New Rasmussen Poll Leaves Something Out

a new poll by rasmussen says that 56% of people are less likely to vote for obama following the airing of retired pastor jerimiah wright's comments. what the poll didn't tell us is who are these 56%?

are they obama supporters or are they clinton supporters or other?

why is this important? because clinton supporters will use the information as ammunition, while obama supporters realize that there is much more depth to the issue and can separate obama from the pastor.

Most voters, 56%, said Wright’s comments made them less likely to vote for Obama. That figure includes 44% of Democrats. Just 11% of voters say they are more likely to vote for Obama because of Wright’s comments.

However, among African-Americans, 29% said Wright’s comments made them more likely to support Obama. Just 18% said the opposite while 50% said Wright’s comments would have no impact.

Overall, voters are evenly divided as to whether Obama should resign his membership in the Church—42% say that he should while 40% disagree. White voters, by a 46% to 33% margin, say that Obama should leave the Church. African-American voters, by a 68% to 16% margin, say he should not. Wright retired last month as Pastor of the Church.

here's an analysis by poblano at dailykos that leaves nothing out.

Obama's Church Stands Up
Obama’s Pennsylvania Strategy

Clinton Must Win Pennsylvania

Obama's Pastor

obama's blog from huffington post:

The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.

As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country. more

brilliant and an unexpected way to get his message across.
Obama's pastor.

mccain's camp:

Charlie Black: You know what, what Senator McCain has said repeatedly is that these candidates cannot be held accountable for all the views of people who endorse them or people who befriend them. And fortunately, I heard your report earlier that Senator Obama has repudiated these very unusual views. But John McCain believes is that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton should be held accountable for their public policy views, the things we've described before, big government versus smaller government.

Scarborough: So this isn't an issue for John McCain?

Charlie Black: I don't think Senator McCain wants to get in the middle of a discussion about Senator Obama's former pastor or his faith. He believes that people who endorse you, people who befriend you are entitled to their own views, but you are not held personally accountable. That when somebody endorses you or befriends you, they're embracing your views, the candidates' views, not the other way around.

My Favorite Comment of the Day 3

this comes from a story where abc news "investigative" team tries to link obama's retired pastor to obama's thoughts.

"I also heard his butcher is an atheist!!! Seriously if this is all the "dirt" they can dig up on Obama I'd say he is in pretty good shape to be the next President of the United States."

abc is simply exploiting people who don't know any better.
obama's former pastor makes his points in a passionate (for some, that is understated) manner. his points: that it's not right to kill innocent people, to start unnecessary wars, and rich, white people rule the world.
someone very close to me has foolish thoughts but they're family so i listen and love but i don't believe. i have my own mind.
obama has already proven that he doesn't think like his pastor. he's a level-headed person, who i've yet to see look frazzled or daunted.
so what's the purpose of this kind of "investigation?"
do they really think that obama has a secret agenda? that he and his fellow black people want to blow up america? i've read some people actually think that, but this is a supposed "legitimate" news network. all they're doing is inflaming the ignorant people who already see the world with a bigoted viewpoint.

Obama: the Un-Beholden President
Obama’s Pennsylvania Strategy
It’s Still Over for Clinton
Who Can Beat McCain?
My favorite comment of the day
My favorite comment of the day 2