Obama's Race Speech Transcript

[GHook93]

Quote by: Kite I do not see how a mans choice in pastor is a reflection of his political abilities. Also, they only have what, a few tapes of this guy going off like this? Don't you think that if this guy was going on about this kind of stuff every day that Obama went he would've dropped him after the first couple weeks?

You would hope he would have done that, but assuming he would is in no way a given! You know what they say about assumptions, there is a reason for the first 3 letters of the word!

The fact that he may have heard a few misguided sermons doesn't change the fact that he is a far better choice than Hillary.

I believe both are poor choices, but why is it that Obama is head and toes better? What has he accomplished? Please name a TANGIBLE accomplish! What is in his record that shows proves he is the best choice?

[Technosoul]

Quote by: phoenix_fire It says a lot about what his inclinations are. And it matters if your pastor is very political, as Wright is. Take it out of the box of "preaching" and realize that it is political rhetoric.

Did John Kennedy have the same problem relative to the Pope?

Did Reagan have the same problem when Nancy used a phyic for advice about her husbands travels?

CNN - Psychic Jeane Dixon dies - Jan. 26, 1997

Next under the microscope. Bob McCain

and ... John McCain told to dump spiritual guide in row over "war" on Islam - Times Online

And .... John McCain: Pandering to Religious Extremists Pays Off

And what about the big story on Hillary Clinton " I see dead people".

CNN - Adviser downplays Hillary Clinton's conversations with Eleanor Roosevelt - Jun. 24, 1996

Will United Methodist Hillary Clinton Channel “Eleanor Roosevelt’s Spirit” During 2008 Presidential General Election Debates? «

[phoenix_fire]

I don't think that at any point, I tried to debate any politician's lunacy in the negative. I will say, however, that if my husband had had attempts made on his life, I might be tempted to believe in auspicious and inauspicious dates and places too. Tempted, not convinced. In her later years, (in large part due to her strong love of her husband) Nancy Reagan made more than one decision that her husband would not have agreed with. Supporting embryonic stem cell research for instance. I don't know how anyone can hold her love against her without coming off like an *sshole.

[Kite]

Quote by: GHook93 You would hope he would have done that, but assuming he would is in no way a given! You know what they say about assumptions, there is a reason for the first 3 letters of the word!

I believe the phrase is when you assume you make an ass out of you and me. I did make the assumption, but just because its assumed doesn't make it wrong. Its all speculation at this point.

I believe both are poor choices, but why is it that Obama is head and toes better? What has he accomplished? Please name a TANGIBLE accomplish! What is in his record that shows proves he is the best choice?

It isn't what Obama has accomplished, but more what Hillary has failed to accomplish. I am a NY resident, and she has done diddly squat for the state of New York. Sure shes done some great things for the city, but how about the other 54,051.1 square miles of New York? In 2000 she promised the state 200,000 new jobs and to help boost the economy in run down areas. We saw none of those jobs, none of those economic improvements.
Her excuse? She said that since Gore lost the election she couldn't get anything done in the Republican controlled senate. This is her only political track record, since the work she did with health care while she was first lady had more to do with humanitarian aid than it had to do with running the country.
My point is, she can barley talk the talk, how can we expect her to walk the walk?

[Technosoul]

Quote by: phoenix_fire I don't think that at any point, I tried to debate any politician's lunacy in the negative. I will say, however, that if my husband had had attempts made on his life, I might be tempted to believe in auspicious and inauspicious dates and places too. Tempted, not convinced. In her later years, (in large part due to her strong love of her husband) Nancy Reagan made more than one decision that her husband would not have agreed with. Supporting embryonic stem cell research for instance. I don't know how anyone can hold her love against her without coming off like an *sshole.

Hope you did not get me wrong. I was not suggesting that Ronald and Nancy were wrong to seek advice from Jane Dixon. I was trying to point out that the news media microscope is distracting us with all that nonsense. Who cares if Hillary and Jane Houston were doing a guided mediation to imagine what a fomer first lady might do or that they did it on the roof of the White House? Who cares if McCain's preacher thinks that Islam is in co-hoots with the devil. As long as they can draw a line between a spiritual perception and and policy making, like Ron Paul did when they asked him about abortion. Heck, Abe invited in those people who raise tables off the floor with their minds. Believe it or not.

[GHook93]

Quote by: Kite I believe the phrase is when you assume you make an ass out of you and me. I did make the assumption, but just because its assumed doesn't make it wrong. Its all speculation at this point.

Point is assumptions can make you look foolish

It isn't what Obama has accomplished, but more what Hillary has failed to accomplish.

Typical a support of his, yet you can name a thing he has done.
I know why I wanted Romney to win!
Why to vote for Romney!

I am a NY resident, and she has done diddly squat for the state of New York. Sure shes done some great things for the city, but how about the other 54,051.1 square miles of New York? In 2000 she promised the state 200,000 new jobs and to help boost the economy in run down areas. We saw none of those jobs, none of those economic improvements.

I am a IL resident and all I have seen is Elk Grove (one time the largest industrial park in the US) look more and more like a ghost town. More and more companies leave IL because of the taxes. I see IL taxes raise higher and higher, yet the deficit gets larger and larger. I haven't seen Obama do one thing for this State and also you, like pretty much every other Obama support, can point to one thing either.

Her excuse? She said that since Gore lost the election she couldn't get anything done in the Republican controlled senate. This is her only political track record, since the work she did with health care while she was first lady had more to do with humanitarian aid than it had to do with running the country.

Not that I am going to stick up for Clinton, but she has done a he11 of a lot more than Obama has!

My point is, she can barley talk the talk, how can we expect her to walk the walk?

The irony of that statment is classic coming from an Obama supporter!

[Kite]

The point is that she didn't live up to any of her promises, and she has issues with looking at the big picture. NYC is a relatively small area of New York with a high population density. You cant base decisions for the whole state on a 400 square mile patch.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: Kite The point is that she didn't live up to any of her promises, and she has issues with looking at the big picture. NYC is a relatively small area of New York with a high population density. You cant base decisions for the whole state on a 400 square mile patch.

Some of you are drifting off the topic, which as to do with how a canidate might be influenced by his/her religion.

[phoenix_fire]

Quote by: Technosoul Hope you did not get me wrong. I was not suggesting that Ronald and Nancy were wrong to seek advice from Jane Dixon. I was trying to point out that the news media microscope is distracting us with all that nonsense. Who cares if Hillary and Jane Houston were doing a guided mediation to imagine what a fomer first lady might do or that they did it on the roof of the White House? Who cares if McCain's preacher thinks that Islam is in co-hoots with the devil. As long as they can draw a line between a spiritual perception and and policy making, like Ron Paul did when they asked him about abortion. Heck, Abe invited in those people who raise tables off the floor with their minds. Believe it or not.

Well, the thing is that the link between Wright and Obama is far stronger than that between McCain and Hagee or any of the other examples one might cite. All sorts of people can and do publicly endorse various candidates whether or not the candidates themselves have even heard of them. The pastor-parishioner relationship, on the other hand, implies far more influence.

[GHook93]

Quote by: Technosoul Some of you are drifting off the topic, which as to do with how a canidate might be influenced by his/her religion.

Race is coming into the picture since the trend started. I think his race is now hurting him, since he has many black people close to him that have been tapping into the Black reversed racist belief. He was able to avoid that stigma up until now.

[GHook93]

Quote by: phoenix_fire Well, the thing is that the link between Wright and Obama is far stronger than that between McCain and Hagee or any of the other examples one might cite. All sorts of people can and do publicly endorse various candidates whether or not the candidates themselves have even heard of them. The pastor-parishioner relationship, on the other hand, implies far more influence.

Exactly if you want to condemn McCain for who endorses him, then look no further than arguably the most racist organization in America, the New Black Panther Party, endorsement of Obama!

[Kite]

Quote by: Technosoul Some of you are drifting off the topic, which as to do with how a canidate might be influenced by his/her religion.

To be honest, all that stuff his pastor was going on about had just about zero to do with actual religion. That was political rhetoric and conspiracy theories that were thrown under the blanket of religion.

[improvident]

Its sad that the general population of America cant look past things such as all the ones being brought front and center in this democratic primary.

Fact is when looking for the leader of our country. We should judge him.. or her.. or it for that matter on who and what they are. Who really cares if he is Jewish Catholic Christian Islamic Peagan Atheist.. etc etc etc. Who really cares if some guy he hangs out with is some racists anti American. Our narrow minded money suckling shallow society has diverted our attention to petty things in hope that we forget to bring up the REAL issues.

Even all of you are doing it.. and you post on a political debate forum.

Sometimes I dare think voting is pointless anymore.. in the primary elections the blind masses tip the scales in the popular candidates favor so far the real candidates dont even make it to the general election. No matter if there is a strong following for them.

Poor America :(

[phoenix_fire]

So you're advocating voting for a well-intentioned papaya?

Seriously. If you're going to talk about the "REAL issues", you're going to have to be a little more specific. The REAL issue we're talking about here is whether or not race is REALLY an issue. Some of us, myself included, think that it should not be and would not be if people like Jeremiah Wright didn't keep stirring the pot. Barack Obama seems to imply in the transcript of his speech that it is still a huge, raw issue and that he's the fix. Some people, myself not included, see Obama's campaign (and to their eyes, hopeful, election) as a litmus for racial issues in this country. (Ironically working on the presumption that his election would demonstrate racial equality: therefore he gets an easy "fix" without doing anything at all on the policy end). They are petrified that if he loses, it will prove that we're all still hiding our pointy white bedsheets in our closets.

[Michael Raizer]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 What Obama should have said from the beginning: Pretending he didn't know is going to hurt him because either he's completely ignorant to the environment around him, or he's lying and neither option helps his campaign. All he had to do was say that he knew Reverend Wright has some controversial ideas but that their relationship is based upon friendship which transcends such disagreements on issues.

Quote by: Obama I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

Quote by: Technosoul But the Obama speech left the impression just voting for him would somehow overcome such segregations that still exsist. That voting for him would be the glue that can united all the diverstiy that exists in American thinking. And that voting for other canidates would prolong the unity he dreams about.

Quote by: Chaossaber314 More so than that, I thought (and you mentioned this as well) that there was a staggering level of arrogance in the speech by his assertion that electing him will somehow repair wounds caused by slavery, reconstruction, and the civil rights period of this nation.

Quote by: Obama This is where we are right now. It's a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.

I don't think that this was so much a "vote for me speech" but more so a speech to address the controversies regarding his race that have only been even more so stressed upon recently by the media. Obama had to make this speech to get the issue of his race out of the way just as Kennedy had to make his speech to get the issue of his Catholic faith out of the way.

I think the reason some people do have a problem with what he says is because they missed the point of his speech and got distracted by the minor components of his speech. All he is saying is that racial inequalities have existed in the past, and the resulting tensions still exist today. However instead of focus on racism as a problem, we should focusing on working out the issues such as education (at home and in schools), health care, and corporate America, that only worsens the racial divide. Obama did not want to have to make this speech, but it had to be made for the people that actually take the media depiction of his Reverend's views seriously, and actually believe that Obama share the same views. I personally do not disagree with anything he says, and if anyone can quote him and disagree to what he says I'd like to see it.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Michael Raizer I don't think that this was so much a "vote for me speech" but more so a speech to address the controversies regarding his race that have only been even more so stressed upon recently by the media. Obama had to make this speech to get the issue of his race out of the way just as Kennedy had to make his speech to get the issue of his Catholic faith out of the way.

Perhaps Obama should not be judged for his minister, I don't know. But his religious affiliations still don't win any points with me.

Grandpa h.