Guilt by Association?

Recently, Presidential candidate Barack Obama has come under fire because of his friendship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a former pastor at the church Obama has attended for twenty years. Wright has made some statements that some might consider to be inflammatory, and there are those who think that Obama should renounce the pastor because of his views.

Yesterday, Obama gave a speech in which he disavowed Rev. Wright's statements, but he refused to sever his friendship with Wright.

Read this article to find out just what has made people so mad, and read the text of Obama's speech here.

Now that you know more of the context, here are your questions:

Should Barack Obama cut ties with Rev. Jeremiah Wright? Does Wright hurt Obama's campaign? Are Wright's view reflected in Obama's beliefs?

Explain your answer.