We're sure Barack Obama is saying thanks but NO thanks to Louis Farrakhan. That's because the Nation of Islam leader said Sunday that the presidential candidate is the "hope of the entire world" that the U.S. will change for the better.
Farrakhan, 74, who spoke to an estimated crowd of 20,000 people at the annual Saviours' Day celebration, never outrightly endorsed Obama but spent most of the nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator.
The appearance was Farrakhan's first major public address since his cancer crisis.
"This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be made better," he said. "This young man is capturing audiences of black and brown and red and yellow. If you look at Barack Obama's audiences and look at the effect of his words, those people are being transformed."
Farrakhan compared Obama to the religion's founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father.
"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us," he told the crowd of mostly followers. "A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."
Farrakhan also leveled small jabs at Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, suggesting that she represents the politics of the past and has been engaging in dirty politics.
Meanwhile, Obama's camp was quick to respond. Campaign spokesman Bill Burton told the Associated Press:
"Sen. Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support."
Critics and haters of Obama have been trying to link him with Farrakhan and anything that appear Muslim. This could be just the ticket.
Farrakhan has drawn attention for calling Judaism a "gutter religion" and suggesting crack cocaine might have been a CIA plot to enslave blacks.
In recent years, however, officials with the Nation of Islam have promoted unity and tolerance among religions. Farrakhan now often quotes the texts of other religions, such as the Bible, in his speeches.
Farrakhan's keynote address at McCormick Place, the city's convention center, wrapped up three days of events geared at unifying followers and targeting youth.
UPDATE ... In the wake of his statements Sunday, NOI leader, Louis Farrakhan has issued the following press release
"The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking today in his annual Nation of Islam Saviours' Day address commented extensively on the U.S. presidential race, which included remarks specifically concerning the candidacy of Democratic hopeful Sen. Barack Obama. Min. Farrakhan spoke to an estimated 20,000 people at McCormick Place Convention Center.
Although the Minister did speak complimentary of Sen. Obama, he said he would not tell any one of his followers how to cast their vote, but he did say they should vote "their own self-interest."
Min. Farrakhan went on to say that the litmus test concerning himself given to Sen. Obama should also be given to Sen. Hillary Clinton and other presidential candidates.
The Minister said he did not want the 'mischief makers' to use his words to try to hurt Mr. Obama or himself.
Min. Farrakhan is expected to accept invitations that he has received to talk to certain members of the press in the near future."
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