46. Terri, #33. Why is it the fall back from all Democrats is that we just won't elect a black man? I am sorry your party has led to your disillusionment because they attack each others flaws. Note that John McCain asked NC RNC to pull the Obama/Wright ads (which they did) and has been very limited in his commentary on the Wright issue. It was only after Obama himself said on FOX that it was a legitimate issue did he even voice an opinion. He also said it was an issue Obama had to deal with with the voters.

My fervent wish was that Colin Powell would run for President this year and I am still hoping that he would be VP is asked. That is a black man with EXPERIENCE - Military General, Statesman, Chief of Staff - EXPERIENCE that forges good judgment. So don't wring your hands and say we are unwilling to vote for a black man fro President. We just won't vote for and inexperienced, ultra-Liberal junior Senator who has already promised another 500 Billion in government spending and more failed "nanny" programs. We can only hope you won't vote.

OpenYourBlindEye08 at 1:48PM on Apr 30th 2008

47. Well, Cenk, as a typical White person I find myself touchy about the remarks of Rev. Wright. The reason people should be touchy about his remarks is because they trivialize real racial problems. White people could care less about Rev Wrights remarks, believe me, he sent no one I know on a guilt trip. The lack of response to this loon by the Black community,however, conveyed the impression that he speaks for them. In case you hadn't noticed, Whites in this country are already telling all Blacks,"So What".

IRONBLUEEYES at 2:09PM on Apr 30th 2008

48. Colin Powell is a liar! He held up a little envelope of pretend anthrax in front of the United Nations. He participated in the Bush-Cheney Junta lies which led to the occupation of Iraq. Colin Powell is is a token for people like the Blind guy who want to pretend they aren't racially impaired. Same for Condi Rice. They say they would support particular black people who aren't running for anything.

Captain Negative at 2:28PM on Apr 30th 2008

49. young turks??? rhymes with youg -----? lots of sound and fury but no sound thought

robrt lipton at 2:46PM on Apr 30th 2008

50. So your take on Wright's comments is that he is criticizing American treatment of blacks? Either you have overlooked his comments or you are being intentionally obtuse. Either way your reaction is sadly predictable and completely partisan. You know that if a conservative candidate had a close advisor who was a right wing nut and espousing white supremicist rhetoric you would be pounding on that candidate daily. Obama's relationship with this bigot does raise questions which are legitimate and it is not racist to ask the questions. It is racist to accuse those who ask the questions of being racist. You are a race baiter as are many who have defended Wright's comments and defense of Farrakahn as legitimate expressions of black anger at America's failures on race. There are certainly many nagging and grievous concerns about race relations but Wright, you and the other racialists who use race for political purposes or as a way to gain fame and fortune as Sharpton and Wright do are part of the problem not part of the solution.

Eric at 3:01PM on Apr 30th 2008

51. Laura,

You have got to be joking. Your argument lacks a pretty major point; - church goers usually do not know their parish priest is molesting children. The priests do not get up and lecture their parish about how they are in favor of child molestation. If he did, then yes - as a parishioner you are responsible for taking action against someone like that. If not, by your inaction you are in essence supporting that person. To answer your other questions - we are not responsible for the actions of our leaders BUT we are responsible for taking action against such leaders when they do things we do not agree with. And finally, I do not believe Obama holds the same beliefs as the good Rev. That said, I question the moral integrity of anyone who would have themselves and their family attend a church for 20 years where such hatred was discussed and spread. And probably most importantly, this is not just anyone we are talking about here. This is potentially the leader of the free world. Wouldn't you expect a little better "leadership" from your president?

Hoboken117 at 2:23PM on May 1st 2008

52. To those smarmy and holier then thou individuals who think that Wright's life experiences entitle him to be a bigot and racialist, please note that I came from Europe in 1955 and 18 people in my family died in the gas chambers. That fact does not entitle me to be a bigot. The idea that people who have had negative life experiences are entitled tosay stupid, foolish things is preposterous.

Eric at 3:34PM on Apr 30th 2008

53. Can someone who looks like they could join a Jihad in the media tell the truth and still keep his job? I don't think so! This was tripe the moment you opened your mouth. Some truths can't be spoken by people who threaten what we are taught to believe. Rev. Wright is a man of God and he is not seeking America's approval to speak truth to power. Obama is seeking approval and if he looks too Black, he won't get it. If he looks too White, then he can't lead the Army behind him. It was never about Obama. It's about Change. Two Obamas can't change Two Americas. Obama has been violated. This is the worst case of Political Advisory Malpractice I have ever seen. Wright is a simple argument for Separation of Church and State and the politics of personal destruction using "Guilt by Association." Hillary lied directly. Hillary cried by her own choice. Hill choose to stay with Bill after the lies and humiliation. Talk about problems with integrity and judgement. Give Obama some space on association and he's clean and articulate.

Cecil Jones at 3:35PM on Apr 30th 2008

54. Captain Negative

You have some kind of bug up your ass. Ex Wife bugging you for back owed child support for kids that do not even want to see you. Your kids complain you nag them to much, I wonder why.

Captain Negative, so you are saying we should have less stricter penalties in relationship to violent crimes. You are saying that stricter penalties against child molesters are no needed? Strickter penalities agaisnt biasis crimes are not necessary?

Seems Chicago Police and Civic groups are trying to get stricter penalities against gang violence crimes. You do not feel that gang violence directed at school children should require stricter penalities, what Chicago police and civic groups are seeking.

Obama voted NO for stricter penalities against gang violence directed at school children and that is ok with you.

So you Captain Negative are against stricter penalities for gang members who kill school children. Yes or No answer will suffice. Do you want to protect school children from violence?

Are you really this stupid or is it a put on

robert okane at 3:38PM on Apr 30th 2008

55. The "reverend" Wright can believe and preach whatever the hell he wants. But what "bothers me" since you asked, is that NObama and his wife adhere to the Black Separatist philosophy as evidenced both by HER deragatory comments and the fact that NObama has sat through 20 years worth of this crap without ever having objected. If McCain sat in on a few Klan meetings, I wonder what your take would be?

URKiddinMee at 3:53PM on Apr 30th 2008

56. Just curious... besides these sound bites, does anyone have an ENTIRE sermon on video or audio? I
doubt that every sunday the Sermon was about hating america.

My grandmother has once said she couldn't understand why anyone marries a black man. Hearing that alone would make you think she's a racist, huh? would you then proceed to think all her children must be racist because they have been raised by her?or perhaps her friends, they must too be racist to still be friends with her so long after making a comment like that?Because one comment can make out a person's entire character....Right?

sara at 6:28PM on Apr 30th 2008

57. Obama has demonstrated that he is nothing more than an egocentric, manipulator that will obliterate anyone that stands in his way of reaching the White House. His first victim was his white grandmother, his second victim, his Pastor, religious mentor and like an uncle, Rev. White, I wonder who'll be next?

There is nothing genuinely new about his politics, everything that his campaign is doing is calculated, orchestrated and designed for the ultimate effect of persuasion. The emperor has been caught with his clothes off.

POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY at 4:51PM on Apr 30th 2008

58. Cenk - did you go to college to get this stupid?

swanky at 4:53PM on Apr 30th 2008

59. Shut the fuck up, Okane!

It's just like the early 90's when carjacking was the crime du jour. Some people in Congess thought they had to mollify the public by making a federal carjacking law, just like carjacking wasn't already illegal on every square inch of these United States. Last count, two whole people have been convicted on a federal charge of carjacking. But it makes nervous Nellies like you feel better.

Pass another law! Make the people feel good. Pretend our politicians are doing something. News for you Okane. Murdering people is already illegal in Chicago, whether you are a gang member or a clergyman. More news for you Okane. Laws don't stop criminals, hence the term, "criminal."

You're really becoming tedious with all your vitriolic cut and paste jobs. Do you bother to think for yourself any more or have you just become an tool of the radical right?

Captain Negative at 7:08PM on Apr 30th 2008

60. Have any of you self righteous wingers
disavowed your allegiance to the insane
murderer Bush?
For seven years you've watched impassively
while this man has damaged America.
Where is your outrage?
What are you waiting for?
Reverend Wright indeed.....

BOB JOHNSON at 10:13PM on Apr 30th 2008