Gov. Mike Easley said the Rev. Jeremiah Wright will not be an issue for North Carolina voters.
Easley appeared on Wolf Blitzer's CNN Late Edition with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Easley supports Hillary Clinton. Richardson supports Barack Obama. Blitzer asked Easley about Wright, Obama's controversial former pastor, according to a transcript of the show.
EASLEY: It's not going to be an issue in North Carolina in the primary. We don't take that race state. We know the Republicans down here, maybe you don't know that Republicans are running ads on that already and trying to -- some are trying to tie it to our Democrats running for governor to replace me. But it will be an issue in the fall if he's the nominee. But it's not going to be in this primary. And Senator Clinton has not tried to make any political gain out of it. I admire her character for that.
The most important thing, I think, is that Senator Obama finally did what he had to do. He has two competing interests here. He's got a spiritual adviser and friend for 20 years on one hand. On the other hand, he's got a man who said some things that he just cannot condone, needed to denounce.
Those are the kind of tough decisions you have to make in politics and in executive positions. I think he made the right one this week. But it's not going to -- it's not going to be an issue.
The only thing I want people to understand is that the African- American churches in North Carolina, this is not emblematic of that. They are -- they're welcoming, they're open, they're uplifting. It's based on scripture. It's about forgiving God, a good god and I don't want people across the country to get the wrong idea about the African-American churches.
Comments
Obama on Wright – A Profile in Cowardice
May 5, 2008 - 7:04am — MauriceNYTThere is a huge difference between language in sermons that expresses the pain and anger felt in the hearts of many African Americans, and other people of color, and language that crosses the line into "hate speech." Rev. Wright's "hate speech" had continued for an extended period of time during his association with the Obamas.
It was disingenuous of Barack Obama to claim otherwise.
In addition to this lack of honesty, Barack Obama's delayed, protracted response to the reverend's remarks made evident that Barack Obama is not endowed with the kind of J.F.K.–style leadership ability that so many of his highly visible supporters have bestowed upon him.
Barack Obama was not willing to do what was right in the face of great political risk. If he had, he wouldn't have waited until Philadelphia to denounce Rev. Wright's "hate speech" -- a time when there was greater political risk to remain silent about it than there was to speak out against it. He remained silent when it was to his advantage to do so and he spoke up when it was to his advantage to do so. Moreover, Barack Obama waited to reject the good reverend himself until it was of absolute political necessity.
This should not go unnoticed. It does not signify moral leadership ability. It signifies cowardice not courage -- it was a Profile in Cowardice. More importantly, it portrays the kind of leadership we can expect from him if he becomes the president. UGHH . . . the thought is appalling!!!
Re: Easley: Wright not an issue in North Carolina
May 4, 2008 - 10:59pm — ChristinesThis is an interesting insight!
Reverse Discrimination In Primary
As an African American man Id'e never thought I see reverse discrmination in politics. This time quite frankly white folks ( a majority) are being discriminated against. I read the DNC reasoning to allow Nevada and South Carolina go ahead of Michigan and Florida and the reasoning was to "create more diversity" in the primary process. I have no problem with that, but to disenfranchise 2.3 million mostly white folks from their right to vote is horrendous. It is also very obvious how Howard Dean and Donna Brazille moved to strip all of florida's delegates to give Senator Obama a demographic advantage. It is also shameful how working class voters have been characterized in this election. Hillary Clinton has brought the reagan democrats back home to the democratic party after 28 years and now the DNC doesn't want to be the party of working people.
I also watched how Jesse Jackson Jr. critisized Hillary after winning New Hampshire. He suggested that she was racist because she didn't "cry after hurricane katrina" (yes he said that!).. This primary has been disgraceful. Keep fighting Hillary.
Re: When NC needs advice from Texas, we'll let you know
May 4, 2008 - 6:05pm — ProctorGood luck on trying to keep Texas from giving us some political advice every now and then. Out in the Lone Star State, some folks think that Georgia and the Carolinas are part of East Texas.
That's one reason politicians from Arkansas have been having such good luck in the Southeast the last few years. They don't claim any territory east of the Mississippi River.
Wait--don't click off yet, I only have one more Texas-North Carolina political joke to throw out:
--Why did the Texan send his son to Gaston County Community College?
--He liked the idea of having his son educated in Dallas. (Dallas, N.C., that is.)
When NC needs advice from Texas, we'll let you know
May 4, 2008 - 4:15pm — Isaac136You can keep your advice right there in Texas. Austin is a wonderful town -- and probably harbors more intelligence than the rest of the state combined. But that's not reflected in your endorsement of Ron Paul, whose own association with white supremacist opinions is a matter of record.
Ron Paul makes Ross Perot seem perfectly sane.
Keep him and keep your advice.
Re: Easley: Wright not an issue in North Carolina
May 4, 2008 - 2:06pm — LindaVerdeI believe if Reverend Wright is an issue when it comes to voting for Obama, then it should equally be an issue for Republicans who see no problem with San Antonio Pastor Jonn Haggey, standing shoulder to shoulder with John McCain; and if y'all will google Pastor Haggey's racists, unchristian, tirades, you will find his hate speech incites outrage and anger around the world, possibly subjecting Americans to blow-back by Terrorists response!
Take Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul, on the other hand, and you will find in his actions and his best selling new book "The Revolution - A Manifesto," a real candidate for the people! Not a candidate like McCain who panders to the current regime while still fishing for Democrats and Independents, and speaking out of both sides of his mouth!
A little advice from a Dem/Green/Independent in Texas...Vote for Ron Paul!
Linda Verde Austin, Texas