I just watched the debate and I am still a little confused. Tim Russert brought up the anti-Semitic and divisive language used by Louis Farrakhan and Obama’s spiritual advisor Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., both of whom have expressed their support for his candidacy. Russert attempted to get Obama to say he would reject their support, Obama would not give, though he said he denounces such language.

Clinton jumped in relating support given to her from a group of anti-Semitic leaders who had taken over the Independence Party in NY saying she rejected their support even though she was afraid it would hurt her candidacy. Russert asked how that related to Obama, Clinton said she just thinks a candidate has to take a tuff stand.

Obama then contradicted himself but tried to cover by saying he didn’t see much difference between “denouncing” and “rejecting support” and would do both. Russert pinned him on it, Obama agreed he both denounces and rejects their support.

Why is this important? Because its been a story for awhile, one I guarantee you Republicans would LOVE to hit him on.

Update: This is how Ankle Biting Pundit saw it:

UPDATE 2: Russert is going after Obama hard on Farrakhan’s support. Obama says he didn’t solicit it and doesn’t want anything to do with Farrakhan- BUT – he refuses to reject Farrakhan’s support. Bad move. I’m sure Obama wants nothing to do with Farrakhan and finds him reprehensible, but thinks it would be bad political calculous to not outright tell him he rejects his support. I think that calculous is wrong and the question will follow. He’s doing all he can to talk about how much he supports Israel and rejects anti-Semetism (I’m sure he rejects the latter), but is ducking the question. Hillary is calling on it, saying in her Senate campaign she directly came out and told those people she didn’t want their support. She actually might be scoring some points with the white blue-collar voters on this one.

Now Barack says “Ok, I reject it”. Good save. But I think some damage was done here.