He thinks ultimately American people believe in the ideas of his campaign.
He felt there was a complete disregard for what the American people are going through.
He keeps repeating Wright's statements were a "performance." What mattered to Wright was "commanding center stage."
He wants to use this conference to say that whatever relationship he had with Wright has changed. He didn't show regard for Obama or American people.
He hasn't spoken to Wright about this.
Obama says he reaction today has more to do with who he is and what this campaign is about rather than the political aspects. What Rev. Wright said yesterday directly contradicts what he's done over his life and what he believes. From how he was raised, to his decision to go into public service, what he said in his books and in his 2004 speech and in his presidential announcement.
There was nothing constructive out of yesterday. It was a bunch of rants that aren't grounded in truth. He can't construct something positive out of that.
Wright disrespected him and insulted what his campaign has been trying to do. Michelle was similarly angered.
On Black Liberation Theology: Says he's not a theologian. He went to church and listened to sermons. In those that he heard, and it's true in many black churches, there's an emphasis on the importance of social struggle, a social gospel.
What we saw yesterday was that when you overly focus on the plight of the oppressed, it doesn't bring people together.
He didn't view the initial round of soundbites as an attack on the black church but a caricature of who Wright was. The Moyers interview at least gave some sense of rounding out the edges. Yesterday he caricatured himself. That made Obama angry and also sad.
He tried unsuccessfully to reach Wright before PA speech. Did speak to him after, and told him he found what was in the snippets being aired offensive and inexcusable.
There's been great damage. It may have been unintentional on his part, but he does not see the relationship being the same after this.
Says Wright said one thing that was true: He was never Obama's mentor or spiritual advisor. "He was my pastor, married Michelle and I, baptized my children, prayed with us when we announced this race, so I'm disappointed."
End of press conference.
Comments now closed, new thread is here.
