Just 8% Have Favorable Opinion of Pastor Jeremiah Wright

Rasmussen Reports ^ | 17 March 2008 | Rasmussen

[shrinkermd]

Seventy-three percent (73%) of voters say that Wright’s comments are racially divisive. That opinion is held by 77% of White voters and 58% of African-American voters.

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.

The story became big news in the past several days and has had at least a temporary impact on public perceptions of Obama. Last Thursday, 52% of voters nationwide had a favorable opinion of Obama. That figure has fallen to 47% on Monday (see recent daily results). In recent days, Obama has also lost ground to John McCain in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

[shrinkermd]

Note the statistics on black voters. The problem for the Obama campaign will be to overcome this in some fashion such that the white, working class voter will be reassured.

[Always Right]

Quite the spiritual leader.

[Steely Tom]

The problem for the Obama campaign will be to overcome this in some fashion such that the white, working class voter will be reassured.

Without alienating the 98% of the A-A vote he needs to have a prayer.

[ChiMark]

The Obama story in the MSM is virtually
non existent. Ignore the story and it will go away.

[Eurale]

Why so many?

[Williams]

Seems to me Rev. Wright has had an enormous influence on Obama's thinking. Wright constantly lashes out at America for villifying countries like Cuba, Libya, etc. So Obama promises to meet with all our enemies without conditions.

Another frequent Wright theme, mentioned in Obama's book, is that the atom bombings of Japanese cities were evil. So Obama pledges not to develop any more nuclear weapons, as afirst step toward somehow eliminating them worldwide.

[marktwain]

Yes, the problem that Obama has is that he needs to assure his Black base that he is not caving in to “whitey” and to assure his White base that he is does not really think that they are mostly racist.

It is a very difficult thing to do, since it is rather contradictory. He is a talented politician, though, and is striving very hard to convince both sides that “white is black, and black is white.”

[syriacus]

Glad to hear so many people have their heads on straight

The problem for the Obama campaign will be to overcome this in some fashion such that the white, working class voter will be reassured..

I think the only way out for Wright/Obama is to declare Wright a victim.

When correctly marketed, "victims" gain the upper hand in the MSM.

[eggman]

The problem for the Democrats is that they have been stirring the pot of racial division for years. Now they have almost 1/3 of black people thinking there is nothing wrong with a preacher screaming racial hatred and obscenities. While the vast majority of voters in the country find it abhorrent.

You reap what you sow.

[stevio]

So almost 80% of blacks support this kind of speech. Does anyone see the 800lb gorilla in the room? Or are we too P.C.?

[pgkdan]

I think we should let it go away...until sometime after Labor Day. My wife is a politcal non-spectator. She votes GOP but has been enthralled with Obama’s rise and impressed with the way he carries himself and how beatufully he can stand in front of a crowd and orate for an hour and say nothing. She’s not an Obama supporter by any means, but she enjoys the spectacle. Any admiration she had for him evaporated with the Wright tapes. Whiff! Gone. He attacked America and she was appalled... the same way alot of other non political junky patriotic Americans have ebbn appalled.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Good luck with that. I suspect large numbers of Iowegians are having second thoughts...

[Lexington Green]

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright = Grand Wizard of the Klan-With-A-Tan

[Revereee]

[AbeKrieger]

Here is a question that needs to be asked:

Dear Senator Obama: Do you think the American taxpayer should pay monetary reparations to the descendants of slaves? Would you sign such legislation if it were placed on your desk?

That will expose his agenda and that of his supporters.

[Dr. Ursus]

Obama can thank his wife and pastor for making him the black candidate.

[Sooth2222]

White voters, by a 46% to 33% margin, say that Obama should leave the Church.

Oh, I think he should stay. In fact, I think he should feature outtakes of Wright's more interesting beliefs in his campaign commercials.

If Obama's campaign doesn't, somebody else should.

[austinaero]

Well the church of Rev. Wright is already coming across as being “attacked.” Victims.

Give me a Kleenex.

[ANGGAPO]

He is suspect by association. I would not vote for Obama if he was the last man standing. I would not like to learn the truth after he becomes president.