[Dems2008] Barack Obama on Rev. Wright and on the issue of the Jewish Community

Yes indeed, it's true that the sermons at Obama's church have unnerved many. Obama has stated that those remarks are NOT the sum total of who Rev. Wright is, and if that was all he knew about him, he would react in much the same way.

I can't image these Pastors "shuting up" because it's obvious they are exercising their 1st amendment right of freedom of speech. Pastors (Rev. Wright and Rev. Otis Moss) should be held responsible for their words and NOT Barack Obama.

Obama has already rejected, denounced and condemned Rev. Wright's remarks regarding this country and he has made it clear that he doesn't share those views. He has also made it very clear to the American people about his relationship with Wright and why he will not disown / repudiate the man. Additionally, Obama has so eloquently spoken on the topic of race in this country and he has been very clear on what his beliefs and values are, and his vision of bringing the American people together so that we can solve our problems. Therefore, he should NOT be judged on the Pastors' words but solely on his own.

In the Democratic Debate on Thurs 2/26/08, Obama spoke of his plans for the Jewish Community:

TIM RUSSERT: What do you do to assure Jewish-Americans that, whether it's Farrakhan's support or the activities of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, your pastor, you are consistent with issues regarding Israel and not in any way suggesting that Farrakhan epitomizes greatness?

BARACK OBAMA: Tim, I have some of the strongest support from the Jewish community in my hometown of Chicago and in this presidential campaign. And the reason is because I have been a stalwart friend of Israel's. I think they are one of our most important allies in the region, and I think that their security is sacrosanct, and that the United States is in a special relationship with them, as is true with my relationship with the Jewish community.

And the reason that I have such strong support is because they know that not only would I not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, but also because of the fact that what I want to do is rebuild what I consider to be a historic relationship between the African-American community and the Jewish community.

You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South. And that coalition has frayed over time around a whole host of issues, and part of my task in this process is making sure that those lines of communication and understanding are reopened.

But, you know, the reason that I have such strong support in the Jewish community and have historically -- it was true in my U.S. Senate campaign and it's true in this presidency -- is because the people who know me best know that I consistently have not only befriended the Jewish community, not only have I been strong on Israel, but, more importantly, I've been willing to speak out even when it is not comfortable.

When I was -- just last point I would make -- when I was giving -- had the honor of giving a sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in conjunction with Martin Luther King's birthday in front of a large African-American audience, I specifically spoke out against anti- Semitism within the African-American community. And that's what gives people confidence that I will continue to do that when I'm president of the United States.

__._,_.___

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___