Important question: Can Obama disassociate himself from Wright?

[JoFerret]

Obama is so much not Wright. He is WAY better.

Can he put enough distance?
If he cannot then he cannot/ must not be our nominee in November.

(I say bring back Edwards. But that's just me.)

[annie1]

1. yeah, the story will die a month after the pubs bring it up. it'll get old fast.

[blogslut]

2. So, let me get this straight

If Obama is our nominee and he fails to "disassociate" from reverend Wright, you will not vote for him?

[Flabbergasted]

5. I was wondering the same thing earlier today: Not easily.

He needs to distance himself but can't ditch him.

Tough one.

Wright's opinions are very common in the AA population. To be frank I think his opinions are becoming outdated but they're understandable.

Like someone else pointed out today, Obama will just have to point out Hagee when they press it.

[blogslut]

7. I think the reverend's views will be healthy for the American public

It's about time we started to air all the grievances of people that have had no bully pulpit.

[Flabbergasted]

8. Right. Me too. And hopefully a wound will be healed when Obama is elected.

Btw...I'm glad you responded to me but I meant to repond to the OP.

[Iceburg]

3. 23 years with Wright + 17 years with Rezko = poor judgment

[Johnny__Motown]

4. Obama is stuck in 2 religious fights, this one and the Muslim crap

I'm not sure how he fights both of them at once. He may be wise to just let ir play out as long as possible. This could allow the "Wright" controversy to counter any possible attacks concerning him being a Muslim.

He will need to deal with the "Wright" problem but maybe not right away.

[rodeodance]

6. Wright is a member of Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Wright is a member of Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
5061315, Wright is a member of Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee
Posted by MetricSystem on Thu Mar-13-08 02:09 PM

From http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Wrights_com... :

March 13, 2008

Wright's committee

Jeremiah Wright, in the news today because video of a sermon (parts of which had been reported, and disavowed, before) adds some heat to the discussion of his relationship with Obama, has generally been described as connected to Obama only informally — a religious figure with whom Obama has said he disagrees at times, a kind of cranky uncle.

But he also has a formal role on the campaign.

Wright is a member of Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee — the sort of largely honorary, advisory body that in recent days has recently been used mostly to throw people off who say controversial things.

The Obama campaign couldn't immediately say whether he'd remain on the committee.

More info on the committee from http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/obama/obama120407pr.htm... :


PRESS RELEASE from Obama for America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 4, 2007

Renowned Faith Leaders Come Together to Support Obama

Unprecedented group of nation’s top Black religious leaders unveiled

CHARLESTON, S.C. –U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign today unveiled its African American Religious Leadership Committee at both the national and statewide levels. Together, they represent two groups of key national and South Carolina religious leaders who are supporting Obama’s bid for the Democratic nomination.

These groups are truly without equal and reflect the belief among clergy that Obama has dedicated his public life to living the values of his faith outside of his house of worship. The national leadership committee is made up of presidents of two of the largest national Baptist conventions; the most senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, some of the most well-known African American women religious leaders and living legends of the Civil Rights movement, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery and Dr. C.T. Vivian; and many others.

...

The South Carolina leadership committee includes nearly 130 senior pastors from some of the largest and most important churches across the state. Both groups represent Senator Obama’s support among thousands of Black clergy and religious leaders across America, leaders who have come to recognize that Obama represents change they can believe in.

“This is an unprecedented group for an unprecedented candidate,” said National African American Religious Committee Co-Chair Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., a civil rights legend and former president of the Morehouse University Board of Trustees. “As a lifelong advocate for the less fortunate and the forgotten, Senator Obama lives his faith everyday. He continues to talk about a faith that works to unite and not divide people.”