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An 'outraged' Obama denounces ex-pastor
Senator makes Winston-Salem campaign stop
Journal Photo by Jennifer Rotenizer
Sen. Barack Obama campaigned in Winston-Salem Tuesday, April 29.
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Published: April 30, 2008
Updated: 04/30/2008 11:29 am
To a crowd of 2,500 people at a town-hall meeting at the Joel Coliseum Annex yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama portrayed himself as the only candidate capable of healing the divisions in the United States and doing something to alleviate the struggles of working-class American families.
But to a small gathering of reporters after that meeting, he not only denounced the incendiary remarks of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor of 20 years, but also the man himself.
He said that his relationship with Wright was greatly damaged.
"I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw" Monday, Obama told reporters at a news conference after the town-hall meeting.
Obama's remarks came a day after Wright, the former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, spoke at the National Press Club in Washington.
In his remarks, Wright reiterated his belief that the federal government created AIDS as a way to infect and kill black people, and he defended his relationship with Louis Farrakhan, the polarizing leader of the Nation of Islam.
"This is not an attack on Jeremiah Wright," Wright told the Washington media on Monday. "It has nothing to do with Sen. Obama. It is an attack on the black church launched by people who know nothing about the African-American religious tradition."
Obama is trying to tamp down the growing fury over Wright and his remarks, which threaten to envelop his campaign. He made his first visit to Winston-Salem yesterday as he campaigns heavily in North Carolina and Indiana in the run-up to primaries Tuesday in both states. His wife, Michelle Obama, was at Winston-Salem State University earlier this month.
Sen. Hillary Clinton has campaigned here twice.
After weeks of staying out of the public eye while critics lambasted snippets of sermons he made years ago, Wright made three public appearances in four days to defend himself, coming off as combative and colorful and reigniting a controversy that Obama had hoped was dying down.
Obama told reporters yesterday that Wright's comments do not accurately portray the perspective of the black church and more important, they do not reflect the kind of positive campaign he has been running. He called the comments destructive.
"The person I saw (Monday) was not the person I met 20 years ago," he said of the man who married him and his wife and who baptized his two children.
For the past several months, Obama's presidential campaign has been dogged by the controversy surrounding Wright. Snippets of sermons that Wright made several years ago as pastor of Trinity popped up on television and on YouTube earlier this year.
The most famous clip is of Wright saying "God damn America" for its mistreatment of minorities and its foreign policy. Obama denounced the comments, most famously in a nuanced speech on race that he gave in Philadelphia last month. But until yesterday, he had also defended Wright and Trinity, saying that media accounts did not reflect the man he knew.
During the town-hall meeting, he did his best to avoid any mention of Wright. He touched briefly on the controversy in response to comments made by a woman who urged the audience to watch journalist Bill Moyer's recent interview with Wright, which aired Friday on PBS.
Instead, he spent most of his time bashing both Clinton and Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, for what he called quick-fixes to the problems that American families face.
He also got an endorsement from Mayor Allen Joines.
"Winston-Salem has had to undergo a lot of change, and we still have a lot of change to come to move ourselves to a more successful, more solid economy," Joines said. "I believe Barack Obama is the person who can lead the change for Winston-Salem and this country."
Obama criticized McCain and Clinton for supporting a gas-tax holiday this summer to lighten the economic pressure on people dealing with high gas prices.
"This isn't an idea to get you through the summer," he said. "It's an idea to get them elected president."
The McCain campaign quickly responded with a statement.
"Barack Obama doesn't understand the effect of high gas prices on the American economy," said Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the McCain campaign. "Sen. Obama voted for a gas-tax reduction before he opposed it. He has no plan for relief from record-high gas prices for Americans this summer, and he's the empty-tank candidate in this race."
But Obama argued that the better solution would be to invest in clean renewable energy and to stop giving tax breaks to oil companies that continue to rake in profits while gas prices go up.
Obama told the crowd that as the son of a single-mother who at times had to subsist on food stamps and as a longtime community organizer in Chicago, he understands their struggles.
His message resonated with some. Even before he took the stage, audience members chanted, "You rock, Obama!" and "Yes we can!," clapping and sometimes whistling.
Tre Young, 12, asked Obama about how he would truly make sure that no child is left behind. Tre, a sixth-grader at Hanes Middle School, has been following the campaign, said his mother, Natalie Young. Tre and his mother volunteered for the campaign to attend the town-hall meeting. They went out Saturday to canvass one of their old neighborhoods.
"We've been following the campaign, both some of the good and the bad things -- Jeremiah Wright, the whole nine yards," Natalie Young said. "It's been a learning experience for him because I told him that my grandmother and my grandparents struggled to vote, and it's important for him to see the whole process and that we get out and vote as African-American people."
Jeffrey Alan Wilson of Kernersville, who has worked for US Airways for 24 years, wanted to hear Obama speak about rising fuel costs and health care. Wilson said that fuel costs affect not only his commute to work every day but his industry as well. And he said he is interested in health care because he has a spinal-cord injury.
He said he liked what he heard, and he hopes that people go vote.
"A lot of people think the primary is not that important," he said. "This year, the primary is very important."
■ Michael Hewlett can be reached at 727-7326 or at mhewlett@wsjournal.com.
■ Lisa Boone-Wood can be reached at 727-7232 or at lboone-wood@wsjournal.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( citizen ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Senator Obama has been hurt by his former pastor, which is a disgrace. The pastor has ranted & raved for several days and should return home. His Church should rethink his status as a pastor at any time. He is a disgrace to this country. Obama should have distanced himself earlier; however, better late than never. We wish him luck in the future primaries.
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Posted by ( tC ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is sad that Wright is in such a position to influence and he chooses to do so negatively. He needs to step back, not only out of the spotlight, but from his postion as pastor.
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Posted by ( BigTexas ) on April 30, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Poor Rev wright and poor obama. They have been associated for over 20 years and each should know each other well. You can bet obama knew every view the wrong wright had on every subject – years ago. As far as I’m concerned the two wanna-be muslims deserve each other.
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Posted by ( president2009 ) on April 30, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am so tired of hearing about Senator Obama Barrack attending Rev. Wright's church. Just because he attended there does not mean he agreed with everything he said. If you truly think about it, if you attend church you do not agree with every single word your pastor says. Instead of worrying about what Rev. Wright is saying, who by the way is not running for President, we need to stay focus on the state our country is in and who can make the difference.
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Posted by ( nc4hill ) on April 30, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's see the timeline:
(1) Wright preaches anti-American hate from his pulpit for 20 years: OBAMA MAKES WRIGHT HIS SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
(2) Tapes of Wright's comments surface: OBAMA CRITICIZES WRIGHT BUT REFUSES TO DENOUNCE HIM
(3) Wright makes similar types of outrageous comments to nationally publicized audiences: OBAMA DENOUNCES WRIGHT
Note that Wright is saying the exact same things he's been saying for years. Obama's change of behavior has absolutely nothing to do with moral rejection of Wright's message. It is simply that, the more that message gets out, and thus threatens Obama's campaign, the more Obama feels suddenly moved to denounce the messege and the messenger.
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Posted by ( BigTexas ) on April 30, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
OK president2009, you’re going to listen to someone that is supposed to be your spiritual advisor for over 20 years and not be influenced by his hatred or bigotry?? He takes the Lord’s name in vain in his pulpit, he praises farrakhan and he teaches hatred for whites. Which brings up a question, Rev Wrong seems to have lighter skin than that of his student obama. Is he as pure as the hatred he preaches??
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Posted by ( rachelle ) on April 30, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992. I have known Reverend Wright for almost 20 years.(1.) His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate and (2.) I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church. They certainly (3.) don't portray accurately my values and beliefs. (4.) I may not know him as well as I thought
(1.) Comments are in keeping with the Black Liberation Theology preached at TUCC. (2.) The comments DO NOT portray the perspective of Black American Churches. They DO portray the perspective of Trinity United Church of Christ.. (3.) They accurately portray the values and beliefs of congregants attending TUCC. (4.) If judgment were the issue would I trust the country with some one who couldn't figure out that he was hoodwinked by a minister?
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Posted by ( BigTexas ) on April 30, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don’t believe he was hoodwinked. I think obama was walking hand-in-hand with wright until he decided he wanted to run for President. And let’s all remember that obama was raised as a Christian hating muslim for 20 yrs... It boils down to him being half black and having non-standard ideas that gave him his constituency. Any true AMERICAN CHRISTIAN could not possibly consider him for any office.
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Posted by ( IllinoisVoter ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
by Evelyn Pringle <#a>/
/ Previously:/
Barack Obama - Operation Board Games For Slumlords
<http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00064.htm>
Barack Obama - The Wizard of Oz
<http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0803/S00452.htm>
The investigation dubbed â??Operation Board Games,â?? into the influence
peddling within the cesspool of corruption that encompasses Illinois
politicians from both major parties, has developed into multiple
subplots, many of which feature Barack Obama.
This two-part article is the last article in a 3-part series. The first
two, Barack Obama - The Wizard of Oz
<http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0803/S00452.htm> and Barack Obama -
Operation Board Games For Slumlords
<http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080404_barack_obama___opera.htm>,
cover Obamaâ??s rise to fame in the political mafia of Illinois,
bankrolled by the now infamous Syrian-born influence peddler, Antoin
â??Tonyâ?? Rezko.
They also give the details of Obamaâ??s involvement in a slumlord business
largely operating out of the Chicago-based Davis, Miner & Barnhill law
firm, which hired Obama in 1993, with his boss, Allison Davis, reaping
in the profits with Rezkoâ??s development company, Rezmar.
The â??Board Games For Slumlordâ?? article gives in-depth details of the
federal investigation along with the names of people who are listed as
â??Co-Schemersâ?? and â??Individualsâ?? in the indictments issued thus far.
Therefore for the most part, this article will refer to all the scams
collectively as what prosecutors refer to as â??pay-to-playâ?? schemes...
Campaign finance laws in Illinois have aided and abetted influence
peddling schemes for years because they allow donors to give as much as
they like to candidates running for state office, so the skyâ??s the
limit....
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Posted by ( AndrewG ) on May 1, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Obama is weakening his own position by reversing what he said in his "historic" Philadelphia speech on race. At that time, he was praised by his supporters and the media for his stance on Rev. Wright, namely, that he could not denounce the man. Now that Rev. Wright has publicly stated that Obama says what's expedient for him as a politician, Obama has spoken out against Wright, as if he just met the man yesterday.
I have trouble believing that Obama didn't know what Wright's views were. Wright clearly reiterated the views he was criticized for when parts of his sermon were broadcast on YouTube.
Rev. Wright clearly meant the things said, rather than their being taken out of context, so now Obama claims not to have known the man was like this. Distancing himself from Wright after standing by him, a short time ago, lessens his credibility.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Obama isn't electable. The Democratic Party will have to rally around his opponent if they are to have any chance of prevailing over the Republicans in November.
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Posted by ( justme819 ) on May 2, 2008 at 4:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree...Wright`s comments weren`t any different from the sound bytes...the only reason Obama spoke up so harshly this time...is because during Wright`s antics this time, he stated that Obama was just doing what politicians do to get elected!...which is, perhaps, the only thing Wright stated which was right!
"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community."
then it can still validly be said that one does not have a a mentor/spiritual advisor for over 20 yrs. without sharing many of the same views!...Obama`s refusal to ‘disown’ his Pastor strongly suggests that`s the case here!
perhaps the larger issue here is that while Obama`s preaching togetherness, he goes to a church who`s Pastors preach racial, anti-American garbage...and who preach a separatist, 'Black Value System', which is extremely divisive...even Obama`s mentor/spiritual advisor, etc., the Rev. Wright, stated that it`s a separate but = black theology!
yes...we all have friends who say things we disagree with...but there`s HUGE differences...none of my friends have ever been my mentor and spiritual advisor for OVER 20 YRS!...and I`m not running for Pres.
just another lying, hypocritical politician...i have one more word for Mr. Obama - BUSTED!!!
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Posted by ( justme819 ) on May 2, 2008 at 4:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
another time-line of sorts:
March 18, 2008–Obama stated:
“...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...”
”I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.”
March 15th–Obama stated this:
“uh, none of these statements are ones that I had heard myself personally in the pews. uh, o-one of them I had heard about after I had started running for President & I put out a statement at that time condemning them."
March 18:
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.
March 15:
uh, the other statements were ones that uh I just heard about while we were uh wh-when they started being run on fox and some of the other stations.
March 18:
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.
March 15:
uh, and so they weren’t things that I was familiar with. Once I saw them I had to be very clear about the fact that these are not statements that I am comfortable with. I reject them completely.
March 18:
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.
March 15:
Had I been sitting in the church at the time they were spoken, uh, I would have be-been absolutely clear to Rev. Wright that I didn’t find those acceptable uh… and if I had thought that was the tenor or tone on an ongoing basis uh of his sermons then uh yes I don’t think that it would’ve been reflective of my values or uh of my faith experience.
March 18:
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.
March 15:
There-there-there, no no no, uh, wai-wait there I-I-I didn’t know about all these statements. I knew about 1 or 2 statements that ha-had been made. And as a consequence, as I said, if it was just 1 or 2 statements then that’s not something that would lead me to distance myself from either my church or my pastor.
March 18:
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.
SOUNDS LIKE A KID WHO GOT CAUGHT WITH HIS HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR!
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Posted by ( United ) on May 2, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a joke!
First he didn't know (after sitting there for 20 years).
Then "once he found out" he had to lecture us to make sure we didn't take his racist, anti-american views "out of context."
NOW he's "outraged."
Please, none of this is credible.
He always knew Wright's worldview. He chose to stay in the church anyway. When the story first broke, he initially thought he could use a lecture on broader race relations as a shield because he didn't want to risk riling his AA base. Now that he is tanking in the polls, he feels like he has to pretend he is outraged.
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Posted by ( fsteele ) on May 3, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Obama and Axelrod are simply not ready for prime time. By running too young and carelessly, Obama has made mistakes and hurt his family and his church. He should withdraw from the race and try again later, when all this is forgotten. He will only do more damage by continuing.
Anyway, don't let him damage the Democrats and the country -- support Hillary.
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Posted by ( FellowAmerican ) on May 4, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What happened to the 200,000 new jobs for upstate New York Clinton promised during her 2000 New York Senate campaign? Not only did upstate New York not get the 200,000 new jobs as promised by Clinton but also they ended up losing nearly 40,000 jobs. Way to go Hillary. If you promised 200,000 jobs in New York and we lost 40,000, what will you do nationally?
• Every time you turn around someone from the Clinton's camp or supporters are continually injecting race into the election.
• Clinton prevarication on the Bosnia incident was a total fabrication with visual aids (Clinton acting it out on more than one occasion). This was not just Clinton misspeaking but it was a whole fantasy story that she acted out on 5 or 6 separate occasions.
• Clinton said that Obama did not own up to what he said? This coming from someone (Clinton), who voted for the war in Iraq and still refuses to apologize for her vote or admit that it was a mistake. The closest she has come is to say if she had it to do over, she would not have voted for the war in Iraq.
• Hillary Clinton said that Obama’s words were divisive. Listen to what Clinton (be honest) is saying and tell me who is the one being divisive in this campaign.
• . The Clintons made over 100 million dollars in 8 years. Most working Americans will never see that type of money in our lifetime.
These are some of the reasons why the lead closing for Obama. Clinton is trying to divert attention away from her many shortcomings and fabricated stories.
Obama, try your best to stay who you are, which is uniting the American people and try not to stoop to Hillary Clinton’s negative, divisive tactics.”
Ask yourself some questions: Why have so many people that were and are still close to the Clintons have endorsed Obama? Is there something that they know (being an insider) that the American public does not know? If Clinton is the best candidate for president wouldn’t there close friends endorse them? If you are truthful with your answers you will see that there is definitely something wrong that is not public knowledge when it comes to Hillary Clinton. Why is it that every so-called controversy that has something to do with Obama stays in the news for months, where as the controversies that come out of the Clinton camp are given a day or two at most? Be truthful with your answers and you will agree that there is a double standard here. Is it because he is Black (he is half-white)?
Many will not vote for Obama because he is Black (his skin color) but he has transcended race, age, gender, and religious barriers. Many thought he would never make it this far and I praise the ones (white Americans) who supported Obama despite his skin color. You have shown me that there is hope in this country for all Americans. Thank you.
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Posted by ( justme819 ) on May 4, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
*Jobs are being lost all over...not just in NY!...most correctly blame it on the Bush economy
*BO and many of his Followers are playing the race card...BO`s mentor is just one ex...and let`s all take a fun quiz on who`s really divisive, using the kitchen sink strategy, the Republican Playbook, etc.:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/quiz/
*Read all the latest on ALL BO`s Extremist, even Dangerous Associations:
Wright, Ayers, Odinga, Sinclair, Farrakhan, the Black Panthers, Rezko, Meeks, Malley, Auchi, Khalidi, McPeaks, etc.
http://www.audacityofHypocrisy.com
*the best LIAR of ALL?...BO makes the rest look like Saints when it comes to honesty...read 76 BO WHOPPERS, etc., over the last few months and counting!
http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/04/16/obama-laundry-list-of-lies-as-of-april-08-2008-71-lies-and-counting/
*BO is getting 90%-96% of the AA vote most of the time...and up to 97% of AA men have been voting for him...like in Penns. which Clinton won by double-digits, anyway...same goes for OH, etc...
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Posted by ( justme819 ) on May 4, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Obama - The Same Old Divisive Wash. Politics!
1. BO voted FOR A GAS TAX HOLIDAY 3 times in 2000!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_el_pr/obama_gas_tax_fact_check
Hillary voted AGAINST it in 2000 for all the right reasons!
But because Hillary is PROVING to be the REAL uniter BO never was in Congress, by crossing party lines and trying to help bring McCain, the Pubs, and the Dems together on this...BO can only attack the plan and HOPE!
http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=7461
2. BO voted for Cheney`s energy bill...Hillary voted against it!...this bill was written by energy lobbyists and has been called, "...the best energy bill corporations could buy..."
BO also took more money last month from oil company executives than any other candidate...while running an ad saying that he didn't take money from oil companies.
http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=7318
click on blue lettering for ALL the PROOF!
3. BO supports Washington DC laws effectively banning guns.
http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/barack_obama_comments_on_shoot.html
and voted for the infamous assault weapons bans, voted to limit the number of handguns a person could buy, voted against lawsuit protections for gun manufacturers, supported a national ban on concealed carry, and voted against a bill protecting homeowners from being sued by burglars they shoot in their own homes.
4. Hillary gives about 10% of her income to charity...compared to the also-rich Obama, who gives less than 1% most yrs...Hillary pays another 33% in taxes...which is 12% above the avg in her tax bracket...she even proposes taxes on herself and others in her tax bracket!
5. When BO entered the race, his justification centered around alledged 'good judgment' on the Iraq War...but, associations with Rezko, Wright, Ayres, Odinga, etc...call into question BO`s judgment...so, if he got it so wrong in these situations, how did he get it right on the Iraq war?
Simple...he lied...BO wasn`t in the Sen and had the advantage of not being fed ALL the misleading intel to base judgment on...which misled MOST OF CONGRESS!...further, after BO got elected to the Sen, he and Hillary voted the same way on the war every time based on the same intel...except once...this includes voting 84 times for appropriations!
Then, in the Cleve debate...BO stated that he`d take action if intel showed that Al-Qaeda was building a base there...When the war started, the US had intel which showed that Al-Qaeda had bases in Iraq...the same condition Obama states he`d take action on...
Which means Obama was either lying in the debate or when he says he was against the war from the start.
So, his speech was meaningless...my 12-yr. old gave a speech against the war too...yet, no one`s claiming that he has the judgment necessary to run the most powerful country on earth...he doesn`t...and neither does BO!
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Posted by ( FellowAmerican ) on May 4, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have watched this election with great hope and despair. Hope because maybe, just maybe I was wrong about never seeing a Black president in my lifetime and despair because of America’s history with Black people. As the election progressed, there was such excitement about Obama and the polls indicated that the American people would elect a Black person to be president. The youth were registering to vote in record numbers, because of the hope and excitement that Obama was bringing to America. I was filled with a fullness that I cannot describe not because Obama may become the first Black president but because the American people finally said, “the hell with the past, we are going to elect the best candidate regardless of race”. However, after watching the last 2 months unfold (all news channels focused on Rev. Wright (lynching by association)), I have been slapped back into reality and now know that America (the country that I love) is not ready for a Black president despite the polls. Even though Clinton has fabricated stories, her and her supporters continually injected race into the election, her divisive tactics, being the least trust worthy of the last three presidential candidates (according to national polls) and many other Clinton controversies that the news media chose to overlook or keep in the public eye for a day or two. Yes, I have been forced to see the true America in which I live. The youth are the only good thing that I can truly have hope in for in the future, if they do not change into the old America. I just hope that this election does not break the spirit of the American youth (which turned into a movement because of Obama) and they will continue to be excited about the election process despite the news media. I refuse to ever allow my hopes to get that high in an election in American again. I am wide-awake now and will never dream again about a new American. Thanks America (not all American citizens) for the reality check. You have destroyed my spirit (when it comes to the presidential election) as well as many other people of hope and change. GOD Bless!
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Posted by ( justme819 ) on May 5, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It could be a whole lot worse!
Obama may be able to get away with supposedly distancing himself from his Pastor...but he can never get away with distancing himself from the beliefs, teachings, philosophies, etc., of the church he went to for over 20 yrs. - his church of choice...beliefs, etc., rooted in and expressed by the, "Black Value System!" and Black Liberation Theology!...
according to the Rev. Wright, they teach a SEPARATE BUT = black theology among other things...as can be seen at the website...
if anyone really wants to vote for someone who preaches unity while choosing to go to such a divisive church...
BTW, BO`s going to continue going to TUCC!...this is NOT good news...especially if he becomes President!...because actions speak much louder than words!...and it looks and sounds like, by continuing to go to TUCC, BO agreed with the Black Liberation Theology his Pastor/Mentor/Church preached for over 20 yrs!!!
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Posted by ( fsteele ) on May 5, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"BO also took more money last month from oil company executives than any other candidate...while running an ad saying that he didn't take money from oil companies.
http://facts.hillaryhub.com/archive/?id=7318 "
Yes, Obama makes very deceptive statements. He says he does not take money from "oil companies" (no candidate is allowed to) but in fact he takes much money which COMES from oil companies (through employees, their spouses, minor children, etc). He speaks against lobbyists but in fact one of his chairs is a registered lobbyist, and he takes much money from lobbyist spouses, children, partners, etc -- and 'bundlers.'
He talks about 'seating' the Florida and Michigan delegates -- but (like Howard Dean) means 'seating' them when it is too late for them to vote for the nominee, or after their votes have been re-written in some backroom deal.
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