Obama will never ever win!! The speeches are over!! Yes, Obama can have a racist as his spiritual leader; yes Obama can have a bigoted pastor as a political advisor. Rev. Wright’s racist hateful speeches are in fact available to buy from Trinity Church. Yes, Obama can be a liar!!!!!!!!!! 20 years knowing this racist and attending church and you have NEVER heard him preach this garbage!! Pleeasssee…

BRAVO!!!!! This speech should be required reading and viewing in every high school and college in the land. This message needs to be heard over and over throughout our country for years to come.

If Paster Wright awarded Louis Farrakhan with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" and Obama commented it was for charity work with disadvantaged youths - should be answered by Rev. Wright and NOT Obama.

Matt Judkin says: "Obama lied."

So has Bush, Cheney, Clinton and plenty others. Your point is baseLESS on such a trivial issue. Again, one that should be answered by Rev. Wright!

For the record, on Lou Dobbs tonight, its been documented Pastor Wright awarded Louis Farrakhan with a Lifetime Achievement Award for service to this church. When Obama was asked about this he shrugged it off saying Farrakhan got this award for charity work with disadvantaged youth. Obama lied.

Pastor Wrights' views become Barack Obamas' views? Did Obama ever repeat or endorse those views? Is Wright his running mate? What is the link? If no real link existed,save for the fact that he attended the same church the pastor delivered his "sermons",why is this an issue AT ALL???

P.S. One of the most IMPORTANT issues I have with Wrights comments is that white American simply wants to IGNORE / EVADE / DENY / ERASE black Americans true experiences here in America. We love this country and why we fight for it!

Pastor Wrights comments are real for many black Americans and we deserve the right to speak out against injustices. Instead of trying to bring down OBAMA, we should use constructive dialog to understand why we feel as we do, all of us. I never heard white folks come out in droves to speak against Jerry Farewell, Pat Robertson and now McCain's pastor who speaks against Catholics. The focus is on Obama, because he's black. Here again a CLEAR understand of our race problems in America when we can talk about one, but hide/evade /dismiss these issues when white people are involved.

This is crap. Americans, we have a lot of work to do together if we are truly going to make America what our founding fathers intended. Food for thought.

Barack Obama is a man of God, hence a true Christian. He believes in mankind and understands our faults, however they are judged by MAN, Obama understands that God rules over man.

I've read and watched one too many opinions from white Americans who would NEVER vote for Obama in the first place - have the opportunity to slam Obama without really discussing the true words of his ex-pastor. Pastor Wright said some things I personally don't agree with - but we all need to EXAMINE the context of what Wright said. He said, rich white people run the country. True. He said, Hillary Clinton has never been a black man or knows what it's like to be called a Nigger. True. He spoke about the Tuskeegee experiment on black people. True. But his statement about white people creating AIDS, is a stretch to me. I highlight these issues to show that people are so up in arms about the pastors statements - but have you truly challenged his statements? NO. I've read and heard more racist crap from those who have used this opportunity to spread more hate.

Nevermind that Obama has condemned and rejected Wright's statements - some people simply want to use this as an excuse.

I say to you: Vote McCain if that's what you feel. But remember, Bush supports McCain and IF YOU WANT MORE OF THE SAME - Vote McCain! You're likely one of those nuts who voted for Bush in the first place and then deny it now that his approval rating is a low 31%. I can't find one person who'll admit to voting for Bush, yet we still have stupid Americans who can't figure out these things for themselves and then complain, whine and cry when things go sour, like now!

Hannity & Colmes - SHAMEful for buying the video's of OLD sermons and CRE-ATING this mess Obama now faces. On the other hand - I'm glad you did because a great speech on RACE has come of it that no other politician to-day has the nerve to address when it needs addressing! Keep your heads in the sand...you can dream it all away for a few seconds perhaps!

-Frustrated American

I am a white, conservative Christian man, age 60 who grew up in an all white school in North Jersey during the 1960's. While I remain a Republican and will vote Republican in this next election for many reasons; strong defense, limited government interference in many areas of our lives...

I do want to express my appreciation and respect for Obama's speech, which I just now listened to on YouTube. It was a thoughful speech and really did address some of the deep, deep issues that divide black and white. I congratulate him for not taking this speech as an opportunity to go "on the attack" or even to make excuses for his relationship with Rev. Wright...in fact I gained a new respect for Obama in his statement that he condemned some of the things that Wright said...but still loved the man - truely a Christian approach to friends who fail in speech or behavior. His openess in discussion deep seated prejudices (both black and white) that exist - some for good reason - others due to racial divide, was refreshing to say the least.
Having said all this...Obama, in my opinion, still has not proven himself in the area of national leadership to be the President at this time. I will not defend George Bush, either. In fact, part of Bush's failure as President, on several fronts, is due to is lack of leadership skills...he never got the seasoning needed to lead that time as a Governor or Senator can bring. Obama's social agenda IS too liberal for me. On the issue of illegal immigration, he sounds more in favor of amnesty and open borders, something I strongly oppose. But I do think, that Obama, with more seasoning in Congress will temper some of his sophomoric views and move him to a more centrist political position, enabling him to be President some day. I may not vote for him at that time (issues are issues) but if he does win, I would certainly applaud his accomplishment.

Dear Elin48, I don't know if the average U.S. citizen realizes the trouble the United States is in. Obama talks about a distorted image of reality... From my perpective (Europe) he couldn't have said it any better but then applied to a much broader range than just the race issue. The past 8 years has damaged the relations with other countries in the world a lot, especially in Europe, and in my opinion he is the only candidate available in the US today capable of restoring some of our faith left in the US. It worries me the kind of attitude the US has taken on especially in the past 8 years and it would be devastating to see that the US would be standing alone in the world, facing a nearing bankruptcy and all consequences that come along with it. I know making a choice between candidates is a tough decision to make, especially if you feel you have been betrayed more times than you can remember, but from my point of view I can only see one candidate available and this is Barack Obama. Electing him would be the best thing the American people could do, for the world and thus for yourselves, ever since you elected JFK. The world needs this man to be in the position of president of the United States of America. Now more than ever referring to the economic problems your country is in and the unknown ecological phenomenon we are casting ourselves into. We need a better driver in the seat of the economical bus we are all in and we need it now. Preferably without a change of power in the global economy cause this will suck up more time. I hope the United States society is wise enough to provide this change for all of us, right now. I wish you good luck with making up your choice for the next president of the United States. Much in the world today is depending on it.

A much concerned fellow citizen of the world.

I truly love Obama's speeches (and plan to vote for him) and I would love to think that we have another John F Kennedy, but really who is he, and where is he getting his funding, and what is their goal? I'm worried.

Dear Americans,

Barack Obama is your only hope. He is the only one able to restore some of the hope the international community has left in America. Cherish this man as much as your society has been missing JFK. Good luck to you all.

Thank you paddy for posting the obama race speech in its entirety. I was very disappointed that not one of the major tv stations aired this speech from 6-9pm est; maybe I missed it. I think Barack Obama was very genuine with his speech. I know it must have taken a lot of courage for him to deliver this speech. I think he spoke from the heart and not as a politician.

Thanks Paddy for posting the speech in full. I was afraid I'd never see the whole speech without some "commentator" dissecting it. Thanks again!

The discriptions by the previous post make this man a GREAT canidate for the ANTI-CHRIST. Read your Bible!!!

In all my 41 years here on earth I've NEVER been so moved by words from ANY human being. I've been a Obama supporter since I first heard of all the wonderful things he was doing in Chicago. NOW, I'm a proud, proud Obama supporter. This man MUST be the next president. He speaks with an authority & grace that can ONLY come from a man put in place by God Himself. God blended Obama from different races so Barack could see no difference in color. He was taught in some of the best schools in this country. He's like the modern day Moses in comparison. God has blessed this man & the entire country should embrace him. With God's help Barack Obama shall pave the way our future presidents lead us in this new century. May God's blessings continue to rain down on Barack Obama, for he is the future of our great nation.

I don't understand how there are people out there that DON'T see what an amazing and genuine leader this man is!

We need this man to be our president.

"This time we can do something different." I am a cynic, and then I hear him speak and I really believe that this time...

My letter to the editor just written.

Don't you feel sorry for the poor, angry, white males mostly dissappearing but still found on cable and radio talk shows.

They are upset about a simple speech made by Barack Obama's pastor. Of course they couldn't find anything bad to say about Obama, besides his race, and that is so 1960's.

So now they have a speech to fire up the stupid.

Let's see where we stand. Blacks have been kidnapped from their homes to be slaves. Once that ended they were not allowed to live in the same neighborhoods, go to the same school, go to the same bathroom as whites. They couldn't vote, and had to put up with lynchings that the police ignored.

If it weren't for the assassination of JFK, we still may not the civil rights act.

But now, a pastor seemed a little upset about this, and the angry mob gets upset.

Imagine what he has been through compared to the angry white males brigade.

Can I turn in my membership to the white race. We are an embarassment.

Beautifully written, poiniently delivered and overall, a show stopper. Of course in a few days this will be forgotten, but for now, he's a hero... And untouchable by Clinton or McCain. D.

This speech shows a true understanding of the complexity of the issue and the need to move on in a progressive healthy way rather than dwell on comments made by cranky people.

I will report back, Evus. Unfortunately, I want to have the time to listen straight through without interruptions so it will be about an hour before I can get to it.

And yes, having a politician actually talk about race is a very refreshing thought. He is, of course, ideally suited to be the one to start this dialogue. My hope is that his frankness and openess will open the door for others across the skin-color spectrum to engage in the conversation as well.

I was moved by this speech. It was the perfect speech for the moment. Obama did not shy away from the need to acknowledge that Wright has said things that were controversial, and refused to take the easy way out and condemn the man who has been important to his life. I admire him more for it.

I have been reading a few of Wright's sermons online over the last few days. He has said many things that are awful and hateful. He has also said many things that are true and painful to admit to. He is no worse than the religious men of the right who have said dumbass things over the years and are currently being embraced by the McCain camp.

I know I've said it already, but Obama nailed this speech.

Obama knocked it out of the park. Now it is left up to wisdom, fears and hopes of the voters to decide if Obama is an empty suit or a change agent. I pulled to the side of the road in the Sierra Nevada to hear the speech on XM unmolested by signal blocking ponderosa pines. Coming from a bi-racial family reverend Wright's words and opinions were not news to me but when they started going 24/7 on cable I feared deeply for Obama to get %35 of the vote in the remaining contests. I have a lot more hope after the speech. I hope that after 7 years of fear-mongering that Americans do not give into there deepest darkest fears (yes oxycon pun intended).

Report back after you watch it, bucky. Want to hear your impression, too.

I thought it brilliantly honest. Imagine a presidential candidate really talking about race in America rather than just mouthing platitudes.

This speech floored me. As high as my expectations are whenever he speaks, this surpassed even those. To me, this was groundbreaking because of its honesty, sincerity, and ability to crack open old wounds in a palatable, forthright way.

He faced off with something most seek to avoid or belittle or ignore. He's in our faces in an eloquent, heartfelt way. I'm not able to articulate what I felt when I listened. All I know is that I had tears in my eyes, and my admiration for him is even stronger than it was.

Thanks, Paddy -- some of us without that newfangled cable television thingy didn't get to see it live.