LIVE THREAD - Under Pressure, Obama Prepares for Race and Unity Speech

Fox News ^ | 18 March 2008

[SE Mom]

Barack Obama is preparing to deliver a major address Tuesday on race, politics and unifying the country after being hounded by questions about his relationship to a pastor whose sermons have been laced with anti-American invective.

In a speech whose religious significance could compare to one given in December by former GOP presidential hopeful and Mormon Mitt Romney, Obama may be forced to explain the philosophy of the 8,000-strong Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where the Democratic presidential candidate has been a congregant for 20 years.

In announcing the morning address, to be delivered in Philadelphia, Obama would not say specifically what he will discuss, but suggested he wants to cool down the atmosphere after incendiary remarks by his pastor, retired Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., blanketed the airwaves over the past week.

[kellynla]

For those who did not hear what Juan Williams said in response to Obama’s speech;
Juan doesn’t think that Obama said what needed to be said.

[doug from upland]

Oh. I guess I’m culturally deprived since I don’t watch television.

[Roses0508]

Both CNN guest just said all whites are racist because whites set the terms for discussion. They also said that blacks don’t worship with whites. My very large church has a large congregation of African-Americans.

My church is mixed also, not just black and white either. We also have a lot of immigrants from Russian and the Baltic countries and a fair number of asians.

We also regularly share services with a black congregation fo the same denomination. Some events at our church, some at their church.

I don't know that everyone in the church is color blind, but they live like they are color blind. It teach their kids the right thing. After this, I hope the folks in the black church feel the same way. I just don't believe their rector is preaching "hate American, hate whitey" from the pulpit.

[sarasota]

Thanks for the post. I have been positively stunned by Juan’s recent attacks on Obama.

[jennyjenny]

Obama is big on telling us all how the other candidate's lack good judgment. He just exposed the same of himself.

[warsaw44]

I thought Obama decided on his own to remain with his Grandparents in Hawaii rather than return to the unstable environment of his mothers household?

[roses of sharon]

Hussein to too young. He is confused and conflicted, and carries to much baggage for the Presidency.

He needs to grow up first.

[purpleraine]

http://www.amazon.com/Nation-Victims-Decay-American-Character/dp/0312098820

A Nation of Victims

[TeleStraightShooter]

Rush believes what BHO need to address is his mentor’s hate for American, not race.

[Bender2]

Well, over on TBS Wilson is trying to read Jill’s father’s boring book. I hope Tim quickly blows up something soon!

[Charles Henrickson]

I want a parody of the Chewbacca Defense. . . .

I don't know the original.

[Roses0508]

I have a black girlfriend whose use of the English language is extensive (this gal owns the language in ways that astonish me) and very, very precise - no doubt because her father is an English professor.

She says she’s “multilingual”, because she can use the “Black vocabulary” also. She had to learn it though and she uses it to build a bridge to certain people, but she hates it.

She has to watch herself, she corrects people’s language usage out of habit. I don’t mind, some of her black friends are very offended.

[Neverforget01]

Listening to Rev Wright’s anti-America rants, imho, could easily indoctrinate, not only Obama’s children, but all other young people who sat in that Church hearing their Pastor, who they believe in, repeatedly spout hateful comments about America and the white race. Didn’t Mr. Obama think that this worked against his objectives to unite people and all he wants to change?

Obama had the audacity to blame conservative talk show hosts for reporting the divisive, dangerous and hateful remarks of his Pastor. His pastor doesn't just have a generational issue if he preaches it Sunday after Sunday to all future generations.

[Katya]

I don’t know that he’s toast...it was a good “Obama style” speech, he actually made some cogent points regarding welfare having helped in destroying the black family...etc. Did it answer the issues? Eh....those of us turned off by churches like that...and I include conservative christian churches with fire breathing preachers... Well...we’re still turned off, and Wright still remains a vulgar man.

[AmericanDave]

He addressed where the black man got his anger, we all ready knew why; and that Rev Wright is a product of his generations experience.

I have no doubt that Obama’s winning the election would heal a lot in this country. Give black people and minorities a sense that anything IS possible in America.

But Barrack is still to soft on National defense, and I believe pro gun control.

[Aria]

I thought the speech was interesting but he has so many policies I disagree with including abortion. Can’t live with his votes on that or his policies to cut and run, a naive approach to our enemies, etc.

[top 2 toe red]

He clearly said he used it before.

[investigateworld]

" Hussein to too young. He is confused and conflicted, and carries to much baggage for the Presidency. He needs to grow up first. "

Kudos

[shhrubbery!]

I think he disavowed Wright’s racism but he said Wright was much more, in terms of actions, than those words showed.

Yes, but claiming Wright does some "good things" doesn't make his hatred less poisonous.

I hate to bring up the old fascism analogies (although Obama's socialistic nostrums are an excellent example of "liberal fascism"), but it's apropos:

You can't say Jeremiah Wright has some redeeming qualities -- anymore than you can say Mussolini did too ... because he made the trains run on time.

[Palladin]

Yup, it’s brainwashing at its worst. Poor kids who have to listen to diatribes like that every Sunday. They will grow up hating everyone, including themselves.