Wright breaks silence, says attacks 'unfair'



(CNN) – In Jeremiah Wright's first television interview since clips of his controversial sermons circulated the Internet, Barack Obama's former pastor says his words were unfairly taken out of context for 'devious' reasons.'

In an interview on PBS set to air Friday, Wright expressed frustration with how his sermons had been portrayed by the news media and critics of Obama's White House bid.

“I felt it was unfair,” he told PBS' Bill Moyers according to released excerpts. “I felt it was unjust. I felt it was untrue. I felt that those who were doing that, were doing it for some very devious reasons.”

Some of Wright's past sermons came under fire after a news report turned some of his most contentious comments into a YouTube phenomenon last month. In one, the minister said America had brought the September 11 attacks upon itself. In another, he said Clinton had an advantage over Obama because she is white. He also accused the U.S. government of adopting policies to systematically oppress African-Americans.

Obama immediately rejected the comments, though critics charged the Illinois senator should have denounced the minister long ago. In a widely-praised speech on race relations, Obama said he could no more disown Wright than "I can disown the black community."

Speaking to PBS, Wright did not recant his past sermons. "The persons who have heard the entire sermon understand the communication perfectly," he said.

Wright is right..we understood the communication perfectly..

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And most of us found the story over blown. In fact polls showed exactly that in Pa.

If Obama gets the nomination they will loop the Rev Wright clips! This will have little effect on the D's but it will do significant damage among "former" Hillary supporters "Obamakins" and Independents. Advantage..McCain.

Proving again that Americans are easily influenced. And that they can be convinced to vote against their own best interest over a story that doesn't even effect them personally. Sad ain't it?

It effects them GREATLY...

Plain and simple...

Do you want a president who believes that America is fundamentally a great country with a few signs of flaws?...

Or do you want a president who believes America is a fundamentally flawed country with a few signs of greatness?...

Obama is showing thriough his actions and associations that he believes in the latter...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Obama said what he believes. Whats wrong with that?

What Obama said conflicts with his 20 year history...

How many people get married, have their kids baptized, and gives over $22K to someone who DOESN'T agree with them on some level?...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

I disagree..many Americans rightly question Obama's affiliations and that indeed is ultimately in their best interests.If Hillary attended David Duke's meetings and speeches over a 20 year period,that would also be cause for concern.It speaks to a candidates judgement.

Can you imagine how the Obama defenders who say no one should worry about Obama's association with the Weather Underground would react if McCain kick-started his political career with abortion clinic bombers ...

"ballistic" is the term I'd use...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Absolutely..they would go ballistic and we would never hear the end of it..