Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a strong mentor to Sen. Barack Obama for over twenty years, has been forced to step down as a leader with Obama’s African American Religious Leadership Committee.

During a live interview with Keith Olbermann on Friday night, Obama would not say whether he fired Wright, or if the radical holy man stepped down on his own. Earlier in the day, the Obama camp had declined to say that Wright would be forced to step down.

On the Olbermann show, Obama said he does not “repudiate” Wright “as a man,” and Obama said he still considers Wright to be “like an uncle.” The senator added that he never remembered sitting in on any of Wright’s controversial sermons.

Obama also said that his relationship with embattled real estate developer Tony Rezko has been mischaracterized.

Olbermann, who has long appeared to be supportive of Obama on various MSNBC programs, seemed visibly shaken to be questioning Obama about these scandals.

Earlier: Obama’s Mentor: ‘Hillary Ain’t Never Been Called a N****r’; Blacks Should Sing ‘God Damn America’

................................................................................................................................................................................................
comments (559) | digg this | reddit | facebook | del.icio.us | stumble | permalink