap for Rome any day.

    [ Parent ]
    The Italians re,elected Berlesconi, who (none / 0) (#143)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:49:33 PM EST
    has twice failed to deliver on his campaign promises.  This weekend was the run off for Mayor of Rome, and a right of center candidate won, which was predicted.  Promising to crack down on crime (those gypsies again) and spruce up the infra structure.  

    [ Parent ]
    Now, now. . . (none / 0) (#179)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:57:35 PM EST
    The Italians re,elected Berlesconi

    No one's blaming you.  Much.

    Although it is an odd coincidence. . .

    [ Parent ]

    Can't tell you how many times people (none / 0) (#204)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:03:05 PM EST
    have tried to hand me campaign literature but, trust me, I didn't vote.

    P.S.  Italian law requires internet users at the public internet access places to provide identification, i.e., driver license or passport, which is copied.  

    [ Parent ]

    Nicely Done (none / 0) (#139)
    by BDB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:48:40 PM EST
    Thank you.  

    We could all benefit from taking a moment before posting.  I know I could.  Emotions are running very high right now, but we must all keep our eye on the real prize - November.

    [ Parent ]

    Todd Beeton's Reaction (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by BDB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:07:13 PM EST
    Which I agree with:

    There are a couple problems that this press conference aren't likely to assuage. First is Obama's statement that he guesses he didn't know Wright as well as he thought he did. "The person that I saw yesterday was not the person that I had come to know over 20 years." That's a big problem for someone running on judgment. Secondly, yesterday Obama pointed to Wright's off-message press tour as proof that the his campaign was not managing or coordinating with Wright, I suppose to distance himself from Wright prove to people that he is indeed Obama's former pastor. What is does for me is call into question his fitness to run a general.
    Look at the media reaction to the Philly speech (none / 0) (#14)
    by andgarden on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:10:56 PM EST
    Obama has a remarkable capacity to get the media to see him in the best light. If he can pull that off again, this presser will work.

    [ Parent ]
    And then (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:12:46 PM EST
    he lost Pennsylvania.

    The media doesn't matter. The voters are making up their own minds.

    [ Parent ]

    I think he's trying to save himself (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by andgarden on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:14:18 PM EST
    in Indiana and maybe even North Carolina. You don't give this kind of press conference unless your numbers go south.

    [ Parent ]
    I'm sure you're right... (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:20:45 PM EST
    I just don't see it working with the voters. Time will tell, I suppose.

    [ Parent ]
    His campaign grossly miscalculated the (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:21:10 PM EST
    dangers Wright poses to the campaign.

    I imagine some within the campaign understood the potential here, but Obama had to decide to make the break which was clearly difficult for him.

    One can view his decisions on this front in both a positive and negative light.  It is a mixed bag.  Clearly he felt the need to be loyal to Wright and that loyalty may well have prevented him from understanding how important it was for him to make this break.

    [ Parent ]

    not just his campaign (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:23:13 PM EST
    half the democratic party.
    it has been a mystery to me for months now.

    [ Parent ]
    Indeed. (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:24:39 PM EST
    It's as if they've all been asleep for the past three presidential elections.

    How could they not have seen this coming?


    [ Parent ]

    Dukakis says Obama will (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:27:11 PM EST
    win the nomination and the GE but needs to change some stuff about his campaign.  Funny, eh?

    [ Parent ]
    When did Dukasis say this? (none / 0) (#90)
    by jawbone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:01 PM EST
    I read something awhile ago, but much has happened since then.

    Is this a recent article/comment?

    [ Parent ]

    I read it recently in the Int. Herald (none / 0) (#103)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:37:20 PM EST
    Trib., which is a couple of days behind on the news and does not publish on Sunday.

    [ Parent ]
    maybe take a nice ride in a tank (none / 0) (#102)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:36:40 PM EST
    with a helmet that looks it belongs to his big brother.


    [ Parent ]
    Um, you do know (none / 0) (#164)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:55:00 PM EST
    that Dukakis is a veteran, yes?  Served two years in Korea after the war.  Yes, he looked funny, but not because he was some chickenhawk.


    [ Parent ]
    It's more about how Obama handles Wright IMO (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Ellie on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:39:34 PM EST
    Not to be a hair-splitter, but in these train wrecks that draw attention to them from multi-media rubber-neckers, there's never the correct answer.

    That's the thing. It will be about which wrong answer you picked and what you did to pick yourself out of the dirt.

    The dynamic moves on the performance adage that there are no small -- or crummy -- roles, only small (or crummy) actors.

    It's a church thing? TeamObama should have found a way for their guy to forgive Wright -- though not say that exact word -- and ask forgiveness himself from voters -- and say the F-word -- for not getting the conversation back to the issues that matter &c.

    And keep stressing that if it comes up again at all.

    It would have been the classy thing to do, too, and made the media bobbleheads come off like petty jackwads for harping on it.

    (I'm not being a cynic here: I also happen to believe that honestly owning a screw-up is best.)

    [ Parent ]

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:22:35 PM EST
    they are seeing scary internal numbers for this to happen

    [ Parent ]
    Should he have done this even if they weren't? (none / 0) (#85)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:33:21 PM EST
    Let's think about this because it would be interesting.  If he was surging in the polls instead, would Obama and his judgement have led him to keep trying to ignore this problematic relationship and just punt it forward until later when he has to explain it under the full bombardment of the Republican freak show?

    The biggest problem with Jeremiah Wright (and some of the other Obama relationships) is that they are unexplainable.  Speech after speech after speech and maybe nothing will change.  Just like he spent money on ad after ad after ad in Pennsylvania and not much changed there.


    [ Parent ]

    probably (none / 0) (#105)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:37:38 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    a known unknown (none / 0) (#173)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:56:32 PM EST
    with Obama, it's very often "probably"

    [ Parent ]
    A Lot Depends On How The Religious AA Communities (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by MO Blue on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:01:45 PM EST
    reacts to this. Could lose him a little support especially in churches based on same theology as Rev. Wright. Many AA's take their religion very seriously and might not like this at all. I guess only time will tell.

    As someone else mentioned, Rev. Wright got a standing ovation at the NAACP event.

    [ Parent ]

    how do you know? (none / 0) (#45)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:22:06 PM EST
    "You don't give this kind of press conference unless your numbers go south."

    Where did you learn this?  People can give press conferences for all sorts of reasons.  Unless you know things that are going on behind the scenes, you don't really know.

    [ Parent ]

    Ok, you present another plausible reason (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by andgarden on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:36:18 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Looking ahead to the general (none / 0) (#158)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:53:26 PM EST
    He may have done the same thing even if his poll numbers were holding steady right now.  So my point was not to disagree with the possibility, but to remind you that trying to sound certain about things you cannot be certain will erode your credibility.

    [ Parent ]
    Excuse me, but I used the phrase (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by andgarden on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:55:16 PM EST
    "I think." Clearly I was stating my opinion.

    Your opinion on my credibility I have almost no interest in. That I can say with some certainty.

    [ Parent ]

    well I answered your question n/t (none / 0) (#213)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:06:24 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    for the record, I think it was the polls (none / 0) (#166)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:55:16 PM EST
    LOL :)

    [ Parent ]
    He's lost (none / 0) (#65)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:27:16 PM EST
    IN. Wright was already a huge problem for Obama even before this latest outburst. It's NC that seems to be the problem imo.

    [ Parent ]
    I don't think it's going to work as well this time (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by myiq2xu on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:14:46 PM EST
    He's gone to the well too many times.

    [ Parent ]
    and the repetition of (5.00 / 4) (#66)
    by kempis on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:27:34 PM EST
    "gee, I had no idea" is getting old. If repeated ideas begin to accrue meaning, then the impression that his repeated denials creates is that Obama is oblivious and unobservant. How could he not know who his preacher of 20 years was? How could he not know about Rezko? Ayers? Is he a babe in the woods?

    This is not good, and Wright isn't going to go away, at least not without getting in the last word.

    [ Parent ]

    "Gee, I had no idea" (5.00 / 3) (#71)
    by nemo52 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:29:18 PM EST
    plays right into the not-tested, not experienced, not ready for prime time theme.

    [ Parent ]
    And if he does, (none / 0) (#75)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:30:16 PM EST
    then you know it was not his own idea..

    [ Parent ]
    the media (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by DJ on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:15:52 PM EST
    will turn on him in the ge if just to keep the 24/7 news operation going.  He's already shown he doesn't handle controversy well.  

    [ Parent ]
    It "works" in what sense? (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:29:17 PM EST
    Media adulation does not automatically translate into votes.  Obama has to win this himself at some point.  Despite the media boost, he just can't close the deal.  If you want someone who is beloved by the media, let's just nominate Jack Nicholson.

    Others have pointed out that Obama went on to lose Pennsylvania.  And he outspent Clinton 3-1.  Facts are a better basis for analysis than speculation and conventional wisdom.

    [ Parent ]

    How long before Wright ... (none / 0) (#68)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:28:10 PM EST
    ...claims that Obama is a Pharisee?

    he very nearly said it with the politician/preacher comment.

    Wright wants the role of Mesach now!

    [ Parent ]

    Oy! (none / 0) (#98)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:35:50 PM EST
    Too much with the Christianity.

    This is what happens when you mix too much religion in with politics.

    Just ask the Republicans, who, unless we have screwed things up too much, are looking at permanent minority status because they let the rightwing religious folks control the Party.

    [ Parent ]

    Yesw we were supposed to be the (none / 0) (#195)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:01:28 PM EST
    SECULARISTS.

    Why did Obama have to go into Religion in any way at all?

    When I heard about McLurkin I knew his problem was his Fake Religiousity and the power of the Reverends in the AA community.

    Meddlesome Priests!

    [ Parent ]

    Talk is cheap (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:08:08 PM EST
    and Barack Obama's credibility is shot on this issue. What is this, the 25th statement on Wright?

    Look, he sat there for 20 years. He knew who the guy was. Nothing he does and says can change that fact.

    Obama is not going to campaign on the issues. America wants that now - we're finally sick of slogans - but he doesn't have the absolute mastery of detail that HRC has. He cannot compete with her on that front.

    He is toast.

    I think it may too late. (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by rooge04 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:08:21 PM EST
    Even all this back and forth denouncing and rejecting between Obama and Wright KEEPS Wright in the news constantly.  Not to mention that he refused to cut ties with him back when he became a problem and as soon as polls showed it was affecting him...he rejects him completely.

    Yep. (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:15:26 PM EST
    Notice how Hillary was able to push the Bosnia thing to the side quite effectively?  It was because she gave close to a flat-out admission she lied and then apologized and that was that. (for the time being of course, but it was some critical time that allowed her to regain her footing)

    [ Parent ]
    Well and now they have a new story. (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by rooge04 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:23:18 PM EST
    I am seeing it now: "Did Obama do this because his poll numbers went down." Is it true or not? That is what they are all currently discussing. Wright needs to disappear and Obama needs to never talk about him again. Continually with this back and forth is just hurting Obama more and more.  Pundit on Fox currently says that Obama is "pandering" to win votes in IN.

    [ Parent ]
    Wright is keeping Wright in the news (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:16:48 PM EST
    & I doubt that will change anytime soon.

    [ Parent ]
    I fear you are right (none / 0) (#217)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:07:04 PM EST
    I really fear you are right

    [ Parent ]
    CNN loves to replay Obama moments, huh? (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:13:14 PM EST
    I'll be waiting for their replay of the endorsement announcement by NC Governor Easley.

    Oh yea, I'll be waiting.

    Replay was at same time Hillary was on... (5.00 / 1) (#224)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:10:48 PM EST
    live feed from her Indiana editorial board meeting.  I watched that instead because getting a replay there would probably be much more difficult.

    As usual, Hillary was gracious, smart, on top of her understanding of every issue brought up (none of which were off-topic and petty), and she did herself so proud.  She's going to be one of the best presidents ever.


    [ Parent ]

    Pls let Schneid play Counsel'r Troi in the remake (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Ellie on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:14:42 PM EST
    ... he was born to do it!

    CNN's Bill Schneider says the same. This is an attempt to win Indiana and N.C. and get Hillary out of the race

    Ya think?

    CNN will replay it all again and again? (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Jim J on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:14:47 PM EST
    Pshaw, you don't say! Will wonders never cease! Never saw that coming....

    But what do Roland and Soledad think? (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:17:21 PM EST
    and what outfit will they be wearing for this occasion?

    CNN, come on and give your viewers what they want.  Most trusted name in news...

    [ Parent ]

    Do they have a different dashiki or sarong (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Jim J on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:18:48 PM EST
    or whatever those things were for every day of the week?

    [ Parent ]
    Wright's Jeremiad (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by felizarte on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:15:19 PM EST
    is enough to make a grown man cry.  I could understand what Barack must feel emotionally.  To a lesser degree, I can imagine what the Clintons felt when Richardson came out for Barack Obama.  In both cases, there is a feeling of betrayal.

    At this point, Obama would be (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:17:53 PM EST
    fully justified in calling Wright a Judas, selling himself for media spotlight.

    [ Parent ]
    Yeah, that'll help. . . (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:24:02 PM EST
    him with the Jewish vote!

    [ Parent ]
    Doesn't Obama already have some (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:31:55 PM EST
    problems with the Jewish voters?  

    [ Parent ]
    I'm not sure they believed it (5.00 / 3) (#96)
    by ruffian on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:58 PM EST
    when he said no one had ever done more for Israel than he had.

    [ Parent ]
    Sadly, yes. (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:47:46 PM EST
    And for all the wrong reasons.

    While I'm sure Jewish voters are well represented in among his younger, educated demographic I've heard some disturbing statements from my elderly in-laws in Philadelphia.  I think it's compounded of his Islamic sounding name, his race, and Wright (this all predates the most recent contretemps).

    These are all people on the right side of various civil rights issues, at least in theory.  I don't know whether the special issues concerning Obama are too much for them or whether they simply wouldn't be able to pull the lever for any black man (a sad thought, but these are not young people we're talking about).

    Never safe to argue from anecdote, but that's my experience for whatever it's worth.

    [ Parent ]

    I thought any such problems would (none / 0) (#153)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:51:52 PM EST
    stem from Obama's earlier advocacy and fundraising on behalf of Palestinian causes, not from Obama's race.  

    [ Parent ]
    Let's not forget (none / 0) (#160)
    by madamab on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:53:53 PM EST
    that Reverend Wright supports Louis Farrakhan.

    That's enough to make people wonder about Obama's possible anti-semitic tendencies.

    [ Parent ]

    Church Bulletin Supporting Hamas Also n/t (none / 0) (#223)
    by MO Blue on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:10:03 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yes, because we all know (none / 0) (#231)
    by independent voter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:16:52 PM EST
    if you are associated with someone in any way, your tendencies become suspect based on their loyalties and prejudices.

    I do not even want to be judged based on what my parents think and say.

    [ Parent ]

    Doesn't Carville have an (5.00 / 1) (#205)
    by litigatormom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:03:32 PM EST
    exclusive license to use the term "Judas" during this campaign?

    [ Parent ]
    Jeremiah... (none / 0) (#114)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:41:36 PM EST
    ...in his own terms is playing Jesus to Obama's Ciaphas.

    You can't be a political leader and maintain holiness.That's partly why Carville was wrong.

    Richardson was a Benedict Arnold.  You have to kill Rabbis and Priests to be a Judas.

    [ Parent ]

    I did hear Carville say if it had been near (none / 0) (#125)
    by bjorn on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:45:47 PM EST
    the 4th of July he would have used B. Arnold, but since it was Easter he used Judas.  

    [ Parent ]
    BO threw Uncle Wright under the bus first (none / 0) (#133)
    by Prabhata on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:47:28 PM EST
    Uncle Wright was BO's spiritual leader.  C'mon, this is a 20 year relationship that nurtured BO's political life.  Uncle Wright had the church members he could rally to get BO in IL politics.  Obama's book, "Audacity to Hope" is from Uncle Wright 1990 sermon, and Uncle Wright correctly said that BO is a politician that will say and do anything to win. Alright, he didn't say that exactly, but almost.

    [ Parent ]
    What about Wright's feelings (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by miriam on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:33:40 PM EST
    of betrayal?  All this angst for Obama is a bit mystifying.  He chose his pastor and "spiritual advisor" and his "moral compass."  Now when Wright is an impediment to his voracious ambition, he tosses him off.  What a standup guy!  

    [ Parent ]
    Blue collar workers have been watching (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by athyrio on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:15:36 PM EST
    closely I would bet, and they arent too easily BS'ed....They have a built in distrust of most politicians, particularly new ones that are not proven....They tend to be more "middle of the road" rather than extreme liberal....They won't buy this mess at all IMO, they will laugh and pull the lever for Hillary....The reason I keep harping on this, is I consider myself a part of that group....they will no doubt vote their economic issues....

    Catholics will be doubly freaked! (none / 0) (#157)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:53:05 PM EST
    A mad Protestant denomination and he betrays his Priest when the press call for Wright's head?

    The guy has no depth.

    [ Parent ]

    will media darling status continue (5.00 / 4) (#31)
    by DandyTIger on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:17:38 PM EST
    is the real test. I actually think it will. I think Obama has said what he needed to say. Of course it's all politics. And of course it doesn't make sense because of course Obama knew all about this for the last 20 years. The talking point today is this is a new Wright that we didn't know. Yea, right. But the question is, will it work.

    I think it will work with the media. They're so easy. Snicker. But I don't think it will work for americans. I think Clinton will win Indiana, and I think Obama will win NC, but by a narrower margin, probably around 10.

    So now we wait to see if anything else happens. Does Wright hit back. Do some of the video's that show Obama in the audience in some of those sermons get shown. Does Wright really hit back with proof of Obama being there and agreeing. Time will tell.

    Wasn't that the point of The Speech? (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:18:31 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    we've heard this before (5.00 / 4) (#38)
    by diplomatic on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:20:17 PM EST
    Rev Wright issue is over now.  Until it's not, again.

    [ Parent ]
    it not over (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:25:02 PM EST
    and its legs just got brand new artificial knees and hips.
    he made sure this would be the lede story for another day. (at least)
    you dont do that unless you know you are in big doo doo.


    [ Parent ]
    The Republicans (none / 0) (#138)