Wright was NOT Obama's spiritual adviser yet everyone in the media KEEPS SAYING SO!

[jenmito]

On MSNBC, they keep using this Repub. Rev. guy Joe Watkins, who is STILL talking about how Obama's judgment was terrible in choosing such an "anti-American" pastor like Wright to be his spiritual adviser. Not only have both Wright and Obama say he was NOT a spiritual adviser, but they both said so AGAIN two days ago and yesterday (Obama repeated it in his presser yesterday, but it was apparently "lost" on everybody.) They're STILL doing their best to make Obama look bad to keep this story going!

[tridim]

1. All these pundits look like idiots spewing their crap on the air.

They're completely obsessed.

[jenmito]

4. I agree. I'm going to email them.

I'm sick of this!

[flpoljunkie]

43. Facts do not matter to them--only their "script." They still keep saying a double digit win in PA!

[livetohike]

2. Where in the hell did the term "spiritual advisor" substitute for

pastor come from? Who is Bush's "spiritual advisor"? Who is the Clinton's??

This is all beyond sickening.

[jenmito]

8. That's what I'D like to know!

:shrug:

[Mezzo]

25. It came from BARACK OBAMA, that's where it came from

Please don't insult everyone here by trying to rewrite history. OBama is backpedalling on Wright. Barack Obama called Rev Wright his spiritual advisor MANY MANY times. Here is but one:



Obama's Real Faith, Investor's Business Daily, January 23, 2007

Obama, meanwhile, has been getting in touch with his African roots. . . .

"I believe in the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change," he recently asserted. He said his faith has also led him to question "the idolatry of the free market." This reflects Trinity church doctrine that no African-American can really rise to the top echelons of a "racist, competitive" white society on merit.


Obama, in turn, calls the dashiki-wearing minister of this militantly black church his "spiritual adviser" and mentor. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright said of Obama and his other congregants: "We are an African people, and remain true to our native land, the mother continent." He wants health care for all and more housing for the poor, and calls those who voted for President Bush (and his tax cuts) stupid.

[jenmito]

28. Provide a quote of OBAMA calling Wright his spiritual advisor. I provided a quote of him saying

he's NOT and WASN'T.

[Mezzo]

35. I just DID in my post...and OF COURSE he's changed his story NOW

you're crazy if you think he didn't.

really. Or, am I supposed to think that countless articles were written and the Obama camp NEVER ONCE asked for a retraction? Fucking please....

:think:

[jenmito]

37. No you didn't. Your post claims Obama takes to calling him that. It doesn't show HIM

saying that.

[Mezzo]

45. Tell you what, I show you him ACTUALLY SAYING IT, when you show me ACTUALLY giving that anti-war

speech that he has bedrocked hi campaign upon.

Not a reenactment, but HIM ACTUALLY GIVING IT. :popcorn:

[jenmito]

46. I asked you for a direct quote. His 2002 speech against the war is EASILY available through a

google search.

[Mezzo]

50. again, tit for tat...and No, his antiwar speech, him actually giving it, a newspaper

reporting on it, is not available, BECAUSE NO ONE WROTE ABOUT IT. Yet, he claims to have "put his political career on the line" to give a speech (supposedly).

[jenmito]

52. Here's the transcript of his anti-Iraq war speech in 2002:

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/28/7343/

Now it's YOUR turn. Put up or shut up.

[Maddy McCall]

56. Here's where he got inspiration for that speech. You guessed it. Reverend Wright.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

[jenmito]

60. So his pastor was smart enough to be against the Iraq war. Good. What's your point?

[Maddy McCall]

79. The point is obvious. You're the only one who seems to be missing it.

[jenmito]

80. The point is missed by you.

[rodeodance]

70. Poster is just trying to convince itself. ha ha. put here is good pic of the two

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

81. It's worth reading that article in full.

Because it's vile, disgusting crap.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=289784519414202

[aquart]

3. He didn't take spiritual advice from the pastor of his church?

The man who married him and baptized his daughters?

So why was he going to that church again? Oh, right. Political advantage.

[jenmito]

7. He was his pastor. He was not his "spiritual advisor" which makes it seem like

more than it was. How many people who go to church get married and their kids baptized by someone OTHER than the pastor of their church?

[Tellurian]

24. None of the other candidates have spiritual advisors..the quote had to come from Obama..

maybe you can prove it didn't..

[jenmito]

26. I did. Read post #13.

[Tellurian]

65. yeah, he denied it just yesterday.. Here is something for you. Obama is Black Separatist

One of his Campaign themes is "UNITY"..His own ideology doesn't promote "UNITY".. Here is an article referencing Obama's conflicting perception with his practicing reality

March 3, 2008

Michelle Obama’s Black Separatist Musings

Talk about Jewish guilt or Catholic guilt? How about Black guilt? Michelle Obama’s 1985 thesis reeks of Black Separatism, yet here she is today with her hubby ( Barack Hussein Obama) wanting to lead the U.S. and all Americans. Michelle says she can’t remember what she wrote back in 1985, yet she and hubby are members of a Black Separatist church.

Sing, o muse, the wrath of Michelle

Barack Obama, I argued, evinces a preternatural sangfroid, for he is in America but not of it, a Third World anthropologist profiling Americans. But his wife’s anger at America will out, for it is a profound rage amplified by guilt.

I’m not going to include the clips from Michelle Obama’s thesis but to the link for this story to read the specific excerpts. Her writing is somewhat convoluted and labored. I’d rather quote the above article.

Hopelessness, young Michelle sought to demonstrate, afflicts black Princeton students who are torn between loyalties to the black community and the pursuit of success. Her thesis tabulated the results of a questionnaire sent to black students at Princeton on their attitudes towards the black community and themselves. She drew a bright line between “separatist-pluralist” attitudes, that is, rejecting assimilation into white America, and an “integrationist-assimilationist” stance. Clearly her sympathies lay with black separatism.

But see Michelle sold out, hence the Black guilt.

To the young Michelle’s sense of hopelessness about the prospects for the black lower class, Princeton added something even worse, namely guilt over “striving for many of the same goals as my White classmates - acceptance to a prestigious graduate or professional school or a high paying position in a successful corporation”. Despite her black separatist sympathies, Michelle Vaughn Robinson succumbed to the temptations of which she wrote in her thesis and got a law degree from Harvard, earning around $400,000 a year in salary and corporate director fees by 2005.

Her “hopelessness”, “frustration” and “disappointment” remain, exacerbated by guilt over her own success. That is not speculation, but a precis of her own account. One might speculate that the guilt became all the more poignant to the extent her success was unearned. Michelle Obama’s employer, The University of Chicago Hospitals, paid her $121,910, a reasonable sum for the skill level evident in her thesis, but raised this to $316,952 shortly after her husband was elected US senator.

Unlike her husband, whose focus on his audience is unwavering, Michelle Obama remains at the mercy of the same internal conflict that she reported in her senior thesis. She is too bitter at the hopelessness of lower-class blacks to assimilate, but too attracted to money and privilege to reject white society. She hates the white institutions that made her prosperous, not only because they cannot solve the problems of the black lower class, but even more so because they made her feel guilty about her own success.

This belief in Black Separatism does nothing but promote and aggravate issues of racism in the U.S. I hope the supporters of “The Obamas” are ready to turn back the clock on race relations here in the U.S.

http://bearcreekledger.com/2008/03/03/michelle-obamas-black-separatist-musings/

...so how do you reconcile this with his campaign rhetoric of Change and Unity?

[jenmito]

69. He also denied it April 13th at the "Compassion Forum" on CNN.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

82. For fuck's sake STOP QUOTING WINGNUT WEBSITES. n/t

[Tellurian]

85. whatever, Obama's exact quote: "He's been my spiritual advisor for 20 yrs."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5752009#5752960

[rodeodance]

71. goodness that parsing will give you high BP. but here is a gift.........

[BlueCaliDem]

5. The right-wing biased, corporate media is finally showing its true colors...

... and on the attack of Barack Obama because, to their flabbergasted shock, it appears that their propaganda of "Black Bad, White Good" hadn't worked all too well and Senator Obama is on his way to the WH.

Now, aside from the sudden right-wing love Senator Clinton is getting from the likes of Kristol of the New York Times, even Rush Limpballs, the right-wing has set their sights on Senator Obama.

That means, he hasn't been bought, and can't be bought by them, and that's a no-no. Can't have a President in the WH who's for the people of the United States of American instead of the United Corporations of America.

[truedelphi]

78. By tthe logic that they are using to attack Obama

All(And I do mean ALL) Catholics who have attended church over the last decades, are guilty of encouraging their pedophilia-prone priests!!

[Maddy McCall]

6. Of course he was his spiritual advisor/mentor.

How could you see a person's long-time pastor as anything else?

[Texas Hill Country]

9. didnt obama say that he was?

[jenmito]

13. No. Here's an example of him speaking about him earlier:

So as I'm doing this organizing, some of the pastors started saying, You know, you've got great ideas, Obama, but, you know, if you're going to organize churches, it might help if you were going to church.

(LAUGHTER)

And I thought, Well, that's not an unreasonable position. And so I started visiting some churches. Trinity United Church of Christ was one of the churches that we were trying to get involved in the organization.

I visited that church and found the ministries that they were doing on HIV/AIDS, on prison ministries, there were a whole host of wonderful ministries that they were engaged in. And Reverend Wright's sermons spoke directly to the social gospel, the need to act and not just to sit in the pews.

And so I found that very attractive and ended up joining the church when I got out of law school. Now, I have to say that, you know, in reports subsequently, there's been this notion that he was, by various terms, my spiritual adviser or my spiritual mentor. You know, he's been my pastor.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/barack_obama_at_the_compassion.html

[Maddy McCall]

17. Yeah. So?

Sounds like he's Barack's spiritual advisor.

[jenmito]

20. Did you read the question the poster asked? Obviously not.

[Maddy McCall]

32. The poster? Aren't you the poster? Why refer to yourself in 3rd person?

:silly:

[jenmito]

36. "Texas Hill Country" is the poster who asked the question. You need to learn how to UNDERSTAND

posts-not just READ them.

[Texas Hill Country]

41. i have seen obama give a speech where he named Wright his "mentor and friend"... will try to find.

[jenmito]

44. I'm looking for the phrase, "spiritual advisor." Thanks.

[jenmito]

10. I've NEVER seen ANYONE'S pastor called their "spiritual adviser."

Until now.

[livetohike]

12. Spiritual advice is what Bill Clinton sought after being caught

with Monica in the oval office :-). If I remember correctly.

[jenmito]

19. Exactly. When he was caught, he had a bunch of spiritual advisers invited to the White House so he

could "repent." :eyes: Wright was one of them.

[livetohike]

22. I know Billy Graham was one of them, but Wright

I think the number was like 100 different ministers. I remember thinking, this is ridiculous.

[Yossariant]

40. So Wright, who met Clinton once, was Clinton's "spiritual adviser" but not Barack's?

Got it.

:silly: :rofl:

[Dorian Gray]

66. Yes...

I remember Jesse Jackson acting as his Spiritual Advisor in that circumstance.

In this? I don't see what the fight is about. They had a close relationship, and in his book, Audacity of Hope, a title taken from Rev. Wright and his sermons, Obama certainly speaks of him as a spiritual advisor, mentor and friend.

I don't blame him for distancing himself from the man, but I don't understand denying what is evident to many.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Then what in the world would you call a person's pastor?

Especially one from whom you got the title of your book, one who married you and your wife, one who baptised your children...

the very man who brought you to Christianity...


What would be the term for such a pastor?

[jenmito]

16. His PASTOR.

[Maddy McCall]

18. If a pastor isn't a spiritual advisor...

what exactly is he?

Good lord, you're trying to separate the two, but there is no separation.

[jenmito]

21. HE'S A PASTOR!

[Maddy McCall]

34. ...and Barack's spiritual mentor.

It's the ONLY WAY to view it. You're trying to split hairs.

[jenmito]

42. Read post #13. A direct quote by OBAMA. Unless you can find a direct quote of him saying

something to the contrary, you lose. :hi:

[Maddy McCall]

53. Here ya go.

This article is packed with them. Are you unaware of this article, which is a year old?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?pagewanted=3&_r=2

[jenmito]

57. I don't see any quote of him calling Wright his spiritual adviser. Can you post the quote?

Thanks.

[Maddy McCall]

59. You are being deliberately obtuse.

[Yossariant]

61. He's not my milkman. He's just the guy who delivers the milk.

:silly: :crazy: :wtf:

[Maddy McCall]

75. EXACTLY.

This is the funniest thing I've ever read at DU.

[jenmito]

62. No I'm not. I'm asking you to find something that you claim exists.

[kwassa]

83. In an 8,000 member church, pastors don't have time for individualized spiritual advice.

Spiritual advisor implies close one-on-one attention.

[catcher]

11. So are all the hillary supporters comdemning all 8,000 members who attended Wright's congregation

need none of them attempt to run for any public office. And what of the president of the domination should she also be condemned for her association with Wright all these years. Don't forget the NAACP who have known Wright for years should everyone in that organization be forbidden for running for any public office.

[ksoze]

27. Only those who have a personal, close relationship with the reverend

for over two decades, married the, baptized them, wrote what an inspiration he is, and who have sat through any of his hate filled sermons and did nothing. They will have a hard time getting elected to the highest office in the land.

[catcher]

29. So pretty much all of them, how inclusive of you

And the notion that he preached nothing but "hate" sermons for 20 years is ridiculous in itself

[truedelphi]

77. Welcome to DU! Catcher

Feel free to join in this discussion as well
http://tinyurl.com/3vl6or

It is a spoof designed to lighten the mood. (I'd PM you but you aren't allowed private messages yet.

[jenmito]

33. That's such a stupid comment. How many church-goers did NOT get married by

the pastor of their church? And if Obama DID sit through ANY hate-filled sermons, Hillary or the Repubs. would've found proof of that by now. They tried and couldn't do it.

[Triana]

51. WELL THEN she had BETTER condemn her supporter Barbara Reynolds who is a VERY close friend of Wright

In fact she's closer to Wright than Obama is.

This is the SURROGATE of Clinton's who arranged for Wright to appear at the Ntl. Press Club this week. Ms. Reynolds is a very good friend of Wrights.

WHEN IS HILLARY GOING TO CONDEMN BARBARA REYNOLDS?

[ksoze]

14. Read what Obama had written/said in the past

about his friend and see if it does not fit as a "spiritual advisor". It is a fair description.

[jenmito]

23. Read post #13.

[Mezzo]

30. again, Barack Obama CALLED Rev Wright his spiritual advisor SEVERAL TIMES

Here's one back as far as 2005:

Keeping the Faith, In These Times, February 28, 2005

Wright and Obama developed a close relationship in the intervening years, and Obama counts the Reverend among his spiritual advisers. When a reporter asked Wright what advice he would give Obama upon election to the Senate, Wright said, "My advice to him: Please stay the same as you've been ever since I've known you."

[jenmito]

39. AGAIN-just because someone ELSE claims Obama "counts the Reverend among his

spiritual advisers" doesn't make it true. Who are his OTHER spiritual advisers then? Funny-I haven't heard ANYTHING about ANY of "them."

[Mezzo]

47. They have to clear that shit with HIM before they publish. Lest you forget his being part of Obama's

camp in the beginning.

Some religious leaders forum. But keep believing that, kay? :rofl:

[jenmito]

63. You asked for proof, a direct transcript (quote) of Obama's anti-war speech. I posted it. You now

need to keep your end of the bargain or YOU ARE WRONG.

[ksoze]

31. I did. It does erase what else he said before. Sorry.

When wright was the bomb a few days ago, you could not get Obama closer to him here Now that he is poison in the polls, the distancing comes. Best get out a large eraser.

[jenmito]

64. I have yet to see ONE quote of OBAMA calling Wright his "spiritual adviser."

[ksoze]

72. Would being on Obama's "Spiritual Advisory Committee" count?

Because he was until March. If you are on the committee he formed, would those people be considered "spiritual advisors".

[Texas Hill Country]

38. self delete

[Triana]

48. Why isn't Watkins talking about the ANTI-AMERICAN spiritual advisor of McCain's??

Hagee. Eh?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3227065

[zabet]

49. What?

Spiritual advisor, gives advice and spiritual guidance - A preacher or Reverend would NEVER do that. :sarcasm:

If you do not want to call him Obama's spiritual advisor, just call him Obama's advisor...

"What I value most about Pastor Wright is not his day-to-day political advice. He’s much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe.." - Barack Obama

[stillcool]

54. why don't you call him what he is...

a Pastor.

[Maddy McCall]

58. You do realize that "pastor" comes from the Latin for "shepherd?"

[Maddy McCall]

55. Even when Obama was at Harvard, he had Wright's sermons taped and mailed to him...

It's so funny to see them try to say now that a pastor isn't a spiritual advisor, when that's EXACTLY what a pastor is. A sermon is spiritual advice. A pastor is a spiritual advisor...

This is hilarious.

[zabet]

76. I got it figured out Maddy....the Obama supporters are

Megalomaniacs—a special species of narcissist–want the right to say and do anything they wish, but will deem any criticism of what they say and do as “unfair” (or “evil,” if they have some power over the critic). The criticism is never an honest difference of opinion or a mistake. And of course it is utterly impossible that the words, deeds and/or judgment of the narcissist are ever wrong. EVER. So it must be that those who oppose the narcissists words/deeds/judgment are willfully wrong and, therefore being unfair and unjust.

[jenmito]

67. You heard me.

But you obviously didn't understand me. :hi:

[kevinbgoode]

68. What in the hell are presidential campaigns doing with

"spiritual advisors" anyway? Is there ANYONE in the media who has read the Constitution?

[jenmito]

73. He DOESN'T HAVE a spiritual advisor. He goes to church. A church with a pastor who believes

in gay marriage, helping the poor, and other things. Obama TAUGHT the Constitution. He knows what separation of church and state is about.

[kevinbgoode]

84. Apparently the media, and the Republicans, don't. . .

otherwise, this Rev. Wright nonsense would have been over in a day. I'm so sick and tired of being told about someone's faith - one network actually said it would be surprising for an atheist to be elected President. Now why is that?

I'm not faulting Obama, by the way, for being a man who has a faith. I'm blaming the media for dragging it out there like some important component for being elected president.

[jenmito]

87. Good point...

I agree. :hi:

[MNDemNY]

74. Obama's words: "..spiritual adviser of twenty years".

He just lied yesterday. But in the Obamanation, only his latest statements are "true".

[GeorgeGist]

86. It should be obvious to all that Obama's spiritual advisor is ...

NOT HIS SOUL.

[jenmito]

88. THANK YOU.

:hi: