Too many MIA, AWOL fathers, Obama says

CHICAGO — Addressing a congregation at one of Chicago's largest black churches, Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday invoked his own absentee father to deliver a message to black men, saying, "we need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception."

Obama addressed one of the most delicate topics confronting black leaders: whether absent fathers bore responsibility for some of the intractable problems afflicting black Americans. He noted that "more than half of all black children live in single-parent households," a number he said has doubled since his childhood.

"Too many fathers are MIA, too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes," Obama said to approving murmurs from the audience. "They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."

Reminding the congregation of his firsthand experience growing up without a father, Obama said he was lucky to have loving grandparents who helped his mother. He got support, second chances and scholarships that helped him get an education. Obama's father left when he was 2.

"A lot of children don't get those chances. There is no margin for error in their lives," said Obama, of Illinois.

Accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee told the mostly black audience not to "just sit in the house watching 'SportsCenter' " and to stop praising children for mediocre accomplishments.

"Don't get carried away with that eighth-grade graduation," he said, bringing many members of the congregation to their feet, applauding. "You're supposed to graduate from eighth grade."

Obama's themes have also been sounded by the comedian Bill Cosby, who has stirred debate among black Americans by speaking about an epidemic of fatherlessness in black families while suggesting that some blacks use racism as a crutch to explain lack of economic progress.

Obama took his Father's Day message to the 20,000-member Apostolic Church of God on the city's South Side. The church's pastor, Byron Brazier, is an Obama supporter.

On the campaign trail, Obama has frequently discussed parenting and personal responsibility, particularly for low-income black families.

In February, he told those in a mostly black audience to take responsibility for the education and nutrition of their children and lectured them for feeding their children "cold Popeyes" for breakfast.

On Sunday, he didn't let himself off the hook, acknowledging his own flaws as a father, citing the schedule of the campaign and the rare days he spends with his children.

"I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father," he said, "knowing that I have made mistakes and I'll continue to make more, wishing that I could be home for my girls and my wife more than I am right now."

Obama frequently emphasized the importance of God in his life and ended the speech by asking the congregation to "Pray for me. Pray for Michelle."

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.

McCain meets with Iraq foreign minister

ARLINGTON, Va. — Republican presidential candidate John McCain met Sunday with Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari.

The two discussed security improvements in Iraq and spoke about negotiations between the two countries on an agreement to pave the way for the future presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq. Many Iraqis object to the idea of an indefinite U.S. presence in their country.

"It's very important that we not let any of this success slip away," McCain said after the meeting.

Asked whether he would promise indefinite protection to the Iraqi people, McCain said the United States has made progress in Iraq and the decision to send additional troops has worked.