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...

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Finally!!!! The best thing he could have done. If one really thinks about the events over the last few days, I would have to says that Obama has proven that he is an extremely smart guy. Think about why I just said that.

gman (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:52 PM)

still lying---had never heard the rev wright speeches ------after 20 years?After hiding him in the basement when he announced and keeping him out of the public eye he is another George w Bush.Uniter?A divider?You have done an excellent job of dividing the Democratic party---we hate each other.Now we wait for your pastor to come out and reveal you to the world.

NObama (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

As usual, a terrific speech. He speaks to Americans as adults, which is what makes his candidacy so extraordinary.

Howard B., New York City (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

I belieive Barack clearly set the stage about how he feels concerning Rev. Wright. He looked deeply disturbed about the whole situation.

Barack the Vote, NC (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

If Obama does not have the judgement to know and understand that hatred and craziness in Pastor Wright's heart. how is Obama gonna do when he goes to meet with leaders of our enemies? If Obama is elected, he will be required to fill vacancies- if he can';t correctly judge wright for 20 years, how is he gonna pick decent people to fill important decisions in government?

This affair completely destroys any argument that Obama has 'good judgement'.

Rashnak- Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:53 PM)

At least he is finally stepping up and showing a little bit of backbone. Eventhough his advisors probably told him he could no longer avoid the issue and wrote that wonderful speech for him. I guess Obama did what he is good at, delivering speeches.

Amy, NY (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:54 PM)

After 20+ yrs, they don't know each other? Sure, if you believe that, I've got some ocean front property in Az. to sell you. The circus continues!

FREE AND THE BRAVE (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:54 PM)

I belong to an AME Church in Nashville, Tn. I went to a funeral at my Church not long after Pastor Wrights show at the National Press Club. The majority of the members that I came into contact with were very angry at the actions that Wright had taken over the last 3 or 4 days. Anyone that still has the thought that Pastor Wright has somehow brain washed Senator Obama and turned him into a millitant is mistaken. Senator Obama denouncing the actions of Pastor Wright will not damage him in the black community at all.

DShawn233, LaVergne, Tn (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:54 PM)

Well, it's about time!!! If Obama doesn't completely denounce, reject, and sever all ties to this idiot, then his chances for the nomination and the election are totally doomed. The GOP attack machine is up and running. The sharks are circling. Good luck.

Rob in NV (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:54 PM)

BO, I am proud that you stood up and said what you did, though, it couldnt have been easy to do. you've shown all of us that you are capable to lead our great nation. Thank you... see you in the White house!

Joey in Texarkana (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:55 PM)

Well...this is old news. All Obama did was take a page from Andrew Sullivan (Atlantic) and do as he said in his piece yesterday. Sullivan has been a media mover for Obama and I guess Obama feels confident enough Sullivan's advice yesterday was the correct course of action. Of course, Wright has said nothing new...so why the forceful rebuke coming now? It should have come last month. Oh well...he has been wounded and I think if Hillary wins next week both contests, we will know the reason why. Personally, I think she takes both states by 4%.

Anthony M., Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:55 PM)

Obama 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016!

Sam W. Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:55 PM)

No more 'strange' events organized by a Clinton supporter.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/29/clinton-booster-organized_n_99129.html

New Wave (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:56 PM)

The key Question for Superdelegates: Why has the Right-Wing become Clinton's big supporters?

While the right-wing vote for her in November? I don't think so. They know that Obama will trounce McCain.

End Game (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:56 PM)

NEXT!!!!!

NEENAHFOX,MI (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:56 PM)

Now....Now...Can the media i.e. Chris Matthews and others at MSNBC let go of this thing. Your job is to report the news, and now this should be a closed issues. Surely you can find something else to talk about. Rev Wright is not Obama's pastor, friend, campaign advisor. Can Chris Matthews draw a distinction between someone who is a part of a campaign (Obama's or Hillary's) and someone who wants 15 minutes of fame. Now you can let it go.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:57 PM)

I am shocked by his comments. I can understand it. I always believed that wright and Obama are two different people. Being a Christian myself, I don't always agree with my priest. Be it as it may, Rev. Wright sold out Obama yesturday for no reason. He even appeared combative when he said Obama did not attend church regularly and was not present during the remarks that was played on youtube. It is comforting to know that Obama was not regularly attending his church which is further evidence that Obama is not his pastor. These are two different people. I hope the media will recognize that Obama has been truthful throughout this campaign regarding the situation with Wright.

voter (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:58 PM)

If nothing else, Obama is compiling an impressive collection of historically significant public appearances and speeches. First there were the large rallys. Then the Philadelphia speech and now this. I can't remember the last time someone running for president, in the middle of a campaign, divorced himself from something as fundamental as the outlet for expression of his personal faith! The hurt, anger and feelings of betrayal were palpable. Wow!
What was the campaign about again? Oh yeah. Bringing people together. I still want that and I still want Senator Barack Obama as president.

Ian (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:58 PM)

United we stand, divided we fall.

He gets it!

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:59 PM)

Obama had no choice. His hurt must be overwhelming.

If Wright is so upset with the inequities of the American class system, why would he sabotage America's chance to make a historical statement of real change, by kneecapping Barack's candidacy?

To many black preachers, all that matters is how much they can profit from 'preaching'!

The downfall of the corrupt Negro preacher is imminent.

seeing the light (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:59 PM)

This is what everyone has been wiating for right.
Now lets sit back and watch those same people who asked for this be the same ones who say they dont believe him or its to late or even how can he turn on his pastor like that. such hypocrites let the spin begin.

James Lawton, ok (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:00 PM)

AS predicted, Obama came out and "denounced" Rev. wright. Guess he saw the polls.

.....and Obama didn't know how Wright was for 20 years???
Obama is either a racist, anti-american and a liar
or is the dumbest person in the world.

justsaying (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:00 PM)

Thank you Senator Obama, your wisdom is truly a gift from God. If i wasn't so burdened with trying to figure out how I'm gonna pay my rent this month, I'd make another donation to the campaign. CHange we can Believe in - Yes We Can!!! (tears)

Jamar Philly, PA (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:00 PM)

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. BYE BYE MR.OBAMA
--patty,sd,ca

a cogent observation as always Patty. You are right; it is all over; you can go home and stop paying attention.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:00 PM)

Barack annot allow Wright to destroy the hope of millions with his destructive, egotisical, unbalanced rage against the light.

DT (Sent Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:01 PM)

<< Previous

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=957771