8. You have commented elsewhere that you consider Hamas a terrorist organization (as does our government) and wouldn’t negotiate with these Islamic thugs and killers. In this context, are you comfortable with Reverend Wright featuring a pro-Hamas manifesto on “The Pastor’s Page” of the church newsletter (July 22,2007)? This anti-Israel diatribe was written by Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook, an indicted terrorist conspirator currently believed to be a fugitive in Syria. Do you agree with Reverend Wright’s positive labeling of Marzook’s column as “A Fresh View of the Palestinian Struggle”? Do you also agree with Dr. Wright’s practice in the church bulletin (July 8, 2007) of using quotation marks to identify “the ‘state’ of Israel”?

9. Given your recognition that some of the statements and positions of Reverend Wright count as “offensive” and “outrageous,” aren’t you surprised that none of your fellow church members alerted you to those explosive declarations until recently? If you heard nothing about discomfort and indignation over Wright’s extremist views doesn’t it suggest that the entire church – not just its former pastor – is actually on the political and religious fringe?

10. When did you first become aware of the radical and anti-American views of your pastor? If you knew nothing about them, then why did you cancel plans for Wright to participate in your announcement of candidacy more than a year ago – in January, 2007?

11. On “The View” you suggested that people have received the wrong idea about Pastor Wright. “What you have seen is a snippet of a man,” you said. “Imagine if somebody compiled the five stupidest things you ever said and put them in a 30 second loop that was played every day for two weeks.” Obviously, Pastor Wright doesn’t agree that the now notorious sound bites are among the “five stupidest things he ever said” – otherwise, he wouldn’t have proudly sold DVD’s of such comments, and he would have promptly apologized for them. Have you explored your obvious divergence in viewpoint with Pastor Wright – explaining why you consider his remarks “stupid” and inquiring why he won’t acknowledge them as such?

12. You have said repeatedly that you are a “devout Christian,” and pray every day. How has your faith evolved – particularly regarding the Black Liberation Theology endorsed by Trinity – since you joined the church two decades ago? As President, would you continue to worship at Afro-Centric churches which promote this theology, and would you invite your pastor to participate in the Inauguration and other state occasions?

Questions like those listed above could help Obama come to terms with the core of the controversy he continues to face. The dispute involves far more than a few random, out-of-context by an eccentric clergyman. It centers, rather, on questions of world-view, of philosophy, of core values. The American people have a right to wonder whether the world-view and “black ethics” of a flamboyantly radical church reflect the personal philosophy of a potential president.

If not, then the long-term association of that candidate with the church in question raises profoundly disturbing questions about his authenticity and character.