Jack White: Well, he had an entire hour on CSPAN today, and an hour with Bill Moyers on Friday. How much time does he need?

I agree with you that it's a side issue we shouldn't be so focused on, but that's how politics works.

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Montgomery County, Md.: While the sound bytes have not surprisingly angered many people, I have also found Jeremiah Wright's complete sermons on YouTube, his interview with Bill Moyers and his speech at the press club to reveal a very thoughtful, provocative (in a good sense), and articulate man. Does the media have a responsibility to show a more well-rounded picture of Rev. Wright than is happening, or is character assassination easier than the complexity of the man? Is there a silver lining (not necessarily for the Obama campaign) in a better understanding of Rev. Wright's theology and that on many black churches in America?

Melissa Harris-Lacewell: The media will not accept this responsibility even if it has one. I think the big question is whether Wright will accept his complicity in damaging Obama's campaign and if Obama will accept that now these are the new terms under which he will have to win.

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Washington, D.C.: Why has Rev. Wright chosen this time to defend himself and his remarks? What effect does Rev. Wright believe his theology and his comments will have on Obama, politically?

Jack White: Well, he says he's a pastor and not a politician. I have no idea what he thinks he was accomplishing. Interestingly, I've been hearing from some black observers that they think Wright hit it out of the park and helped Obama. I don't see it that way. I think Wright's body language in particular is going to rattle some viewers.

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washingtonpost.com: ( The Root, April 28)

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Ellicott City, Md.: Who do you think the reverend wants to see winning the election? By continually rehashing this, he's making sure it's not going to be Obama.

Wright can't seriously think McCain would be better... could he?

Melissa Harris-Lacewell: I think he believes there is little difference between the candidates. I am not sure why he has decided that HRC, McCain or Obama are all equal "agents of the state" but that is the subtext I heard emerge over the past three days of media.

Jack White: Well, I can't read his mind. But the effect, in the short terms, is to help Hillary, and, in the long term, to help McCain.

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Palo Alto, Caif.: Hi Melissa, did you see Obama when you were at the church?

Melissa Harris-Lacewell: Not on those particular Sundays that I can remember. There are more than 1000 people at every service! But I did sometimes see him. I also often saw him or Michelle on campus at the University of Chicago. I most often saw him running at the lake. He is a beautiful runner. I am pitiful! I got lapped by the senator more times than I care to admit.

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Washington, D.C.: You must admit that it seems very suspicious that all of a sudden Rev. Wright is showing up a lot in the media. Doesn't he know that he might not be doing Obama any good? I can imagine Barack Obama cringing, hearing the reverend back on the dias. What do you think? Could Rev. Wright lose the election for Obama by just being around and casting doubt in peoples' minds?

Jack White: I love conspiracy theories. The notion that Wright is out to damage Obama doesn't track for me. I think he's just out of control. As for Obama, he's probably repeating that line from Godfather 3- "just when I thought he was out, he pulls himself back in!"

Melissa Harris-Lacewell: Jack, you are so funny and so bad! I don't think there is a conspiracy. It is just the power of ego to destroy. Of course, Obama must learn to govern in the midst of racial storms. This is what it will mean for him to be president.

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Baltimore, Md.: If the good Reverend Wright is so concerned about the plight of the black man in America, instead of building a multi-million dollar home, why doesn't he give the money to the poor as Jesus commanded?

If Dr. Wright is appalled at racial segregation in schools, why does he insist that black children require a different learning environment than non-blacks? Does not the New Testament say that Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (i.e. between races)?

If the Most Right Reverend Doctor Jeremiah A. Wright is the humble servant of Jesus, why does he live a life of luxury, while the Son of God had no where to lay his head to sleep (i.e. homeless)?

Why does the lowly and meek Rev. Wright wear custom made suits when Jesus said "do not worry about what you will wear... instead, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness".

Mr. Wright's speeches are extremely divisive and contradictory. Jeremiah Wright should have been removed from his mega-millions pastoral position years ago. For the Scriptures say "humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." It's no wonder so few actually believe the Scriptures are true, for even the religious leaders do not live by Its principles.

Jack White: Well, this is a personal attack on Wright, and you're entitled to your opinion.

Melissa Harris-Lacewell: I agree that this attack is personal.