Press conference: Obama shocked, shocked at Wright’s behavior; Update: Video added; Update: Q&A highlights added
posted at 2:10 pm on April 29, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Imagine his surprise at finding that his spiritual mentor of 20 years is a preening, hateful, attention whore. I missed the beginning so I don’t know yet if he did indeed disown the man he could no sooner disown than disown the whole black community. Video is coming; in the meantime, the boss is liveblogging. Sound off below.
Update: Here’s his statement, slightly edited for brevity. I have to go back and see if there’s anything worthy in the Q&A; if there is, I’ll update with more vid. Ace reports that Pope Andrew, shill of shills, has already pronounced St. Barry redeemed, so let the word go forth and the healing recommence. The bottom line: After 20 years of friendship, if Obama didn’t know Wright held these beliefs he’s a moron and if he did know he’s a fraud.
Link: sevenload.com
Update: Can’t remember if it’s in the Q&A or in the clip I posted, but at some point in discussing Trinity Obama mentions how wonderful the new pastor, Otis Moss, is compared to Wright. Here’s a little flashback for you from last month, of Moss equating the media’s criticism of Wright with a lynching. Exit question: Where exactly does that analogy leave Obama now?
Update: Speaking of people Sullivan shills for, remember when TNR broke the news about Ron Paul’s neo-confederate newsletters? The big knock there wasn’t that Paul necessarily held those views himself but that his carelessness in letting them be published under his name called his judgment and competence into question. How is this any different? Unless someone wants to argue that Wright’s militancy is something he came to only recently, then Obama somehow spent 20 years in the pews without ever noticing that his preacher wasn’t particularly fond of America, white people, “Zionism,” etc etc. Exactly how many sermons did he miss?
Update: Geraghty asks the question of the hour: What’s Wright’s move now?
Update: Rich Lowry speculates that Obama’s team must have some awfully bad polling numbers on Wright to warrant this spectacle today. Jon Ham, North Carolina resident and father of Mary Katharine, says he got a call just last night. Last week’s numbers from Survey USA: Obama by nine. Today’s numbers: Obama by five.
Update: I was planning to track down the “white folks’ greed runs a world in need” quote but the Standard beat me to it. Read Obama’s own account of Wright’s “Audacity of Hope” sermon to see for yourself how plausible it is that he didn’t know Wright spoke this particular brand of “truth” to power.
Update: Here are the highlights from the Q&A, in quick-hit, heavily edited form. Wright’s insinuation that Obama only pretends to disagree with him to preserve his electability — which is itself, of course, highly damaging to Obama’s electability — is a predictable sore spot.
Link: sevenload.com
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“I was shocked, SHOCKED to hear Rev. Wright go on television to say all of the things I’ve been hearing him say from the pulpit over the past 20 years.”
Audacity.
Cicero43 on April 29, 2008 at 2:12 PM
If Obama didn’t pick up on the character of his moral compass and mentor after hanging around with him for 20 years, how savvy a president would he be?
katieanne on April 29, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Will McCain attack Obama for criticizing Wright?
Oh, never mind - Obama’s not a conservative.
thirteen28 on April 29, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Get Obama a bus - he’s got someone to throw under it!!! He is vigorously denouncing his pastor.
HawaiiLwyr on April 29, 2008 at 2:15 PM
lol. the left wing loons are out of the closet crapping all over the new carpeting.
mylegsareswollen on April 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Oh, yeah. Now, Wright will have to respond, and the BLT groupies will have to make a decision. With any luck, Sharpton and Calypso Louie will chime in. Chris Matthews will have to drain his pantleg, and Andrew Sullivan will fall in love all over again.
Time for her Majesty to release that video of Barry cheering and clapping at one of Wright’s “hate whitey” sermons, I think.
a capella on April 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Looks like he is going to have a rough time picking a cabinet, looks like he needs 30 years to ferret them out.
right2bright on April 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM
I’ll take Things You Should Have Figured Out in 1988 for 2000, Alex.
trubble on April 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
The audacity of falling asleep during church for 20 years?
lorien1973 on April 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
BO is on a sinking ship!
txsurveyor on April 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I don’t think that’ll be enough…he needs to throw him under the back of the bus.
James on April 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
The Great Uniter can’t even maintain diplomacy with his pastor, ally, and advisor. The guy who loved him like a father, performed the marriage ceremony for him and his wife, baptized his kids, and was part of his campaign for President of the United States.
What a FAIL.
RushBaby on April 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Well, they say it takes 21 years before you really know someone.
Cicero43 on April 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Note: when Obama is knowingly trying to sell you snake oil, he stammers.
yo on April 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I am finally grateful for the Clintons. Without this one on one contest NONE of this would have seen the light of day. >:^)
leftnomore on April 29, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Not really clear if this is the way he should handle it.
Typhonsentra on April 29, 2008 at 2:19 PM
He looks like he’s gonna start crying.
LtE126 on April 29, 2008 at 2:19 PM
I don’t think this is a case of Wright trying to torpedo Obama, as some have suggested.
Rather, I think it’s a case of Obama realizing he needed to take a second bite of this rotten apple.
I believe the plan was to set Obama up with an opportunity to distance himself and try to get free from it at last.
benjamin on April 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
1. The toothpaste jumped back into a perfect tube.
2. The Messiah regained his halo.
3. Obama is Jesus again.
4. Change, Hope and Unity are on track, and all will be healed, all in the world.
5. Best of all, but not for KP, the magic is back, intact.
6. Good for Peggy Noonan, Obama’s Act II is on its way.
7. The Emperor will appear in perfect clothes.
8. The man regained his nads, steel, I tell you.
9. He’s got judgment, leadership, experience, superpowers.
10. He’s da man!
11. Everyone sing and rejoyce.
12. Happiness be upon us all.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
I hope Jerry White -er… Wright- likes the way the underside of that bus looks. It’s going to be rolling back and forth over him for a while.
LickyLicky on April 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Yea, well he’s the Captain of that ship.
Now we’ll have to see if he stays at the helm until the end or if he’s putting women’s clothing as he runs for the life boats…
SPCOlympics on April 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
This is going to get uglier folks. I am not sure this is such a good thing though. I think we may be in for 4 to 8 more Clinton years.
She is saving that for the final blow…only if she needs it.
TroubledMonkey on April 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
I think this comes as no surprise to Obama. Wright has just given Obama an out. He’s “shocked” by Wright’s comments, so now he can disavow him, without his followers questioning too much, if at all. Too bad so many intelligent people have already seen though it.
Torch on April 29, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Wright now has carte blanche to spew. Good luck to Obama. By the time this race is over, the Blacks and the whites will hate him. Identity politics from within the liberal wing, gladiator fight, and entertainment.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Yup, and Jerry is in on it. The Feel Good tour was nothing but a set-up.
Darksean on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Hey, Obama is going to need a bigger bus, he is throwing everyone under that thing…his Reverend, his grandmother, his promise of campaign finance…at least he has Bill Richardson.
right2bright on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Wellllllll, if you didn’t think B Hussein Obama was a pandering opportunistic politician before……. I know, I know… I’m paraphrasing Wright….. bad David, bad David!
MNDavenotPC on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
I’m guessing he read the Karl Rove column telling him “It would have been better to say from the start that Wright’s words were wrong and offensive and you should have spoken out earlier. The applause would have been deafening.”
I guess even a spattering would be nice now, huh?
eucher on April 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Now we can all listen to the MSM tell us that its time to move on from this distraction. Hopefully people won’t listen.
phronesis on April 29, 2008 at 2:23 PM
The Clinton’s are putting this young lad through the meat grinder.
Barry’s new moniker will be “Ground Chuck”
mylegsareswollen on April 29, 2008 at 2:23 PM
20 YEARS.
Not long enough to figure out the core ideology of an organization to which you belong and actively support. Pardon my language, but is Barack Obama retarded?
Gilda on April 29, 2008 at 2:23 PM
In other news, Obama obtained a restraining order prohibiting his grandmother from coming with 200 feet of him.
Cicero43 on April 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Remember, Obama says what he has to say because he is a polititian, per the Rev. Wright.
The Rev, me thinks knows Obama better than Obama knows himself.
jharada on April 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Look racists; this is all just a distraction from hope and change.
lorien1973 on April 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM
HA! Great!
Weight of Glory on April 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Isn’t the “mentor” comment from one of Barry’s Books?
phronesis on April 29, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Absolutely. How long ago was he booked to speak in all these venues?
benjamin on April 29, 2008 at 2:25 PM
It still wouldn’t change the fact - regarding judgement and character - that The Obamboozler “clung” to this man for 20 years. Will this set a precedent for him to be “shocked” about Ayers? Rezko? His wife?! ;)
Lockstein13 on April 29, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Imagine if a commander in chief would wait this long to judge our enemies. Children are running for president, and think that they deserve the seat, just because their wives would respect them more.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Michelle and Allah please stay on top of this story.
I know you will!
RobCon on April 29, 2008 at 2:26 PM
IMHO - Call me cynical!! This is ALL A SHOW - It was all set up prior to Wright going on Moyers. Wright gets out there and from one public apppearance to the next he get more and more offensive. Of course what else can the Messiah do but denounce the “crazy uncle”. It is a show to save Obama’a campaign.
ordi on April 29, 2008 at 2:28 PM
He’s disowned the man but not the BLT. He’s going to have to do more, but that starts to really cut into the voting bloc.
a capella on April 29, 2008 at 2:28 PM
He certainly does hope we’ll buy it.
Esthier on April 29, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I don’t think this is going to give Obama an “out” to distance himself from Wright. Because the pastor he stood up for, was in the context of Wright saying things like “U.S. of KKK A.” But the pastor that Obama is now condemning is in the context “Obama says what he has to say to get elected.” There is a big difference there.
Weight of Glory on April 29, 2008 at 2:29 PM
The wheels have come off … It’s a site to see. Standby the fire extinguishers.
tarpon on April 29, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Obama still didn’t answer the question about his judgment.
It’s all just a distraction.
abinitioadinfinitum on April 29, 2008 at 2:29 PM
He not only threw Wright under the bus…he threw that whole church under the bus. PAYBACK!!!
LtE126 on April 29, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Yes, he hasn’t talked to Rev. Wright…since they set up this ‘bad cop, good cop’ morality play. Worthy of the Clintons in terms of the level of Hypocricy; not quite to the level of the classic ‘Casablanca’ scene, though.
michaelo on April 29, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Reverend Wright made it clear this weekend that an attack on him was an attack on the black church.
I wonder if Obama is going to get the same “uncle tom”
treatment that Republican black leadership constantly gets.
I think that Trinity church members are not going to appreciate Obama’s Judas impression and we may see some
video tape in the future of Wright ranting his propaganda with Obama and family clapping and shouting “Amens” in the congregation or witnesses coming forth confirming that Obama
knew and supported this bigoted drivel.
This “I didn’t know”line that Obama keeps throwing out is just not believable and I expect will come back to bite him in the a$$.
Baxter Greene on April 29, 2008 at 2:31 PM
He is shocked that J. Dudley Wright just couldn’t “pretend” to be something he is not.
Obama does it everyday with complete ease.
EJDolbow on April 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM
We can harp on Team Obama all we want but he has plans(but no background) and he is engaging. Wright is a big deal, but until the same can be said about McCain the whole Wright thing is likely to backfire.
ninjapirate on April 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I want people to understand who I am. -O
Oh, We’re getting to know who you are a little more every day. Sir.
In some ways, the things Wright said yesterday directly contradict my life, issues, service, what I’ve said in my books, in my convention speech, announcement for president, everything I’ve said on the campaign trail. -O
Name those ways. Specifically, Sir.
What I tried to do in Philadelphia was provide a context and lift up some of the contradictions and complexities in America and try to make something constructive out of it. - O
Alliteration and Air.
There wasn’t anything constructive out of yesterday. All it was was a bunch of rants that aren’t grounded in truth…It was a show of disprespect to me. - Obama
No Sir. It was a show of disrespect to the American People. Time to exit stage left, narcissist.
RushBaby on April 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Obama will probably have to cancel ALL future debates, now.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM
What do you call it when someone’s actions don’t jibe with their words? A hypocrite. Obama is a hypocrite for lambasting his former Pastor after sitting under his teachings for 20 years.
If Obama were not running for President:
Wright would still be in the pulpit.
Obama would still be in the pew.
Christians, ask yourselves: would you allow a political expediency to supersede your faith? Would you allow ‘the World’ to dictate how you worship God? With whom you worship?
If so, then not only are you in the wrong Church, but you are in the wrong world.
Doug on April 29, 2008 at 2:33 PM
So he actually has a pair. Microscopic as they may be….
This isn’t over. Rev. Wright will not let Obama have the last word.
As for Obama’s ability to judge character, that ship has already sunk.
NeighborhoodCatLady on April 29, 2008 at 2:33 PM
We’ll see what happens in the polls. I really think we’ve got a case of premature schadenfreude on the right. Just be careful with this fellas…
RightOFLeft on April 29, 2008 at 2:33 PM
I agree. He was primarily angry about Wright’s comment that he was just being political to win the election. He hasn’t condemned BLT.
a capella on April 29, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Has anyone heard how Chris Matthews’ leg reacted to the press conference?
Cicero43 on April 29, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Ruh Roh- Al Sharpton tells Obama to “quit grandstanding to the white people.”
Looks like Wright and Sharpton may get into a “mine’s bigger” contest.
Brad on April 29, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Ooohhhh! Great point. Wright said the recent attacks on him were really attacks on the black church. Now Obama has added to the criticism of Wright. Does that mean that Obama is attacking the black church in America?
Weight of Glory on April 29, 2008 at 2:34 PM
What will CNN do now???
CNN is really in a bind. They have been puffing up Wright in an effort to help Obama but now Obama knocked down Wright.
EJDolbow on April 29, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Forgot the link to Sharpton’s comments.
Brad on April 29, 2008 at 2:35 PM
What a sad and treacherous day! The Rethuglicans are forcing into silence one of the bravest speakers we have of Truth to Power. And they’re castrating Barack. They’re…..wait…this isn’t dKos?…oh…sorry, wrong site…
eeyore on April 29, 2008 at 2:35 PM
How long do you think it’s going to be before the usual suspects lump BHO in the “black sell out” category?
I wish I was as regular and predictable as these so called “black leaders”. If I were black, in America, I would be so furious that these un-elected “leaders” are focusing on Don Imus comments instead of the real issues in the black community. I don’t know… The breakdown in the black family, the fact that young black kids think the only way become successful is to rap, professional sports or sell drugs. Oh yeah, what is the dropout rate of blacks in America? and what is the teen pregnancy numbers again? These “leaders” have set black people back farther than anyone else could have. Shameful!
Well, that didn’t take long…
Claypigeon on April 29, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Al Sharpton “You go brothers, you go. I’m still da man”.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Just another example of Black on Black abuse.
Remember, a man should be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin.
My judjement is in and Wright is of poor character and fails my standard. Too bad Obama has this guy’s bunker oil all over him. It will be hard for Obama to rinse it all off.
saiga on April 29, 2008 at 2:36 PM
The “Audacity” of BHO disowning Rev Wright because he is “Hoping” it wont ruin his chances at becoming president so he can bring great “change” to the gun loving bible toting american people……what a crock of sh@t.
SoCalInfidel on April 29, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I bet the phone lines between Team Clinton and Sharpton are just on fire!
Weight of Glory on April 29, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Obama was bamboozled by his pastor for 20 years, and he wants to be President?
Zoltan on April 29, 2008 at 2:37 PM
sorry, that isnt a link there
SoCalInfidel on April 29, 2008 at 2:37 PM
The Obamassiah needs twenty years to figure out his pastor is a wacko racist, and yet he thinks he can negotiate right off the bat with Hugo Chavez, Kim Jong-Il and Nutjob in Iran.
I’m not buying it.
rbj on April 29, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Know what I’m shocked at? I’m shocked at the number of RACISTS on this board who think Bambi’s lunatic minister is a legitimate issue, when it’s clearly racism to mention him, associate him with Bambi, or associate him and Bambi with Democrats who endorse Bambi.
Did you people have a role in the making of that hateful, racist, NCGOP ad?
Let’s get back to the legitimate issues, you bunch of gun-totin’, chicken-chokin’, cousin-pokin’ inbred racist hicks!
misterpeasea on April 29, 2008 at 2:38 PM
If Obama would have just minded his life, been who he is, half Black, and half white, he’d be in good shape. Having desired to be more Black than he is has brought him to this point. Fakery never, ever stays hidden.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Today’s schedule of events:
2pm - Canasta under the bus, with Rev Wright and Barry’s Grandma, at an Obama campaign HQ near you…
Wind Rider on April 29, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Is Michael Pfeger available for comment?
yo on April 29, 2008 at 2:38 PM
The Liberal reaction:
Foooooor
nobody else
gives me a thrill
with all your faults
I love you still
it has to be you
has to be you
wonderful you.
abinitioadinfinitum on April 29, 2008 at 2:39 PM
You forgot Bible clinging.
Weight of Glory on April 29, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Spot on: the Authenticity Gap.
RushBaby on April 29, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Rush just said that Barry holding a press conference to claim that he didn’t know about Wright’s views is like Hillary holding a press conference to say she just learned that Bill was cheating on her.
Buy Danish on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Bravo Obama. The courage it took to stand up to Wright must have been very difficult. Once again Obama is able to rise above racial, and political conflicts, and stand on his strong moral foundation. I have never seen a politician with the integrity, insight, intellect, and morality of one Barack Obama. You are a far better man than I, and I can only hope you lead this ungrateful nation to where we can be proud to call ourselves Americans again. Thank you Barack. Where is my tissue?
chief on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
This guy will be toast if he doesn’t cowboy up soon. Come on Bambi, show your teeth.
saiga on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I wonder what Howard Dean is thinking?
forest on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Important to remember. Wright won’t damage Obama in the eyes of his fervent supporters in the MSM.
I predict the “official” verdict will be case closed, move on.
Gilda on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Philadelphia was wiped out today. That ‘grand’ speech amounts to what it always did.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Sister Souljah …. paging Sister Souljah ….
Ed Morrissey on April 29, 2008 at 2:42 PM
“If Obama would have just minded his life, been who he is, half Black, and half white, he’d be in good shape.”
The black comm. is going to look at this that he just picked the white side.
He’s become a Judas.
LtE126 on April 29, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Yaaaarrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
txsurveyor on April 29, 2008 at 2:43 PM
No one, but absolutely no one, cares what he’s thinking.
Paging baldilocks and The Race Card. Come in my friends. Your perspective is much needed.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:43 PM
If it took him 20 years to be shocked by Wright, how long will it take for him to figure out Dinner Jacket?
eeyore on April 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Please, please, please, let their be a vid lurking out there of Obama nodding and saying “amen” during one of Wright’s ranting sermons at TUCC.
innominatus on April 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM
This means that in just 20 more years, Obama will realize that Kim Il Sung, Mahmound Ahmadinejad, and Bashar Assad are evil guys who mean to damage American interests.
Cicero43 on April 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Doesn’t this crash and burn just make it easier for him to accept a VP offer?
Limerick on April 29, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I hesitate to join the conspiracy crowd, and yet it’s just as hard to imagine that Obama of the Harvard Law Review could be this stupid.
So, is it just a form of cynical overconfidence that borders on pathological? I don’t have this one figured out.
Jaibones on April 29, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Kind note to Ace
…is three words.
Entelechy on April 29, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Called it. :-)
spmat on April 29, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Soon there will be no American left for Obama to throw under the bus.
Niko on April 29, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Nope. It seems to me that would be a statement of “I guess I wasn’t ready after all…” Not a likely strategy.
eeyore on April 29, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I reserve some of my most virulent disgust for this douchebag. He is foul.
Jaibones on April 29, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Do I hear the noise of dancing feet in Hillary’s camp?
sdd on April 29, 2008 at 2:49 PM
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