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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Obama denounces Wright

Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:36 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones and NBC's Mark Murray
WINSTON SALEM, NC -- In an extraordinary press conference here, Obama denounced the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, saying that Wright's comments yesterday angered and saddened him -- and are antithetical to what his campaign is about.

"I've known Rev. Wright for almost 20 years. The person that I saw yesterday was not the person I met 20 years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church."

"They certainly don't portray accurately my values and beliefs. And if Rev. Wright thinks that that's political posturing, as he put it, then he doesn't know me very well. And based on his remarks yesterday, well I might not know him as well as I thought, either."

More to come...

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Now, now, Senator Obama, you know better!

You can't just denounce!

You must reject!
Strange.  There was no difference in the substance of either of his speeches to the NAACP or the Press Club.  I found the timing of these speeches curious.  I find this reaction even more curious.  It seems almost planned.
Obama's desperate call for money today. For $15 or more, get a nice magnet. LOL.

From: "Obama for America" <info@barackobama.com>  
Subject: Limited edition car magnet


To meet this deadline and celebrate our grassroots donors, we've created a special gift.

Make a donation of $15 or more before midnight on Wednesday, April 30th, and receive a limited edition Vote for Change car magnet:

https://donate.barackobama.com/magnet
From a black woman, Obama couldn't have done a better thing...I was mortified, and deeply saddened, by Reverend Wright's 'performance' while watching a repeat on CSPAN this morning...WTF?

Still Fired Up...and Ready For August 28, Nov. 5th, Jan 21, 2009!!!!

God Bless You Senator Obama!
I feel for Obama.  What Wright did to him yesterday was uncalled for, especially after all the flack Obama has taken because of Wright's comments.  Have to give it to Obama, what he did was not east at all, and you could hear it in his voice and words.
TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

BYE BYE MR.OBAMA
Hillary has more popular votes.
Hillary has more electoral votes.

Obama has more delegates.
Obama has more money.
Amen!

Senator Obama finally "kicked the dust off his feet" (as the Good Book says) and moved on.

I pray that we can get back to the real issues of this campaign.
Extraordinary indeed. If Mr. Obama thinks for one minute that we the people think he had no idea the man harbored these views and that overnight he is a completely different man and now unknown to him...well he must think we are all as stupid as the GWB.
I don't blame Obama.

Wright is just another lying, thieving, getting rich, black preacher, bought, and sold by Hillary.  
Rev Wright does not want Obama to be President - What does he know that we don't???  Wright knows OBama better than anyone - what is the message here.
Obama will never be elected due to his radical associates - FACT!
To Little - To Late - should of done this years ago!
It doesn't matter what spin you put on it. Obama will NEVER be President of the USA.

Huh. Maybe I'm in cynical mode more so than usual today, and I say this as an unwavering Obama supporter, but this whole thing is starting to sound contrived.

Is it possible that Obama didn't want to denounce Wright before, as he explained, but understood the campaign stategic problems this presented... and then he and Wright basically staged the events of the last week? I mean, in a way, Wright has done Obama a favor by forcing this denouncement. So who's to say he didn't do this on purpose?
Is this the beginning of Obama's end? That small statement hardly addresses all the questions. Did he take any questions about this? Has he shown that he is able to nullify this politically or will he continue to denounce such questions as a distraction? He needs to be forthcoming and not simply renounce his former pastor. He's fighting for political survival and given Wright's divisiveness he might as well use this as his Sista Souljah moment.
Well, that's that! Sorry for Obama that Wright cares more about raising his own profile than about Obama. This must have been hard to do, but I think it was the right thing to do and I think Obama's campaign will be much smoother now.
Good for Obama.  This bizarre arrogant crazy self-centered man could not possibly be the man Obama thought he was.

I'm proud of you, Barack.
Although Senator Obama has already distanced himself from Rev. Wright, and Rev. Wright has distanced himself from Senator Obama, the media will not be satisfied. Nothing short of Senator Obama's head on a platter will satisfy the all-knowing beast that is "the media". Makes me wonder why some of these know-it-all pundits don't run for President since they've got it all figured out.
Obama '08

Change we can BELIEVE in!
Thats right Obama now get back out there and win some votes !!!!! I find it funny that the person that invited Rev. Wright to speak yesterday is a very strong Clinton Supporter. I trully wonder the purpose of The Reverands performance. Iy is one thing to clear your name. It is another to just play for the cameras.
Senator Obama has shown class.  He stuck by Wright as long as he could.

The Rev. Wright is a fool as showed the world yesterday that he is less than what had been reported previously.

Go Obama, we will do this together.
Why does anyone think it is implausible to have different views with your pastor?

Catholics go to church and continue to do so even though their pastors have done abominable things. Wright does not preach like this every Sunday. This is Wight asked to be political. No one will be in his church if he talked politics all day. Let's remember that the searched his 30 years of sermons and cut out those 2 minutes (which must necessarily represent the worst in 30 x 52 weeks and 60 minutes of sermon). Also, Wright has said he didnt hear the particular sermons as has Obama and his travel itinerary confirmed.

Yes he knew he was controversial but so he did not agree with his world and political views but does with his theology. One only needs to witness the bitterness between myself and Dad when we mistakenly delve into discussing politics.

These two guys can not be more different from their utterances (Baracks since 2004):

1. One is a lawmaker and aspiring president and the other a pastor

2. one is even tempered, and throughful whether he's up or down, attacked or praised while the other is flamboyant in speech and style and contorversial and appears attention-seeking.

3. One talks constantly about similarity (no red or blue states but he united states, we are one under the stars and stipes, coming together to solve common problems and bring down common obstacles)m the other quickly delves into talking about differences (although here he did end on reconciliation).

4. One is black and focuses on black issues, the other is from black and white background and brought up by white parents and focuses on all issues.

Let anyone who agrees with everyone close to them that they willingly associate with remain critical on this board after the thoughful denounciation today for which Wright gave him no choice based on questioning his political integrity! One thing we have seen from Obama is whether it hurts or not he speaks his beliefs (as with the gas tax and earlier explanation of why Wright is the way he is, or why voters do not vote their econmoic interest but rather vote focused on less central issues). We should not let him lose because he is not a panderer and a great politician that tells us what we want every 4 years.

Senator Obama has shown class.  He stuck by Wright as long as he could.

The Rev. Wright is a fool as showed the world yesterday that he is less than what had been reported previously.

Go Obama, we will do this together.
Too little too late for Senator Obama.

Obama is shoulder to shoulder with Rev. Wright. They both come from the same extreme radical left wing of the Chicago Democratic party. Obama can no more disown Wright, as he could disown himself. They both believe the very same things.
He betrayed Obama, just like he betrayed Jesus.

How can a sincere preacher of the Gospel end up as rich as Wright?
This is what Obama should have said months ago!  Great!
It's sad that Obama had to throw Wright under the bus.  A lot of things Wright said are true.  It's unfortunate that people in this country are so grounded in racist beliefs and ignorant to the point of being deaf that they cannot hear or see realistically what happens around them.  Wright was reduced to soundbites and the substance of what he said was completely missed.  The dumbing down of America that was evident with the election of Bush has now become complete.  God DAMN....America.
You have to wonder if Reverend Wright was trying to give Obama a chance to denounce him???  Just a thought.  Maybe he is doing Obama a favor by giving him have a clear chance to separate himself from because Reverend Wright knows his association with Obama is losing votes for Obama.  Maybe he cares that much and he knows Obama really needs to separate himself from him to win the Presidency  
MSN normally won't post my comments for some reason, but I'm no quitter!

Good for Obama! Now, lets hope this ends it so we can move on to the topics that really matter to Americans, like the economy, rising gas prices, loss of jobs, all things Obama wants to focus on but can't because he has to keep focusing on personal issues. Now, since all of Obamas dirty laundry has been taken care of, how about the MSM focuses on CLINTON and McCAIN. You could write an Encyclopedia Britannica on all of the dirty affairs these two have hiding in their closets that the media is afraid to report on.

Just let it go people. Seriously.

OBAMA 08
Can we now get back to real issues?

The Media should not hide behind a smokescreen while our economy deteriorates, gas prices escalates, oil companies make hude profits and war rages on.
If anyone wants to see how BO reacts when angry. Please watch this speech (some have questioned if he can react to provocation). Still well tempered and deliberate but ver very effective. Oh and this is definitely courage over the backlash sure to come from Wright's constituencies.
Wow. I watched the Wright speeches and found nothing offensive to me in them, but squirmed a bit during the Q&A.  I expected something like this, but am still surprised by it.

How difficult this must have been for Sen. Obama, but Rev. Wright did him no favors these last few days.
You sure choose lousy friend Obama, and for 20 Years!!!
I hope it does not take 20 more for you to use better judgement.  You do seem to lack common sense and for a politician you are even more lacking!
You are running for PRESIDENT, put on the dam flag pin and play the part. Now Rezco and the rest of the crap in your life is biting you in the butt.
Obama '08
I happened to catch this live...(I have been cutting way back but happened to have MSNBC on in the kitchen as I was catching up on housework).

WOW.

It was obviously a very emotionally charged and stressful situation for him but he handled yet another  minefield conversation very deftly.

I am so proud to be a supporter.

I have always thought Barack was very removed from this essence of Wright which is so horrid, I'm glad he finally was able to speak up more decisively.

Obama for our best future 08
Good job. It had to be done....Maybe now we can focus on issues that matter.

Obama 08
Barrack,  he threw you under the bus.  I think you are his sacrifice in order to prove that this country won't elect a black man.  You did the right thing here.
Hey, MSNBC, I need some help.  One of the Democratic candidates for President is a defendant in the Peter Paul lawsuit in California.  I cannot remember if it is Clinton or Obama.  Can you let me know?

Maybe that will get it done.

Obama in 2008.  Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.  Hey, Hillary, how do you think you would look in a bright orange pantssuit?
As much as I've wearied of the Wright issue, this latest exchange has been particularly compelling.  It would be ironic if Wright's latest statement -- which was launched when Obama's fortunes were at an ebb -- ended up helping him by giving him a chance to appear uncharacteristically forceful.  Perhaps, this is *his* "Rocky" moment.  Regardless, it seemed, at least in the reading, to be pretty darn sincere.
Now that Obama has denounced the Rev. Jeremiah Wright again.
will the media stop running these releases of him which has nothing to do with Obama`s values and beliefs.
The meida wants us to beleive that Obama thinks the same way that Wright does, we do not believe that.
Wright wanted his 15 minutes of fame now that you have goven it to him stop and get back to the issues at hand.

You do not report the below as NEWS:


From: Cafe, Election Central, Muckraker
Breaking News! : Hillary Clinton Required to Testify in November to FEC Fraud!

By Potus Obama 2008 - April 28, 2008, 12:13AM
To All Super Delegates! : This is very disturbing news!

In the landmark civil fraud case against Bill Clinton in Los Angeles, where the former President is charged with defrauding a Hollywood dot com millionaire to help Hillary Clinton obtain more than $1.2 million from him for her 2000 Senate campaign, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz ruled on Friday, April 25 that Hillary Clinton would not be required to testify in a sworn deposition as a material witness in the case until AFTER the November election!
While Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Al Gore, Ed Rendell, Barabara Streisand, Cher, Stan Lee, Brad Pitt, Mike Wallace, Larry King et al may be called to testify and be deposed starting in May, Hillary alone has been protected from explaining her role in her husband’s fraud charges.
In an astonishing ruling by the Judge, Hillary Clinton may NOT be deposed about her role in the illegal solicitation and cover up of the largest contribution made to her Senate campaign until after the presidential election. This is the same contribution Hillary denied knowing about or receiving when Lloyd Grove of the Washington Post asked her specifically about it and her relationship with the donor, Peter Paul, in August 2000. Its the same contribution her finance director David Rosen was criminally tried in May, 2005, or hiding from her and her campaign. Its the same contribution the FEC fined her campaign for hiding from the voters in three false FEC reports by her treasurer between 2000-2006. (www.paulvclinton.com)
Equally surprising as the ruling was the judge’s request to Hillary defense lawyer David Kendall to “say hello to his ( Judge Munoz”) friend Bill, also a partner in Kendall’s law firm”
The decision to shield Hillary Clinton from civil discovery for an additional seven months, thereby delaying a long postponed trial, was made by the judge on his own, without any request by Hillary or her lawyer to make the ruling. No discussion was permitted by Paul’s lawyer before the decision was made. Judge Munoz’ unilateral decision effectively saved the floundering campaign and hopes of Hillary Clinton to win her party’s Presidential nomination!
Had Senator Clinton be forced to testify under oath, as a material witness and beneficiary of the fraud that her husband is being sued for before the Democratic Convention, her remote chances for being nominated the party candidate would have been unquestionably destroyed.
Hillary has never publicly commented on the case in which she was a defendant from 2003-2006. Nor has Hillary ever commented on the videotaped phone call she made to Peter Paul the day he began spending more than $1 million for her Senate campaign, the false statements she made through Howard Wolfson to the Washington Post denying working with Paul or receiving any contributions from him, the sworn Declaration she made under oath where she refused to deny any of Paul’s allegations, the role her White House aide Kelly Craighead played in coordinating Paul’s expenditures and befirending Paul’s Japanese business partner during a White House visit and many other unanswered questions of illegal conduct.
The illegalities detailed in Paul’s civil complaint and FEC complaint caused Hillary’s finance director to be criminally indicted and tried in 2005 by the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity (the same group that prosecuted Scooter Libby) for hiding the cost of a fundraiser paid for by Paul. Paul’s FEC allegations forced Hillary’s campaign to admit to the FEC in October, 2005, that it violated FEC reporting requirements by hiding more than $700,000 received from Paul that Hillary personally said she never received.
Hillary’s sworn deposition is expected to reveal numerous illegalities directed by Hillary, with Bill’s help, to win and keep her Senate seat and avoid being accountable to the law. The judge’s sua sponte decision to delay Hillary’s deposition until after the presidential election denies the public’s right to know what a presidential candidate and a former president have done to undermine the Rule of Law and the Constitution by corrupting the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity and its very Chief, Noel Hillman, federal judge A Howard Matz appointed by Bill Clinton (who deceived the jury in the criminal trial of Hillary’s finance director by telling the jury that Hillary was not involved in any way) and the FEC itself which aided and abetted Hillary filing a fourth false FEC report in January, 2006 that omitted any reference to the $1.2 million contribution the FBI and DOJ swore Paul made.
The Department of Justice prosecutor in the May, 2005 criminal case stated that $1.2 million was personally contributed by Paul at the request of Bill Clinton as part of an employment deal for Clinton’s post White House rainmaking services and was confirmed by FBI Special Agent David Smith as explained by Dept of Justice Prosecutor Dan Schwaber (pages 55,57,72) during the criminal trial of Hillary’s finance director David Rosen in May 2005.
Hillary’s treasurer was later forced to admit filing the false FEC reports to hide more than $700,000 paid by Paul, and fined $35,000 (the only fine imposed on Hillary’s campaign) yet Hillary has never answered one question to the media or the courts about these charges!
In fact, Hillary’s sworn Declaration in response to Paul’s sworn allegations constituted a legal admission to Paul’s charges becauseHillary refused to deny any of the allegations!
Strangely, Hillary admitted to the Washington Post in August 2000 knowing that the fundraising event Paul produced and paid for in August, 2000 cost more than $1 million- yet Rosen was indicted on three counts of hiding this fact from Hillary’s campaign causing 3 false FEC reports to be filed!
The cover-up of the original felony violations of the federal election law committed by Hillary and Bill Clinton (they solicited and coordinated Paul’s $1 million plus contribution as a quid pro quo for Clinton’s post White House employment) have resulted in a corruption of every branch of the government by the Clinton’s- all in plain view of the public and with the collusion of the media and the government. Watergate seems insignificant in the breadth of its public corruption in comparison with what has become the mother of all coverups orchestrated by Hillary Clinton.


Go Obama '08
I hope this Rev. Wright is finally laid to rest - Mr. Obama needs to go on with his campaign - I believe Mr. Obama is a good person, honest and a breath of fresh air in our political arena - Obama 08 - as it should be.  
Barack stood up for him, (even though Jeremiah is twisted with hurt, and anger, at the risk of his candidacy).

Wright does'nt have the loyalty of a cat, let alnoe a man supposedly representing Christ.
I felt very saddened fo obama.. this rev wright has gone out of his way to hurt him deeply. Its also known that clintons supporters asked rev wright to come to that press talk. (doesnt surprise me) how much did heclinton compaign pay him to come thr? barack obama is  man of honor and intrigety. Its a shame that the media and newspapers want to make people tink othewise.

----------
And so, BO, what happened on that 20 years in between? And, why did you flip flop and LIE again in your press conference?  Suddenly, you're back to you "never" heard or knew Wright's views. You should recognize his views quite well; just listen to your wife!
How sad that Rev. Wright's apparent need for self-aggrandizement is hurting himself, his church and his friend.  I'm glad that Senator Obama has finally said this.  It was obviously hard for Obama to get to this point because he is a loyal person.  Go Obama!!!!
How's that house in the rich white neighborhood going to be a haven for you now Jeremiah?
Please let no one repeat this worn down line:

How can he sit in church for 20 years and listen to this man. WE all do this every week. CAtholics listening to priests that are rumored and later confirmed as pedophiles. Christians listening to controversial pastors. We all take the best and feed spiritually and sometimes leave behind a few of the social stuff.  

By the way, Wright was not saying the studd of the past 3 days (and not all was bad) for 20 x 52 weeks x 60 minutes. The worst of his previous statements ere condensed in 2 minutes.
Good job

In doing this- he now makes it look like pure politics when McCain and Clinton attack him on Wright
He also sends a message loud and clear to the superdelegates about who he is and what he stands for (as well as what he won't stand for, as Pastor Wright now very well sees)

He had to come out and make a forceful stand against Wright's antics yesterday- and he did so

Any more talk about his unelectability due to this issue is pure and unadulterated media bias- a story for ratings sake- and in no way in the best interest of the American people
Excellent speech. I thought Obama was right to give Rev Wright the benefit of the doubt before but it is time to thorouhgly denounce Wright's worldview and their association.  Bravo
Obviously Obama needs to distance himself from Wright.  Wright is speaking the truth on uncomfortable subjects (i.e. the Tuskegee experiment) that most Americans are too scared to think about.  
As an ordained United Church of Christ minister with a doctorate in religion and a former admirer of Jeremiah Wright for his prophetic voice, I say a loud but sorrowful AMEN to Barrack's comments today.

Wright, and others of his ilk, have a common trait with Hillary Clinton in that they feel their mission is bigger than ours, worth saying or doing anything;  that they are entitled to rage and rant because they have seen a sliver of truth.  That sliver of light becomes a sword and they alone are privileged to use it with impunity.

I have sat through similar rants and kept quiet.  Barrack Hussein Obama spoke his mind with eloquence, passion, and courage today.

Loyalty goes a very long way with me as it does with Senator Obama.  Perhaps his silence the past few weeks, his seeming equivocation, will hurt him.  But this was no mere denunciation of friendship past, this was a prophetic proclamation of the sin of demonic ego.

AMEN & AMEN
I'm so glad that Senator Obama has put this issue to rest. No one should be held accountable for the words of another. I do not hold Senator Clinton responsible for the comments of patty,sd or pat huntington in ny. To attempt to hold Senator Obama accountable for the comments and actions of someone else is indicitve of an immature and childish lack of character.
Thank you, Senator Obama, for distancing yourself from the comments and actions of someone you're not responisble for. Now your detractors will have to find something else to bring you down about. Heaven forbid should we actually discuss the issues....


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