Obamania is officially over, people. Done!

He can denounce, reject, whatever. Its over.

You don't sit through sermon after sermon on Sunday after Sunday and not have a clear idea that this guy is a bigot. Not only that, but you don't declare to the world that this guy is your "moral compass" and "mentor" without knowing what he is about.

God damn America? What do you think a tortured war hero will do with this? What will that war hero gain from combining this with Obama's admitted refusal to wear the American flag? What will that war hero gain when he combines all of this with Michelle Obama's declaration that until recently she has never been proud of the US?

Answer: the presidency and utter humiliation of the Democratic Party.

Its time to face the music: Obamania is over.

Apparently he's entering the Lion's Den tonight and is going on Hannity's FNC show.

Nothing like a crazy Pastor to drill into people's heads that he's a Christian!

Calm, cogent, forthright. Can't ask for much more. Well done!

Not bad. That's what he's been doing in chicago. I like the way he doesn't condemn the people raising the issue. Very smart. It's the same way that he goes after mccain and clinton. I hope this puts a lid on the problem. I dunno. I can still see the sound bites. The problem is that it plays into what the clinton campaign has been promoting since new hampshire and what their plan of attack has been. That's a problem. The supers better get their act together or we will lose in november. They have to put a stop to this primary asap. Please madam speaker, step in and stop the madness.

The clintons will never win a third term, so its obama or mccain. Please lets stop the madness.

Damn, if I had a buck for every time I've read a comment here from some Hill-Aid drinker declaring the imminent demise of Obama's candidacy over the last year, I wouldn't be contemplating picking up a Powerball ticket on the way home from work because I'd already be a millionaire.

Now that's how one sincerely denounces & rejects.

McCain AND Clinton could learn a thing or twelve from Obama's statement.

Anyone who doesn't immediately recognize that this is political poison is out of touch...to say the least.

Greg -The post doesn't sever ties with Wright or say anything about whether Wright will be allowed to keep his largely honorary post on the campaign's African American Religious Leadership Committee. And it went up on a late Friday afternoon, when it's guaranteed to get less attention and make less news.

Me -Are you serious? It's on every news show, so there's no chance that it's getting less attention.

What's serially ridiculous is the fact that Obama has ALREADY denounced theses statements months ago. When Obama announced his run for the Presidency, he had the new Pastor at his side, NOT Jeremiah Wright.

Granted this is going to be a political problem, but I don't see it being much worse than McCain's Hagee endorsement.

In fact, McCain's own statement has already said that this is a non-issue. (Obviously this doesn't mean that GOP 527s won't go nuts over it, but do we REALLY think that the people that are fed up with Bush, Iraq, DoJ criminality, Lobbying Scandals are going to remember this bruhaha in 6 months?

Doubtful. It'll get a few ratings this weekend, until Hillary's camp says something stupid again...

I agree that I got it wrong on the timing of the statement. he's going on the networks tonight to push back on this more.

Good, he's getting out front very nicely.

As I said before, I continue to be amused by Hillary's concern trolls going where even McCain recognizes is not a useful place for HIM to go. Tells you everything you need to know about Hillary's dog-whistle racist campaign and the kind of people who respond to it.

Man, Greg left out the best bit:

"And while Rev. Wright's statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States."

I'm pleased and impressed he chose HuffPo on which to post this. I'm also a bit surprised; it's a little under the radar from what I would have expected. In short, it caught me off guard, in a positive way.

In some way I sense he's speaking directly to the netroots, to the political blogs that only 10% of America reads, but the ones most aware of this issue.

It's the advance salvo in a battle he's bringing to the MSM tonight. Thing is, this particular battle, if properly played, can end up to his massive benefit - people will be forced to recognize that he's Christian, not Muslim, in order to understand this story at all. That can't be a bad thing.

Either way, with this post Obama simply proves to me again he's the man I want at this nation's helm. His honesty and emotional forthcoming is refreshing and his calm approach is much appreciated.

"The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion (Islam) destroyed" - Rev. Rod Parsley, spiritual adviser to John McCain

"All hurricanes are acts of God because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that." - Rev. John Hagee, endorser sought and lauded by John McCain.

Pot. Meet kettle.

It's going to be all Obama all the time this weekend connecting to conservative Christians all over the country. He won't be aiming at Reverent Wright's right wing equivalents; he can just talk to everyone in the middle. They've already started getting on board with economic justice and the environment; my guess is that we'll end up needing more boats just to fit them in.

And note the neutrality about religion: he models his life after Jesus (not Christ, which would turn me off), pursuing justice, equality, etc., etc., not the rabid prophets and saints. As I believe Jesus was a pretty good rabbi who got distorted after his death, if Obama's going to model himself on a Christian, he might as well make it a Jewish one.

Obama's post is exactly what I hoped it would be. Acknowledging that this is a fair question to have to answer. No resentment, no double-speak. You are part of the community, the pastor is not identical to the community, you separate spiritual advice from political advice, and you are able to articulate the difference between your beliefs and practices and the beliefs of the guy on the pulpit.

Some will still call for Rev. Wright's head, but after this we know Wright will resign from his position, wherever it is in Obama's organization.

He's a thoughtful man. Had to see what was shaking from what quarters on this and formulate a thoughtful response, keeping himself completely ON message as he responds.

Bravo, Obama.

And the same will happen in the GE when repugs try to act like Camp Hillary.

Most posters here are Dems. As such I'm guessing we all completely disagree with many things bush has said and done over the years. Just because he's been able to do that, have we stopped being Americans or repudiated our country?

A church is a community. Barack and Michelle joined a community. It was in that community that they married and they baptized their children. His former pastor has retired. But the community endures.

I credit Senator Obama with having the wisdom to reject certain statements made by his former pastor, while nevertheless retaining ties to his Church community.

Forgiveness is the hallmark of Christianity. Or it should be. For those who want to castigate Senator Obama, let the one without sin cast stones. Otherwise, silence is the wiser course.

Wright married Barack and Michelle Obama. He baptised their children. Wright was Obama's pastor for 20 years. In April 2007 Obama paid special tribute to Wright saying he had led him to the faith.

ABC News lists DOZENS of Wright sermons where the man denounces the US. The idea that Obama could have missed this or been unaware of the sermons of this nature simply does not pass the smell test. And keeping the man on as a member of his 'faith and values panel' won't cut it either. How ironic to have a man who advocates such hate on one's faith and values committee. Maybe that's change.

Billy Graham saved George Bush from a life of public, frat boy drunkenness only to see his disciple become the scourge from hell-ruining baseball teams, energy firms, economies and countries. Pastor Wright, on the other hand, saved Barack Obama from secular hell only to see his disciple flounder on the shoals of Hillary Clinton’s venomous and racist wrath. Oh, you week and meek who seek the solace of these religious imposters and their God -will -save -you nostrums! They are worse than opium or the crack that invades our fair cities. Fie on them. Better for the world if George Bush told awful preppy jokes to his Skull and Cross chums and blew up frogs in his yard and for Barack Obama to find Populism and Democracy rather than the wicked Pastor Wright that he indulges or the course of corporate globalism that he embraces. George Bush, happily, is done for- off to his presidential library with its two books: The Pet Goat, and Clearing Brush for Profit and Pleasure. There is still time for Obama: Rid yourself of the Pastor!

The Robots project:

This controversy will HELP OBAMA by reaffirming that he goes to a CHRISTIAN CHURCH, chipping away at the false MUSLIM claims.

Clear, firm words REJECTING WRIGHT will HELP OBAMA with a patriotic, nuanced message about his position.

This controversy will HURT OBAMA by playing into the FEAR OF AN ANGRY BLACK MAN meme.

There is VERY LITTLE to NO crossover of PRIMARY votes, as OBAMA supporters will see this as NO CONCERN and MOST CLINTON supporters are NOT RACISTS

Summary:

OBAMA BENEFITS from this controversy

Hoost way above:

Brilliant!