Mar 18, 2008 11:42 am US/Central
Students Say Obama Needed To Clear The Air
UIC Students React To Obama's Speech On Race, Controversial Pastor
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Sen. Barack Obama's speech on racial issues in America is shown on TV at a University of Illinois at Chicago student center.
CBS
Some students at the University of Illinois at Chicago made a point of tuning in Tuesday morning to hear what Sen. Barack Obama had to say about race, politics and unifying the country after the controversy involving his former pastor.
As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the students CBS 2 talked to all said Obama needed to clear the air regarding his association with the now-controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
For days, people have questioned Obama's association with the Wright, who gave what many called racially-tinged remarks.
Some UIC students put their books down to hear Obama's personal take on the story that has gotten all kinds of heavy media attention. They listened as he talked about his diverse background, as he criticized Wright, and then as he described Wright as a man who has been a friend to his family.
"Despite (Wright's) role as spiritual advisor to (Obama) privately, that doesn't mean the way he says publicly to a congregation are going to be the same things," said student Paul Fleck.
"For him to clear this up, I think this is a perfect situation for him to clear it up to show that he's for the people, period," added student Ashle Abercrombie.
One sentiment made clear among the students was that they want to hear about other issues now. The polls will show if people have really moved on.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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