Obama did address and explain why he stayed in Wright's church for 20 years. Here's a summary.

[thesubstanceofdreams]

Some Hillary supporters who probably didn't even watch Obama's speech keep repeating like a broken clock that "Obama has still not explained why he chose to keep Wright as a pastor for 20 years". The fact is, he did, clearly, directly, in detail, and eloquently.

I will try to summarize the main points from my recollection; for the exact words the full speech is available elsewhere on the internet(s).

He started by saying that if all he knew about was Wright was the two minutes of hateful speech that the media are repeating nonstop, then he would be shocked as well. But that Wright is a lot more than that.

He said that Wright helped bring him into christianity. Even though I'm an atheist, I can see that that this is a fundamental issue in Obama's spiritual life, which helps explain his "family member I disagree with" vision.

He explained that Wright's church has done a lot of very positive social service for the community (he gave specific examples, like HIV/Aids).

He acknowledged that Wright has been controversial, and made a great analysis of how Wright is a product of his time (growing up during the segregation era), and that his views are representative of the black community of his generation. He concluded that disowning him would amount to disowning the black community.

By using his white grandmother as an example, he made the point that one can love and receive love from someone while realizing and fringing at the shortcomings (and more to the point, the racism) of that person.

So this is comprehensive explanation. You are free to disagree with it. But to claim that he didn't provide an explanation is disingenuous, smearing and a blatant lie.

Thank you.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good summary

and thank you for writing it.

[snappyturtle]

2. K&R AMEN! n/t

[kentuck]

3. This was the lie that Scarborough and Buchanan were promoting this morning

Thanks for proving them liars and racists.

[thesubstanceofdreams]

4. Kick n/t

[kentuck]

5. kick

:kick:

[indimuse]

6. excuse me..

"He started by saying that if all he knew about was Wright was the two minutes of hateful speech that the media are repeating nonstop, then he would be shocked as well. But that Wright is a lot more than that."

See this statement would fly had it ONLY been 2 mins...ever...you see this not so. More than 20 years of these hate sermons were preached by his Mentor - Guide...Rev Wright. And for 20 years Obama agreed with this mans message...Until yesterday. No Go Jo!

[berni_mccoy]

7. You are out of your mind. The media has only played a small handful of statements

Less than 2 minutes of sermon. He has not been giving 'hate sermons' you blind moron. If there was more, they would be playing those statements as well. Besides that you completely missed the point.

The anger of racial divide, in both blacks and whites, is absolutely real. Unfortunately, you can't handle an adult discussion of it.

[thesubstanceofdreams]

8. Did you even read my post?

The two minutes the media has been playing were hand-picked out of a decades-long preaching career. They are not representative of a typical Wright's sermon. Every sentence in your post is a blatant lie. But since you clearly didn't bother to read my post, I don't know why I am even replying.

[kentuck]

9. Are you saying every sermon by Rev Wright was like those shown?

on TV over and over? Do you think he did not do any good for his church or community? Obama admitted that he had heard both types of sermons.