Obama is now playing for votes. Rev Wright's views have not changed over the years, so why should Obama now suddenly realise that they are not as per his own values.

Hamad Lone, London, England

Rev Wright is not telling lies. We all know that the native Indian perished. We know of Nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan, the horrors of Vitnam, Iraq and Afganistan has been seen on the TV screens around the world. The claims that US invented AIDS to control black population is not proven.
I hope Rev Wright appreciate that what he is talking about is known to all Americans but it is something that they don’t want to talk about because as decent people the Americans are ashamed of what was done by their governments.

Suresh Kumar, London, UK

I think Obama responded well to people criticizing his experience when he noted that the Bush administration held/holds some of the most experienced people that the Presidency has ever seen: Cheney, Rumsfeld, even Powell. But it didn't do any good. Experience is overrated.

Jim, san francisco, US

In these times when a strong experienced leader is needed for a country in great need of some self examination and change is it wise to elect someone so inexperienced. Granted he has some good ideas, four years from now he will be a perfect candidate. Today an Al Gore is needed.

Lily, Brisbane,

Obama has no experience. How can he become the commander-in-chief of the biggest nation in the world?

Alan, High Wicombe, UK

Obama was shaped by Rev Wright and so the valid question is how many of these views does he share? To the Rest of the World, even George Bush is appearing a better option than Obama.

imj, Reading, UK

I think every believers have their own pastor right? If yes, fine out if the other candidates political ideas are in affiliation with their religious believe. The president of the USA is not leading only christanity but all religious existance in America and outside world. Religious isn't border.

Abraham M. Kamara, Conakry, Guinea

"President" Obama showed compassion for his former pastor. He disavowed his earlier remarks, not the man.The average politician is not so kind. But, Wright finally overplayed his hand yesterday and Obama correctly acted decisively. Obama has shown great character and will make a great president.

Guy Hannays, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Politics is a very dirty game - especially when you have the only black man capable of taking tenancy of the White House in the sights of all those Klan types. This isn't about Rev Wright. This is about discrediting Obama with the flimsiest of associations because they have nothing else on him!

Abdul Hassan, London, UK

Are there no lengths this man will not go to get elected? Two weeks ago he was adamant he could no more disown Wright than he could his mother. When will it dawn on those swooning and fawning over Obama that he is just another power hungry politician who woulld sell his own mother to get elected.

viv, london, england

Will Obama now disown his own grandmother?

Barack accepted the 'advice' of his pastor for 20 years. He used membership of that parish for no other reason other than to advance his political career and now that it no longer suits him he rejects it.

Change? Sounds like politics as usual to me.

ACL, London,

He really should have seen this coming and done this a month ago.

Dean, Southampton, England

Hello, I'm in my 75th. year, a European, and Progressive Holistic Activist and I have been a Buddhist and vegetarian for the past 50 years. I pity the small minded people who have tried to undermine Barack Obama by using Race and Religion, Wake Up America, Vote for him, and save America, now!

Mike Wall, Guimar, Spain

By definition religious people are prone to be irrational, and many of them also hunger after political power. In a country which tried to separate faith and state, people like Wright get too much press. I shudder to think what kind of indoctrination Mr Obama has been subjected to down the years.

Mal, London, England

To paraphrase the great Claude Rains line from Casablanca; "Obama is shocked, shocked to discover Rev Wright is a bigot!"

JL Ronish, seattle , usa

The answer to the bid question why is very apparent... This was a man who played a significant role in his life (a life without a father figure) although he likened him a an "uncle" Nonethe less he steered him to Christian faith at an defining moment in his life.

Rosemary, Columbus, USA

Why do people keep saying this wouldn't be tolerated if Obama were white. McCain has his own Rev Wright in the form of John Hagee whose opinions are just as controversial but are overlooked by the media entirely...do your research people...

leah , london,

Reelecting Bush brought America to its knees economically with it's world reputation in tatters. Are the americans smart enough to see through the colour bar and elect a man of charisma who can reassert America's influence and respect round the world and can heal the divide at home.

Brian Gazeley, Knynsa, S Africa

The questions surely remain: (1) is Wright consistent in his views and, if so (2) why has Obama spent 20 years NOT denouncing him? My fear is that it may be only via third parties or unguarded comments that we learn what Obama and his wife really think. Glad the guy's finally being tested.

Chris, London,

The Audacity of Obama, to disown the man who married him, baptised his kids and served as his spiritual advisor. Twenty years of going to his church, and he claims not to have heard these types of sermons? What if Obama was white, and his spiritual advisor ranted like this? Dead on arrival.

richard block, London, uk

Listen folks, Obama saw Wright as a father figure, having grown up without one. Would you condemn your father straight off the bat? I think not! So he was right to give him the benefit of the doubt and not throw him under the bus! I have more RESPECT for Obama now! He doesn't shoot from the hip.

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

Sharon Wilkes, I agree with you. Mr. Obama handled a painful personal ordeal with dignity and firmness. Pastor Wright's attack on his former parishioner, his personal attack on Obama's character was venal and mean and it was very damaging to his campaign. Obama earned a lot of respect today.

Judith Allen, Beaumont, USA/TX

With Christians like this,who needs enemies.He opens his arms to the heavens and rants, and his God listens?
Charity and ego are mutually exclusive.If his "flock " want to call him Pastor fine,but Doctor of Divinity he aint.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Wright was not Obama's political advisor. He was his spiritual advisor. If Wright would stick to spiritual matters, Obama, the AA community and all of America would be better off. I think Obama's denouncement was the right thing. There's a bigger picture here and it doesn't include Wright.

Artola, Lafayette, Louisiana

I had a alot of respect for sen.obama but i lost it when he gave an apology for what pastor wright said ,thats how he feels and he cant change that and he shouldnt try and clean of what Dr.wright has said .

kevin williams, norfolk, usa

I was an Obama fan until he changred his views just because of the publics views on Rev. Wright. I hear everyone bad mouthing the reverend but yet I haven't heard anyone say that what he is saying is not the truth.

John , baycity, US

I still think this young candidate shines above the others. I just saw the news about his basketball playing with the NC team. I am old enough to remember a great president that stressed physical fitness years ago (John Kennedy). People questioned his religion. Isn't that a coincidence?

WV

Lynn Morris, Rivesville, USA/ WV

Why didn't he do it on day one? Quite possibly as his old pastor Obama still felt some loyalty to him, dispite some statements he didn't agree with. You can't cut people out completely no matter how you'd like to in an instant.

T. Hamilton, Chatham,

Why now, you ask? Obama said he initially gave Wright the benefit of the doubt . He condemned the soundbites of the old sermons and tried to explain his anger. Perhaps slighted, an obstinate Wright repeated his views and--most importantly--challenged Obama's integrity . Obama reached his limits.

Christine, Atlanta, USA

Obama attended Wright's church for 20 years and never heard any of this hate speech until yesterday. I find that impossible to believe.

Nona, New York City, USA

Mr Obama has made his first mistake, he should not have given Rev Wright credibility, by agreeing or disagreeing, Mr Wright has his own opinion, as long as they are his own opinion, it is not difficult to disassociate one's self from it. Mr Wright has a voice let him speak for him self, his opinion.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, United Kingdom

The million dollar question of everyone's lips:

"Shouldn't Obama have condemned ... Pastor Wright from day one"

And why now ?

Because he might lose the election?

Vishal Patel, London, UK

Just as it is unfair to judge obama by the actions and words of others, it is unfair judging Presdient Bush, Senator Clinton, or Senator McCain by the same criteria. Pointing out the skeletons in their closets right now would do good deflecting the present criticism.

Elliot Fein, Trabuco Canyon, CA , USA

There is something called forgiveness that should be considered in this matter.

nathan, Dallas, USA

As Sharon mentions above, Obama is smart., I just hope there are enough "smart" Americans that also see through Dr. Wright's statements that were close to derogatory in terms of Obama's ability to gain the nomination and then the presidency. When will Blacks have another chance to try this?

Patricia Wilson, San Jose, CA, USA

Agreed. And he's also the kind of smart cookie we will need to help lead us out of not only the current set of problems that we face here in the U.S. but the looming financial problems surely to be created when recession hits.

steve bazdmeg, Oakley, California, USA

Sharon - I agree with you; However, the key word in the title is 'finally'. Why is he just now doing it? I believe that he should have done this as soon as it became publicized. The timing between this could end up damaging his campaign.

Patrick, Nashville, USA

Too little, too late for Senator Obama. He misplayed the Pastor Wright issue from start to finish. Obama's individual judgment, his candor and his ability to unify the nation all have been badly damaged. This has been a sorry spectacle.

Sara Michelle B., New York, USA

This is the best possible thing to happen to Obama at this point. He has just immunized himself to the Wright criticisms from here on out. Obama is a smart cookie.

Sharon Wilkes, Wilmington, DE, USA