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Pfleger Mocks Clinton Losses, Then Apologizes

From Pulpit At Obama's Church, Pastor Takes Shot At Hillary: 'I'm White. I'm Entitled. There's A Black Man Stealing My Show'

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Another pastor pushed into politics. The Rev. Michael Pfleger is taking heat over a controversial sermon he made at U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's church.

As CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports, the words "Trinity" and "pastor" make for a combination that has been a thorn in Obama's side during his run for the White House.

 What Do You Think Of Father Pfleger's Comments On Hillary Clinton?
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This time it's Pfleger giving the sermon, talking about Obama's rival, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. 

He spoke last Sunday at Rev. Wright's former church, Trinity United Church of Christ at 400 W. 95th St. He spoke about Hillary Clinton's apparent tearing up as she felt the Democratic nomination slip away.

"I really don't believe it was a put-on. I always thought she felt 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white. And this is mine. I just got to get up and step into the plate,'" he said. "And then out of nowhere came, 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama.' And she said, 'Oh damn, where did you come from? I'm white. I'm entitled. There's a black man stealing my show.'"

Pfleger then proceeded to pretend to cry in a dramatization that included a handkerchief.

"She wasn't the only one crying. There was a whole lot of white people crying," he said.

Pfleger backtracked immediately afterward. He acknowledged that he might have rekindled the controversy.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to get you in any more trouble; the live streaming just went out again," Pfleger said.

On Thursday, Obama expressed anger and disappointment at Pfleger.

"I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause," Obama said. 

J.B. Pritzker, Hillary Clinton's national campaign co-chair said "Once again, Senator Obama misses the point with his weak denunciation of a close associate's inflammatory remarks." 

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain also weighed in on Pfleger's remarks as he spoke to a crowd in Milwaukee Friday.

"I've been in this campaign for a long time and I have known Senator Clinton for a long time. I have always treated her with respect," McCain said. "She is a person that we have very different positions on a lot of issues and philosophy, but I respect her. I think that kind of language; that kind of treatment of Senator Clinton is unwarranted, uncalled for, and disgraceful."

Illinois' senior senator, who functions as Obama's close confidant on Capitol Hill and as a sort of super-precinct captain, called it unfair to tag the candidate with the words of others.

"Look how often now, whether it's Rev. Hagee or Rev. Wright, that presidential candidates have had to distance themselves from the comments of religious leaders," Sen. Richard Durbin said. "Ultimately I think these candidates are going to be judged for what they say and what they believe. That should be the real standard."

When CBS 2 visited with Pfleger at his Saint Sabina Church last month, at the height of the Jeremiah Wright controversy, he said he counseled both Obama and Wright. But he now finds himself in a similar spot, and he issued a second apology again Thursday afternoon.

"I regret the words I chose on Sunday," he said. "These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message, and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them."

Ironically, the same words Pfleger used when he spoke inside his church last month about the Wright controversy are ones he might have used Thursday.

"I don't think he had any intention of hurting Barack. He loves Barack and I think that his pain and the moment took over," Pfleger said of Wright last month. 

Francis Cardinal George released a statement on the subject Friday afternoon, pointing out that the Roman Catholic Church does not endorse political candidates, and while priests may speak to political issues of a moral nature, they may not endorse candidates either.

"Racial issues are both political and moral and are also highly charged. Words can be differently interpreted, but Fr. Pfleger's remarks about Senator Clinton are both partisan and amount to a personal attack," George said in the statement. "I regret that deeply.

"To avoid months of turmoil in the church, Fr. Pfleger has promised me that he will not enter into campaigning, will not publicly mention any candidate by name and will abide by the discipline common to all Catholic priests," he continued.

Fr. Pfleger was not available to talk about the cardinal statement Friday night. Sources said he's resting inside the rectory, but does plan to preach at St. Sabina on Sunday, perhaps offering his first public reaction to the controversy which has drawn similar coverage to the one involving the Rev. Wright.

Chicagoans are well aware of Pfleger's activism and fiery personality. Some were surprised, and some defended Pfleger and his backing of Obama.

"Father Pfleger is just bringing the truth to light about people, and all he's doing is just accenting the positive, and the positive is Obama," said Edward Perry.

"I have friends that are outspoken and can be a little crazy, but that don't mean that I'm that way, and it's the same with him," added Z. Alexander.

But others took offense.

"I thought it was sad. It was something that was not typical that I'd hear from Father Pfleger," said Doug Leipprandt.

The Catholic League of New York also issued a statement.

"Father Pfleger's tirade would be inexcusable anywhere, but it is even more offensive when it happens in a church," the League said in the statement. "Senator Obama says he wants to bring people together. Then why does he choose as his clerical friends people like Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger?"

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery, Chief Correspondent Jay Levine and Joanie Lum contributed to this report.

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