"Obama quits Chicago church steeped in controversy" from AP reports that after the latest racist outburst from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago - this time by Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina's Church in Chicago in which he launched sexist and racist invectives against Senator Hillary Clinton - in which the congregation cheered heartily in glee - Obama officially resigned from the church.
This followed the revelations of his former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright's outbursts and the revelations of the church's newletters that praised Hamas - as well as new pastor Otis Moss's apparently looking to continue the church in the same vein.
Obama appears to blame the focus of the media and public on the extremist elements in the church for the decision - and of course, not his own judgment in continuing to embrace the church - where it seems, it isn't just the pastor or guest speakers, but the congregation that embraces such extreme outbursts - with gusto.
UPDATE:
"Pfleger: They're trying to kill me" from the Chicago Sun-Times
"This is not a decision I come to lightly ... and it is one I make with some sadness," Obama said at a news conference after campaign officials released a letter of resignation he sent to the church on Friday.
"I'm not denouncing the church and I'm not interested in people who want me to denounce the church," he said, adding that the new pastor at Trinity and "the church have been suffering from the attention my campaign has focused on them."
"I have no idea how it will impact my presidential campaign but I know it was the right thing to do for me and my family," he said.
"This was a pretty personal decision and I was not trying to make political theater out of it," he added.
Trinity released a statement Saturday night saying: "Though we are saddened by the news, we understand that it is a personal decision. We will continue to lift them in prayer and wish them the best as former members of our Trinity community."
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