People News
Obama throws Rev. Wright under the bus
By M&C People
Apr 29, 2008, 18:35 GMT

Live on CNN today, presidential candidate Barack Obama expressed "sadness" and "outrage" over the "divisive" words of his ex pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"The person I saw yesterday was not the person I saw twenty years ago," said Obama, referring to Wright's passionate speech defending the Black Church and his patriotism yesterday.

"The Reverand does not speak for our campaign," said Obama. "It contradicts everything I am about."

Obama said he was outraged by Rev. Jeremiah Wright's assertions about the U.S. government and race.

"His comments were not only divisive ... but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate," Obama told reporters.

"Whatever relationship I had with Reverend Wright has changed as a consequence of this," Obama said.

Wright's various controversial sermons that have suggested the United States deserved some blame for the September 11 attacks and was complicit in spreading AIDS to blacks.

"At a certain point if what somebody says contradicts what you believe so fundamentally and then he questions whether or not you believe it -- in front of the National Press Club -- then that's enough," Obama said.

"They offend me, they rightly offend other Americans," said Obama of Wright's remarks.

"That's a show of disrespect to me. It is also, I think, an insult to what we've been trying to do" on the campaign, he said.