Breaking: Via CNN, Obama resigns from TUCC (MORE: OBAMA SPEAKS, CONFIRMS THAT HE IS LEAVING CHURCH)
This is huge news. The CNN news channel (via contributor Roland Martin) has the scoop, but the story is not on their website yet. I’ll post a link when I can find one.
The reason I suspect he’s doing it? The Clintons are using the Wright/Moss/Pfleger arguments with superdelegates that such controversies will make Obama unelectable in the general. That he is doing this the day the rules and bylaws committee meets is not a coincidence.
6:25 PM: There’s a little blurb at the top of the website about it but still no link.
6:27 PM: Here’s a link:
(CNN) — Barack Obama resigned Saturday from his Chicago church — where controversial sermons by his former pastor and other ministers had created repeated political headaches for the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, his campaign confirmed Saturday.
Obama plans to hold a news conference after the town hall meeting he is presntly holding in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the campaign said.
Links are starting to pile up via Memeorandum.
7:38 PM: Obama is scheduled to speak shortly to this issue. Fox News is covering it, and I guess they will have live video on their website when Obama’s presser starts.
8:01 PM: Obama is speaking, says he and Michelle Obama made the decision to leave with “some sadness.” Praises Rev. Moss and Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger. He says he’s leaving for the sake of the church, to protect it, because of the intense media scrutiny. He’s essentially defending the church.
Turns the discussion to the DNC committee vote today. Says in so many words he is eager to wrap this up so they can work on winning FL and MI in the general.
Takes questions from reporters.
Says if he were playing politics with this he would have “distanced” himself from Rev. Wright when he made his announcement that he was running for president.
Um, you did.
Obama makes clear he is not denouncing the church.
9:40 PM: Here’s the text of Obama’s letter to TUCC.