“It’s a tricky thing, anybody’s relationship with their pastor,” Obama told Beliefnet.com, a multi-faith site dedicated to spiritual awakening.

“People who are familiar with the black church tradition know that Reverend Wright’s considered one of the greatest preachers in the country. Our church, Trinity United Church of Christ, even though it is part of a 95-, 97-percent white denomination, very much draws on the historical black church tradition, and Reverend Wright’s sermons do as well. And that means that sometimes he’s provocative in ways that I’m not always comfortable with and in ways that I deeply disagree with occasionally,” Obama told the Web site.

….

In a statement last week to FOX News, Obama distanced himself from the decision of the church magazine’s editorial board, run by Wright’s daughter, to give Farakkhan the magazine’s 2007 lifetime achievement award for social justice, named for Rev. Wright.

“I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan,” Obama said. “I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree.”

Nonetheless, Obama told Beliefnet that he is “proud of Reverend Wright and what he’s done in his life.”

By the way, as for Obama’s assertions of his being a proud Christian and 20-year member of United Trinity (whose proud, African-American self-designation has been brought up here), what does concern me about his Church is that last year, its pastor and Obama’s spiritual advisor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., gave the church’s highest annual award (named after himself) to Louis Farrakhan, for his highest spiritual example, astute analysis of race relations in America (based largely on anti-Semitism, many feel) and so on. While allegations of Obama being a Muslim are silly and reflect badly on the accusers, what kind of “Christian” example is Farrakhan? His association with Nation of Islam, and with Obama’s church, muddies the waters. Obama would be wise to disavow him — or this may become an issue in Jewish enclaves of NY, Florida and California (where Hillary is strong, coincidentally).

As for who can better stand up to McCain: Conservative Republicans have an “anyone but McCain” sentiment out there, and since they think Hillary is the she-devil, Obama will benefit from the conservative, evangelical vote if it comes down to the three of them.

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=137

http://usliberals.about.com/od/liberalleadership/a/DLCDreamPlan.htm

There’s a group called the Democratic Leadership Council that “Clintonism” sprang from who can tell you all about it. ‘Cuz, you know, we gotta get “Tough on Crime” and “End Welfare as We Know It” – even if we’ve elected a Democrat a dozen years after Ronnie “changed the convesation.”

And the Northern “Reagan Democrats? Does Barack really think they weren’t swayed by “Law and Order” (discuss that at your ‘Justice and Journalism’ confernece) and “Welfare Queens” Wink! Wink! Nudge! Nudge!

But forget all that. He put the new “Queen of Mean” in her place. Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead! And Bill was a disgrace! So much better now in the Oval Office, right?

What a farce!