by Mike Dorning
The God Gap may be turning against Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries.
Buried within the exit polls from Pennsylvania are some signs that Obama's appeal may be worsening with culturally conservative regular churchgoers.
That may not be too surprising given the controversies Obama encountered in the six-week run-up to the primary. Despite Obama's later explanations, his comments at a San Francisco fundraiser that "bitter" small-town Americans "cling to" guns and religion are hardly likely to have endeared him to small-town churchgoers.
That followed circulation of a well-publicized video highlights reel of his former pastor's incendiary sermons, including one in which the Rev. Jeremiah Wright declares blacks should sing "God Damn America" instead of "God Bless America." Not only Wright's comments but the African-style garb that the pastor is shown wearing every time the video clip is rerun no doubt feeds a suspicion that Obama's outlook on life is far removed from the moral certitudes of religious traditionalists.
But it is easy to forget that at the beginning of his presidential campaign Obama was celebrated as a political figure who could reach out to the faithful. His candidacy held out the possibility of at least blunting among political moderates the enormous advantage the Republican party has amassed over Democrats among religiously observant voters.
Shortly after his election to the U.S. Senate, he delivered a well-received address arguing faith should have a greater role in public discourse. He has courted high-profile moderate evangelical leaders, including the Rev. Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life." Warren hosted Obama at a well-publicized appearance at his Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, shortly before Obama announced his presidential bid.
The memoir that essentially launched Obama's presidential campaign took its title, "The Audacity of Hope" from a sermon, albeit one delivered by the now-infamous Wright. And the book featured an account of his conversion from a secular life to Christian faith.
On the trail, Obama often weaves the language of faith into speeches and his campaign has devoted considerable effort to an outreach program directed at religious voters.
Early in the campaign, that appeared to pay dividends.
Back in the nation's first primary, in virtually all-white New Hampshire, Obama actually was the leading candidate among the most religious voters. Hillary Clinton may have won the New Hampshire primary, but Obama picked up the most votes from people who attend church once a week, winning 37 percent of them against 32 percent for Clinton and 21 percent for Edwards, according to exit polls.
By contrast in Pennsylvania, which Obama lost last week by 9 percentage points, his margin of defeat was doubled among regular churchgoers, who voted 59 percent for Clinton against 41 percent for Obama, according to exit polls. And that is in a primary which included a sizable number of African-Americans, who as a group are much more likely to be regular churchgoers. Blacks overwhelmingly support Obama.
As recently as seven weeks ago, in neighboring Ohio, a state with many similarities and a Democratic electorate with only slightly more African-Americans, regular churchgoers did not contribute disproportionately to Clinton's 10-percentage point win. Her margin was actually tighter among them, though not significantly so: weekly churchgoers voted 51percent for Clinton against 47 percent for Obama.
Of course, Catholic voters have always been more disposed toward Clinton than Obama, and there are lots of Catholic voters in Pennsylvania.
But back in the nation's first primary, even though New Hampshire Catholics as a group favored Clinton, religious devotion worked against Clinton among Catholics and did not work against Obama.
In New Hampshire, Clinton did best with Catholics who do not attend church regularly, winning them 47 percent against 26 percent for Obama and 22 percent for Edwards. Among Catholics who attend Mass weekly, Clinton was supported by a much-lower 36 percent against 28 percent for Obama and 29 percent for Edwards.
Well, suggested one Obama campaign aide, New Hampshire Catholics are culturally different in significant ways from the white ethnic Catholics of lower New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.
In other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states with large white ethnic Catholic populations that previously have held primaries--Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland-- Catholic voters all did favor Clinton. However, church attendance did not make them more likely to do so.
In each case, exit polls found regular Mass-goers registering within a few percentage points of Catholics who do not attend church regularly. In most of the primaries, Mass-goers were slightly more likely to vote for Obama--though not by a statistically significant margin. The same was true in the March primary in Ohio, a neighboring industrial Midwestern state that is much like Western Pennsylvania.
But that was not the case in Pennsylvania last week. Catholics who attend church weekly turned against Obama in much greater numbers than less observant Catholics. Catholics who attend church weekly voted 74 percent for Clinton and 26 percent for Obama; Catholic who do not attend church weekly voted 65 percent for Clinton and 35 percent for Obama. That's a 48-point margin for Clinton among observant Catholics versus a 30-point margin among Cahtolics who are not regular churchgoers.
And that despite the anti-abortion, socially conservative Catholic Sen. Bob Casey Jr (D-Pa.) at Obama's side throughout most of the Pennsylvania campaign.
Church-going among whites--and in Pennsylvania Catholics are mostly white--can be can be a marker for other traits. Older whites go to church more often than do younger whites. And whites without college degrees go to church in greater numbers than those with degrees. Both those groups are more supportive of Clinton.
Still, there is some reason to suspect that may not be the full explanation. Exit polls suggest Obama improved his showing with elderly voters in Pennsylvania compared to March. His performance among non-college graduates was about the same as in the Ohio primary in March.
It's always possible that the Pennsylvania primary was simply an anomaly. And it's also possible that the specific controversies leading up to the primary had a uniquely intense effect there, since voters facing an imminent election tend to be more engaged in a campaign and are exposed to much greater media coverage of the presidential contest.
Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll, said that nationally divisions over the Democratic candidates among churchgoers have been pretty well set at least since mid-February and he has not detected a significant shift since then.
Newport looks at the views of non-Latino white Democrats, in order to avoid the impact of the heavy support for Obama among African-Americans and the heavy support for Clinton among Latinos, both groups that attend church in disproportionately large number.
Among non-Latino white churchgoers, Clinton has been consistently the favored candidate since at least Feb. 15, which is when Gallup first added a question on how often voters attend religious services to its daily presidential tracking poll, Newport said. That is well after most of the Mid-Atlantic and lower New England states voted in the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primary.
Nationally, at least, the "God Gap" between the Democratic candidates has been both durable and sizable.
Among weekly non-Latino white Democrat weekly churchgoers, 55 percent favored Clinton against 32 percent for Obama in responses Feb. 15 through Feb. 29; 56 percent favored Clinton against 32 percent for Obama in March; and 53 percent favored Clinton against 36 percent Obama April 1 through April 20.
But, for Obama, the Pennsylvania primary results may be a warning of more trouble ahead in the church pews.
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Comments
Yeah, well, it's too bad that he's only got, what, like six months or something?
Posted by: rufus | April 27, 2008 8:20 AM
"suspicion that Obama's outlook on life is far removed from the moral certitudes of religious traditionalists."
You didn't watch the Moyers Wright interview, did you? If you had, you would have learned a little bit more about Rev Wright than the lies Sean Hannity force fed into the media "pipeline" to which you still obviously subscribe.
You would have learned that Wright is very much a "religious traditionalist" and been so shamed by your participation in the horrific public lynching of this very fine person you would not have been able to write these words, with which you continue to demonize, for what can only be ungodly reasons, him and his lifetime of service to the church and his many accomplishments.
Posted by: Dawn B | April 27, 2008 8:24 AM
Another contrived piece vaguely asking church goers to vote against Obama...
Is this yellow journalism or should we smell something more sinister...?
Posted by: IndianGuy | April 27, 2008 8:25 AM
There seems to be an assumption about the statistics here that I find disquieting. We do not KNOW WHY a 'churchgoer' voted the way they did. (And we don't REALLY know they're church-goers either--as that's self-reporting, right?)
Perhaps what troubled about Rev. Wright wasn't the soundbite--maybe people KNOW Fox distorts by now? It perhaps wasn 't the 'African garb' of Rev. Wright.
Maybe it was just a synergistic total off all that upsets us about Obama---He doesn't seem genuinely concerned about anyone BUT a certain demographic of whites and blacks.
And maybe it was watching MSNBC distort the flip off of Hillary and a newsmedia which finally was holding his feet to the fire the way we've watching Hillary have her feet held to the fire.
So I disagree with this assessment of just exactly 'who' said exactly 'what' with the stunning defeat Mr. Obama received after spending so darned much money there.
Posted by: Get out of the Kitchen | April 27, 2008 8:35 AM
Given that the New Hampshire polling (pre & post) was so riddled with errors, it's amazing that anyone would construct a voter sentiment analysis so dependent on such data. That is like knowing that you have a ruler with faulty measurement markings, and using it anyway because it's the one closest at hand and most convenient.
Posted by: Avl Dao | April 27, 2008 9:02 AM
Please this is getting ridiculous. GOD GAP??? Wow that is just crazy talk. Flag pins etc...people sure have their priorities straight. Obama is clearly the best and the brightest. I think we deserve that for a change he in our rapidly decaying democracy. The dark sordid underbelly of the American dream. It stares at you from the White House. p.s. why isn't Dick Cheney in jail where he belongs???
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 27, 2008 9:21 AM
Is it just me or do others find this article difficult to read or even understand?
Posted by: Mark Jespersen | April 27, 2008 9:26 AM
It is difficult for me to comprehend that "church
goers" would vote for a liar like Hiliary. She degrades other
people for her own purpose.
She paints herself as a gun
toting, beer chasing, woman
to gain votes. Anyone that truely believes in love thy neighbor would not vote for her.
The Clintons did not set a good example in the White House either. Bill's scandalous
behavior there is something I doubt church going people would want in the White House again.
If people would just really watch the candidates and how they conduct themselves anyone that is at all religious
would not vote for Hiliary Clinton!
Posted by: Erica Leino | April 27, 2008 9:35 AM
Whoever wrote this article has a meager grasp of the English underlying it, or has a terrible editor. One or the other.
Posted by: Bradford McCall | April 27, 2008 9:35 AM
It obvious why your utilize the logo or title of Swamp. Your article has not authenticity because you have used the same distorted information about Obama's pastor that the regular media has done. Your article is for the unlearned, non thinkers, and biased groups. Fortunately, people of mind have already made up their mind as to whom they are going to vote for. Your exercise is for your own purposes. Not to inform as a journalist, with pros and cons.
Posted by: PercyYoung | April 27, 2008 9:37 AM
Early in the B Hussein Obama campaign God, change and hope paid dividends for Obama because the driveby media failed to vett him.
Teenage girls were screaming and fainting and the media was falling for it. Chris Matthews admitted a feeling went down his leg when he listened to Obama.
But since the Tony Rezko trial and all the money he raised for Obama including helping Obama get his mansion by having Mrs. Rezko buying the garden lot next door so he could close because the seller wanted to close on both parcels at once.Then, he talked about prortionality and how he respected it so he would pay $104,000 instead of $64,000 asked by the Rezko family. This was hypocrisy like everything in his life. Lost in the mansion story is the $16,000 ornamental fence which Tony had built surrounding Obama's property in Kenwood. The drivebys said the fence was never paid for. Has it been paid by Obama one would hope he wouldn't stiff the contractor but with Obama one never knows.
His defense of all this is its boneheaded. If a GOP guy did this bribery would be considered at the very least.
Then along comes Rev. Jeremiah Wright who says God damn America instead of God bless America and says rich white people control America this racist minister is the gift that keeps on giving to Obama's opponents.
He says Bill Clinton was riding dirty with Monica boy that Wright guy is some minister of the Gospel.
Well then there's Obama telling church people are bitter people clinging to guns and God what a loony toon. How does he say this with a straight leftist elitist look like how dare you or anyone quiz me I'm the great Obama the messianic one. Not anymore folks!
William Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, Louis Farakhan, Kadafy, the Mahajans, the Nadmi Auchi guy and all the rest just hang with B Hussein Obama.
Nevermind he won't wear a flag pin or put his hand over his heart when reciting the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. He's above all that.
Well its no wonder hope and change he ain't. Whose bitter Obama is! Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | April 27, 2008 9:38 AM
I guess that would depends on if you are referring to true Christians or people that just go to church.
It is a fact that higher educated whites are voting for Obama.
That should say it all.
The GOP is trying anything they can to bash Obama because they think he will be harder toi beat.
I think they are grasping. Give me a break...Guilt by association?
True Christians are taught to forgive and embrace the ignorant.
Obama did exactly what a true Christian would do, he rebuked his statements but did not disown him.
Posted by: Lisa | April 27, 2008 9:44 AM
IS REV. WRIGHT RELEVANT TO THIS ELECTION PROCESS?: For those who think that Rev. Wright is not an issue in the campaign, I beg to differ. First, it doesn't matter that Rev. Wright has resigned; he was Obama's "mentor and spiritual adviser" for 20 years. Second, there is no dispute that Rev. Wright believes in and preaches black liberation theology. He admitted it on the church’s website, before the church scrubbed the site for offensive materials in an effort to conceal their true nature. Third, I recommend that all read a few books about black liberation theology to learn more about Obama's so-called "religion," and make the determination for yourselves whether or not it has any relationship to Christianity or the teachings of Jesus. Just to give you a head start, here are a few quotes from a founder of black liberation theology (and Rev. Wright’s theological mentor), Rev. James Cone, about Obama's religion:
(1) “To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people." (2) "While it is true that blacks do hate whites, black hatred is not racism." (3) "All white men are responsible for white oppression." (4) "Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man "the devil." (5) "If there is any contemporary meaning of the Antichrist, the white church seems to be a manifestation of it." (6) “Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community. Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.”
Now, if you don't think that the statements above are racist, then you and I can agree to disagree. The real issue is that Americans in general need to know about the racist nature of Obama's religion, because it goes to the heart of his character and judgment. Then, once America understands this issue, if they agree with the racist bent of his church, so be it. I have a feeling, however, that once people find out about this issue, he will be losing supporters by the droves. If it doesn't happen now, it will in the general election if, God forbid, he is the Democratic nominee.
Posted by: Fred Jones | April 27, 2008 10:03 AM
Meaningless analysis. Many of these writers do not undertsand statistics. They are taking the same voters and using them to show that Obama is not supported by whites, working class whites, catholics, church goers, gun owners, etc.
How dumb is this nation?
Posted by: JJJ | April 27, 2008 10:09 AM
Sen. Obama is good at oration, and no one can fault him for that, it is a great skill to have, as it moves hearts and souls, no matter how fleetingly.
I have been for Hillary because she has remained rooted on the ground. I expect speech-writers to fire her state-of-the-nation addresses with inspiring images.
Any attempt for changes to bring people together in Washington is a valiant effort, which at the end of the day will prove evanescent. Hillary has the handle on this, but Barack chose to engage in a falsely elevated plateau, knowing that the checks and balances re-form and foment dynamic balances that give and take, not inspirational speeches, are best for the country.
Any US President can inspire the nation for a worthy cause. But Washington will always be the melting pot for clashing ideas, because it is the way our country has been carved from our collective experience.
And this is good, as proven by our progressive march to better standards of living and individual freedoms of expression.
Posted by: roly m luis | April 27, 2008 10:10 AM
After watching the Larry King Live segment last night, I am convinced that James Carville is a vile henchman for the Clinton campaign. His mannerisms and repulsive style convinced me that I will no longer support Hillary Clinton and will cast my vote for Barack Obama in November. His comments to Bill Richardson were extremely condescending and malicious. The look on Bill Richardson face was one of deep concern and I just know that what he wanted to say could not be aired, but it would have been the honest truth. I also regret the fact that the Hispanic vote is considered for the most part to be a block vote. I would end this piece by suggesting to all of my brothers and sisters to support the candidate who will take us to the next plateau, Barack Obama
Posted by: Bob Munoz | April 27, 2008 10:10 AM
Let's be real.
http://volokh.com/posts/1208915984.shtml
Interesting Pa. Exit Poll Datum:
9% of the voters in the Pennsylvania primary were African Americans who said race was not a factor in their vote. Of those 9%, 91% voted for Barack Obama, exactly the same as the overall African American percentage for Obama, including the 4+% who said race was a factor in their vote (the poll doesn't give a breakdown of the exact percentages for the latter group, but it can't be very different than 91-9).
By contrast, both men and women (especially women) who said that "gender" was a factor in their vote were significantly more likely to vote for Clinton. And whites who said race was a factor in their vote were significantly more likely to vote for Clinton.
Posted by: Ian | April 27, 2008 10:11 AM
Sen. Obama is great at oration, no one can fault him for that, it is a great skill to have, as it moves hearts and souls, no matter how fleetingly.
I have been for Hillary, because she has stood rooted on the ground. I expect speech makers to fire her state-of-the-nation addresses with inspiring images. Any speech at changes to bring people together in Washington is a valiant attempt, which at the end of the day will prove that the clash of ideas to arrive at the effective and workable consensus will re-form and foment divisions and self-interests among discrete groups. Hillary has the handle on this, and Barack chose to be on a falsely elevated unsustainable plateau of engagement.
Any U.S. President can rally the nation to a great cause, but Washington, the way our government has been carved from our collective experience, will always be the melting pot of competing interests. And this is good!
Posted by: roly m luis | April 27, 2008 10:13 AM
So a dead person said something when someone was not there and Hillary Clinton and her elitist power hungry clan believe she should be elected because of that. If the leader of the free world is elected because of this, then GOD help us all. For crying out loud she can't even look after her adulterous husband, how could she look after the free world?
Posted by: Johnny | April 27, 2008 10:13 AM
i don't understand the American people. Obama is a phony double talk politican claiming that he will bring change, hope, movement and right judgement to lead and yet he is not doing what he mantra. He blames Clinton for negativism when he is also negative. The kettle calling the pot black. What kind of man are you nominating to be the Presidential candidate? He will not beat John. I am not a republican but an indepth observer of your politics and I am sure he will lose to John. Then he will blame everything on Clinton,just remember that. That is really ridiculous! I don't believe he is the only guy best to serve the Democratic. I am sure that the Democratic and the Republicans are two bunches of garbages serving USA!
Hear Hear!
Posted by: Maria Loi | April 27, 2008 10:21 AM
i don't understand the American people. Obama is a phony double talk politican claiming that he will bring change, hope, movement and right judgement to lead and yet he is not doing what he mantra. He blames Clinton for negativism when he is also negative. The kettle calling the pot black. What kind of man are you nominating to be the Presidential candidate? He will not beat John. I am not a republican but an indepth observer of your politics and I am sure he will lose to John. Then he will blame everything on Clinton,just remember that. That is really ridiculous! I don't believe he is the only guy best to serve the Democratic. I am sure that the Democratic and the Republicans are two bunches of garbages serving USA!
Hear Hear!
Posted by: Maria Loi | April 27, 2008 10:21 AM
"The God Gap may (be) turning against Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries."
"Buried within the exit polls from Pennsylvania are some signs that Obama's appeal may (be) worsening with culturally conservative regular churchgoers.":
There's no reason for grammar errors with grammar and spell checks. I expect better from the Baltimore Sun.
Posted by: Ellen | April 27, 2008 10:24 AM
May I make a suggestion?
HIRE A PROOF-READER
Posted by: colin | April 27, 2008 10:36 AM
I once really adored Obama and his message of unity and hope, but his "bitter" comments, his wife's comments, and the hate speak of Jeremiah Wright really has tarnished him.
I am among the 50% of Americans who cannot stand (as in the sight or her and sound of her voice causes severe nausea) Hillary Clinton, the only choice really is Obama. I wish I felt stronger about this, as I once did, but such is life.
Posted by: Carol | April 27, 2008 10:37 AM
When it comes to Religion it is G'd that Blesses whom He Pleases and Chastises whom He Pleases by a Standard beyond human reasoning. As individuals we should try real hard to have our Good Deeds outweigh our Bad Deeds. We might claim that we are with G'd, but that is no guarantee He is with us. G'd is Real. Obama 08.
Posted by: Fareed | April 27, 2008 10:40 AM
You leave out the obvious point that Obama was 20-25 points behind in PA before the Wright issue.
The Catholic vote was a huge percentage of the PA results, something which will not be repeated in the remaining contests.
Also, this is a primary, not a general election. There is nothing wrong with voters choosing Hillary over Obama, but the group which really supports Hillary is older white women. Again, nothing wrong with this, they really have a bond with Hillary, and as long as she is in the race they will vote for her regardless of anything that Obama or Hillary do good or bad.
Posted by: tomj | April 27, 2008 10:48 AM
A very thoughtful piece. The Rev. Wright undercuts Obama's faith message significantly, coupled with his own words dissing small town and religious voters and he has a real problem, certainly in the general. Calling bloggers and TV commentators liars when they look at his words will not help:
http://backyardconservative.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-calls-bloggers-liars.html
Posted by: Anne Leary | April 27, 2008 11:07 AM
Will you guys give it a rest? Taking comments, misrepresenting them and then beating them to death over and over and over again. "Conservative church goers" are always looking for someone to exclude themselves from. You guys just give them the fodder.
BTW, I haven't seen ONE article or mention of Hillary's faith, church, minister, etc. Pretty one-sided.
Posted by: DD | April 27, 2008 11:31 AM
Jerry White: What did Barack Obama ever do to YOU???? You act as though you have a personal vendetta against him.When does miss HILLARY wear a flag pin, and who do you think - in this day and age of high gas prices, loss of homes, the never ending Iraq INVASION, LOSS OF MILLIONS OF JOBS THANKS TO THE CLINTONS, ETC.. - REALLY cares??? In the end, your spewing of hatred on here isn't going to make ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE!!!! C AN YOU comprehend that????
Posted by: Mary | April 27, 2008 11:55 AM
This news is not surprising. Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, the New Black Panthers Party, Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, HAMAS, Larry Leggis, Micheal Moore, the Black Nationalist Movement, MoveOn.Org, Bill Maher, the Weather Underground, Michelle Obama, etc. etc. etc.
Is there a hateful, anti-American person or group left that Obama is not aligned with yet?
Intelligent, decent, caring Americans won't be within 100 miles of Obama come November.
Posted by: Tye | April 27, 2008 12:03 PM
What will the god people (and who are they? How exactly do you know they went to church?) say when they learn how Obama FAKED his way into letting people think he's a community activist.
He screwed over poor peole and the people truly helping them--people like Alice Palmer.
Where's Whoopie Goldberg on this?
Whoopie accused Obama of being ungracious to Hillary at the State of the Union Address and 'stepping on her neck'
Well, here's a REAL case of it.
Obama stepped on Alice Palmer's NECK and now this REAL, LONG-TERM, never SOLD OUT to REZKO to RUIN public housing activist gets to campaign for Hillary.
Ya gotta love it!
Educate yourselves, koolaid drinkers:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403
obama-ballot,1,57567.story
Newspapers are a wonderful thing! Have been for quite a while.
So are Knock-knock jokes.
Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Posted by: Karma! Karma Who? | April 27, 2008 12:18 PM
Rev. Jeremiah Wright declares blacks should sing "God Damn America" instead of "God Bless America."
That is either a deliberate falsehood or a deliberate ignorance of the context of the comment in the sermon as a whole, once again demonstrating the total inability of the MSM to provide sufficient information for voters to make an intelligent decision. IN CONTEXT, the sermon calls for God's judgment on a society that fails to follow Jesus' teachings about the Christian mandate to help those who cannot help themselves. The full sermons are available to any who want to know what they were really about, instead of naively trusting the MSM to report honestly.
Posted by: K_Hussein | April 27, 2008 12:42 PM
Contrast: The Pope coming to the U.S.A. and many times saying "God Bless America", and most Protestant churches sing a hymn often, "America the Beautiful", to Obama's pastor/mentor's sermon saying "God####America!" Get the picture?
Posted by: Linda | April 27, 2008 12:47 PM
God gap? No, what we have here is a news media gap. We get all these nonsense articles about lapel pins, bosnia stories, and vague guesswork labelled as "voter analysis" while ignoring the real issues that face our country. Any of you media types remember we have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are you aware that oil prices are at record highs or that our economy may be in a recession? Or that healthcare in this country is not affordable for millions of Americans? I'd like to hear what the candidates think about those issues and how they plan to address them. Unless the candidate claims he walks on water, heals the sick, and turns seawater into crude oil, the "God gap" is just more media BS.
Posted by: Tom O | April 27, 2008 1:37 PM
A very thoughtful piece. The Rev. Wright undercuts Obama's faith message significantly, coupled with his own words dissing small town and religious voters and he has a real problem, certainly in the general. Calling bloggers and TV commentators liars when they look at his words will not help:
http://backyardconservative.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-calls-bloggers-liars.html
Posted by: Anne Leary | April 27, 2008 11:07 AM
I think 'shallow' would be a more appropriate word than "thoughtful", Anne. In this age of recorded sound bites, everyone can make up their own picture of a person or event. That is what you just did with the tidbits you've been fed by the corporate media. And TV commentators and bloggers haven't lied? Where have you been the past year?
Posted by: DD | April 27, 2008 1:40 PM
People reading this: ATTENTION! at least half of the pro-Hillary things you read in the news lately or in various comments sections online... These statements are not from actual Hillary supporters. The GOP wants to run against her! they have a lot of ammo against the Clintons (Bill especially).
For a republican to win this November, considering the current admin. popularity - racial, age, and religious tensions must be in play. This is to confuse people from voting in their own self interest. By having "Hillary" supporters say racist and demeaning things - they dont have to do it themselves.
Obama 2008!,
Posted by: Josh in Seattle | April 27, 2008 1:45 PM
Erika Leino--whatta loada crap. You know nothing about christianity if you think it's god swallows the camel but chokes on the fly.
Bill Clinton was a GREAT president. I may not want him as a spouse--but it seems they've got a great marriage and raised a wonderful sane daughter.
Obama, meanwhile, is a pathological liar--21 debates? That's like the big LIE Michelle Robinson (where's those tax docs) Obama told about Obama's mama raising him with food stamps--he was living with his grandparents then.
Wanna hear a REAL problem with truth?
It's Obama's duck of the real, national news media.
Seems like a kid who was raised by a bank vice president, don't it?
There were not 21 debates. Just 4 with the one candidate the news media could not eliminate FOR the junior Senator from IL.
And how'd he get there?
He threw Alice Palmer under the bus.
Read it:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,1,57567.story
Newspapers are a beautiful thing. they help not just with literacy, but with math too.
4 ≠ 21
Posted by: God Does Math, Too | April 27, 2008 1:51 PM
it would be a dangerous and risky mistake to vote for barack obama. how can we trust a man we dont really know?
Posted by: brigitte | April 27, 2008 1:56 PM
Obama is a chameleon selling any of his faces to any group. Loved the way Wright said Obama "responded as a POLITICIAN". In other words, he said what he had to. Put simply: he spun it, baby! Obama also said what he had to in Canada with the Nafta thing, then said what he had to when caught at it. Also find it disturbing that he was a practicing muslim, then secular, now christian, as the roads to exediency (and his ambitious aim for the W.House) lead him to be or say whatever he needs to in order to secure votes!
Posted by: kathy | April 27, 2008 2:58 PM
This is too funny. I had to check to make sure that this was not an April Fool's joke. Come on now...the God Gap? You could have come up with something like the Spiritual Divide or Contrived Conspiracy. Must be slow day for the news. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: LOL | April 27, 2008 3:22 PM
It is a fact that higher educated whites are voting for Obama.
That should say it all.
________________________
Why should that say it all?
Just because someone has a education, does not make them smart or wise.
College professors like William Ayers teaching....I can learn how to make a bomb without going to college.
Wisdom is better than education any day.
Posted by: Jen | April 27, 2008 4:35 PM
I watched Good Morning Joe and the one poll that puzzled the pundits Sen Clinton winning big among Catholic voters. I believe the following are the reasons:+++++++
1. Catholics support a candidate who has a very good personal relationship with God. A person who is unabashed about his/her faith. Sen Clinton is unabashed about her christian faith.+++++++
2. Catholics believe that Christianity is about the loving God. A God that sacrificed his only begotten son to save mankind. Pastors who preaches hate and bigotry do not represent the real message of christianity. Unfortunately, Sen Obama associated himself with such Pastor for 20 yrs.+++++++
3. Catholics value life and believe that life begin with conception. Sen Clinton shares this idea. Sen Obama until now doesn't have a clear idea about his Christian faith. He doesn’t know when life begins. Moreover, the "don't want to punish my children with a pregnancy" comment does not fit well with the Catholic religion.
Posted by: politicsIsdirty | April 27, 2008 4:36 PM
God said let there be light, and Obama walked right up to the podium. Obama then said I will give you hope, for your bitter middle class church goers need hope. Obama then said I will preach to the masses because Rev. Wright told me to do so, or was that God talking to me. Obama then said I will tell the masses what they want to hear. Especially all the new social programs, and the increases in the existing social programs that I will do with all the new taxes I will start. Oh I forgot I wasn't suppose to mention taxes. I hope God is not angry with me, like those bitter religous freaks in Penn.
Posted by: Clarence | April 27, 2008 5:19 PM
Every party has xenophobes. Its not the individuals fault that prejudice exists. But it IS the fault of the leader that exploits rather than counteracts those prejudice. Clinton has exploited FEAR, RACISM, and XENOPHOBIA. Obama is a God-fearing Christian and he's told us more about his relationship with God than any candidate has in recent times. Penalizing him for that would be enormously hypocritical, and the blame would go to Clinton for stoking the prejudices that brought it about.
Posted by: Mo | April 27, 2008 5:58 PM
Seattle guy's had too many lattes (any arugula in there?) to think straight.
No--we're Hillary supporters, kid.
A lot of us used to be Obama supporters and even VOLUNTEERS!
He won't get elected dog catcher in Illinois now that there's been some national level investigation--and that pesky corruption trial.
Here's the latest (from the paper across town, but no doubt the Trib has it too):
http://blogs.suntimes.com/rezko/2008/04/aiham_alsammarae_and_tony_rezk.html
Posted by: Hillary is for Real So are We | April 27, 2008 6:32 PM
It obvious why your utilize the logo or title of Swamp. Your article has not authenticity because you have used the same distorted information about Obama's pastor that the regular media has done. Your article is for the unlearned, non thinkers, and biased groups. Fortunately, people of mind have already made up their mind as to whom they are going to vote for. Your exercise is for your own purposes. Not to inform as a journalist, with pros and cons.
Posted by: PercyYoung | April 27, 2008 9:37 AM
At last a snae comment. Percy your right, anyone who reads The Swamp has already made up their mind. What freaks me out is that exit polling from Pennsylvania showed that Hillary Clinton's last minute negative adds swayed allot of undecided voters. Kinda makes one wonder if Barack Obama's off the cuff remark on guns and church wasn't right on the mark. I happen to think it was. To be honest if nothing else good comes out this campaign, it's the fact that this country has a long way to go if it ever wants to be the Super Power we claim to be. p.s. mainstream media has sold America out. No flag draped coffins??? Give me a break. Corporate America is the real power. Just ask Dick Cheney and his lap dog John McCain. What a phoney sell-out!!! Obama 2008.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 27, 2008 6:34 PM
Church time is the MOST segregated time in America. Why should this surprise us? American are more racist than we think and it is a scientific fact that when times are hard our racism comes out more. Kind of sad.
I'm attending graduate school in London, England and they are having a field day over here with this Democratic Primary. They can't conceive why ANYBODY would want the Clintons back in the White House. I'm wondering the same thing myself, as an American
Posted by: Ingrid | April 27, 2008 6:45 PM
Mike Dorning is a coward. He ascribes his own feelings and interpretations and insights to "culturally conservative regular churchgoers"
Look, Mike, if these are your feelings, state them with confidence.
But then back up your feelings with facts, not "impressions."
The fact is that Rev. Wright did not "declare blacks should sing 'God Damn America' instead of 'God Bless America.'"
What Rev. Wright WAS instructing his congregation was that the bible tells us that God does not "bless" those nations and people who do not do God's will as described in the bible.
Had you and others bothered to watch this entire part of Rev. Wright's sermons (which lasted a WHOLE 10 minutes), you would have realized that he was reacting to an ambassador quoting Malcolm X's famous quote that "the rooster's are coming home to roost."
It was right after 9/11 and Americans were wondering how God could have leveled such devastation against the U.S.
I strongly encourage SWAMPIES to stop allowing dopes like Mike determine how to think. Look at the Bill Moyers interview in its entirety.
You can argue that God still does love America, and that is true. But Rev. Wright, like Rev. Falwell and Rev. Robertson before him, is part of a long tradition of pastors and priests and rabbis and Ministers and preachers warning Americans to mind their p's and q's lest they suffer the wrath of God.
If Wright is wrong, he's not alone.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | April 27, 2008 8:12 PM
The reasons that Americans want the Clintons are simple:
The very good economic record of the only Democratic administration most Americans remember.
Bill Clinton made $50 millions in speeches outside America. He is the most popular ex-president worldwide.
This is the truth that college kid would not understand while the adult will long remember.
What Bill was wrong, we all did one way or the other. We forgive him and hope we shall be forgiven. It is that simple.
We don't need a saint to be president. The saint probably is the worst president for culturally diversed country.
Posted by: John_Lai | April 27, 2008 8:26 PM
Bill Moyers failed to probe on the Muslim connection to that church. It's there. You can tell by how the women are.
Read and learn why we can't have Obama on the ticket at all:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/rezko/2008/04/aiham_alsammarae
_and_tony_r
Posted by: One 2 many 4 bud | April 27, 2008 8:35 PM
The snippet the media won't give you from the Bill Moyers' inteview:
"God doesn't bless everything. God does not bless gang-bangers. God does not bless dope dealers. God does not bless young thugs that hit old women upside the head and snatch their purse. God does not bless that. God does not bless the killing of babies. God does not bless the killing of enemies."
Rev. Wright
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | April 27, 2008 9:18 PM
Wow. CNN has played the ENTIRE Jeremiah Wright speech made Sunday night to the NAACP Convention in Detroit.
I will not attempt to summarize. There will be plenty of attention paid in the coming days.
CNN has played the entire speech, twice, so that nothing can be taken out of context.
Soledad O'Brien has used the words "hilarious" and "humorous" at least 15 times to describe the speech.
Note: the introduction, delievered by the Chairman of Detroit's NAACP chapter, at the top of his lungs, is going to need some spinning.
Posted by: ElliotNC | April 27, 2008 9:39 PM
Deep down inside, Obama is a racist. He hates 'regular' white people. Read his book, it tells you everything you need to know about the man. Most of you won't bother though, because most people are lazy cows.
Posted by: Roger | April 27, 2008 10:25 PM
The idea that Clinton and Obama will beat, or lose to, McCain by the same margins is based on polls taken now in April. Clinton is saying that come Novemeber, Obama will not withstand the Republican smears and he will lose. Clinton's concerns are valid. Current polls are not able to account for Ayres, Wright, Bittergate, Michelle and the rest after they have been endlessly exploited by the Republican machinery. Hillary should be way ahead of this bumbling novice and the only reason she isn't is that the Democrats love to lose. And they constantly find new ways to do it.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 27, 2008 11:08 PM
A true bealiver should vote for Obama, instead Hillary, A big lier
Posted by: Ann Paul | April 28, 2008 1:27 AM
At best, Wright is a stranger to the truth. Just as it is troubling that conservatism has become a Satanic cult bent on practicing ritual human sacrifice and dismemberment in Iraq for the next 100 years, so too is it disturbing that a cult on the left thinks they can curse America and lie about it or that we are to supposed to admire them for the way they curse us. Well in that case, dm U too! And in the words of FUtus, the sitting VP, fu as well.
Posted by: poetryman69 | April 28, 2008 6:30 AM
This "controversy" is so played out. Can't you media hacks talk about anything else? Everyone I know is sick to death of this thing. You (the media) pick apart every word the democratic candidates say, yet you A-holes give GW Bush a pass on his policies and how stupid he sounds everytime he opens his mouth. Way to go media! Why do the right wingers say that the media is "LIBERAL"? I see no evidence of that.
Posted by: Matt in Montana | April 28, 2008 7:02 AM
Obama sat under Reverend Wright's angry-vengeful rants for 20 years without leaving the church.
Wright demonizes by race which makes him a racist by definition. It is wrong to demonize any race of people that God has created. Where is forgiveness that Jesus charges all Christians with? Where is loving your enemy?
You can blame others for all your problems, but like anyone else, there comes a time that you have to deal with them.
Obama should debate Hillary.
Obama won't get my vote!
Posted by: Jim | April 28, 2008 8:41 AM
I am so confused. You have a mixed race man raised in an exclusively white world - White mother, white grandparents, educated at mostly white exclusive schools who had little or no contact with his "BLACK ROOTS" spinning a story of his BLACK EXPERIENCE for one reason and one reason only - to get the vote of the black community. He is a candidate for one reason only - "he fit the suit" ! Doesn't it seem odd that the same machine that got Blago elected is the same machine that has propelled him into his current status as a presidential candidate,. Could it be that they saw the handwriting on the wall that Blago was not electable and so they backed Obama? With the election of Obama as president, Rezko et al would have the same inside track they would have had if Blago would have turned out to be a viable candidate.
Posted by: Sweet Polly Purebred | April 28, 2008 10:22 AM