Henceforth, every-time Obama is asked about Rev. Wright, here's how he should respond IMHO

[99th_Monkey]

"Look, I've already denounced the irresponsible statements by my former pastor; but I'm STILL WAITING for
John McCain to denounce Pastor Hagee for his anti-Semitic or anti-Catholic statements:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200802280018

I'm also STILL WAITING for Sen. Clinton to denounce her right-wing fundamentalist Capital Hill prayer group.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

I'll NOT be commenting any further on the so-called "Rev. Wright issue", unless and until Sen. McCain's and
Sen. Clinton's spiritual advisers have received a comparable amount of M$M scrutiny focusing on their most
offensive statements.

Better yet, how about discussing the very real issues facing Americans everyday, like gas & food prices, the
mortgage crisis, the Iraq War and health care?

Next question?"

[wurzel]

1. Just listening to NPR Face the Nation re Rev Wright.

Three times callers questioned the double standard of Wright and Hagee. And three time Neal Conan ignored the question.

[99th_Monkey]

3. That's what we're up against, huh? He said/she said politics of unseemly associations, not issues.

Goddess help us.

[NJmaverick]

2. A much better response is to say

"what do you want me to say? I already denounced him, what else can I say?"

The person asking the question is then left with no answer to that question.

[99th_Monkey]

4. Except they could come back and ask, "well have you denounced Ayers yet?"

But I do like yours for it's brevity and succinctness.

[NJmaverick]

6. Well that pretty much ends the Wright issue, then you nail the interviewer -

I think the follow up to that question would be: "Are you interested in what I have to say, or my policies or position?" Nail them to the wall for not asking questions of the candidate.

[99th_Monkey]

7. Exactly. Reframe the question to turn it back on M$M for not discussing real issues.

I'd just rather not let M$M, Hillary and McCain totally off the hook, for ignoring the other
two candidate's own bizarre associations with their "spiritual advisers".

[knixphan]

8. yes!

[NJmaverick]

11. Unless you want to be like Hillary or McCain, you have to practice what you preach

You can't say the issues are irrelevant and then turn around and say it is for others. That would make Obama as bad as Hillary/McCain

[99th_Monkey]

13. I can hear that, which is why in the OP I said "better yet...focus on the issues"

but I don't see anything wrong with Obama putting the Wright thing in perspective,
by pointing out that the other two candidates have equally --if not worse-- lousy
affiliations that are NOT being hammered on 24/7 by the M$M.

Not that he should "go after" Hill and McCain on these, but just to remind viewers
of what a non-issue it really is, esp. when it's being ignored with regard to the
other two.

[nichomachus]

5. Why didn't Obama leave Wright's church?

I don't care. A better question is why Hillary didn't leave Bill when he turned out to be an adulterer and a perjurer who lied to her, to their friends (who were grievously embarrassed), and to the country? Has she no character?

[99th_Monkey]

10. I don't know, I guess I'm just tired of hearing about Bill's blow-jobs. It's so yesterday.

I'd much rather hear more about McCain's and Hill's bizarre affiliations with their own
"spiritual advisors".

..or better yet, how about the freaking issues for Christ sake?

[nichomachus]

12. I agree with that

I am sick to death of hearing the same anti-Obama vomit day after day from Hillary supporters.

I have yet to see one post on DU that honestly characterizes Hillary's achievements and qualifications -- without taking a cheap shot at Obama. Some people have come close, but ruined it in the last paragraph.

I am still uncommitted to either candidate, but have yet to see a compelling argument for voting for Hillary.

I don't want to hear about Wright. I don't want to hear about Rezko. I don't want to hear why inspiring people is such a bad thing. I want to hear why Hillary is the best candidate. If they can't do that, I can't support her.

[MonkeyFunk]

16. Hagee is not McCain's pastor

and Douglas Coe is not Hillary's pastor.

No matter how many times you try to make some equivalence there, there simply isn't any.

[99th_Monkey]

17. and Wright is not Obama's pastor either.

He WAS his EX-pastor ... with who Obama's clearly distinguished and separated himself from,

But McCain & Hillary get a free pass to keep truckin' with their wacko fundementalist "spiritual
advisors".

Go figure.

[SoCalDem]

18. OMG.. you mean they are HEATHENS?? Pastor-less ATHEISTS !!!

I KNEW it :)

[uponit7771]

9. I disagree,he should stand up tall like he usually does and say "......fuck all yaw....."

[jonnyra]

14. You know Ive often wondered

When this first came up why Obama did not reply with something like...

"Umm...last I checked this was a free country where we are allowed to speak our opinions freely. I can disagree with anyones opinion on anything and not have to push them out of my life...thats what free speech is about...listening to others and not running scared or calling for their imprisonment if they say something I might not agree with. Free speech is guaranteed in this nation and that goes for rev Wright. I dont with his positions on things but I respect his right to let them known. Now can we talk about Iraq, the war crimes, the torture...how about the economy or the global warming".

I dont know...seems to me as good as anything he's come with so far...you know...maybe the truth is all that was needed to nip all this bullshit in the bud.

[99th_Monkey]

15. That works for me. I think this is all going to turn out fine BTW. Obama's still winning. ya! -nt

[krkaufman]

19. I thought he should just go with McCain's response ...

"I condemn remarks that are in any way viewed as anti-anything."

If it's acceptable as an answer for McCain, then it should be good enough for BO.