UH OH.

Seriously, do you guys think Rev. Wright is trying to sabotage Obama's bid?

Unfortunately this election is all about the distractions. Instead of these candidates discussing the issues they are continuously having to defend themselves regarding unrelated things.

I think it is sad and I think it is tearing the party apart.

Fortunately there are true supporters out there that look past this nonsense.

I am still wondering what Wright's motives are right now.

"Do you think Americans will be side-tracked by the controversial Reverend, who seems to enjoy the spotlight? Will Obama's denouncements be enough to separate him from a figure who is causing division instead or unity, or will his efforts fall on deaf ears? Is Barack forever guilty by association?"

That's a tricky question. I think it depends on the people you're looking at.

For those people who are already against him for insubstantial reasons and looking for more reasons to be against him (as opposed to the ones who choose not to support him due to a difference in policies, etc.), his denunciation won't help a thing. Their minds are already made up against him.

I would be concerned about the fence-sitters. Obviously the media has a field day with the Wright association.

As for me, I'm glad he made such a decisive move, though I worry it may be too late, politically, to undo some of the damage.

Oh, and Bettyesque, I agree with you completely.

Obama also said today that the gas tax vacation will cut 7,000 construction jobs in North Carolina alone . It is so sad that important issues like this are not the focus of the media right now.

It is sad that Obama has to address this issue, but I think it is good that he did. He showed Wright mercy, and Wright threw him under the bus. Wright deserves this critizism, as what he has been saying only harms the cause of racial equality he claims to support.

Thank you Jude. No matter what side you are on, if you believe in your candidate at this point that should not change. As we get closer to the election the more and more of this we are going to see.

I think it is sad that he has to keep repeating himself over and over. I am sad that I have to hear about this again and again. I think I am going to go camp out until election day.

I wonder what Wright is up to. What are his motives for exploiting this situation? I think Obama should solicit donations earmarked specifically to put Wright on a round-the-world cruise until after the inauguration so that we don't have to hear from this guy for a while.

Two words: Damage control.

Wright's comments are the straw that broke the camel's back for Obama. People overlooked Rezko, perhaps because no one has fully investigated the implications and there hasn't been a lot of media coverage (that I have seen). Ayers and Dorn, people overlook, they blame it on the sixties and neglect to recognize that these two still support their beliefs and methods. Wright, however, is animated and very vocal. He's impossible to ignore.

At this point Obama would sell his (typical white) grandmother to salvage his campaign.

I can't believe how much time the media and the Obama campaign has spent on the Wright stuff —I'm not pointing fingers, I'm just saying as a voter, it couldn't mean less to me.

Just as I have zero interest in the pandering Republican candidates do to the Evangelical right and their religious leaders (who have said equally inflammatory remarks, especially right after 9-11) and more in their policy views, I have zero interest in the zanni rantings from the far left religious leaders either.

Both sides have their fanatics and extremists and while there is a place for that in our democracy, I suspect their views matter little to the majority of Americans who are chiefly concerned with issues like losing their house, affordable tuition, and the war abroad. I wish the folks interested in vast government conspiracies and the work of the devil in New Orleans, etc. weren't given a platform during times like these so easily.

"I wish the folks interested in vast government conspiracies and the work of the devil in New Orleans, etc. weren't given a platform during times like these so easily."

I can agree with that.

I think a lot of it boils down to the fact that plenty of people would rather form their opinions based on "scandal" like this, than have to spend the time, effort, and mental energy understanding the policies of the candidates and the issues at stake.

We're not being side tracked by the Rev. Wright. We're being side tracked by the media. There are plenty of people out there who should have media coverage for their respective issues and don't get it. For the Media to pimp out Rev. Wright and then turn around and suggest he's a media hoer just goes to show how ethical our media is.

As for disagreeing with the Rev. comments that the media has launched an attack on the black church. I agree with Sen. Obama because I can see it from his perspective. However, this whole experience has revealed a pervasive ignorance in regards to the black church in America which is what Rev. Wright is referring to.

I do not believe Sen. Obama is forever guilty by association. I do believe though that many of us are guilty of over association in regards to the two.

rev. wright for vice prez!!

Haha! yesteryear, I heard that $#!+ on the video. That was funny.

Comments about gas tax holiday:

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS:
"The nation's roads and bridges are already overburdened and any "gas tax holiday" -- including the one proposed by Sen. Hillary Clinton -- would only delay much needed transportation projects the American Society of Civil Engineers said today. A moratorium on the gas tax poses a significant threat to the U.S. economy, and could potentially increase the cost per driver caused by traffic congestion and poor road conditions. It will provide no tangible benefit to the American people, and any plan for restoring the $8.5 billion in lost transportation funding is unlikely."

Well I think a lot of people were waiting for something more concrete from Obama regarding Rev Wright.

Now they got it.

So I hope this will pass! But I'm sure it won't!

Hey Harmony, Hilldog is gonna be on OReilly tomorrow night, first time ever! I'm excited to see it!

I am sick of Reverend Wright, can all just please move on now? Aren't there more important things to worry about?

As for Wright's motivations, it kinda seems to me like he's grabbing at the spotlight. Maybe he wants to be a Jerry Falwell for the liberal crazy set?

Cabaker...Really? That should be interesting. She's been on fox a couple of times and has handled herself well. I can't wait to see it.
I was watching an NBC clip the other day and they were RAVING about her Pennsylvania speech. I had to watch it like 5 times to believe it. They were gushing and when they interviewed her they were so nice and complimentary to her. I was like WTF? Isn't it funny how these media stations keep flip-flopping back and forth changing there bias from hour to hour. CRAZY!

I just love watching politicians out of their element... I guess next week OReilly will have McCain on, but thats not going to be as interesting!

I hope Obama goes on, I thought he did well with Chris Matthews...

Harmony, I just caught a second of the Factor tonite and he asked Karl Rove (I know, a dirty word) what he would ask Sen. Clinton and he said something to the effect of - She has worked with both sides Dem. and Repub. and worked to be bipartisan on many things including on the senate armed forces committee since she became a senator, yet when obama came out on a platform of bipartisanship, she did nothing. Why hasn't she mentioned her own bipartisanship in her campaign?

I was like, Huh... thats a really good question!

That is a good question. I think that she is just trying to do this balancing act and there's a cliff on either side of her. She probably knew that she wouldn't win as the "uniter" candidate. Obama and change and unite seem to synonymous in this campaign, so she had to go from a different angle. Hillary also believes in hiring republicans and independents for her cabinet and group of advisors. She is extremely bi-partisan, but not many people are actually paying attention to what she actually stands for. Most (I said most) dislike her on principle.

Wright is wrong. He is so dazzled by all the attention and cameras in his face, he can't shut up. People are egging him on and he is too blind to see that he is ruining something very valuable. He will regret it.

Yeah , i watched this on CNN the other day .
just horrible ...

I feel like Wright does not want Obama to win. I mean come on. Just keep your mouth shut for a few months already.

Wright is obviously an egomaniac.

I'm tired of all the preachers.

cine I agree. I was watching clips from that press club thing and his cockiness just made me want to smack him!

I was listening to Thomm Hartman on my way home from work yesterday; and he stated that the woman, Mrs. Reynolds,was part of the commitee that brought Wright to speak at the press club. Mrs. Reynolds is a member of Trinity and a Clinton supporter and campaign worker. Hartman said that her website which had comments about Hillary Clinton and why she was supporting her has been wiped clean. Now conspiracy theories are being thrown around about the Clinton campaign and the Wright controversy.

I think wright should be concerned with his flock of followers and leave the politics to the politicians. i am sick of all these damned self righteos, so-called preachers out there who are just the devils puppets.

Here is the story on Reverend Doctor Barbara Reynolds.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/louis/index.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/wrightsetup.html

I posted links to articles about Barbara Reynolds part in bringing Wright to the National Press Club and her strong support of Hillary Clinton. But I was flagged. Maybe it will show up later.

This is what Reynolds once wrote about Obama, "Hope by definition is not based on facts," wrote Reynolds. It is an emotional expectation. Things hoped for may or may not come. But help based on experience trumps hope every time."

Barbara Reynolds has been trying to get Rev. Wright to speak for years. The first time being two years ago. She wasn't the one to ask for him to speak this time, but was only assigned point person because of her history with Rev. Wright.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/29/press-club-chief-disputes-notion...

Let's not start crazy conspiracy theories. This campaign season is crazy enough.

I thought Obama sounded genuinely sad when he gave his speech.

It kind of reminds me of when people who have been your friends for a long time get greedy when you become famous or successful. People who grew up with you, and then they run to the tabloids or start trying to put things on your tab. (Not talking about myself, but I have seen it happen to several people).

The way seemingly genuine people can turn on a dime is sad. Like the Lord of the Rings, you know? Precious...

Jill, I suspect he's sad because he has been exposed, more than his feelings of betrayal.

However, I wonder if there's something to the Clinton-Wright connection. I believe I heard a snippet on the radio this morning mention that he had been a repeat guest at the Clinton White House.

I have also pondered the fact that he, like some other self-appointed "leaders" of the black community, makes bank on perpetuating the victim status of African-Americans. If there's one of their own in the White House, gee, how do you sell that kool-aid?

Anyone care to help me start a conspiracy theory?

NO CONSPIRACY THEORIES! Rev. Wright is CLEARLY not a Hillary Clinton fan.

Sorry I'm sick and have NO sense of humor today.

Wright is totally trying to sabotage Obama. Its sad to see because I think Obama was trying to protect him as best he could under the circumstances. It reiterates my feelings that this man is a racist divider who always thinks that someone is out to get him. And I honestly don't care what he's been through to harbor those beliefs because as a pastor and a leader he should teach hope and compassion to his congregation. Especially the young people. Because these kids are going to pass on this kind of hatred. And it is hatred.

Aww, harmony, feel better.

Any particular reason you used a smiley with a cigar when discussing the Clintons?

Thanks Lainetm! HAHA no I didn't use it because of THAT. I used it because I was being bossy.

Obama also said today that the gas tax vacation will cut 7,000 construction jobs in North Carolina alone.
~~~~~~~~~~
NO it will NOT. Those jobs are being paid by LAST YEAR's FEDERAL and State Budget money.

He's perpetuating a LIE on people who are ready to accept every word out of his mouth as 'gospel.' -- Well, he's lied in his books, he's lied in person, he's allowed others to believe a lie. He is not an African-American. He doesn't have the legally required 1/8 Negro-African bloodline. He has 1/2 White-Caucasian, 7/16 ARAB-African, and 1/16 Negro-African. He's a Caucasian-Arab-American. That's who he is and who he is hiding from and hiding from the voters.

There is no way that Barack Hussein Obama Junior sat under the tutelage of "Rev Wright" for 20 years and didn't hear the Liberal Black Liberation Theology preached from the pulpit. That is the reason he chose that church over a mosque in the first place.

One other thing, WHO attends Church just to PRAY? In the USofA, in a Christian church, one attends to WORSHIP. In a Mosque, one attends solely to PRAY, five times a day. Oops, Barack Hussein Obama, Jr, let that little word slip out and won't touch it because then he'd have to explain what he meant. And he's told so many lies, he can't remember them all. "Go read his book," that's the only answer he can give when he's afraid of telling the Allah-Awful truth.

You also notice how he is unable to speak without notes or having memorized his answers? When asked a question he isn't prepared for, he's constantly "uh-ing" while he tries to remember what he's supposed to say.

He's a puppet on a string . . . but who's holding the strings? Michelle is angry enough, but I don't think she's savvy enough.

As for "Rev" Wright, he may be doing Barack Hussein Obama, Jr, a favor by sabotaging his political ambitions.

May . . . Be!

You should do more research Auntie. The Oil Tax holiday is projected to cut 300,000 jobs nation wide.