Obama Speaks Out on Faith, His Church and His Pastor Rev. Wright

Quick notes: Richard Wolffe was interviewed by Randi Rhodes:

Wolffe: Regarding the Obama/Wright matter. Obama wrote about it for Huffington Post.  He's made himself pretty clear on this.

[Here is an excerpt from a different interview that HuffPost linked to:]

Obama: This is a pastor who is on the brink of retirement who in the past has made some controversial statements. I profoundly disagree with some of these statements.

Q: What about this particular statement?

Obama: Obviously, I disagree with that. Here is what happens when you just cherry-pick statements from a guy who had a 40-year career as a pastor. There are times when people say things that are just wrong. But I think it's important to judge me on what I've said in the past and what I believe.

Obama's exclusive Huffington Post piece is here. Please read the whole thing. Excerpt:

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.

Randi: Tell him, Richard, to say: Religion is a private matter, where you go to church has nothing to do with how I lead the country.

Wolffe: That would be hard for him to say. He says the Democrats haven't done a good job in the public square, politicians shouldn't be led by their religious leaders, but he recognizes that faith is a motivating factor for most people and Democrats should be respectful of that. Religion and politics aren't completley separate. He's not saying his faith should be imposed on others, either.

The angry clips of Wright: The context is, the Trinity United Church of Christ is a white denomination... You're more likely to be embarrassed than intimidated, more likely to get hugged, they're a bunch of hippies.