Unless Barack uses the strongest language possible to distance himself from this nut, Barack will never be the nominee of the Democratic party let alone elected President.

In fact, and I say this with a very heavy heart, it may now be too late for Barack. The Reverend and this speech today could very well be the breaking point. Watch the polls plummet.

A sorry, sorry day for all of us, and I am a WASP.

I have it on good authority that radicals within the powerful rightwing Jewish Lobby including [AIPAC] American Israel Public Affairs Committee are vexed, frustrated and displeased with Barack Obama's refusal to accept special interest money and consequentially seek his crucifixion. The concern is that the Senator's policy prevents them from exerting influence or extracting favor from his administration should he become the next President in these United States of America. In an effort to allay their fears, Senator Obama has offered his assurance that if elected, an Obama administration would not be a foe- yet this does not seem to halt their resistance to his candidacy. Reportedly, Senator Clinton's campaign saw an opening to exploit the Jewish community's apprehension and began stoking the anti-Obama fire behind the scene.

In collaboration with the Clintons, they [the Jewish Lobby] dispatched a number of "candidacy assassinators" including former Clinton special counsel, Lanny Davis, Florida congress woman, Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, California congress man, Brad Sherman, CNN news anchor, Wolf Blitzer [vis-a-vis Lou Dobbs], Independent Senator, Joseph Lieberman, the far right crippled Washington Post Journalist, Charles Krauthammer and others to torpedo Obama's nomination bid. The above mentioned Jews were mandated to fan the flames of hateful passion against the Illinois Senator using demagoguery and nefarious spin of the Reverend Wright issue to toxify the American voters. Their mission is to convince the public that Obama would be unelectable in November due to his optics and alleged third party association to Rev. Farrakhan. This while simultaneously promoting Hillary as the only friend of Israel. It is also reliably reported that Democratic Jews are being counseled to vote for John McCain as a penultimate option should Senator Clinton not get the nomination.

Take a look at the YouTube video where Rachel Maddow from Air America recently discussed the topic on her show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdYzGzvXO0U

African American Leaders dub the Jewish and Clinton's anti Obama campaign, "mean spirited" but so far have opted to remain restrainedly tentative. They however suggest hypocrisy when Governor Rendell [who happens to be a Jew] is able to extol the virtues of Minister Farrakhan by praising his "goodness" and still remains an embraced surrogate of Senator Clinton. Elected Democrats have also taken note and are increasingly frustrated with the Clinton's controversial tactics of infusing racial divide into the electoral process. Appalling is how they describe her alliance to hawkish groups including John McCain to annihilate a democratic colleague and worry that it provides damaging ammunition to their nemesis [the republicans] that could derail Obama's candidacy should he become the nominee. Some are even calling her conduct treacherous and privately accuse her of deliberately trying to sabotage the Democratic Party because of the unlikely odds of her fairly winning the nomination. Mrs. Clinton has also been criticized for taken the low road by exploiting the gender card to foster disharmony amongst the sexes. But who is willing to bell the Cat? After-all, the Clinton's wield influential power within the party and super delegates worry about political reprisals should they offer public criticism.

Additionally, the Jewish Lobby has tremendous financial reach and political clout. For decades they have been able to effectively manipulate the Holocaust to keep politicians beholden to their agenda. Those who resist or oppose are targeted with the anti-Semitic or Bigoted label [as evidenced by President Carter] in order to gain compliance. Some feel they run the risk of overplaying their hands in this instance though. Their chief Obama "Hit-Man", Lanny Davis is causing tremendous concern at the great lengths he goes to decapitate the Illinois Senator's chances of ever ascending to the Presidency and his conduct is described as vilely snake-like. The argument is that public opinion can boomerang if blacks are able to expose hypocrisy in what many now view to be a Jewish lynching of Senator Obama. Some posit that Jews have a historical pension for betraying visionary men who promise sweeping changes to the status quo. Coincidentally, it was they [Biblical Jews] who betrayed Jesus to the Romans so he could be crucified.

What we see we do. What we do we become.
No amount of education will erase cultural inculcations. Wright knows this through experience. His association with Obama should have been broken many years ago. Do we blame the pastor or do we blame the congregate. Neither, we abandon the lost cause.

Obama is not going to gain from this. I will vote for him anyway, because I think he is what we need to move forward, but this nut Wright should keep his mouth shut. It's as if he wants Obama to lose. It reminds me of the trial of the Turk who took a shot at Pope John Paul in Rome in 1980. While he was in prison the right-wing media went wild with their theories that this act had been done by the Turk at the behest of the Bulgarians. When he was finally able to speak for himself, the first day of his trial, her stood, and intoned, "I am Jesus Christ." And then everyone knew he was a complete nutter.
Same with Wright. He should have left well enough alone.

it sure looks to me like the Republicans must be the ones making sure that the press' microphones and cameras keep snapping back to this lunatic. This fringe nut is clearly the Republicans' strongest weapon.

It's so sad that American national politics have degenerated so badly and that Americans' critical thought skills seem to be following the same trend.

The picture the WAPO ran this morning of Rev. Wright laughing with KWAME KILPATRICK says it all, dosen't it??

Only desperate fools that also have ZERO CREDIBILITY would align themselves with this dumb shytt. I also happen to think it is hillarious how so many politicians happen to "FIND GOD" just after they have been publically BUSTED for major indiscretions.

Kwame, hang it up already. You look so foolish trying to blame your choices on everything but your own foolish decisions.

We have enough problems as a nation without this idiot opening his yapper, and trashing Obama's "middle of the road image" even more!!

Obama-- you can't surround yourself with people like this, you will scare off the white people in droves!!

Yea,

The " anti-American " Wright spent six years in the service.Cheney had other priorities.But we know who the mainstream media will attack as being unpatriotic.

What about an apology for slavery ? American politicians are always apoligizing for the Holocaust, and Nazi Germany committed that crime.

Reverend Wright's latest comments have alienated more white voters and inflicted more damage to Barack Obama's candidacy.

But that's nothing compared to Obama's response about being too busy to debate Senator Clinton.

Too busy?

I am afraid he's no more believable than his mentor, the Reverend Wright.

Clinton has been waiting for a melt down of Obama campaign, and it appears to be happening. Unbelievable, although I don't support Obama, I don't believe he holds the same beliefs as this nut-case of a minister. Unfortunately, his association with his minister will be extremely difficult to explain away...especially a second time. This will sink Obama's chances as he heads into NC and IN.

Although some of the so-called 'mainstream America' may not have known anything about Dr. Wright before these past few weeks, he has been and remains a very highly-regarded preacher within what we refer to as the Black Church. He is the type of minister that would have his speaking schedule booked several years out, but it is only now that his speeches are covered by CNN and other media outlets. His "return" to the forefront is not to reignite controversy - it is simply a man going on with his life. The idea that he should have kept quiet and hidden under a rock until November is completely ridiculous and inhumane.

Dana Millbank is full of crap.

Wright is "right on."

I would advise anyone that is interested in this speech to view the speech themselves and draw your own conclusion.

"Tell a lie(s) enough times, people begin to believe them."

Dana Milbank, you look as retarded as your article reads.

I heard the comments of Reverend Wright and I happen to agree with them. Not from the perspective of black and white, the fuel of which you contend that he is pouring on the fire, when, in fact, it is articles (opinions) like yours, but from the perspective of a world operating in a manner contrary to the instructions of Christ.

Reverend right is a minister, dummy. I don't know what church you go to, but America has as a birth defect called "slavery". Many of the founding fathers, to include George Washington, were slave owners. That would make them mercenaries of human suffering along with the noble titles that this nation gives them. Is it racist or unamerican to state facts?

Rev. Wright is not Barrack Obama. And anyone, including whites, of which many of his contregants were white, who has heard the man in context, understand that he is a soldier for Jesus Christ not for corporate or political favor.

However, no matter how I feel about him, positive or negative, I am not so silly to think that what he preaches and how he thinks is how the thousands of church members think. That is absurd.

Perhaps if you had paid more attention to what he said, as opposed to tallying down a who's who in the audience, you may have actually GOTTEN the message. Of course, we all know you could have written this piece without hearing a word from the Reverend.

The more you try to sideline American thought with this Non-story, the more I support and encourage others to support Sen. Barrack Obama.

Keep up the good work.

Were you a "Rove" in a not too distant past life?

Why is everyone so scared of this guy?

*** Attention African-American Voters ***
The Democratic party will take the nomination away from Obama!
Come back to Lincoln's party; the party of Colin Powell and Condi Rice. No Black person can ever rise to the top ranks within the Demcratic Party, remember that.
Support John McCain.
McCain '08

"Should it become necessary in the months from now to identify the moment that doomed Obama's presidential aspirations, attention is likely to focus on the hour between nine and ten this morning at the National Press Club."

i would to know whether mr. obama has handcuffed himself to mr. wright. if that has been reported somewhere, i missed it. nowhere have i seen where mr. obama either adopted or approved mr. wright's loonier pronouncments. in fact, he has made it emphatically clear that he disagrees with them. what the hell is he supposed to do? its about time the "serious" press realized that these are two very different people. it will not be mr. wright who shows up on the ballot as the democratic candidate anymore than it will be the larded mr. hagee who stands in for mccain. my perception of mr. obama is little changed by this story. i wish i could say the say about my perception of the mainstream press.

Wright is doing Obama no favor by attacking the liberal friendly media. They are the ones who usually do the democrats' racist accusations and character assassination work. Amazing to me that this racist turned on his own supporters, instead of just keeping his big mouth shut.

swanieaz.....What election are you watching? Mccain didn't distance himself enough with that White pastor who made those stupid remarks...It's just really sad that this country that I love will be STUPID ENOUGH NOT TO VOTE FOR BARRACK BECAUSE OF WHAT HIS PASTOR SAY'S!!!!! UTTERLY RETARDED AND IF YOU VOTE AGAINST BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE KIDS EVER!!! ENOUGH STUPIDITY RUNNING AROUND THIS COUNTRY!

I expected mindless drivel from the right wing wackos posting here, but what is sad are the Clintonistas who keep drumming up the Wright issue. If any of them had enough capacity for independent thought and had listened to his entire speech, they would have discovered that Rev. Wright was also speaking out against the oppression of women in this country. Oh well, they resemble the Bushies more each day.

I was impressed with Rev. Wright's interview with Bill Moyers on Friday night. But hearing his speeches on Saturday and today, I am conficted once again. He should have stopped after Bill Moyers. That interview actually made him look good and misunderstood, but this doesn't. These latest remarks make him look like a greedy opportunist capitalizing on a parishioner's success for his own gain. Shame on him. He's hurting Barack in a very selfish fashion.

After all of these years of reading your column and seeing you on Keith Olberman's show, I thought you had some sense and integrity. I'm just wondering what you are basing your opinions on. Did you see the same speech or news conference that we did? Did you, as often journalists do, come there with preconceived story lines that you just don't want to change? Why are you doing this to Rev. Wright, Barack Obama and black people across this country and around this world, to say nothing of keeping a lot of white people ignorant. I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and I can tell you, this is still a tremendously racially divided nation and a lot of people just do not want us ever to be united and are not willing to help us form a more perfect union. Too bad. So Sad.

swanieaz said....."UTTERLY RETARDED AND IF YOU VOTE AGAINST BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE KIDS EVER!!! ENOUGH STUPIDITY RUNNING AROUND THIS COUNTRY!"

Are you kidding me? Who's sounding retarded now? Obviously you don't know enough about elections or how people form opinions fairly or unfairly. I for one think Wright is a nut case, and I don't think it's fair for Obama. However, Obama didn't distance himself from him when he had a chance...he waited until a tape of terrible sound bites came up. He knew all along about this controversy yet he choose to take a risk. Your rage sounds very similar to Mr. Wright's...disgusting.

If Obama loses he still needs the church to win his Sneate seat in Illonois. Obama is not stupid, he has to play it out so he can have his cake a and eat it too. Yum!

I watched the Rev. The description of this article is far from the truth. He did not praise Farakhan. In fact he gave the example of the media trying to get Mandela to throw Castro under the bus during an interview and said "you don't tell me who to hate." The description in this article is far from the truth.

I don't intend to vote for Obama, ever. I don't vote for liberals who want to raise taxes, don't want to engage our enemies, and think abortion is a cool thing.

That said, this article and the way Wright has been used is sick.

The blacks incessantly complain about the past slavery issue in the U.S. but they continue their path.....slaves to the U.S. government "programs".
One of their own just ensured Obamas loss.
Go figure.

Surely Wright realizes that he's becoming the straw that will break Obama's political back? Maybe Obama isn't black enough for him?

My mistake...I meant to write "tj" said not "swanieaz" said.

This article is a disgrace. Please view the speech and make up your own mind.
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/04/rev_wright_stands_his_ground.html

If Obama loses it won't be because of Wright. It will be because of America's fear of African Americans. Wright is the cloak they are using to hide their fear and distrust of African Americans. America has never atoned for its sins against African American. So African Americans will never be fully trusted by many.

It's like if you steal from a man, beat him and burn his house. And later, you declare a truce, but you never apologize or reimburse that man for his loss. And then you're told that man is to be your house guest. You would never trust him because in your heart you know you wronged him and never atoned. Your sin has become your great fear. This is the relationship that exists between whites and blacks in this country. Wright is causing us to take a hard look at the things we don't talk about. If Obama loses it's not because of Wright. It's because of racism that was always here but not talked about.

Looks like Obama's "chicken's are coming home to roost!"

Rev. Wright does not speak for all black churches or for the entirety of the African American community, nor does he speak for anything that is constructive or positive -- his divisive tactics are not the way to move the debate forward in this country.

Senator Obama is inextricably linked with this man, by his own words and of his own free will. To protect this Reverend, he has thrown everyone else under the bus. That is not the way a President is supposed to act (our current disaster George Bush notwithstanding). His candidacy is over.

I have over the past had and continue to have major problems with Dana Milbank who basically has been a PR spokesperson for Barack Obama during the entire campaign.

So the fact that this column is written under his name is interesting.

I heard the press club session this morning and was amazed at what the Rev. Wright said. It is his words that I focused on this morning and in this column. Not any interpretation that Dana Milbank would put on them. Wrights words alone are enough to make anyone question how Barack Obama could sit in that church for 20 years listening to these sermons and not comment on them before he had to to save his political hide.

I don't acribe these words to Barack Obama-what I do question is his major lapse in judgement not to speak out about them before he was forced to and made his great speech in Philadelphia. But the Rev. Wright said today what I said right after that speech. It was a political speech and Obama said what he thought he had to say as a politician. He even as many in the African American community said "threw his grandmother under the bus" to make his point.

But that was a political speech and not a moral one. Had Barack Obama taken on race when he began his campaign he could have in some way innoculated himself from Wright and taken the moral high ground. I have to believe that either he didn't want to or failed to understand how Wright would sound to anyone not steeped in Black preaching.

Barack Obama is a neophyte politician and he is proving it every day. His criticism of Hillary Clinton and those supporters of his who criticize her for being scripted or sounding that way, should look at their own candidate today and wish he understood the true impact of his words and the words of his pastor.

I would trust Hillary Clinton more at an international summit just because even though she may not be quite as eloquent a speaker as Barack Obama she fully understands that every word a President utters is going to mean something around the world.

I am a Democrat and I think John McCain is unacceptable as President so I would even vote for Barack Obama over him. But as Americans are beginning to understand - and is coming out in the AP-Ipsos poll today- Clinton beats McCain by nearly 10% and Obama is tied with him. Take away the Bradley effect which even his supporters like Doug Wilder have warned him about and Obama loses to McCain.

Reverend Wright makes it all the more important that Democrats head what Steny Hoyer said recently, in a statment taken from the Civil Rights Movement, "Keep Your Eyes On the Prize", and the prize for Democrats is the White House.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama could both make great Presidents, but Hillary Clinton has the better chance to win the prize.

lots of name-calling going on here, but I don't see anybody refuting the charges that Wright makes. could be that most of us don't like hearing the truth about our country and its often sad history.

Sigh. Again Rev. Wright's comments have been chopped into soundbites for use by the media. As soon as he was finished speaking last night, every right-wing pundit in America was still trashing him for the YouTube clips, as opposed to discussing what he had just said not 10 minutes before. And now Dana is ignoring the speech from last night and taking the hard line on the discussion this morning. Maybe Wright should have just kept to himself, but then again, he's not running for office and has a reputation to defend.

Let's face it - a load of white people were offended because of 30 seconds worth of a very long, energetic sermon regarding the somewhat predictible results of America's foreign policy and heavy-handed attitude toward the Middle East. He wasn't saying we deserved 9/11, but that it wasn't completely unexpected given the circumstances.

Is there an element of racism involved too? Sure there is. We're so dammned separatist in our daily lives that black preaching comes as a shock to whites, who are used to more sedate services. The couple of times I went to a black church as a kid were rather eye-opening - loud, raucous, exciting, energizing preaching and singing, and like nothing I'd ever experienced before. As Wright said - it's not better or worse, just different. And most Americans just don't like different. So, the conservative nuts and the closet racists will slap Obama with the "different is scary" label and people will buy it.

Sad. But he has my vote here in IN on May 6.

Does anyone realize that he is 50% white?

The Reverend Wright is making a case against Obama. I think he can overcome it but the preacher ought to have the decency to shut up. Is he so wounded about Obama's distancing of him that he wants to hit back? Whatever happened to any trace of pride in Obama's success? It's personal now the way Bill Clinton's reaction to attacks on his wife are personal attacks on HIM, not her. This is nasty and feeds the Republicans the way Hillary is feeding them. She is like the character in LeRoi Jones's "Dutchman" and he is starting to behave like the other character.

Wright should shut up.

Where's the 24 hour news cycle? Wright is OLD NEWS! That this story is a lead article is absolute bunk - no new information in a time that we have plenty to be considering. Just as the Clinton legacies are being buzzed about, I suggest editors should look to their own navels.

Bring something more important to your reader's attention.

"If Obama loses it won't be because of Wright." Whoever wrote this....what a pile of crap! There have been many groups who have been disenfranchised, beat down, treated with disrespect, left in the gutter...yet many of those individuls have not wallowed in self pitty. The current white Americans owe the current black Americans, nothing absolutely nothing because of slavery. No one on this discussion group was born in slavery nor are there any past slave owners. The only thing owed by both races is respect of each other.

I agree Reverend Wright is angry with Obama and acting out in the ultimate passive-aggressive way. By giving these speeches he can harm a man who condemned his statements, all the while pretending it is others, certainly not innocent old Reverend Wright, who have done the damage to Obama. (That being said, I still have not heard ANYTHING as bad as the statements by Pastor Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain actively sought and has continued to embrace despite the comments.)

So let's not elect Reverend Wright as president. In fact, let's take his spotlight away. He's lost the interest of novelty and shock value and he's just tiresome at this point.

If anyone's interested in Barack Obama's opinions, since I believe he is the actual political candidate, a newly discovered interview from the mid-1990s is available in audio via Huffington Post. Well worth a listen.

My main response to all this has been to donate again to Barack Obama's campaign. I encourage anyone else to do so who agrees with me. He is a good man who will be the best president for our country, he has the best ideas for involving citizens in the process, and he has a proven record of bringing people together at the Harvard Law Review, in Chicago's inner-city Southside community, through his books, in the Illinois legislature, in the Senate, and in his campaign. This too shall pass.

Mr. Wright thinks America hasn't apologized for racism? The blood of 360,000 union soldiers cries out from the ground, begging for Mr. Wright's ear to hear otherwise.

I have had it with the Obama-Wright association. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am switching to Hillary.

I think Dana and quite a few others, judging from the comments I've just read, missed the point completely. Wright has reignited something, yes, but not what you folks are picking up on. What Wright is reigniting is the challenge that America silenced when it killed Dr. King: to rise above the racism that has blighted our national conscience since the beginnings of our experiment in democracy.

This country needs to rid itself of that blight once and for all and it hasn't done it. The time is now.

I've said this for weeks -- months -- and I'm still saying it (below). Clinton's been saying this for months:

The Democrats are being set up for a disaster this Fall because the press hasn't been vetting Obama. This Rev. Wright isn't the only problem in Obama's background, just one that broke open by itself from behind the wall of media denial and biased coverage of the Dems' primaries. The only reason it broke back open now is because Wright won't shut up.

The rest of the vetting will take place if Obama is nominated. Then the vetting will become a bloodletting.

I am glad that the internet lets you see unedited deliveries of speaches. I listened to the same speach you did at the National Press Club, yet your summary was clearly not objective, nor was it nuanced or complete. Where is your journalistic integrity. This is a good example of writing for journalism students to study.

Two things for sure--

1) This is still a very racist country.

2) If the "super" delegates take the vote away from the people, the Democrats will be destroyed forever.

To Proud Republican: Try keeping on topic. Your anti-Semitic rant reveals what an ignoramus you are. I just saw your same rant on another WaPo page, so obviously you are incapable of any other coherent independent thought. You may think of yourself as a Christian, but you surely are not.

Boo hoo! I feel like a victim of racism! I'm going to cry now because the words of some guy I've never heard of before and don't care about really hurt my precious feelings. I'm going to be a white crybaby now and go and vote for a really really old man who looks like he'll drop any minute now and will just continue failed policy and wears too much make up to hide his oldness but it doesn't really work. And I'll do it just to prove a point!! Take that progress!

Milbank thinks an apology for slavery isn't warranted? Interesting. He should talk more about that.

Also, it was mighty nice of Dana to ignore Wright's Cheney comments. Mighty white of him, you might say.

Dana Milbank is a SUPER IDIOT! REV WRIGHT HAS IT RIGHT!!! YOU PEOPLE SICKEN ME, YOU DON'T DO A DAMN THING ABOUT BUSH AND HIS CRONIES BUT YOU DECRY OBAMA FOR SOMETHING SOMEONE ELSE SAID? WHAT A RETARD THAT DOES THAT! WHITE AMERICA ISN'T READY FOR TRUTH, YOU JUST WANT ALL THAT SLAVERY AND RACE RIOTS TO GO AWAY BECAUSE THATS WHAT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELVES. OBAMA WILL WIN, ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO VOTE 4 SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE OF WHAT REV WRIGHT SAID WILL UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE THE BIGOTS AND WE HAVE NO TIME FOR YOU ANYMORE IN THE COUNTRY. GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDENCE!

It's Obama's fault, too. He's donated tens of thousands of dollars to this hate-monger's mission and Church for years, helping spread the poison and prop this guy up. How could he not know what Wright was doing?

Wright published the Hamas Terrorist Manifesto on his website, which called for the murder of Jews, and compared it to the American Declaration of Independence.

Obama is not the man he appears to be. As Karl Rove wrote in his open letter in Newsweek, "My Advice for Obama...",

"You said you weren't sitting in church when he said those ugly things. Two days later, you excused him, saying his comments didn't give "a well-rounded portrait" of him. Two days after that, you condemned his statements as "not only wrong but divisive" but still couldn't "disavow him" any more than you could your grandmother. Ten days later, you implied if Wright hadn't retired, you might have left his church. It would have been better to say from the start that Wright's words were wrong and offensive and you should have spoken out earlier."

Since Obama's handling of the disclosure of his pastor's beliefs and theories has surfaced, he's vacillated, flip-flopped and prevaricated with half-hearted half-truths.

I seriously doubt that Obama has any "cred" left on this issue should he finally come out with some kind of statement about it. Obama's record on Wright is already so inconsistent and lame that clips of his voice making these various comments could form the basis for good Republican attack ad.

The press and You DANA MILBANK are the voice of doom. consistently trolling Wright's addresses to take things out of context...

May Heaven prevent you from destroying and distorting the truth and bring you to see the error of your ways and apologize for staining a good man with your lies.

This is really a bad thing for everyone, not just Obama. These are fringe guys who are threatening to become mainstream and could if Obama wins and lets them. Scary!

Look, even if you set aside the swirling arguments above, this damaging controversy is the result of one thing: Obama ran too soon. A promising young senator, great orator, got greedy because this election seemed to favor a dem win so highly. He has accomplished almost nothing on a national level, exposed himself to attack on his inexperience, and left the vetting to fall will-nilly at the last moment. He could have put some distance between himself and his dubious band of funders and mentors. He could have shored himself up in his weak areas by actually doing some hard work on blue collar economic issues, women's issues. Let's hope the voters in Indiana and North Carolina can see now where this is going -- a massive defeat in November if Obama's at the helm.

>>Fairfax Vote wrote: "... Reverend Wright is angry with Obama and acting out in the ultimate passive-aggressive way."

I think so, too.

Vote wright. Vote Obama 08

I saw Wright's speech this morning on C-Span. (Thank God for C-C-Span) You folks should have a listen. I don't believe Milbank was there or, if he was, wasn't listening.

As a 40yo middle class white guy, I thought Wright's speech was spot on.

swanieaz: You are the one who is an idot! I if everybody held you accountable for something someone else did, you would cry murder also but here this black man about to become president and you trip because of what his pastor says and then you have the nerve to say he should distance himself from him even more! You don't understand blacks...of course you don't because you're not black so I understand your ignorance.. I have rage? See that dumb azz statement alone tells me all I need to know about you. YOU HAVE NO clue so enough with you.. be gone!

Tim.....

Your are a fool....

Dana, you are a white man. You cannot claim to understand, and will never understand the position of Jeremiah Wright. You said Jeremiah Wright speaking out has doomed Barack Obama's campaign. How so? Anyway,that is your opinioan;an opinion of another uninformed white man coming to an ill informed decision about a black phenomenon and instead of speaking for himself, pretend to speak the truth for everybody. Most honest white people hold Obama for what he says and does and do not follow people like you with hidden racist sentiment. Hiding your true self under pieces of pseudo journalism does not help anybody. You do not like Barack and do not support him. Let your true sentiments be known and stop being a hypocrite

I don't believe the MSM, McCain, Right Wingers or even Hillary would be satisfied even if Barack quits his church and shots his former pastor. Nothing of what he can say from now until election day will matter because this group is more interested in creating news than reporting news. This group is more interested in reporting trash than actually covering the news.

I thought better of Dana but now I see that he reports only on those things that would support his arguments, for example Mr. Milbank quotes only part of what Rev. Wright said about Farrakhan, in which he actually says that he doesn't agree with him but is willing listen to the guy.

Somehow we have made to believe that whatever Rev. Wright says is magically linked to Sen. Obama. Rev. Wright has his own political views and they should be seen as such. There are no videos, quotes, books, speeches in which Sen. Obama has said similar things to what Rev. Wright has said.

Pulease....when a black man DARES to point out America's flaws he's anti-American, a lunatic, racist, and the such. How DARE someone speak ill of a country founded on the backs of peoples (American Indian and AA) then be "granted" equal rights, only to then have those rights systematically denied. How DARE a member of that race speak against a system that professes to provide freedom to believe whatever you want, liberty to achieve all the dreams your heart desires...all for the price of allegiance and the ultimate sacrifice of their lives during periods of war and conflict. And they sacrifice home and abroad to come back home to prejudice, hate and disenfranchisement. This country will not erase 400 years of bondage and a century of state/federally sanctioned oppression with Affirmative Action. Not when the remnants of the past can still be felt today. Despite what the mainstream says, these actions are still felt today. So I say Rev. Wright's voice SHOULD be heard because he does indeed represent a silent majority of AA's. And for his views to be casually cast aside as racist is indicative of a nation still bent on stamping out any criticism of its hypocritical ways. And yes, as an AA it still burns that this nation won't even offer an apology of sorts for its actions. I guess we are supposed to "get over it".... And the mainstream has the nerve to act surprised when the real feelings of AAs come to light. Get real.

What I see is that there are all of these black preachers who are trying to take the place of Rev Dr. MLK. I don't think any of them will ever come close. They all sound like wackos (and yes, I have been a longtime member of the black church).

Obama is probably the best inheritor of MLKs legacy, probably as the culmination of the dream, to now set the course of the future now that the dream is starting to become realized. I don't know where the black community should go to next...but I think that taking on Bill Cosby's rant on the state of the black community continually seeing themselves victim's and changing that view is a start.

All Democrats are going to get tarred by even indirect contact with this guy via the primaries. I feel sorry for down ticket black candidates this year.

I'm no Obama supporter, but this is excruciating.

After viewing the speech and comments and rereading the transcript, I believe that Milbank's commentary is overly exaggerated. There was nothing new in the speech to condemn. The rationale for his views are also not so far out of the mainstream.

The United States has committee some very attrocious acts (Iran-Contra, Japanese internment, Black Codes, Slavery, genocide of the native populations) that have been corrected, but never apologized for. Reporters also constituently point out flaws in government actions. Rev. Wright places these events into Biblical context, which can only mean some type of damnation for the acts.

I believe that if people can take off the blinders and see the whole picture, one might be able see that Wright was talking also about reconciliation between different races and cultures to truly become united and bring about the change that this country so desperately need.To me it seemed as if Wright was giving a little history lesson(that many may not be comfortable with)to show how some may feel the way they do regarding traditions and injustices that have been a part of our nation's history.Understanding that this may not be a subject that many may feel comfortable remembering or hearing, we must face the truths in which we try to ignore.Even the Bible says in James 5:16 :"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed".. If we have evidence that one of our brothers or sisters in this nation are offended maybe we should take the appropriate steps to ensure that we can Reconcile " and move on 'One Nation under God'.

To all you folks out there criticizing Dana Milbank, if you can't see the reality in what he's saying it says a lot about you and your candidate. Thank goodness there are people in the mainstream press reporting accurately! Everyone seemed to gloss over what Rev. Wright said last night at the NAACP dinner; we got to see Round 2 this morning, however, and facts are facts. There's a reason for the term mainstream; Rev. Wright's views are way outside those of the majority, and Obama will suffer for it. That's just a fact.

Annette Keller,
No matter what Wright says that does not give Hillary pledged delegates or any credible way to win the nomination. Hillary only started being competitive when the Republican nomination was over and Rush Limbaugh sent his idiots out to screw up our election. If the superdelegates overturn the electorate, the Democratic Party is done for.

wright is perfect cover for the racists whom never would have voted for Obama.

The tragedy is that open minded folks will jump ship too.

Oh well, Not during my lifetime.

I think that we like to play let's pretend in this country. If I pretend that what Rev.Wright is saying is falsehood then I can contine to pretend that all is well with race relations in this country. Why does anyone have to shut up in order for a presidential candidate to be judged on the merits. This "problem" just showcase mainstream America's disinterest with what ails black America. That a black person is familiar with what goes on in a "white" church and mainstream America's shock at the tenor of the black church is a prime example.

Rev Wright is now officially indefensible. I am a big time Obama supporter and will defend Barack, but Rev Wright is a nutcase. Barack was part of the entire church program which ministers to the community. You can disagree with the pastor and still belong to the church because of its overall good.

What is scary is that so many black leaders are applauding this guy.

If these are the same militant voices who are threatening to boycott the Democrats if their candidate doesn't get the nomination, let them pick up their (lost) marbles and go.

Let's be realistic, folks. Obama and Reverend Wright will be joined at the hip in the media at least until November. As such, he will not pass muster with the superdelegates as the Democratic nominee. The Democrats best shot in November will be a ticket of Hillary and Barack. It will take the spotlight off Barack and allow the Democrats to unite behind Hillary.

The only reasonable, possible explanation to the Wright/Obamba debacle is that Obama agreed with his mentor for 20 YEARS. That is why Wright is out there giving his Black Recentment Speeches and Obama dares not refused nor denounced him because if Obama does, then Wright will spill out exactly what Obama said and how he felt for these last 20 YEARS. Obama cannot denounce nor refused Wright because the truth will come out. Wright is Obama's true political liability. Expect the following:
1- WRITE A BOOK.
2- CONTINUE TO GIVE NATIONAL SPEECHES.
3- HE WILL CHARGE FOR THOSE NATIONAL SPEECHES.
4- HE WILL APPEAR IN MORE COMMENTARY PROGRAMS.
5- DONT BE SURPRICE IF WRIGHT HIMSELF RUNS FOR SENATOR.
6- THERE WILL BE A WRIGHT IDIALOGY BASED ON HIS POLITICAL ANGLE.
7- OBAMA WILL NOT DISASSOCIATE, NOR RENOUNCED REV. WRIGHT.

SO ASK YOURSELF WHY? Why CANT THE NEXT POSSIBLE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DENOUNCE AND RENOUNCE HIS CRAZY, ANTI-AMERICAN PASTOR? EASY; WRIGHT KNOWS TOO MUCH.

WoW! Thank you media! Keep the racist distortions going. Highlight them. Spotlight them. Your naked bias is showing.

Folks are paying attention. In the end, the ignorant racist will be transformed by knowledge. An the pathological racist will stand naked and marginalized.
Your fear of the truth so clear. Your unwillingness to address the issues addressed by the pastor, so clear.

The coporate media "Bull Conner moment" has arrived!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

"Wright's audience cheered him on as the minister mocked the media and, at one point, did a little victory dance on the podium. It seemed as if Wright... was actually trying to doom Obama..."

That's a fascinating juxtaposition, Dana. Mocking the media invites doom. Tell us more.

The press and You DANA MILBANK are the voice of doom. consistently trolling Wright's addresses to take things out of context...

May Heaven prevent you from destroying and distorting the truth and bring you to see the error of your ways and apologize for staining a good man with your lies.
============================================

You should know God Damn America doesn't mean God Damn America. You Obamanites need that context interpreter real bad. Seems everything he says or is associated with is taken out of context. Seems the great Orator has trouble communicating?

I'm confused! The U.S. government has failed to apologize or pay reparations for all of the years of free labor and taxation without any representaion. Three times as many Blacks died during the Middle Passage to slavery alone as did during the Holocaust. Yet, noone is accountable for the past. To have racial pride or remember your heritage seems acceptable for everyone except the people who suffered the most. I listened to Reverend Wright simply point out differences between races. He repeatedly stated different isn't deficient. Are the white people who want more from Obama serious? If you really can't accept that people are different, please stop trying to be so covert about your racism and just wear your white robe and hood.

After watching the 'rev' speaking at the 'NAACP' and the 'National Press Club', I have learned a new math solution.


This is as follows: 15m = - 4y

15 "( minutes of fame for the Rev )" = - 4 ( years in the Whitehouse for Obama )

This article is nothing but an excuse to invoke Farrakan and give fodder to those who want to scare Jews with black boogeymen.

Dana Milbank you are so transparent. Why give a description of the people in the audience--at least those particular people in the audience? Why is it important that some of the Nation of Islam members served as bodygards? Do you think America's secret service, from the Bush/Cheney Whitehouse, can be trusted to protect Wright? You prooved Wright right, because your context of your article--the description of his message and you stressing the presence of at least four of the attendees--is to further incite fear, racism, distraction, confusion, and bitterness. You have no integrity. General Peck is right--America's chickens are coming home to roost. If nothing else this event shows just how racist Americans are, including you!!

"But that's nothing compared to Obama's response about being too busy to debate Senator Clinton."

I'm sick of the ridiculous argument that Hillary and your supporters are trying to drum up that Obama is afraid of debating her. There's been something like 20 debates already. Have you forgotten about those?

Neither is afraid of debating. I like Hillary and the Clintons, but it's a shame they have to resort to the lowest forms to win this election. Even worse is that people buy their nonsense.

My thoughts...

I watched Wright's full speech last nite. It provided the context. It was very interesting.

I watch the Q&A (skipped his prepared remarks). I understand he feels combative, but he should have looked at this from public point of view. He didn't, came across combative.

Long and short is, he is basically a reasonable guy. He harbours some views we'll disagree with. But he has a lot more integrity than most people in US (myself included)

Also, I am not sure what Dana is talking about. Did you listen to everything he said? The least you can do is think for yourself !

OBAMA IS THE ANTI NAACP!

Remember when all the traditional civil rights leaders were bashing on Obama and supporting Hillary because they were afraid they would lose power and influence to Obama's rational message?

Obama is 180 degrees from this guy's angry and divisive attitudes. Al Sharpton, Andrew Young, and the rest of the old guard LOVE Wright's angry tide.

It is how they keep the black community in a slave-era mindset. "You need us to fight the man who keeps you down" is the message. "You're the victim and you'll always be". Or "Whitey hates you".

Obama's message is more like "You'd better pull up your socks because we've got hard work to do together that the old guard has been telling you to avoid."

The more wright speaks the more I'm convinced of how badly we need Obama in the whitehouse to show REAL leadership of positive action instead of blame-placing anger and passive victimization and waiting for help.

The apology for slavery Wright is looking for was called the American Civil War.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, explaining this morning why he had waited so long before breaking his silence about his incendiary sermons, offered a paraphrase from Proverbs: "It is better to be quiet and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Barack Obama's pastor would have been wise to continue to heed that wisdom.

PERFECT, MILBANK. But Obama's spiritual advisor, the man who married him, baptized his children and whom Obama gave 20,000 of his money to propagate this racist, chip on the shoulder, hate-mongering, divisive BS IS STILL AROUND, STILL SPEWIN' IT.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL GET IF OBAMA WERE ALLOWED NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE-YOU CAN'T HAVE BEEN AS INFLUENCED BY SOMEONE AS OBAMA WAS BY THIS PREACHERMAN AND FAIL TO AGREE WITH THE MAJOR THESES OF HIS SPEECH-WHICH IS BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY AT ITS MOST DIVISIVE. OBAMA HAS BEEN VERY DECEPTIVE ABOUT HIS ASSOCIATION WITH WRIGHT-SO IT'S GOOD THAT WRIGHT IS COMING FORWARD TO TELL THE COUNTRY WHAT HE IS ABOUT-AND ALL THAT WRIGHT IS SAYING SIMPLY UNDERPINS ALL THOSE "OUT OF CONTEXT" SNIPPETS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED-SNIPPETS THAT OBAMA PROFESSES NOT TO KNOW ABOUT, BECAUSE OBAMA DOES NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THE EXTENT TO WHICH HE HAS ACCEPTED THIS RACIST DIVISIVE BELIEF SYSTEM AGAINST WHITES.

WoW! Thank you media! Keep the racist distortions going. Highlight them. Spotlight them. Your naked bias is showing.

Folks are paying attention. In the end, the ignorant racist will be transformed by knowledge. An the pathological racist will stand naked and marginalized.
Your fear of the truth so clear. Your unwillingness to address the issues addressed by the pastor, so clear.

The coporate media "Bull Conner moment" has arrived!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

People keep wondering why Wright is 'doing this' to Obama. The reason is that Wright's world doesn't revolve around Obama (I know, a stunning concept). Folks need to understand that Wright's loyalties are not primarily with Obama, but with the theology he espouses.

Wright believes every last word he's saying to his core, and he's believed this stuff for years. That's where his loyalty lies. There's simply no way he's gonna back off from what he believes, no matter what the consequences on Obama might be.

Wright's entire preaching career has been based on this theology, which means his commitment to it long predates Obama. From his perspective, it might be better for Obama if he kept quiet, but it would hurt the cause he's aligned himself with for decades. When presented this way, there simply isn't any mystery about what Wright was gonna do and say today.

The political implications aside, a Black pastor is voicing his views and opinions about issues and people label him a nut case. But, these are his views based on his experiences dealing with race in this country and how our government has acted both within this country towards its citizens and towards the rest of the world.

And, instead of actually discussing any of the issues he has brought up, he is labeled a nut case. So, of course, everything he discusses is dismissed.

As a white man, I see some truth in what he is saying with the exception of how the AIDS virus came about--but, our government did nothing for 5 years (that's how long it took Reagan to even mention AIDS publicly) regarding the virus and the disease while it was predominately affecting gays, drug users, and minorities.

And, of course, a white pastor can irrationally blame 9/11 on gays and Katrina on gays, and said pastor is NOT labeled a nut case.

Until someone like Rev. Wright can bring up these issues and we can have a discussion about them, there is no WAY that this country will be able to have a real discussion regarding race.

As for political matters, Obama is held accountable for the views of his neighbors, his pastor and all associates. But, George Bush and John McCain can actually court the support of white pastors who are racist, homophobic and irrational (nut cases) with complete impunity.

This says a lot about either our right leaning or racist media.

et tu Milbank? I use to respect you and what you had to say. It now appears you have sold out to the WAPO management. Enjoy your bonus. At least the cross burning KKK had ignorance as an excuse for their fear. What's yours?

Oh for God's sake, since when did the preacher at a person's church mean anything before this election? I am so sick of reading about this guy. The whole idea that this is even an election issue reeks of guilt by association and the lack of freedom of religion and/or speech. What a pile of crap, when there are serious issues. The double standard is appalling.

The 9/11 thing he said is only controversial to people who don't know what was going on with US policy in the middle east. They hate us for our heavy involvement in their politics in our quest for oil, and our one sided support of israel. Want to know why I think that? Thats what they said.

The only reasonable, possible explanation to the Wright/Obamba debacle is that Obama agreed with his mentor for 20 YEARS. That is why Wright feels free to give his Anti American Speeches while Obama shies away from denouncing him. Obama cannot denounce nor refused Wright because the truth will come out. Wright is Obama's true political liability. Expect the following, Wright will :
1- WRITE A BOOK.
2- CONTINUE TO GIVE NATIONAL SPEECHES.
3- HE WILL CHARGE FOR THOSE NATIONAL SPEECHES.
4- HE WILL APPEAR IN MORE COMMENTARY PROGRAMS.
5- DONT BE SURPRICE IF WRIGHT HIMSELF RUNS FOR SENATOR.
6- THERE WILL BE A WRIGHT IDIALOGY BASED ON HIS POLITICAL ANGLE.
7- OBAMA WILL NOT DISASSOCIATE, NOR RENOUNCED REV. WRIGHT.

SO ASK YOURSELF WHY? Why CANT THE NEXT POSSIBLE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DENOUNCE AND RENOUNCE HIS CRAZY, ANTI-AMERICAN PASTOR? EASY; WRIGHT KNOWS TOO MUCH.

Yes! Thankfully, Clinton can recover from the media and party-male-establishment assault on her. She held her ground. I watch the tapes of "fairytale-gate" and "lbj-gate" today and just became angry once again that Obama's campaign villified them as racists, just to get votes. Racism is a serious social issue, not something to play with. Yes, Obama will plunge in the polls. The Republicans were waiting and hoping for this in the Fall, but it's too late now. Got to wonder why Wright spoke again. Was there some deal her to kill Obama's candidacy? In any event, as a staunch Clintonite, I've very happy. Thanks Reverend Wright!

Rev. Wright, 4/28/08:

"Louis Farrakhan is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains, he did not put me in slavery, and he didn't make me this color."

Enough is enough already. Addressing various comments that have been made --

America did not kill Dr. King. James Earl Ray killed him.

And yes, Civil Rights laws have only been in effect for about 50 years. And 50 years is the better part of one lifetime.

No white American living today was a slave owner. Very few white Americans approve of or participate in overt hurtful, harmful, racially biased behavior. Quite probably many white Americans somehow participate in behaviors that they don't realize are hurtful or harmful or racially biased, because they're not deliberate.

It's really time to stop the paranoia and stop the blame. Bridging the divide is a two-way street, the burden does not rest solely on white shoulders.

A lot of white people do think there are more pressing issues right now, such as war, health care, transportation, heat and food. And some white people are having a very difficult time understanding how it is that a bi-racial man who seems to reject the culture of his white mother and grandparents, and who has made much of his respect and admiration for the overtly racist rantings of Jeremiah Wright can possibly be the presidential candidate most able to lead a racial unity movement?

And, finally, yes, this is a racist country and racism is definitely not a one-way street. The road is just as long, twisted and jagged on the reverse journey.

Dis-enchanted thank you for putting it that way. TRUTHFULLY!!!

Vnd22- his remarks are not out of the ordinary, they're out of your view of ordinary. You should go to a black church, see we don't have time for revenge or all of that nonsense. We have a hard enough time with EVERYDAY things. Our church offer us hope, hope that one day, we will be treated as equals, not only during elections either.

as usual white media has missed the point entirely. thank goodness some of us black folk actually listen and read for ourselves. Rev. Wright said nothing wrong this morning or in his other sermons. I seriously doubt that Mr. Milbank or any of the other talking idiots have read or listened to the entire sermons. You as well as others are speaking from an entirely different point of view and you have made no effort to understand the point of view of others.

Rev. Wright is well within his right to defend himself and the black church. It doesn't have anything to do with Obama. Are you held accountable for everything that a reporter does wrong like fabricating a story? (Didn't the WAPO have a problem with this years ago? The NYTimes? The Boston Globe? USA Today?) Perhaps you knew some of the writers involved? Should you be indicted for guilt by association?

I think even you can see how ridiculous this line of thinking can become.

DANA MILBANK SICKENS ME. THE PRESS HAS FAILED WOEFULLY, ON OBJECTIVE COVERAGE.THE REASON WHY OBAMA WOULD FAIL IS BECAUSE YOU WANT HIM TOO.

IF THIS MEDIA HAD COVERED JESUS. HE WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN TOO. HE CALLED THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION THEN A"BROOD OF VIPERS" HE SAID PEOPLE SHOULD "HATE MOTHER AND FATHER".THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR HEADLINES AND YOUR LOOPS. I COULD NOT BE SICKER OF YOU.

YOU TROLL AN HOURS ADDRESS TO FIND 15 SECS OF SOUNDBITE YOU CAN SPIN OUT OF CONTEXT...

GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU VILE LOT.

It is people like Wright spouting hatred and inciting his congregation to believe in their own victimization that is a cancer on the African American community.

As long as they feel sorry for themselves and wait for a handout to assuage a wrong which they did not even experience, they will not accomplish anything. The best thing for America would be to desegregate the churches and build people up instead of tearing them down.

Blow it out your a@@, Milbank.

Rev. Wright, 4/28/08:

"Louis Farrakhan is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains, he did not put me in slavery, and he didn't make me this color."

Posted by: E.A. | April 28, 2008 2:34 PM
_____________
Neither did I!

Does anybody else think it is funny that Rev. Wright made fun of the KENNEDYS, those great supporters of OBAMA?!

What's funny is that Wright's comments are about the US Governement. Not white people. So why do so many whites think he is talking to them.

Fear. The biggest fear of whites has always been that, given the chance, blacks would do to them what whites did to blacks.

Racism = Fear.

Martin Luther King is one of the greates prophets the world has ever known. Much of what he predicted has come to pass.

Well just remember, he also predicted that racism would be our downfall. That predictions becomes closer to the truth everyday. With every election where we vote race over common sense.

Remember folks, the Euro will be double the dollar soon. The clock is ticking for this once great nation, we'll be a fallen superpower with 100 years.

And what of Clinton who said she would not stay with anyone who she disagreed with, and yet she clerked in 1971 with a radical communist law firm in Berkeley? Why did she choose to work for communists? According to her logic, she must have agreed with them. How will the Reagan Democrats vote for a candidate for President who worked for communists at a time when our soldiers were getting killed by communists? How will Hillary defend that?

I thought the speech was informative and honest...It's hard to understand how people can cover their eyes and act like this is some crazy old man. The most shocking thing to me about the entire piece was that the only question the moderator acknowledge she wrote was. Was does Barrack sleep in church? He was mocking the media b/c it's getting to a point where it's almost like 13 year olds reporting.

Any chance Clinton's campaign got to the good Wright with a handful of $ and promises? Politics is so filthy today that one never knows. I suggest we all write in Ron Paul or Dennis Kucinich.

I listened to the entire speech and didn't hear what you heard. He didn't say the US created AIDS, he said the US would be capable of it, he didn't praise Farrakhan, he praised his power for mobilization, he didn't defend the view that Zionism is racist -he clarified that Farrakhan's controversial remarks had been about Zionism not Judaism as a whole, he didn't defend the ramarks. Amazing how you can hear what you want to hear, not what was said.

As for your last two paragraphs - if those comments offend you, there is no way you'd fully hear anything else he said. Anyone who thinks it's not wrong to claim to be a christian but be racist (or who thinks that such people don't exist), or who doesn't believe an apology for slavery would be appropriate - well, you need reconciliation.

I watched both of Rev. Wright's speeches (NAACP and National Press). He spoke about how "different is not deficient, just different". He also spoke about positive reconciliation of differences among a variety of different groups of people.

I want to go him one better. I add, that each individual human being has different and opposing thoughts or beliefs within his or her OWN psyche. The tension that is created requires conscious attention to those opposing thoughts and some reconciliation of them. Reconciling those internal differences requires work, but that work is albeit satisfying and growth producing. Talking about race creates lots of internal conflict within Americans. It appears many want Rev. Wright to "go away" so they won't have to do the internal work.

The work required involves transcending the "either/or"- ness of the thoughts and instead come to some "both/and" perspective. That is how humans grow psychologically. That is how we learn how to become mature and secure in the face of someone who is unlike us.

The ideas that Rev. Wright spoke about over the weekend and today challenge each individual to think more deeply. Whenever a person, especially an American voter, thinks more deeply and considers reconciliation of differences (rather than disowning the other) as a preferred approach, he or she has transformed him or herself.

When it comes to this election, he or she will listen to ALL perspectives, not just the ones the media have spoon-fed to them. He or she will not be like children accepting unquestionably the thoughts of the parent (i.e media pundits)

He or she cannot be predicted, forecasted, or written off. The American voter becomes free and nobody, not the press, nor the candidates can tell them what to think or what to do come election day.

The press (and some candidates) want to tell the voters what to think and what to do. By November or even by June, the American people will be thinking more deeply and critically. I already see it in the quality of posts on this and other on message boards.

In the end, a critically- and free- thinking American electorate will be good for America. Whoever wins the general election will have to contend with an American people who are more critically thinking and courageously outspoken than ever before in history.

They will have Rev. Wright to thank for that.

Just what we need in this country, another so-called religious leader spouting extremist nonsense....Wright can join Sharpton, Dobson, and Robertson in America's pantheon of whacko ministers. Our nation's founders were very wise to insist on the separation of church and state. We could do worse than to go back to not mixing religion and politics. We don't need these kinds of mullahs in the United States.

The blacks incessantly complain about the past slavery issue in the U.S. but they continue their path.....slaves to the U.S. government "programs".
One of their own just ensured Obamas loss.
Go figure.

Posted by: seedobecome | April 28, 2008 1:58 PM

You DO realize that there are more white people on those "programs" than black people don't you? You are great example of the ignorance of a lot of Americans Obviously not you

I think that we like to play let's pretend in this country. If I pretend that what Rev.Wright is saying is falsehood then I can contine to pretend that all is well with race relations in this country.
Posted by: Paulina W
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pauline everything the Clinton's have said has been factual, yet they have been labeled racist. Obama has made this election about race and it has backfired. He has put himself in a damned if you do and damned if you don't position.

Race relations are a lot better in this country, but they have a way to go. White votes got Obama in the front runner position and he screwed it up by using the race card because he got arrogant and greedy.

Dan Milbank never discussed the basis of Rev Wright Challenge;the sinful past of this country. What he did in this article was a disgraceful and false analysis of the implications of Rev Wright speech as if Rev wright is tied to the pants of Obama. Its amazing that so called these so-called journalists cannot do simple investigative journalism and give us something to think about, but have rather become some bogus armchair news analysts, with their stupid anaysis based on nothing but bigotry. You don't know enough about the man, and instead of moving beyond the grainy video clip on U-tube, and finding information about him, you sit in your stupid office and write some stupid stuff. Getting stuck on STUPID will do nothing to help this country

Honestly Dana. You really did a disservice to your readers with this post.

You should have posted the entire transcript like the New York Times did and allow people to make a judgment for themselves.

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/us/politics/28text-wright.html?pagewanted=all

Will Wright be an issue for Obama? Anything and everything will be an issue in an electoral process that seeks to avoid real issues and lift up distractions. In my opinion, it's the height of stupidity not to vote for someone because of who their pastor is.

And I do believe that Wright is correct. In slamming him, people are attacking the right of the church to speak out on social issues--and that is very dangerous. The Conservative Christian Right should be called hypocrites for allowing that to proceed unabated--or maybe, since they are mostly Republicans, their silence is indicative of their desperation after eight years of Bush-it.

It's funny watching Obama people go after Milbank. Milbank is one of the white guys who has been bashing Clinton the entire campaign. Now he's doing it to Wright/Obama, and people are crying foul. Where were you when he was scorching Clinton and lending to her negative media image? Now that Wright has mortally wounded Obama, the liberal media is running back to Clinton, hoping to prevent McCain from winning. LOL -- this is too funny!

Jeremiah Wright continues to throw Obama under the train because he no doubt feels that Obama has done the same to him, e.g. disinviting him to speak when B.O. announced his presidential aspirations.

Looks like its bye, bye, Barack time. All thanks to the loose lips of former pastor J. Wright. The shame of it all is that he is still, I believe, by far the best candidate for president. Unfortunately, you can be done in not only by your own works and/or actions, but by those who 'supposedly' have your best interest at heart.

I bet the opposition (Clinton, McCain camps) can't believe the gift that former Pastor Wright just bestowed upon them!

Honestly Dana. You really did a disservice to your readers with this post.

You should have posted the entire transcript like the New York Times did and allow people to make a judgment for themselves.

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/us/politics/28text-wright.html?pagewanted=all

Will Wright be an issue for Obama? Anything and everything will be an issue in an electoral process that seeks to avoid real issues and lift up distractions. In my opinion, it's the height of stupidity not to vote for someone because of who their pastor is.

And I do believe that Wright is correct. In slamming him, people are attacking the right of the church to speak out on social issues--and that is very dangerous. The Conservative Christian Right should be called hypocrites for allowing that to proceed unabated--or maybe, since they are mostly Republicans, their silence is indicative of their desperation after eight years of Bush-it.

What in this piece could possibly provoke to a long nutjob "Jews control the world" diatribe? I guess bigots don't need motivation.

Also, that poster is no more Republican that Wright is a man of God. No GOP supporter would defend Jimmy Carter.

You mischaracterize Wright's comments on Farrakhan. He did not defend Farrakhan. He said, "Louis and I do not agree on everything." What he DID defend is his freedom to associate with people working for large goals (in this case the advancement of colored people) despite differences on some issues. Wright defended Wright's own right to associate with people of different views. To say he defended Farrakhan is facile, false and incendiary. Any one who believes in free speech and the freedom of association must applaud Wright's defence of those principles, not slander him through guilt by association. Like the Black church, whose voice is lost on the mainstream, Wright's speech is deliberately misinterpreted here.

I agree that Wright has doomed Obama's presidency. Wright is 2008's Willie Horton--a black man whose image alone can invoke fear among white people.

The best thing Wright could have done for Obama was to stay silent. Instead, Wright has sabatoged Obama's campaign. I hope Wright can sleep at night knowing that he has destroyed the chances of the first viable African-American contender for the Democratic nomination.

I really feel bad for Obama and his Zombie Followers, NOT!

Jeremiah Wright's hate, treason, and racism continues to work to divide this country in ways never before considered.
The remote possibility of the likes of a Jeremiah Wright being a frequent visitor or speaker at the White House will work effectively to drive voters to Hillary Clinton or John McCain.

From this point forward, every word uttered by Wright is a vote turned against Barack Obama.

From this point forward, every word uttered in defense of Wright by Obama supporters is a vote turned against Barack Obama.

Stick a fork in Obama, he is done!

New Clinton campaign slogan: "Wright On!"

Bwahahahahaha!

Does anybody else think it is funny that Rev. Wright made fun of the KENNEDYS, those great supporters of OBAMA?!

I do. But then again, who doesn't make fun of the Kennedys?

It is pretty sad that Rev. Wright tells such truths: that behind closed doors, Obama agrees with his teachings and HAS to say otherwise or he will not be elected. Obama is damaged goods. He needs to remove himself before HE destroys the Democratic Party and their chances to beat John McCain in November.

It is time for Obama to drop out of the race. He and his spiritual are hurting the party and no I am not a racist. If all the people who already voted could have a "do over" Senator Clinton would have the nomination secured right now. If the press hadn't just been attacking her and instead had been looking at them both equally she would have the nomination secured right now. Obama is unelectable. It is time to vote smart and vote Clinton.

It is lunatics like this that are holding African American politicians back from becoming more progressive and making a bigger difference. No one who shares this nut's point of view will ever hold significant political office. Furthermore, the mere fact that Mr. Wright inferred that Senator Obama shared his political opinion was beyond destructive. If this moron thinks that he speaks for the Black Church, he has lost his mind.

African Americans like him are the opposite of what this country needs. Ranting about hundreds of years ago as if an apology for slavery in this country is either plausible or useful. Focusing on topics like this, and some whacked out idea that White American government created aids is just preposterous. If this guy had an ounce of intelligence he would realize that he is ruining our countries chance at having another Black leader, because his comments are a huge gift to Hilary. Way to go Reverend Wright, you really showed white people.

What can I say. I have made a sustained and successful effort to make black friends and have benefited from those relationships enormously. There are many things in Rev Wright's bombast that liberate those who have been treated so badly. However, his self-indulgence is doing great harm not only to Mr. Obama but to the entire black community. Black ministers are not all racist loud-mouth baffoons and even Mr. Wright displays, at times, a high level of intelligence, but the timing of his actions seems vengeful and the impact of his actions can do not good to the one (Mr. Obama) whose association brought all this to light. The tragedy of the black psyche is its spasms of self-destruction.

I rarely hear any strong American voice, political or not, speaking so clearly about the American Administration policies. However, this only plays well with the electorate that is well-educated, which is already for Obama. The others cannot understand what he's saying and will only alienate them further.

Obama's adversaries have it very easy because it's easy to manipulate uneducated masses. Who would have thought that the black candidate would have it harder with them?

Rev. Wright is wrong to speak out like this. He sets his own movement and the entire progress movement back at least another 4 years by ensuring a Clinton nomination. Sometimes you must remain quiet to assume power and make real progress. By scaring the average white voter with his rhetoric, he forces fence sitters to move in a safer (Clinton) direction. It's like a union voter voting republican, you know its against your own best interest, but they do it anyway. Stop the madness and let's get Obama elected, then you can spout all the pent-up bitterness you desire. It's crazy, just crazy. It's like Ralph Nader trying to move the country in a green, consumer friendly, less corporate greed direction by running and taking votes away from Gore in 2,000. Yeah...I know Ralphy, those weren't really Gore votes...yeah...thanks for the eight years of W. Your plan worked to perfection, just like Rev. Wright's is working now. At this rate the republications will control the Presidency and dictate foreign policy, environmental policy and education, labor...for another eight years. WTF are you thinking? Sometimes you must make a decision for the common good and not your own self interest.

What a poor selection of everything this man has been saying for the last two days. If Mr. Milbank would post Wright's words in context, in their entirety, you wouldn't create an situation where his words could be so readily taken out of context and distract us from real issues (that he talks about). Milbank should know this, so the question remains, why do you present this issue in such a limited manner?

Wright speaks for himself. He has said this over and over. Anyone who decides to vote against Obama because of Wright was never really, when the curtain closed, going to vote for him any way. I found his comments often flippant at the Press Club, but underneath it all, he was more enlightening than shocking to people with open minds. Regarding his security team, it's his life that has to be protected, so it's his choice.

While supporters of Clinton relish the potential for bad press for Obama and talk of fodder for Republican attack ads, do they really believe the lull in Clinton bashing won't be quickly replaced with a full scale barrage, if she assumes the top of the ticket? At the top of the list, McCain will be showing footage of his many days as a P.O.W in contrast to the four different days over four months time when Clinton claimed she was under sniper fire. The clear double standard is that Obama is responsible for things he did not say, while Clinton skates over her out right lies and "resume inflations." If Obama had falsified this kind of story of heroics, there would have been calls for him to withdraw from the DNC and many of his own delegates.

McCain has to be very happy about this turmoil among the Democrats. No smart supporter of Clinton can rejoice at the possible failure of Obama to win the nomination. Blacks supported Bill with 90% of the vote and began the primaries overwhelmingly for Hillary. If Obama is perceived to have been smacked down by the efforts of the Clintons, the divorce from black voters will be a bitter one. Clinton will be assigned much of the blame and will win a hollow victory when much of the loyal, black electorate will "abstain from McCain," but be very "busy" in November. They will be spending their time healing in November, not voting.

Dana Milbank is intellectualy bankrupt. He cannot analyse, cannot do any rational deduction and the little deductions and analysis he makes are clouded in bigotry and bad judgment. what a pity. I wonder who his college professors were.

Um, rjdect1 - Are you aware that Obama was the FIRST to accept a debate in North Carolina over a month ago, but Clinton refused ? Then when she realized she was losing, she started demanding for one. Things change...

Are you also aware ( as I am sure you are not) that Hillary's Republican opponent in 2006,Jonathan Tasini repeatedly asked her to debate him, and she refused ?

Obama and Clinton have had 4 debates. He's on top: he's the nominee, and like Clinton in her senate race, he has the right to decline - especially since she was the first one to decline a month ago.

Case closed.

Obama: Let me throw my grand ma under the bus and save black KKK leader Wright

Obama supporters: Wright is right, we are with him...

Please keep up this great effort..... :-)

People, people settle down. This blog piece was written by Eric Pianin, not Dana Milbank.

I say again. This blog piece was written by ERIC PIANIN, not DANA MILBANK.

This blog was written from the perspective of someone who already held negative opinions and judgements about Rev. Wright based on the past 10-second video bites.

If Rev. Wright was running for political office then the mainstream media would have a legititmate concern in the need to cover him. As Rev. Wright has said, he is not running for the Oval Office, he is running for Jesus!

Obama can't be held responsible for statements of another man. Rev. Wright is not campaigning for Obama. All this focus on Rev. Wright's opinions diverts us from the real story which is what are ("President") Obama's opinions.

Rev Wright spoke the truth yesterday and today.

When I first heard the sound bites, I too was troubled. But then I thought maybe there is more to this sermon. I grew up in the black church and I know how heated a sermon can become. I listened to the entire sermon and I still disagree with parts of it but I understand the context.

As I listened today, all I could say was "AMEN, Preach the truth!"

There is nothing Obama can say or do to save his career.

Its over.

Matt G.

Exactly!

When will people stop blaming Wright? If it wasn't Wright it would be Michelle. If it wasn't Michelle it would be something else.

Did you all really think the race card was not gonna get played over and over and over again. That's always been the best strategy, "Remind everyone he's black."

If Barack loses because of Wright it will be a sad commentary for America. Even a guy that's have white is too black to be President I guess.

Obama claims to care about national security, but his own pastor justifies terrorist attacks on American soil !!!

Obama claims to be a uniter, but for 20 years he has been hanging around with a hate-preaching nut who only sees the U.S. government as an instrument of whites to oppress blacks, to the extent of saying that HIV was created by the U.S. to mass-murder blacks !!!

Moreover, according to Rev. Wright's words, it seems that Obama privately agrees with him, just doesn't say so in public.

Very much like Obama's top economic advisor meeting with Canadian representatives and assuring them not to worry about de future of NAFTA, since Obama's attack on free trade was just... to fool voters.

A lot of explaning to do...

I'm far more wary of the strings attached to the sudden wealth explosion of Bill Clinton and his overbearing influence on Hillary, than any relationship Wright and Obama could ever have!

He said his "God damn America" remarks were meant to show that God blesses acts of peace and kindness, but God damns acts of war and violence. He talked of slavery, racial segregation and poverty as condemnable acts and referring to the U.S. government, he said, blacks are still owed an apology for slavery, and said he's told Obama, if he's elected November 5, "I'm coming after you."

Should America apologize to African Americans for slavery?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=2297

.

INteresting that you chose not to report that it wasn't Wright who chose the words "chickens coming home to roost" in your piece. Ron Paul suggested as much and he won 16% in the Penn. GOP primary last week.

Also interesting that you didn't report that Wright said Obama distanced himself from Wrights "comments" and not Wright himself.

Seems you weren't even at the press club this morning.

Moreover, Wright's view of the world has nothing to do with Obama's spirituality or election platform.

If his asscoaition with Wright is an issue then so should Pastor Hagees be with McCain. Afterall, Hagee endorsed him and McCain said he was happy to have the endorsement. Really?

Dana, you're painting Wright as a nut, and your language drips with condescension, so maybe in your insulated universe it's never occurred to you that there are people who hold these views. But even in your selective and loaded rendition of the latest Wright sound bites, I find about 80% I can agree with, some strongly. And my mother, a 70-year-old Sicilian-American former educator, and Hillary Clinton supporter, calls Wright "sincere, balanced, learned and thoughtful."

This was nothing but a cheap hit piece that does nothing to help us understand Reverend Wright's thinking or the milieu in which it evolved, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Where is Eugene Robinson? Maybe this will be the topic of his op-ed piece for the week?

EUUUUGEEENNENENEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Guy looks like the little kid from the Exsorcist.

It was a great try Senator Obama and I planned on voting for you but you will never get the votes to win now with Rev. Wright on the speech circuit. We are known by the friends we keep. Goodbye and better luck in 2012 or 2016. You are certainly a leader and this country desperately needs a strong leader.

This guy is killing Obama.

I can't see anything good coming from a man surrounding himself with Farakhan and the clan. But I am sure the American people can see beyond this fool's tactic of trying to doom Obama....I bet Clinton is laughing in her dreams!
As an Obama supporter, I say it's time for Obama to distance himself from this crazy guy in the clearest form possible.

Really Dana? I'm so glad to have you guys around to tell me what to think! God knows how I would get through my day without you dissecting to the last morsel everything everyone says and what it means or doesn't mean. If I recall it was all you so called journalists who helped get us into this mess of a war by NOT challenging George Bush on the "weapons of mass distruction.
Now I am supposed to trust your judgement? I should sit back and have you indirectly telling me who to vote for by blowing up peoples words and attaching them to someone else? Are you really so afraid that we could have someone in the whitehouse that wouldn't give you more drama and idiocy to report on (or pander to)? NOT THIS TIME!!! I will think for myself and tune you out!!!

According to Obama's cultists --

"If Obama does it, it is not a crime"

Obama stuck with Rev Wright for 20 years.

There is nothing Obama can say or do that will save his career.

He let the poorest of the poor who put him into office freeze in slums that Rezko