What he said

It's rare that you hear a presidential candidate speak like this. Let's not allow this man to be crushed by his enemies. Let's push back against America's sick status quo and its corrupt defenders, each of us individually, all of us together.

Comments

[JanetLee]

I'm glad I'm not held responsible for all the racist, homophobic, misogynistic things I've heard preachers shout from the Southern Baptist churches I've attended.

[Janet]

If you need proof that this man is about changing the status quo, this is it. It's a bold, brave and risky speech and completely on message.

We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin Franklin

[Trish Nemore]

I'm so glad you all posted this on Xark. Not that I had any doubt, but I came and here it is. I heard the speech this morning; it is one of the best speeches I have ever heard (I don't think I'm very easily moved by speeches - I sort of blew off Desmond Tutu, for goodness sake.)

I think Obama is the only person in America who could have credibly made this speech and it became "ripe" (as we say in jurisprudence) and got a hearing because of the media coverage of Wright's comments. So there's a little irony - I don't think it would have been as good a speech without that context.

I just wonder if ears were open to hear and hearts were open to be changed - for me, it's preaching to the choir.

[Jean McGreggor]

It truly would be a great day for America if we could move toward healing the racial divide. This speech contained a great deal of truth and could be the beginning of that healing.

[Ben]

Top three stories on Fox News.com at the moment:

Obama Pulls 'Panther' Plug
Barack Obama's campaign has removed unsolicited endorsement by New Black Panthers from his blog

• Records: Hillary Was at Home During Lewinsky Tryst
• Meghan McCain: Musings From Daddy's Little Girl

The obvious point here is to point out that Obama was endorsed by the black panthers. Guilty by assocation.

Man, the script for the campaign is sinister. It's the same "attack his strengths" strategy used in the swift-boating of Kerry. But something about attempting to portray the candidate attempting honest conversation about race as advancing the agenda of violent black nationalists is worse and more destructive.

[Joyce Sasser]

This man has a way to reach people beyond that of most men. This speech gave me chill bumps and tears and memories from long ago and a renewed energy to support this campaign and this man in his search for something that will be so very difficult for him and his family. If he still wants to do this, knowing what he does and what he understands of what he will face, God bless this guy for the dedication that has to rest inside that heart. He has my support. BUT the responses here around me have not been the same.... I can tell you however, that while his eloquant speech did not win over our crew here in the South, when I stood up and REMADE those same points in my own stupid way, they HEARD them that time and I actually think a couple of them actually will do some solid thinking on all of that now....ONLY because he was able to say the things he said and understood so deeply...it allowed ME to be less than eloquant, but at least understandable to folks who know and trust ME....maybe that is the answer here! Man, we are in for a ride! HANNAH is his biggest supporter here, by the way, Dew and Dan and Janet.....THAT says a LOT to ME!!!!

[Pat Conover]

For any of you who think that Jeremiah Wright is some kind of goof ball or fanatic, or if you think his message is hate, I urge you see the video comments of John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. The video is available on the front page of the Trinity UCC website, tucc.org.