Hot Air » Blog Archive » WSJ: Obama’s pastor pretty much openly campaigning for him from the pulpit

WSJ: Obama’s pastor pretty much openly campaigning for him from the pulpit

posted at 1:40 pm on March 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Huck’s religious supporters at least made a half-hearted attempt to play by the rules. Not so the good Rev. Wright, although I can’t knock his political savvy: The IRS has revoked only two churches’ tax exemptions in the past 54 years so he might as well put the pedal to the metal and dare them to single out the congregation frequented by America’s first black presidential candidate for special treatment.

A review by The Wall Street Journal of 13 sermons at Trinity seen live or through church-recorded DVDs since late December found nine instances of ministers at Trinity appearing to promote Sen. Obama’s candidacy.

Some of the sermons mentioned Sen. Clinton or her husband in unflattering ways. During that Christmas morning sermon, Mr. Wright declared that Hillary Clinton “ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.” On Jan. 13, Mr. Wright told the Trinity congregation that some people say, “‘Hillary is married to Bill and Bill [has] been good to us.’” Mr. Wright continued, “No, he ain’t!” Sen. Clinton’s campaign didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Ellen Aprill, an associate dean at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a former adviser to the Treasury Department on matters including nonprofit tax law, says she believes those sermons are “clearly a violation. They’re naming names.”

Donald Tobin, an associate dean at Ohio State University law school, who formerly worked for the Justice Department on nonprofit tax matters, adds that nonprofits cannot make endorsements or engage in a “pattern and practice that is designed to support one candidate over another.” After being read sections of the Trinity sermons by the Journal, he said, “There does seem to be a pattern of attempting to tip the scales in a way for Barack Obama. And churches shouldn’t be doing that.”

Doubtless a stern warning letter will correct the problem. Speaking of Huck, today’s the deadline for filing to run for senate in Arkansas. No news on the wires that I can see. We’ve lost him.

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Wearing his religion on his sleeve?

Didn’t they say that about GWB, and that Religion has no place in politics etc, etc, etc.?

Chakra Hammer on March 10, 2008 at 1:44 PM

Doubtless a stern warning letter will correct the problem. Speaking of Huck, today’s the deadline for filing to run for senate in Arkansas. No news on the wires that I can see. We’ve lost him.

He had said he wasn’t running for Senate.

amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Do like I say. Not like I do.

Thanks for setting a great example, Obama.

Or is this illustrating an otherwise important point?

Lawrence on March 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM

The Rev. Wright answers to a higher power…

d1carter on March 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM

How about redefining the tax codes as it relates to churches?

Spirit of 1776 on March 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM

BTW, I thought Rev. Wright was retiring.

d1carter on March 10, 2008 at 1:52 PM

The Rev. Wright answers to a higher power…

d1carter on March 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM

…soon to be the IRS?

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/03/06/obama_man_of_the_world.php

From Obama’s own website, it says that he studied the Koran..
(Could be off putting to some) he also says this

Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as ”one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

”I was a little Jakarta street kid,” he said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on my blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his
elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as ”one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

Moreover, Mr. Obama’s own grandfather in Kenya was a Muslim. Mr. Obama never met his grandfather and says he isn’t sure if his grandfather’s two wives were simultaneous or consecutive, or even if he was Sunni or Shiite. (O.K., maybe Mr. Obama should just give up on Alabama.)

Chakra Hammer on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM

Lordy! If the Good Rev. Wright (Hey look, we’ve already given him the name of his upcoming future TV Evangelist show!) is getting down this much on Shillary’s case, imagine the fire and brimstone he will invoke when he eventually gets to sink his chops into McPain!

pilamaye on March 10, 2008 at 1:56 PM

Hold on.

Wait for it.

Here it comes.
.
.
The leftist nutjobs deafening outrage at mixing religion and politics.

(cue crickets chirping)
(crickets chirping)
(chirping)

.
Of course, the leftist moon toon hypocrites weren’t all that upset at the good Rev. Wright & his church being a full blown center of racism, either.

Now if it had been a Republican candidate……

Hello. IRS?

locomotivebreath1901 on March 10, 2008 at 1:58 PM

It’s no so much the illegality that bothers me in these cases. It’s the lack of honor & honesty of the pastor and the church board.

When applying for non-profit status churches are required to pledge that they will not participate in political speech. In doing so, the pastor is breaking his word, in allowing him to do so, the board is breaking their word.

Why should a church trust a pastor and a board that they know break their word when it suits their purposes?

29Victor on March 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM

Obama’s pastor pretty much openly campaigning for him from the pulpit

Doesn’t that make him and his church pretty much open fodder for the IRS?

And this other bit of nonsense….

drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM

During that Christmas morning sermon, Mr. Wright declared that Hillary Clinton “ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.”

Well. I finally get to say it.

Wright is wrong.

One Wright does make many wrongs.

I could go on a long time with this!

If anyone has had anything handed to them, it’s the Obamas- especially that ingrate wife.

drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 2:02 PM

Campaign for McCain/ in your churches and see what happens with your tax exemption.

Grafted on March 10, 2008 at 2:06 PM

seperation of church and state!!!!
oh wait its by a democrat? never mind

Defector01 on March 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM

We’ve lost him.

…and let’s hope we never again find him.

its vintage duh on March 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM

Mr. Wright told the Trinity congregation that some people say, “‘Hillary is married to Bill and Bill [has] been good to us.’” Mr. Wright continued, “No, he ~~ain’t~~ hasn’t!”

Fixed it.
Once again, double standard. I’m sure nothing will come of it because it’s Obama’s black church.

Geronimo on March 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM

Doubtless a stern warning letter will correct the problem. Speaking of Huck, today’s the deadline for filing to run for senate in Arkansas. No news on the wires that I can see. We’ve lost him.

Huck says he has “no interest” in Senate race.

ColtsFan on March 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM

the tax exemption laws on churches supporting a candidate only apply to protestant churches that supports republicans. no story here. keep moving. good job rev.

custer on March 10, 2008 at 2:18 PM

IBD had a good piece on Wright last Friday.

Revisiting Obama’s Church

thebrokenchair on March 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM

Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as ”one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

Presumably because he hasn’t heard all the gunshots and explosions that tend to follow in its wake.

I think it’s ironic to watch the Democrat party cannibalize itself, as Bill Clinton goes from “the first black president” to someone who claims to “have been good to us[black people]…Well, he ain’t.”

/still enjoying watching the Democrats have their chickie run to play the race card. The sad part is that Obama and his ilk are able to do so with impunity, simply by claiming they’re not playing the race card.

Spc Steve on March 10, 2008 at 2:23 PM

@ drjohn

Wright is wrong.

Heh.

29Victor on March 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM

that’s it people, “Change you can believe in” lol

charlie36r on March 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM

Change this:

Hillary Clinton “ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.”

to this:

Barack Obama hasn’t had to fight reverse racism and affirmative action placement of students and employees by disgruntled minorities that get whatever they want, or suffered from watered down educational standards lowered to give minorites passing grades.

and see what public reaction would be.

cannonball on March 10, 2008 at 2:49 PM

During that Christmas morning sermon, Mr. Wright declared that Hillary Clinton “ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.

Ah, the Christmas spirit of a “church” and “Reverend” dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wonder if Luke 2:7-14 was read before of after the above quote?

OhEssYouCowboys on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM

thebrokenchair on March 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM

This is my issue!!! We need to get past the Muslim issue and focus on Obama’s racist America hating church of which he has been a member the past 20 years. How can someone steeped in racist and anti-American tradition lead this country!!!

ihasurnominashun on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM

Why should a church trust a pastor and a board that they know break their word when it suits their purposes?

Because that, by and large, is the current state of Christianity in the USA. Rather than viewing the Bible as the measure, people would rather twist Scripture to fit their world-view. That’s also why Christianity is largely impotent in this country.

oldleprechaun on March 10, 2008 at 3:12 PM

Mr. Wright declared that ~~Hillary Clinton~~ “ mccain ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.”

We need to leave rev wright alone until the general. Another one of barry’s closest advisors is a campaign ad waiting to happen.

peacenprosperity on March 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM

During that Christmas morning sermon, Mr. Wright declared that Hillary Clinton “ain’t had to work twice as hard just to get accepted by the rich white folk who run everything or to get a passing grade when you know you are smarter than that ‘C’ student sitting in the White House.”

I like beating dead horses. Why hasn’t this resulted in Obama distancing himself from this “pastor?” …and why won’t the media call him on it?

lodestonejames on March 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM

The only spot where I think Mr. Wright is right:

On Jan. 13, Mr. Wright told the Trinity congregation that some people say, “‘Hillary is married to Bill and Bill [has] been good to us.’” Mr. Wright continued, “No, he ain’t!”

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM

But, separation of church and state!!!

benrand on March 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM

Republicans (and to a very large extent, Evangelical Christians) ended slavery.

Democrats keep the plantation mentality going, long after slavery itself is gone.

I highly recommend this book.

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE I said it 3 times and nothing CHANGED. I guess you need the power of OBAMA to make it work.

TroubledMonkey on March 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM

We’ve lost him.

If by “lost him” you mean “been given great cause to rejoice,” then yes!

Laura on March 10, 2008 at 3:26 PM

In regards to whether or not Rev. Wright should be able to say whatever he pleases from his pulpit:

The Bill of Rights has 10 Amendments. Each one is a single thought process. If it were not so, an amendment with two or three separate thought processes could have been split into different amendments.

Here is the text of the first amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That’s not six different thought processes rolled into one amendment. It’s a single thought process, and it’s intent is to protect the church from the government. Along the way, people have tried to turn that 180 degrees and claim that it’s meant to protect the government from the church (i.e., “separation of church and state”).

I personally believe that the IRS has no constitutional right to tell a pastor what he can and cannot say. If Rev. Wright wants to promote Obama, let him. In today’s world of recording devices, every word he says will be in the public domain, and Hillary or Republicans should feel free to make known what Obama’s pastor of 20 years says. Rev. Wright says things that are so inane that they will hurt, not help, Obama on the national scale.

By the way, if we were truly paying heed to what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught, we should be judging people by the content of their character (and not the color of their skin).

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM

I remember in 2004 my pastor made a remark–partially in jest, and under his breath–about voting for Bush from the pulpit. It elicited a little laugh, but the next day, he found himself on the local news, apologizing.

Oh, yeah, but he’s a fat, white, suburban guy. So, of course, he’s the devil

Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 4:01 PM

What’s amazing about racism is the equality it demonstrates. Black or White, you look like a total idiot.

~~Hussein~~ Obama, is no Muslim but there is one that preaches from his church’s pulpit. Must be those rich, White folks that run everything setting him up.

Hening on March 10, 2008 at 4:12 PM

By the way, if we were truly paying heed to what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught, we should be judging people by the content of their character (and not the color of their skin).

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM

I think that injunction applies only to white people.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2008 at 4:15 PM

No news on the wires that I can see. We’ve lost him.

Huckleberry is at home right now sitting by the phone, rocking back and forth waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting for that call from the Maverick, the call that won’t be coming…………….

I’d like to be a fly on the wall when Huckleberry finds out that Mitt gets the VP nod. hah.

Mallard T. Drake on March 10, 2008 at 4:39 PM

Where is Barry Lynde? Oh, that’s right, he’s only against conservative political/religious speech.

jgapinoy on March 10, 2008 at 4:45 PM

I’d love to find out what goes on in this racist church. I have a feeling they talk more about being “black” than theology.

SpencerFan on March 10, 2008 at 4:48 PM

a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them.

Chakra Hammer on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 PM

Arab nationalism = caliphate dreams. Tomayto, tomahto.

And, by the way, Hilary had socialist house parties with major heads of state. Shouldn’t that count for something?!

Come on, Hillary!

P.S. Prayer calls are the single most annoying sound ever popularized. Even the Europeans don’t like to listen to it.

emailnuevo on March 10, 2008 at 5:41 PM

I place this “church” right alongside of mosques. They are political organizations thinly veiled as “places of worship” in order to avoid paying taxes and being raided by the FBI. Both need to lose their tax exempt status at the bare minimum.

Nahanni on March 10, 2008 at 5:44 PM

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM said:

I personally believe that the IRS has no constitutional right to tell a pastor what he can and cannot say.

This has nothing to do with the pastor’s consititutional right to speak, it’s about the non-profit status of the church. When his church applied for non-profit status (assuming that they did), they promised not to engage in this kind of endorsement of a political candidate or risk losing their non-profit status.

The pastor is free to say whatever he wants, just not from the pulpit. The chuch is also free to give up their non-profit status, but I doubt that they will.

29Victor on March 10, 2008 at 6:00 PM

I wonder what the 2 churches did to lose their tax exempt status? Where were they and when did it happen?

sullyntexas on March 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM

Tax the beegeezus out of Jesus! (and mohammed and _____)

SouthernGent on March 10, 2008 at 7:14 PM

Talk about con artists - this guy is whiter than my grandfather, literally. What kind of scam has he been running that would explain why blacks think of this guy as one of them?

He disgusts me.

fourstringfuror on March 10, 2008 at 7:16 PM

29Victor on March 10, 2008 at 6:00 PM

I respectfully disagree. Allowing the IRS to regulate the speech of religious organizations, by controlling their tax exempt status, amounts to Congress abridging the freedom of speech of those religious organizations, and that is expressly forbidden by the 1st Amendment.

If a pastor wanted to point out that the Bible says, “You shall not murder“, but a certain Senator running for president thinks it should be legal to murder full-term babies when they are partially-delivered, I think the pastor should be allowed to do so without the threat of losing the church’s tax-exempt status. Congress and the IRS do not have the Constitutional authority to abridge religious speech.

Red Pill on March 10, 2008 at 9:22 PM

Stupidity and racism aren’t against the law, but tax evasion is.

Jaibones on March 10, 2008 at 11:54 PM

When “religious speech” becomes “political speech” it is no longer “religious speech”. It is part of a Campaign which is no longer tax exempt. Campaigning from the pulpit is when and where the line is crossed.

Right now I am not a huge fan of the present Congress or the IRS, however, an audit of non profit organizations is legal under current law. The reverend also makes racist statements from the pulpit in this case. Does that mean that
the KKK should have been given tax exempt status as well?

old trooper on March 11, 2008 at 12:02 AM

it’s always been cool to campaign from the pulpits of black churche.

i wonder what would happen if i endorsed a candidate from the pulpit at my temple?

devadevadasa on March 11, 2008 at 1:44 AM

“He ain’t privileged”?

Are you freaking kidding me?

How many times has Obama been pulled over by the cops.

And here I thought Barack was raised by some white woman.

drjohn on March 13, 2008 at 9:57 AM