Weeks later, Obama did disavow Wright after the pastor launched a discourse at the National Press Club in Washington, expressing thoughts that the senator denounced as "divisive and destructive" and out of sync with the message of his campaign. It was after that event, Obama said Saturday, that he and his wife began to consider leaving.
Polls have shown that Obama's association with Wright, who officially retires from the church today, drove away some voters, particularly members of the working class, whom Obama has worked hard to court.
His split with Trinity could remove a complication to the stepped-up efforts by Obama and other Democrats to reach out more to religious voters.
The Rev. James M. Wall, a minister with the United Methodist Church and former editor of the magazine the Christian Century, called Obama's decision "a wise political move." And he criticized Trinity for bringing in Pfleger.
"It was regrettable, because the church knows that every word being spoken behind the pulpit is being taped and scrutinized," Wall said.
Noting that Obama hasn't attended services there for months, Wall said his departure would have little effect on Trinity, which has a long history of serving the local South Side community and its mainstream denomination.
"What Barack's doing is ending the story by leaving the church at this time," he said. "Pastors come and go, but the congregation is a spiritual community that remains."
--
faye.fiore@latimes.com
michael.finnegan @latimes.com
Times staff writer P.J. Huffstutter contributed to this report from Chicago.
