MyDD :: Would Senator Obama please clarify ?

Would Senator Obama please clarify ?

by louisprandtl, Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:32:33 PM EST

what controversial remarks he heard from Rev. Wright while he was present in the Church? By listening to his March 18th speech, I inferred that he backed away from his original contention from March 14th. The statements as quoted below seem contradictory. However, it is remotely possible that he never heard the comments in the tape in the 20 years of Church visits, before he decided to run for President but has heard other controversial comments. This seems stretching reality. But then I'm willing to give the Senator the benefit of the doubt. Now it is upto the Senator himself to clarify what controversial statements that he talked about that Rev Wright spoke in his presence. I'll let Senator Obama's own comments speak for themselves. Others might have already caught this contradiction and shown it.

NPR March 14, 2008
http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2008/03/ob ama_condemns_comments_made_b.html

"The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments."

CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, March 14, 2008
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0 803/14/acd.01.html

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: "Well, first of all, Anderson, you know, I strongly condemn the statements that have been shown on the tape.

I have to confess that those are not statements that I ever heard when I was sitting in the pews at this church. This is a church that I have been a member of for 20 years. This is a well-established, typical, historically African-American church in the South Side of Chicago, with a wonderful set of ministries."

Barack Obama Speech on Race: March 18, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/pol itics/18text-obama.html?pagewanted=2& ;fta=y

"I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. 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."

Tags: Senator Obama, Contradictions, Rev Wright (all tags)

Permalink :: 37 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (none / 0)

the comments in question he didn't hear.

but there are comments he heard that could be controversial if we knew what they were. will he tell you what those comments were? probably not.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:36:19 PM EST

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (none / 0)

He has said that they dealt with U.S. foreign policy, but I don't think he has elaborated beyond that.

What he heard or didn't hear isn't the issue, it's what Obama believes, and he's been both clear and consistent about that.

Besides...

"No other person is responsible for what a person says except that person. And so, if they have a problem with what Ann Coulter says, blame Ann Coulter. You can't blame somebody else for what she said."

- Sean Hannity, responding to Ann Coulter's calling John Edwards a "f*ggot" at CPAC's conference last year.

That just warms my heart.

by jdusek on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 02:41:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

If Hillary Clinton (2.00 / 1)

had made the statement that she hadn't heard THOSE particular controversial statements, but then turned right around a few days later and said that she had heard OTHER STATEMENTS that could be considered controversial, Keith Olbermann would probably have a "Special Comment" demanding to know what she heard and when she heard it. When Obama contradicts himself and shows his original statement to be a hairsplitting sidestep? Crickets.......

by georgiapeach on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 09:37:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Maybe he misspoke (none / 0)

I wouldn't call him a liar just yet.

by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:40:37 PM EST

Re: Maybe he misspoke (none / 0)

True enough. I didn't, gave him benefit of the doubt but sought he further clarify his "misstatements".

by louisprandtl on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:44:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Maybe he misspoke (none / 0)

its not TECHNICALLY a lie, but boy its walking a tightrope that only a harvard lawyer could get away with :-P

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:44:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

WaPo (none / 0)

Gave him two Pinnochios.

by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:47:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (none / 0)

Frankly, I think it is a mistake to get into this business of when was Obama "in the pews" and when wasn't he. It plays right into his hands.

Who cares when he was or wasn't there? Who cares what he heard firsthand or didn't? Obama is a smart fellow, no? How in the hell could he not know what Wright was all about after 20 years?

In my book, when you call someone your "spirtual advisor," it is presumed that you know what that person thinks. Wright is a crackpot racist conspiracy theorist, and I simply refuse to believe that Obama did not know this. And, even if he could somehow prove he didn't know it, I still wouldn't care, because it was his business to know before naming Wright as his "spirtual advisor."

by freemansfarm on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:44:50 PM EST

Really? (none / 0)

Do "crackpots" become on of the leading ministers in the country, so much so that a president will invite them to the white house in a time of need?

You are trying to smear this man with a thirty second internet clip and it is despicable.

He may have outdated, racists, ignorant and/or despicable views. But that does not mean that there is not a lot of good decent things about him as well. You don't have to endorse every statement, view or opinion of someone to have them as a spiritual adviser.

The moral chest thumping from some Clinton supporters on this things is just plain disgusting.

by bawbie on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:50:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There are (none / 0)

A lot of good decent things about Imus as well.

by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:51:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: There are (none / 0)

I for one didn't think he should have been fired.

he should have apologized immensely

but man I am a christian, I believe Jesus actually did die for my sins,

so other Christians should be able to relate, where would we be if Jesus were like us and so unwilling to forgive others for their mess ups?

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:53:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama said (none / 0)

He wouldn't be working for me.

by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:55:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama said (none / 0)

oh I am not saying I would employ him, or that I agreed with what he said, but I think that alone shouldn't have been enough for him to be fired.

I hate when people say 1 thing they people get in an uproar and demand action.

just bothers me, espeically when the Christian right does it because as a Christian I just feel they are being hypocritical and forgetting that forgiveness is the bedrock of our faith. and if it is suppose to be the bedrock of our country then hey guess what

Forgiveness should be a thing we are big on in this country, but we aren't espeically when politics are involved. which is why I believe Christianity and Politics don't mix and thus I don't really vote based on my religion, I think its best when our government is Religion blind.

Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."

by TruthMatters on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:59:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You just said (none / 0)

You wouldn't have him fired.

Now you're saying you wouldn't employ him.

Which is it?

by Edgar08 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:06:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: There are (none / 0)

Is somebody arguing that because the went on Imus' show, or they were friends with Imus that they shouldn't be president?

Imus was fired for saying something stupid. You can argue that Wright should have been fired for saying something stupid. But you can't equate Imus with Obama because Obama didn't say the "bad" things here.

I don't think your analogy is apt at all.

by bawbie on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:57:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's cause (none / 0)

You missed the point.

We're being asked not to judge Wright based on two or three statements, to take his whole life into consideration.

I submit that all the people who are saying that now were many of the same people who never gave a second's thought to Imus's charity work and what they said at the time was that he should be judged, and that his employment be terminated, because of one thing he said.

by Edgar08 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:09:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

: Really? Yes, Really (2.00 / 1)

Right, the Clinton supporters are the "disgusting" ones even though Obama had a crackpot racist for his "spirtual advisor." Why would anyone, least of a public official who is supposed to represent all of the people, and even more so, a public official who makes a special point of claiming that he represents some sort of post racial, racially transcendent status, employ a man with "outdated, racist, ignorant and/or despicable views" as his spirtual advisor? Racism is a moral and ethical issue, and, in my view, a person who is a racist should be disqualified ab initio from the office of "spriritual advisor." You talk about a "30 second clip," but that is completely disingenuous. The AIDS thing is one thing. But how about the sleazy, disgusting comments about Bill and Hillary Clinton? How about the award to Farrakhan? How about the derogatory comment about Italians? I would say the argument about the clips cuts against you. Given the things he said openly, who knows what Wright said when the cameras and microphones were turned off? Please, give it a rest. I know that Team Obama is working overtime to rehabilitate this nutjob, but it just won't wash.

Do you really think Bill Clinton knew about all this when he invited him, along with hundreds of other clergy, to the White House? Obviously not. But Obama knew all about him.

Finally, stop trying to excuse Wright by calling him ignorant. That is patronizing and totally doesn't fit the facts. Wright is not some semi-literate sharecropper from the Jim Crow Deep South. He was born and raised in Philadelphia. His father was a minister. His mother was a wdoctor. He attended several colleges, and has a BA, two masters degrees, and several other degrees as well. He did very well in the Armed Services. And he has done very well as the head of this church. This is a smart, well-educated man who has no excuse for making these statements.

by freemansfarm on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:30:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

How is this at all appropriate? (none / 0)

How can it be possible that members of the Democratic party and demanding, demanding!!!, to know exactly which dates another Democrat attended church, and what time, and what he heard or didn't hear.

For chrissake people, THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE! No public figure, under any circumstance, should ever be demanded to reveal when and how and where they worshiped. That is private information.

You are acting like the worst kind of theocratic purist republican here. Stop it now.

by bawbie on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:46:40 PM EST

Re: How is this at all appropriate? (none / 0)

Wow. Great comment. Its a valid point - but you wont see anyone here answer it.

Otherwise, we will have to ask HRC what she and her 'Friends' do at the 'Fellowship' - and when they do it.

Did someone say McCarthy?

On another note - I just read at DKOS an interesting point raised by Brazile. Isnt it funny that Clinton now turns her back on a man who was there for her husband during a rough time...who supported her husband - and by extension the Clinton family.

Loyalty. Pass it On.

We don't need a thinker. We need a doer: someone who'll act without considering the consequences. (H.J. Simpson)

by Newcomer on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:10:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How is this at all appropriate? (none / 0)

With all due respect you're misreading the diary. I have not "demanded" to know which dates that Senator had visited his Church. Frankly I don't think that's anybody's business. I'll point you back to the diary to note the contradictions in his words which sought clarifications from him.

by louisprandtl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:18:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's what you ask: (none / 0)

what controversial remarks he heard from Rev. Wright while he was present in the Church?

That is equivalent to asking what dates he was in church, because most of Rev Wrights sermons are available and dated.

You don't think it's "anybody's business" what dates he attend the church, but you do think it's YOUR business to know what he heard on those dates. That doesn't seem right to me.

---

Furthermore, the "contradictions" you point out are nothing.

he was very clear in the interviews he gave initially when the story broke that he was not in attendance for any of the incendiary statements in the video clip being played.

in his speech he was very clear that he HAD heard Rev Wright say controversial things, but never of the incendiary type in the clip being played over and over.

Those are completely consistent statements.

by bawbie on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:25:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Senator Obama is running to be President (none / 0)

of the most powerful country in the World. If he had through quietly when controversial statements are made from the pulpit, it is important to know what it is and why he sat quietly. It is a question of his judgement...

by louisprandtl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:48:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How is this at all appropriate? (2.00 / 1)

" That is private information. "

What we are talking about here is not religion, we are asking when he witnessed HATE SPEECH, which is 100% appropriate and vital information for voters to demand from a presidential candidate. Get it straight, the issue here is not religion and a public sermon does not fall under the category of a private act. This is a serious concern for voters who rightly expect transparency on an issue of character and values and what stand Obama takes on bigotry and damaging hate speech.

There is a further issue of Reverend Wright viciously defaming Hillary Clinton and her husband while praising and endorsing Barack Obama in the venue of a tax exempt church. That is a violation of federal law, and voters have a right to demand to know whether Barack Obama witnessed, or had anything to do with setting up this violation of law for the benefit of his presidential nomination campaign.

by 07rescue on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 07:10:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (none / 0)

I'd also like him to clarify this, since the allegation that his speech (as quoted in this diary) was a lie clearly doesn't match up with what he previously said.

So knowing what he heard would help clear this up. That said, I doubt he has word for word quotes of what he heard. He may have a general idea that he heard controversial material, but that might not equate to knowing exactly what he heard.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:47:27 PM EST

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (2.00 / 1)

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by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:48:19 PM EST

I'll help you out on the accuracy (2.00 / 1)

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by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:49:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'll help you out on the accuracy (none / 0)

Yeah, I did see one of those sneak in there. Maybe throw in a few Tuslas to boot.

by Johnny Gentle Famous Crooner on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:51:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'll help you out on the accuracy (2.00 / 1)

Wright! Michigan! Florida! Wright! Wright! Michigan! Wright! Florida! Florida! Michigan! Wright! Scaife! Wright! Michigan! Wright! Florida! Florida! Wright! Wright! Michigan! Florida! Michigan! Florida! Wright! Michigan! Michigan! Florida! Florida! Bosnia! Wright! Michigan! Florida! Wright! Florida! Michigan! Michigan! Wright! Wright! Wright! Wright! Florida! Tuzla! Florida! Florida! Wright! Michigan! Florida! Michigan! Wright! Michigan! Florida!

by Edgar08 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:52:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why does it effing matter? (2.00 / 1)

Rev Wright is not running for president. He's not running for Vice President. He is a close friend of Obama, but that doesn't make Obama responsible for Wright's opinions and words.

For the love of Christmas! Can you imagine how much it would suck if you were judged based on every little thing your friends and family say?

I have a father who jokes about clubbing baby seals. It's Abhorrent! It's disgusting. But I shouldn't be judged by his words. Him being an asshole shouldn't reflect poorly on ME.

Wright does not serve to be a reflection (poor or positive) of Obama. Anymore than Obama serves as a reflection of Wright.

It doesn't effing matter!

by DawnG on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:14:35 AM EST

Re: Why does it effing matter? (2.00 / 0)

it matters. read jerome's front page post. the numbers there will scald your eyeballs.

by campskunk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:16:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why does it effing matter? (none / 0)

Senator's own words matter. If there are inherent contradictions in his own words then he ought to clarify..it's simple and easy...

by louisprandtl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:23:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why does it effing matter? (none / 0)

what contridictions? Tell me. Pretend I am a complete stranger who's never been here before today (and you'd be about right) and explain to me exatly what contridictions you're talking about.

Because I listened to Obama. And as the single and sole democrat in a family of republicans, I had no problems understanding exactly what he was saying.

I have heard certain members of my family say some pretty stupid things. My mother once declared "Thank God Al Gore wasn't elected". My uncle rails against the government and taxes on a regular basis. My step mother thinks we should drill the crap out of ANWR because (as she put it) "Have you ever been up there Dawn? I have flown over ANWR. There is absolutely NOTHING out there." (Uh...yeah. that's the whole point.)

But, I would sooner cut out my own tongue than denounce them. I come from some of the most amazing, kind, warm, and generous people you could ever hope to meet on this planet. I don't agree with them, but I love them more than anything.

I had no problems understanding what Obama had to say about Wright.

by DawnG on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:32:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why does it effing matter? (none / 0)

Maybe you do not have any problems understanding what Senator Obama meant with his contradictory comments as highlighted above in the diary. However I'm not as intelligent, hence needs further clarifications to understand the inherent contradictions in his statements.

by louisprandtl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:41:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why does it effing matter? (none / 0)

I'm just tired of hearing about it. People are pointing to Wright's comments as an example of why Obama shouldn't be president. As if Obama himself said them.

People want Obama to denounce WRIGHT himself and I can absolutely understand his reluctance and refusal to do so.

Everyone knows (even cares about) people who have said things in their life that, in isolation, sound really bad. But you don't cut them out of your life for no other reason than because others disaprove of their statements.

It surprises me to no end that people, even people on the left, have no problems asking Obama to do just that.

I don't think less of Obama for not wanting to throw a close friend under the bus to satisfy the emotional bloodlust of a scandal-centric public.

by DawnG on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:52:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Look all I did is point out (none / 0)

some contradictory (which seemed to me) statements and sought clarifications. He is running to be President and I need to know more.

I'm not asking Senator to through his close friend/pastor under the bus, denounce him, isolate him et al. That's frankly not my business nor would I ever do so.

by louisprandtl on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:04:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (2.00 / 0)

i saw obama today in a news story - now he's back to denying he was there when wright made the remarks, and whining about how they're misrepresenting this wonderful theologian by making a 30 minute video of selected excerpts. he quickly caught himself and changed 30 minute to 30 second, but there were some smirks in the faces behind him on the stage. i bet those videos SEEM like they're 30 minutes long to obama.

by campskunk on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:15:27 AM EST

Re: Would Senator Obama please clarify ? (2.00 / 1)

a question of judgement...

by californiarose on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 12:24:03 AM EST

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