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Mar 16, 2008 5:09 pm US/Eastern
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Obama Speaks Out About Pastor's Comments
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Sen. Barack Obama spoke out about an issue that has been
dogging him on the campaign trail in recent days – incendiary statements made
by his retired pastor, Jeremiah Wright.
After touching on the war and the economy, Obama moved on to the issues of race
and gender that have been dominating the campaign in recent days.
"This was never going to be easy. We are fighting the status quo in Washington, D.C.,
and that includes the Democratic Party," he said. Fighting against that,
he continued, is "good practice" for what the Republicans will hit
him with in the fall campaign.
Responding to a comment made by Geraldine Ferraro, who was working for the Clinton campaign when she
said Obama's "blackness" was playing a role in his political success, Obama said
Geraldine Ferraro "represents a history. She was speaking from a
perspective of how things were in the 50s and 60s."
Similarly, he said his retired pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Jr.,
"remembers" the struggles of the past. "We're going to be
wrestling with those demons," Obama said.
Obama appealed to voters to listen to his words, not his
pastor's, when it came to picking a candidate in the Democratic primary election.
"We cannot forget our past and ignore the very-real racial
and gender inequalities that exist," he said. "At the same time, we have to remember
what Bobby Kennedy said: It is within our power to come together. That is the
only way we are going to deliver on the big issues facing our country. We can't
find terrorism divided. We can't solve the war in Iraq divided. We can't solve the healthcare
crisis divided."
The public has heard strong comments made by Obama's pastor on race, America and the
September 11th attacks. Some gave their views to CBS-TV station WBBM Saturday.
"I don't think that Senator Obama should be held accountable for what
Jeremiah Wright says," said Alicia Wicks, an Obama supporter.
"Reverend Wright has been an African-American outspoken minister for years
and years and years."
"I've been to Jeremiah's church many times, I'm Catholic myself, but I've
been to his church many times," Obama supporter Pat White, said
"He's a very outspoken person. He has sound, strong opinions, but they're
his opinions. And he says what's on his mind. And I'm hopeful, in the
government we are going to have, people will say what they think."
Earlier Saturday, Obama addressed his pastor's words for thousands in the gym
at a high school in Plainfield,
Ind., saying Americans must move
beyond a sense of mistrust.
"Most recently, you've heard some statements from my former pastor that I
completely reject," Obama said. "If all I knew was those statements
on television, I would be shocked. And it reminds me that we've got a tragic
history when it comes to race in this country. We've got a lot of pent up anger
and bitterness and misunderstanding."
Locals seem to agree. But they expect Obama to be able to move beyond what they
call negative press.
"I suppose some people will listen to it, and I think the candidates have
to be tested in some way and this is just part of rough and tumble
politics," said Obama supporter Frank Kulle.
Part of that rough and tumble situation includes questions over Obama's
dealings with indicted developer Tony Rezko. Obama has told the Sun-Time he
still considers Rezko a friend, bu that he'll be disappointed if allegations
against him are true.
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