Am I responsible for what my friend says?

In recent days a controversy has emerged over the sermons of Sen. Barack Obama's hometown pastor, Jeremiah Wright. A number of these sermons appear to advance or promote some radical statements. Due to the content of some of these sermons, analysts are being to wonder if this will hurt the Obama campaign. Whether it does or doesn't is not my concern, but rather should it? Are we responsible for what our friends say?

I would argue that on the surface it is not fair to blame a candidate for something someone else says as long as they voice opposition to the statement when it becomes known to them. Obama does not control Wright, nor are many people in the position to tell their pastor that they are wrong. Obama's responsibility is to himself and therefore, publicly declaring opposition to Wright's statements should be enough, as long as his actions are consistent with the opposition. Obama has shown no willingness in speech or action to support some of Wright's radical statements.

Obama's current situation merely articulates the problems politicians run into as they court or associate with religious figures. Recently, Sen. John McCain has promoted his support by John Hagee, a popular televangelist. However, Hagee has called the Catholic Church (which over 1 in 4 Americans belong to) a "whore" and a "false religion." Is McCain responsible for such comments? The answer is clearly no, as long as McCain publicly states he opposes such views. Yet, perhaps politicians on both sides of the spectrum should be weary of the religious company they keep.