Before Senator Barack Obama of Illinois became the presumed Democratic nominee, he was brawling with Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. It was an interesting and long Democratic race. The issues of race and religion have emerged several times as it affected both the Obama and Clinton campaigns. However, Obama’s campaign regenerated from the damage. Clinton’s campaign was not as fortunate.
First, there was the controversy with Reverend Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ. That was the congregation that Obama was part of for at least twenty years. Old sermons of Wright had gotten on the air and put Obama under fire. The Wright controversy did not help Obama that much. But, he recovered soon enough.
Then, there was the controversy surrounding Catholic priest Reverend Michael Pfleger, who had mocked Clinton. Pfleger had done the mocking of Clinton during a sermon at that very same church. His comments had sparked up racial tensions in the Democratic primary campaign.
Pfleger has apologized for mocking Clinton. The priest said that he had regretted saying those comments. He admitted that such words lacked consistency with the message of Senator Obama.
But, Pfleger said that he does not apologize for being “passionate.” What does that mean? There has been a lot of heated “passion” going on lately. This could be interpreted in just about anyway.
Critics could possibly paint it as Pfleger giving himself a pass at the comments about Clinton. In a sense, it is like apologizing and then taking it back.
After that, Pfleger said that he apologized when is passion and flawed character gets in the way of things. Again, what does that mean? Does it mean that Pfleger is coming to continue making such comments in the future?
But there are questions posed.
Is this the last we will be hearing from Pfleger for awhile?
Will we be hearing form Wright anytime soon?
Will the controversy with Wright and Pfleger rear its head to hurt Obama in the general election?