On Thursday, Sen. Barack Obama said he was “deeply disappointed” by a supporter’s sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ that mocked his Democratic nomination rival Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Michael Pfleger also apologized for Sunday’s sermon in which he said Clinton felt “entitled” to the nomination and that “there’s a black man stealing [her] show”.
In a statement from the Obama campaign, the candidate said: “As I have traveled this country, I’ve been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that that unites us. That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger’s divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn’t reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause.”
Pfleger, the white pastor of predominantly black Saint Sabina Roman Catholic Church, said he regretted his choice of words: “These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama’s life and message and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them.”
Clinton’s campaign denounced Pfleger’s comments: “Divisive and hateful language like that is totally counterproductive in our efforts to bring our party together and have no place at the pulpit or in our politics,” the campaign said in a statement. “We are disappointed that Senator Obama didn’t specifically reject Father’s Pfleger’s despicable comments about Senator Clinton, and assume he will do so.”
CLINTON FACES PRESSURE
Sen. Hillary Clinton has been under pressure to quit the race. However a new pressure has emerged from Democratic Party leaders who are sending messages to superdelegates urging them to make a choice once primary voting ends Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Peolosi are intent on bringing the nomination battle to an end so the Democrats can focus their attention on the general election. “We’re going to urge folks to make a decision quickly — next week,” Reid said in a radio interview in Nevada. “We agree there won’t be a fight at the convention.” Pelosi has said that if the nomination was not settled by the end of June, she would step in to resolve it.
With only three primaries left — Puerto Rico on Sunday, South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday — Clinton trails Sen. Barack Obama by about 200 delegates. However, she is hoping to revive her candidacy on Saturday when the Rules and Bylaws Committee meets to resolve a dispute whether to seat delegates from Florida and Michigan. Clinton won both states in January, but because they violated party rules by holding their elections too early, the results were nullified. Clinton wants those votes to count and if that happens, she would pick up over 100 more delegates than Obama. Although that would not put her in the lead, it might allow her to plead with superdelegates that the race was close enough to give her the nomination.
MURDOCH PREDICTS ELECTION OUTCOME
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has some bad news for presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain: You’re going to lose. Big time.
At a conference earlier this week, the News Corp. chairman said, “You have got the Obama phenomenon. You have got, undoubtedly, a recession…The average American is really getting hurt financially and that all bodes well for [Obama]. You have probably the making of a complete phenomenon in this country.”
Murdoch, who calls himself a friend of McCain, said the Arizona senator has made so many compromises that it’s unclear where he stands on the major issues. He thinks Obama will have an overwhelming victory and also praised the Illinois senator, calling him a “rock star”.
Phleger’s words: These are words that needed to be said. They’ve always needed to be said, for the past 400 years that this country has served white men, and underserved everyone else!
Let these words continue to be said, in public places. The black church has always been a safe place to say these words, and they will continue to be said.
Obama will continue to apologize, b/c that his job – he’s gotta do, what he’s gotta do to keep the white rich and powerful people happy. But he knows, just as much as the white people who are the object of Phleger’s criticisms, that the words are true!!!!
White entitlement – White privilege – “Whiteness” (as it’s scholarly called) is no secret. It’s simply undiscussed in public places!!!! Yet, it is no LESS known than “Black Power” was in the 70′s!
In fact, it isn’t even have to be discussed. Walk through the halls of any corporate America office building, and who will you see ???? Maximally, you’ll see 4-6% Blacks!!!!! And it doesn’t start with CA (corporate America)!!! It goes all the way back to Kindergarten, when children are being disciplined and rewarded. When children are being selected for certain classes. When BEH and ADD labels are being applied to OUR CHILDREN!!!
@ 41 MS. DYNOMITE
It’s pretty pathetic that the worst dirt you can dig up on Obama is yet another episode of him playing by the rules. For every lame attempt you make at digging up “dirt” on dude, I can give you 5 solid atrocities from your favorite Watergate scheming, lying ass commando, race-bating, undercover republican.
But that is aside the point. For a Puerto Rican broad, it’s pretty bold of you to come on this joint and be condescending to black folk. Anyone can run a simple search on your CL and see multiple instances of you insinuating that blacks are stupid or ignorant. Either that or you make unwarranted assertions on how blacks should think or feel. Are you out of your living mind? Don’t come on this site with that patronizing BS.
And oh yeah, RECIPEBABY.. you kinda cute
That Father was telling the truth and I fall out everytime I hear it. lol
Obama 08′
@64 I AGREE WITH YOU!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I AGREE #64 HIS SERMON IS THE TRUTH AND VERY ENETERTAINING!!!!!
Murdoch called Obama a Rock Star! How B.J. Coleman of him!
How is this sermon “the truth” what basis are you calling it so? And, more surprisingly, how is it entertaining–especially given that it is at the expense of another?
Is it the truth because it satisfies your complacent and unchallenged spirit?
It’s ironic that this man talks about Hillary playing the victim but his doctrine fully allows african americans to be the victim. And we eat it up.
Keep being the victim, keep being angry, keep being illogical, and that is all you will ever be.
At this point in the game I think we should take the approach Obama is taking: to not even dignify Clinton with a comment. She doesn’t matter anymore. And that’s what infuriates her campaign team the most. Obama is focused on McCain and winning the White House.
If we subject ourselves to apologizing for every sound bite someone made in some church in Chicago or a Union meeting in Kalamazoo, we’ll never be able to stay on point and on message– which is “enough of the same old politics. Time for change.”
I live in France but am an American. And I can honestly say, the majority of Europeans I have spoken to are enamored with Obama. The press loves him and hopes beyond hope that he will become president.
There hasn’t been this kind of excitement for an American election since Kennedy. And by the way, Clinton is not the first female running for president. Have we forgotten Shirley Chisholm? Throw out the “I’m a woman and that’s why I’m being attacked” argument right there. How about a Black woman who ran for President? Where do the Clinton supporters fall on that issue?
I am proud to see the passion that new voters have garnered for this election. I hope and pray that Obama will be my president…
Someone send me a YES WE CAN! shirt– damn.
lol
No doubt about it. IT IS WHAT IT IS…. and Father just put it all out there.
He said what most of us already know. White, black or otherwise. No need to pretend because again…IT IS WHAT IT IS… LOL!
#3 I know!!!!!!!!! lol I was surprisesd by that too, because I know my priest wouldn’t even go there like that.
Rupert Murdoch is a business man, he’s gotta jump on the bandwagon because to him it means $$$. Which makes me sort of suspicious of his motivations. If anything he and other representatives of greedy corporations are to blame for this country’s economic misfortunes and the dwindling of the middle class. Why would he be in support of a candidate that could potentially change that?
Please everyone watch Keith Olbermann’s commentary on Hilary Clinton’s RFK assasination slip up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AnwU9FRBb8
So I wonder how much was this pastor paid to say this? Yeah he spoke the truth! However this is not the time for stuff like this especially since Trinity Church was under a microscope.
Its also amazing how shit always gets on camera. makes you think!
obama left his church. I guess you all will agree he threw his church under the bus
mccain will win in november vs. obama
hillary to denver with this UNFAIR AND UNDEMOCRATIC PROCESS!!!!!
I still don’t get what you all see as “the truth” in what this pastor says. Just as much as he claims that hillary feel that this is owed to her because she is white, you could make the argument for Obama. Just because he is black we can just overlook his glaring inadequacies because for some reason, it has become politically incorrect to call it like it is.
I have a problem with we as a people continuing to look for excuse after excuse to explain our glaring problems. Why do we keep looking for excuses and fail to look for SOLUTIONS? Because we have become complacent and through our complacency we have become entitled.
I’m a high school math teacher and I can’t even begin to tell you the sad state of black american youth. I can’t even begin to tell you how our administration continues to make bullshit arguments as to why this is the case. From school desk size to the temperature of the room all bullshit excuses to explain away our problems and we sop it up like TRUTH.
I really hope that Obama wins because when he does, all of your racist views and white grudges will become irrelevant. You can’t blame the past anymore because people like Obama have created a future. Be careful who you vote for because although many of you want so badly to have a black president, many of you still do not want to move away from the past.
Let’s make believe we don’t all know who “WOW” is…
So in your opinion, Hilary, will help fix the problem of black youth and the black family and Obama won’t. Then you follow up with the usual boring, pandering rhetoric… “….all of YOUR racist views and white grudges will become irrelevant.” So, Miss I can’t stand black people but I can’t stop sweating them,” answer this question. Who exactly are you referring to when you say “YOUR?”
Why is my comment under moderation?
Father Pfleger spoke the truth, and God bless him for acknowledging the ignorant and racist mentalities so prevalent in white society. Key words he used are “white” and “entitled”. Whites have always been the “haves”, with minorities…the “have nots”. I doubt they’d want it any other way. I dont mean to generalize, but racism comes in all shapes and forms…not just the kkk uniform. Blacks deserve acknowledgment, that’s all the Trinity United Church does. God bless
@Wow:
Please, don’t use your illogical rhetoric with me. However, your post is interesting in that it speaks to what I feel is holding blacks down:
1. We’d rather believe in the illogical rather than the reality. Example: as I mentioned earlier, I am a high school math teacher in the Boston Public schools. Instead of stating the obvious (black students are failing, have middle school aptitudes in reading and mathematics, systematically perform lower on standardized tests) we make up these outlandish excuses that the tests are culturally biased or administration comes to me and tells me to “take it easy” on the students because of who they are. And we cling on to those excuses as opposed to challenging ourselves to do better. My students tell me all the time “Miss…I can’t do well on those tests because they were designed for white people”
2. We are still waiting for someone to save us and fail to realize that the only one that can do that is US. I never said Hillary was going to do anything for black people, but do you actually think Barack is? What hope and change are you banking on? What is he going to do for you? What has he done that makes you think that he is going to revolutionize the world?
3. We will disregard a truthful message because we don’t like the messenger. I don’t know how my message of “black people need to challenge themselves to do better” rhetoric is boring…if anything, I think it is dire, however, because you are unsure of who I am, you dismiss what I have to say. You assume that I can’t stand black people? On what basis? How did you come to that conclusion?
4. We blindly and fully support those who only keep us incensed but never offer us solutions. We don’t demand solutions, we just want to hear about the big bad wolf across town and not the monster within our own neighborhood. So, until we do better and demand more, we will get mediocre lip service.
This presidential race has shown true colors on both sides of the fence. We have learned that blacks are just as racist as whites, illogical is the new logic, and hype is the new religion.
So, fill in the dots, you know exactly who the “Your” is.
that was absolutly off the chain ……he’s so right abot it all…..even though it’s bad press for him…i know obama is thinking that exactsame thing . he just cant say that……like i;ve said before….lets not let the foolishness out until were well in the white house lol
WOW ; i thank you for your post i would have said the same thing but i stunted by education in the 10th grade. i just stopped wanting to learn. and this is where my mentality and my interllectual process stopped a 10th grade mentality which i can only blame on myself. you are so right when you say students that say they can’t pass tests cause their designed for whites is not in the realm of reallity. sorry but its a lame attempt of a cop-out. BULL******* what if asians students thought like this or jewish students this is an ignorant excuse that won’t fly to any rational thinking person. this black race of ours is spiraling out of control I’AM SICK OF THE EXCUSES you know the system has geared you for failure so stop the whinning and do what malcolm x did young people GET YOU DICTIONARY and master the english language and learn comprehension skills. because that old racist; mark furman who was the real reason o.j. walked stated ; ” i can tell a n—ga’s lieing by time the first 10 words that come out of his mouth . can you hear me? excuse making young blackfolks. you are getting pathetic , and the rapper who calls himself and others of his ilk [street disciples]. i question his mental state cause all a person of his kind do. is steal,kill,and destroy. and this is a disciple of the devil . you are no rapper; so who listens and follows this weak rap game is a judasgoat and you are headed for destruction. and you are taking the black race w/ you. but in closing i have some college and did better in college than i did in high school so ther is hope young blacks so stop the excuses.
uh, what he said was true, so what’s the problem?
LB & WOW, #60, 68, 75, etcl. I appreciate the courage you have shown in expressing opinions in a thread of some that may not be as tolerant or inclusive. I believe some of your statements have merit and believe the same about some comments from your detractors. Knowledge is power. I really believe that to the core. I am interested in the opinions of others, the facts and/or perceptions they may bring to their arguments if allowed, may add value to a discussion. I feel enriched when the argument, whatever it may be, is not so one-sided. I have no fear that those who choose to express opposing views are not always zealots, crazy people, plants, ignorant and any other name they may be called.
We can be passionate about who we support and why, but that passion should not become so disrespectful as to attack the intelligence, authenticity, naitonality, etc. of the posters. Again, I applaud you for going against the grain in what you have shared. We can learn a little something or a lot of something from anyone who is rationally expressing theimselves, even when they are not co-signing our own views.
The most important lesson is one of tolerance. Expending a little time and effort to be informed and keeping an open mind doesn’t hurt either. I can’t call out everyone whose input I value in this thread, but thought the two of you deserved to know your courage and input is appreciated.
Rupert Murdoch, huh? Methinks white man speak with forked tongue.
on to Denver!!!!!
OBAMA USED BLACKS TO CLINCH THE NOMINATION PERIOD…AND NOW THAT HAS GOTTEN WHAT HE WANTS IT’S ON TO HIS ELITIST VIEWS… YOU SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED FOR SUPORTING HIM.
Obama’s clinch of the nomination is not due to black people alone. More whites have voted for him in the primaries than blacks. He couldn’t have gotten this far with JUST the black vote.
Obama ’08!
These folks at the church were doing some dumb shit. Obama can’t win as a black segregationist. We are only 7-12% of the population, we can’t win dogcatcher without the assistance of others. it’s ridiculous for those egomaniacs in our community to think we can just do whatever the fuck we want to do.
We need to get a grip before we beome extinct. All that in-your-face shit is getting us nowhere, except: 37% of the prison population, AIDS rising in black women faster than any other groups, gang killing crisis in every major city in this country, blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, crack addiction, 50% dropout rate- we in trouble folks.
Listen #79 aka WOW aka MS. DYNOMITE aka TRUTH101,
I missed the point when this discussion evolved to the intelligence and motivations of blacks. You’re a HS math teacher, good for you. I studied Engineering in a top University right there in Boston, and neither me nor my black colleagues had any problems performing. My parents never made excuses, nor did they have problems performing in school. Neither will my children. We are all black. Neither did Obama.
The point of the matter is that you have so much disdain for blacks and are simply incensed at the thought of a black man winning an election. You have been all over this website suggesting how blacks are dumb and shiftless. Let me key you in on one thing, no matter how dumb you think black kids are, Puerto Ricans are no better. I used to tutor HS kids in NYC, and I know this for sure. Further, I would wager that the Hispanic kids were a lot more laden with domestic issues ranging from sexual abuse, promiscuity, and teenage pregnancies.
I will say it again, you’re free to support who you want but don’t come here with that patronizing garbage. If you don’t like black people, feel free to start your own forum. You can even start one for effeminate Puerto Rican dudes. Or even better, latinas who worship white people, love f*cking black men undercover, and yet hate blacks. I’m sure you will have a lot of fans. I’ve been to Puerto Rico. We all know how yall get down.
Both Rev Wright and Father Pfleger spoke the truth, what I question is their timing. It just seems too much of a coincidence that both of them gave their highly animated, but truthful sermon right before the primaries. Can you say sabotage? They are trying to anger white folks to hurt Obama at the polls. Then Rupert Murdoch comes out of the wood work with his comment………. just seems like reverse psychology.
@wow:
I think you missed the whole argument altogether and have made many baseless assumptions as a result. I stand by what I said earlier and you keep proving me right.
Let me ask you a few questions so next time you respond to me and not at me.
1. Did I ever say that I was not an Obama supporter? Just because I may have a critical view of him does not mean that I don’t support him. I believe dissecting life with a fine-tooth comb, I want to know as much about the many facets of a situation before I make ANY decision.
2. Where do you get that I have disdain for blacks? So, by speaking from my vantage point I automatically become the enemy? My actual experience is just as relevant as your experience. So, if anything, we are at a stalemate.
3. Counterexamples are not excuses and certainly not Q.E.D (given that you are an engineer, I’m sure you know what I am talking about). Highlighting what a Puerto Rican is doing does not change the face of what we are doing because if they are both doing bad, they are both…well.. screwed.
4. Something my mom told me growing up. If someone has to inject their self worth in an argument, they have become aware that they have lost said argument. So with that, I say: Good Night!
We all know there are tremendous problems in the black community, but unless people are willing to take responsibility for their own actions, we’ll be talking the same talk for years to come. I think the solution begins with each individual. I’m voting for Barack because I believe he is the best candidate for the job, not because I believe he is a savior.
@89, um, im not “wow” or “truth101.” maybe those two are the same but im not.
HILLARY WON 68% OF THE VOTE IN PUERTO RICO!
SINCE MARCH HILLARY HAS WON 500,000 MORE VOTES THAN OBAMA
SINCE MARCH HILLARY HAS WON MOST OF THE PRIMARIES
HILLARY IS LEADING IN THE POPULAR VOTE. WHAT KIND OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY GIVES IT TO SOMEONE WHO DOESNT HAVE THE POPULAR VOTE. 1 PERSON 1 VOTE FUCK “DELEGATES” THEY WERE ALL WON IN STUPID CAUCUSES LIKE IDAHO AND NEBRASKA!
MY PUERTO RICAN PEOPLE KNOW A WINNER BABY AND THIS IS GOING TO THE CONVENTION, SHE WON’T DROP OUT.
ALSO THERE IS RUMOR OF A TAPE OF MICHELLE OBAMA THAT IS GOING TO BREAK TOMORROW WHERE SHE IS IN CHURCH RAILING AGAINST “WHITEY” (HER WORDS!) IN CHURCH. THATS WHY HILLARY IS STILL IN THIS RACE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RUMORS ABOUT THIS AND THE WORD IS REPUBLICANS HAVE THIS TAPE AND IT WILL BE RELEASED IN OCTOBER.
ITS NOT OVER.
STAY TUNED…
LOL @ MS. DYNOMITE,
So where is this tape? And which is worse, a rant about general white racism in church, or someone voting against the MLK holiday? Or stealing from hard-working retirees? Again I am yet to see anyone pin anything concrete on Obama. And if we’re going to play this 6 degrees game, whose husband was fucking an intern in the Oval office on tax payers’ money? Or pardoning documented criminals at social expense? Some people will go any length to worship white people and their status quo. Why don’t you get on their site and get ridiculed for what you’re good for?
Ms. Dynomite, are you on Hillary’s payroll? You sound as desperate as she. Even if it’s true that she won the popular vote (which we don’t know because the caucus states don’t release their figures), then she isn’t that far ahead of Obama at all. You are grasping for straws, sweetie. Whether or not you like the system, popular votes don’t count. It’s the delegates that matter. You don’t like the system, try to change it, but that’s the way it is. I’m happy for your Puerto Rico, and since they cannot vote in the general election, their voice doesn’t matter after June 1. Also, if you were soooo convinced that Hillary was going to clinch the nomination, you wouldn’t be on CL trying to prove it. If you were so confident, you’d sit back and just watch Hillary take the nomination, but you know that won’t happen.
Enjoy it while you can. Again, as I’ve stated in other posts, if it’s meant for him to win, he will, and there is nothing you or anyone can do about. It’s just so sad that Hill supporters had to act a fool at the DNC meeting Saturday. It didn’t look good at all. The biggest dog always has the loudest bark. That is all.
Oh, and by the way, Ms. Dynomite, the operative word is rumor. Won’t believe the tape until I see it. I know Faux News has been peddling that B.S., but we’ll see huh?
@91: I appreciate your comments.
(1) I don’t really care if you’re an Obama supporter. As a matter of fact, I think any gifted black man would be stupid to waste his talents on the ignorant and hateful general population of this country. We should be focussed on our homes and communities first.
(2) I pretty much assumed that you were MS. DYNOMITE; our resident resentful and confused Puerto Rican broad who fetishizes black culture but willfully perpetuates racial hatred against blacks so the whiteys can accept her. My bad. On that note, are you Black??
(3) Same as #2 above. She’s a tad patronizing and spouts condescending generalizations about blacks — at least until she was called out. Do a CL search on her moniker. I was making the point that she should be busy doing her own dirty laundry.
(4) Pretty funny. This is not an argument and I did not inject my self worth. Boston, black students, and demanding curricular were in the context of your “argument,” and that’s why I used the proxy. Please read to comprehend.
By the way, has anyone noticed just how many times in this election that the goal post has been moved? What adult agrees to a set of rules, then wants to keep changing them in the middle of the game because they don’t favor them? And the DNC actually tolerates this?? The democratic party is just chock full of spineless morons. We all know why all this is happening. Jesus Christ himself could come back and run as a black man, and they will find a way to rob him of the election.
LMAO @ Hilary Clinton promising Puerto Rico a stake in the general election. Desperation clearly prevents people from thinking clearly.
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I’ve always h8d Rupert Murdoch but after that statement, he’s starting to sit well with me
The post is very expressive of our political arena, in various manners.
1. Respect to Father Pfleger – His message is very much on point.
we have people on Washington Journal requesting Obama to declare, he will not be elected and seek reperations for blacks.
2. Murdock maybe a rep, yet he speaks from experience. No one in the media world refuted him. Jon Stewart did a great job soldifing his statement. (along with other political and media spokespersons)
3. Had Senator Obama placed 2nd in the nomination process, we would not be viewing his autobiography. She should not be entitled to disrespect his victory.
4. Senator Obama would not made history, if someone in the past had not stood up, pushed back, and made some noise.
5. NOTHING IN LIFE IS A GIVEN,
I enjoy the collective thoughts on all the blogs. Senator Obama tapped into this internet world, now he has the opportunity to put his vision in action.
Is it possible we give him a thought agenda to focus on:
-Currency debasement. Value of dollar across global markets dropped 13% since BUSH which is part of the reason for rising oil prices in US. OPEC companies have to adjust prices to profit or break even based on a “DUCK” ollar
-No significant US manufacturing base, replaced by China & India
-Horrible Monetary/Fiscal oversight resulting in the recession we are in now
-Manipulation of accurate reporting in the CPI Consumer Price index showing “REAL” inflation
-Evolving to a “Debt-Consume-Spend -Borrow” society from a once respectable “Prodcuing-Save-creditor-society.
-Lopsided $850 billon dollar trade deficit with china: We import more than export
-Gross financial malpractice on Wallstreet: A encouraged Cowboy atmosphere was allowed on wall street with securitazinon and credit ratings= Subprime Debacle
-widening achievement gaps among us students “blacks & low wage ppl”
-skilled labor now insourced from Asia because of lack of talent pool here(higher education for our children)
There is no time to pander and have tea and cookie sessions or spend endless time speaking nonsense. This is serious business