Monday, March 17, 2008

Was Obama Present at Wright's Church on July 22, 2007? (UPDATED x2)

Barack Obama's camp denies that Obama was present on July 22, 2007 for services at the Trinity church, and was in Miami giving a speech. It is pretty clear that he WAS in Miami in the afternoon, but it's not yet clear whether he could have attended church and then left for Miami. But, it would be a pretty outrageous, easily provable lie to say he didn't attend on that day if it wasn't true, even though he was reported last summer to have attended on that day. Simply because it would be such an easily provable lie (you would think), I am inclined to believe Obama at this point on this one instance, so the powers-that-be will no doubt continue to look for evidence of Obama attending a 'bad' sermon elsewhere. However, the journalist who originally reported on Obama's attendance at that one sermon, Jim Davis, is standing by his story, (at least to the extent that Obama attended a service sometime in July at which Davis was present, although the clarification is a bit muddled. It still seems to allow for the possibility that Obama was at an earlier or later service that day, but we've asked for clarification on the 'clarification' from Newsmax).

So, whom do we believe???

I'm not sure at this point, but this new twist of 'he said, she said' will keep this story going a while more. Davis says that the Secret Service was in attendance when he observed Obama at the church, so you can guess where the next stage of this story is going to head...

Also, Little Green Footballs has a video link to Obama praising Wright effusively at some conference. Take a look here. Then tell me that Obama knew Wright as just "somebody" at church. No way. Hat Tip: Backyard Conservative.

UPDATE: Here's some more on the issue of Obama's schedule and whether he attended church that day. Looks like Obama's camp is sticking to its guns that Obama was in Chicago that morning, but did not attend church. Now, given this flap, the question of whether the reporter, Jim Davis, bollixed up the dates may overshadow the point of the story in the first place, as to whether Obama attended a fiery sermon or not.

UPDATE x2 Monday 3.17.08: First, happy St. Paddy's Day evening, and drive home safely, if you're out and about. Second, check out the Fox News report on the tweaking that the Trinity Church website is undergoing. According to Fox:

The Web site for the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago had described its congregation as “unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian” but has made changes to the “About Us” section. The section no longer contains the “Black Value System.” It has been replaced with videotaped testimonials by church members. The explanation of the Black Value System still exists on the church’s Web site, but it has been moved from the “About Us” section to the bottom of the home page, where it says “Click here to read about the Black Value System.” The Black Value System urges members to follow a list of 12 concepts such as a commitment to the black community, commitment to the black family and dedication to the pursuit of education and excellence. The system also urges black families to be strong in order to “withstand warping by our racists competitive society,” and says God will provide followers the strength to become “soldiers for black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.”

I find the timing of this VERY peculiar, especially in light of the recent press statement by the church defending Pastor Wright and the doctrine of the church, and also the speech that is anticipated in Philadelphia tomorrow in which Barack Obama will try to 'explain' his church to the rest of us. Can't wait for that, especially as to what this particular church thinks is the "Black Value System." Considering the Trinity Church at least initially seemed quite unapologetic for its beliefs, but is now rewriting its webpage, you have to wonder if perhaps the Obama campaign is coordinating, or at least being consulted on, this revamp, before this story gets any more out of control.

So, after coming out and very strongly condemning the words of Pastor Wright, why is Obama vacillating back to being an apologist for these viewpoints? Is it perhaps because he knows it is inevitable that somebody, somewhere, is going to come up with evidence that ties him to viewing/cheering on a nasty Wright sermon, perhaps? Or does he really think he can toe the line on this and explain to white voters that black preachers are just different? See some real-time reaction data for viewers watching Wright sermons here, and see if you think America is going to buy it.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's what the link in this post said:

"Mr. Davis stands by his story that during one of the services he attended during the month of July, Senator Obama was present and sat through the sermon given by Rev. Wright as described in the story."

How does Mr. Davis' statement contradict Obama's statement. It doesn't. Davis doesn't say specifically when he was at Obama's church.

And if Obama praised Jeremiah Wright, John McCain said he was honored to have John Hagee's support.

I'm just as uncomfortable with Hagee's hatred as with Wright's statements. And I don't believe McCain really cares about the hate in Hagee's words.

McCain just wants the votes he thinks Hagee can deliver.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who lives in Chicago that has ever had to do anything in Miami in the afternoon knows you wouldn't have been able to do anything in the morning.

It's a three-hour-plus flight, plus you lose an hour.

Anonymous said...

How does our state party miss that there was a guy like this that close to Obama? Bush was crushed up here in 2000 for a 20 minute visit to bob jones, and Obama hangs out with the nutjob for 20 years and gets away with it, unreal.

TA want your thoughts on the Dennis Byrne piece taking aim at the State party and also that poll that came out showing Obama crushing Big Mac in Illinois on how that will hurt Mark.

Team America said...

Anon 8:20- I actually think Dennis Byrne usually has some pretty good points, and I agree that the state party has a lot of work to do. I only skimmed the article this morning, but my thought on party reform is this: you are not going to get the people currently involved in the party to pack up and leave, and go home and sit on the sidelines. The party needs more people, and people with new ideas, and more do-ers, and less detractors. But it's not realistic to think that we can or should do it by booting out EVERYONE currently associated with the party and starting afresh. Change is going to take time, and the party needs to support and bring up younger folks to help change and reform the party from within, not without.

As to polls, I'm not sure which one you are referring to, but the poll figures that caught my eye today were the ones that showed Hillary up an average of 16 points over Obama. Given the recent press and the Wright controversy, I am more optimistic now that I have been for some time that Obama has tarnished his own brand, and we may not have to worry about him in IL quite as much as we anticipated.

Anonymous said...

Obama is dropping quickly - realclearpolitics.com.

Goodbye Dan Seals - get a job

Anonymous said...

Actually, Obama has made a 4 point comeback in the latest CNN poll to lead McCain nationally by 2 points, according to the RealClearPolitics website.

This has got to be encouraging for Obama, who has had a rough patch lately, no doubt about it.

But if there is any justice, the mainstream media (NOT Fox News, or course) will question McCain more closely in the days ahead about the radical religious views of his supporter John Hagee, and his intervention on behalf of closely connected lobbyists.

I hope they do, because it would be a mistake to elect a president like McCain who simply wants to continue the policies of George Bush.

Policies that have failed the United States in a variety of ways.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, the latest poll showing Obama ahead of McCain was the USA TODAY/Gallup poll.

Anonymous said...

Listened to Obama on YouTube praising "a friend, a great leader..." and heard him preach again that there are more black men in jail than in college...

I consider myself an individual with an open mind and while I was excited about Obama initially, he's lost me and many others. The breath of fresh air is not that at all, it is just what he wanted us to believe he was. Thanks for shedding light.

Louis G. Atsaves said...

All of a sudden Obama is no longer a "breath of fresh air?" Because of his ties to his pastor?

When Obama endorsed Stroger, Daley, a whole bunch of Democratic party hacks in the Chicago aldermanic races, etc. etc. etc. were those actions considered a "breath of fresh air?" When Obama spent years playing footsie with Rezko, was that a "breath of fresh air?"

Obama's friendship with Tony Rezko speaks volumes about his judgement, moreso than his friendship with his pastor. Obama now claims he didn't know Rezko was into slum properties and spreading misery to the poor folks that lived in them. Just like he now claims he knew nothing about his pastor's racist views.

Obama the talker and Obama the doer are completely different persons.

Louis G. Atsaves

Anonymous said...

Obama down 26 points in Pennsylvania!