Clinton Backer "Organized" Wright's Press Club Event

New York Daily News columnist Errol Louis writes:

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright couldn't have done more damage to Barack Obama's campaign if he had tried. And you have to wonder if that's just what one friend of Wright wanted.

Shortly before he rose to deliver his rambling, angry, sarcastic remarks at the National Press Club Monday, Wright sat next to, and chatted with, Barbara Reynolds.

A former editorial board member at USA Today, she runs something called Reynolds News Services and teaches ministry at the Howard University School of Divinity. (She is an ordained minister).

It also turns out that Reynolds - introduced Monday as a member of the National Press Club "who organized" the event - is an enthusiastic Hillary Clinton supporter. ...

I don't know if Reynolds' eagerness to help Wright stage a disastrous news conference with the national media was a way of trying to help Clinton - my queries to Reynolds by phone and e-mail weren't returned yesterday - but it's safe to say she didn't see any conflict between promoting Wright and supporting Clinton.

Read Louis's full column here.

UPDATE: From Politico's Michael Calderone:

National Press Club president Sylvia Smith responded today to a Daily News article reporting that club member Barbara Reynolds, a Hillary Clinton supporter, organized yesterday's breakfast talk with Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

Smith said by phone this morning that she still doesn't know if Reynolds supports Clinton, and doesn't care either way.

"Reverend Wright is newsworthy, period," Smith said.

But Wright wasn't as newsworthy two years ago when Reynolds first pitched Barack Obama's controversial pastor as a potential speaker for the press club, according to Smith.

At that time, the speaker's committee--of which Reynolds is now a part of, but wasn't at the time--didn't move forward with selecting Wright.

"He wasn't newsworthy then in the broader context," Smith said.

Comments

[Jaylee07]

Did anyone hear about the EPA and what they had to say about THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION hindering their job to protect OUR DRINKING WATER?

[Kim445588]

Who gives a crap, Obama doesn't wear a flag pin. (Sarcasm)

[dolphinlikr]

Finally something about the EPA. I am sure that the people backing obama can find a way to blame Senator Clinton for dirty drinking water. That is just the same as accusing her of setting up Rev. Wright's speaking schedule. Give me a barreak. Obama's judgement is in question about this guy and others he associated with in Chicago. It is a real stretch to try and connect Hillary to Rev. Wright, but I am sure some of you will try. Please do, it's really funny. peace

[Revrob56]

dolphinlikr,
Obama's judgment in loving his pastor, which I'm sure he does, is no less different than Hillary loving Bill and staying with Bill for more than 20 years with all of his known indiscretions and is far more biblically based and encouraged.

[StillAmused]

"But Wright wasn't as newsworthy two years ago when Reynolds first pitched Barack Obama's controversial pastor as a potential speaker for the press club..."

Uhh -- neither was Barack Obama... remember?

Clear your heads.

Hey, any links between Hillary and the pregnant FLDS minors?

[cinemaven]

My sister's plane is delayed... I blame Clinton!!
I heard that she controls the weather!!

With all the power she supposedly has, I think she qualifies for a much bigger position than POTUS... but I'd like to see her tackle that before she becomes a God or a pro basketball player.

[pghpat]

STRETCH!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!

[Julie02]

Rev. Wright is a selfish, egotist that took this opportunity to distract America from the political process for his own gain. He is severly jealous of Obama's success. He will inevitably make a statement about Obama's denouncement of him since he seems to love the limelight. Bring it on Wright. We'll be ready for you.

[GeorgeP922]

Just another scar on the HRC campain, how sad.

[lumina]

Whre in the aritcle does is suggest that Rev. Wright was bound up and dragged by Ms. Reynolds to the podium? Or that Rev. Wright was forced to appear? Or his coffee spiked with ego-enhancing potions? Is he not an adult who makes his own decisions? I imagine there is a diversity of political opinion represented on the committee that selects and arranges the speakers. Why would that mean there is political intrigue or malice just because, in the least, one member supporting HRClinton serves on the committee. It is doubtful one person made the selection herself.
Stretchhhh­........yo­u can deep-six this story. It's a dead one.

[Daisy1111]

Oh - come on -- this press event event was organized a long time ago, way before Fox leaked Wright's video clips.

Did Hillary also force the NAACP to have Wright as a speaker this weekend?

Did Hillary also force Bill Moyers to interview Wright?

Did Hillary also force Wright to throw his friend under a bus?

And Wright is supposed to have yet another press conference later today.

Gee - Hillary must be a busy woman orchestrating all of Wright's appearences.

Rev. Wright is a hypocrite. He's not a propent of Black Liberation as far as I can see -- he's a proponent of fattening up his own banl account and building himself a million-dollar mansion on the backs of his parishioners.

Wright says Obama is "just" a politician. I think Wright is "just" another televangleist looking to get rich.

[AllaboutME]

No they just organized the Press Club.

[Kim445588]

Nope, she just brings it up whenever its dying down, because she thinks its an off limits topic. Eyes rolling.

[zorrobozo]

Hillary's corruption and deceit know no bounds. . .

[TJRich]

MESSAGE TO THE CLINTON SLEAZE MACHINE!

WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

Speaking of associations, I regret ever voting for a Clinton and ever giving them any credit for decency.

We can see quite clearly through this dustup and the common sense of the good people of this nation will chalk this up to just what it is.

If you can't win without a smear campaign, then you probably have absolutely nothing to offer but more deception and trickery.

Further, blacks who are supporting you are showing their children and others that they weren't serious about doing the right thing, speaking the truth and being uplifting.. I am deeply disappointed in them too.

[ann1]

I have to give it to Mrs Clinton, she's quite the "clever" one. My friends and I joked about the probability of Hillary having something to do with Rev Wright's sudden appearance and low-and-behold here it is. Honestly, Mrs Clinton is far more talented than being president she deserves to be "KING OF THE WORLD"

[biglover]

Yeah if you want that kind of President. Aren't we trying to get away from the sleaze in politics. I used to really like HRC and Bill - but I'm done!!

[brenner21]

It's good to be the King ... !

[vincealy]

4000 dead in Iraq. Bush elected because of the way Bill and Hillary left the White house. and MSM choose to concentrate on Rev. Wright statements that Sen. Obama has denounced and that his political record proves he does not agree with.Most critisism of Clinton has to do with her and Bills repeated lies and misdeeds. Clitonistas perfer to use guilt by association. Gen McPeak was right.

[furelise]

That is crap. Al Gore won the election and the Supreme Court gave it to Bush. Clinton left the White House with a 65% approval rating, balanced budget and forecast surplus. When Bush took over he cut taxes, started a war and refused to veto pork. This childish blaming the Clintons for everything is making people angry enough to stay home in November. Obama and Wright are responsible for this cat fight. Not Hillary.

[PhoenixtheUndying]

lord...

[PadrePio]

All I want is the tinfoil concession at this site. I will be as rich as Bill Gates is from all of the Obamabots buying my tinfoil for their hats.

[grayhippie]

I wear aluminum foil in my hat, thank you. After all, I'm less than 80 years old and the rethuglicans and clintonistas have only been beaming into my thoughts for the last 40 years.

[vcsmith]

Very clever.

"All I want is the tinfoil concession at this site. "

I like that. You ruined it a little by explaining what you meant.

[dbroad]

Hilarious

[Kim445588]

It's only paranoia until it is true.

[EyeWantOneNation]

Well..I read over the numerous posts here, and I can honestly say: "There is hope"!!!

99% of you posting here are saying you see through the media's attempts to focus on Rev. Wright in an attempt to discredit Obama.

We KNOW what Obama stands for, and what he will do FOR America !!!

We KNOW what the Clinton's stand for, and what they will do TO America !!!

We KNOW how to vote - - and the media will NOT sway us with this garbage !!!

Now we need to email, call, fax...whatever, every media outlet that is pulling us off-topic of the Presidential race going on !!!! This is far too important to loose sight of the issues now !!!!

WE THE PEOPLE...remember ???

[Kim445588]

The problem is that we are just preaching to the choir here.

If you are posting you are likely to spend time making sure that your are reasonably informed. Its the sound byte voter that makes decisions based upon who claims to have went duck hunting when they were 5, that are the concern.

[furelise]

I will email every media outlet asking them to drop the story if you will promise that you and every other Obama supporter on this blog will promise to never mention Monica, Whitewater, The Family or Bosnia for the rest of this campaign. Otherwise, I will email every media outlet and thank them for this insight into Sen. Obama's bad judgement. You know nothing about Obama except for his words. Clearly, you have dismissed his lies about Selma, Rezko, Ayers, his legislative record and his childhood poverty. The title of his book was taken from a sermon from Rev. Wright and he has often expressed his admiration for this nut. Wright prayed with him in the BASEMENT of the Illinois capital building before he announced his candidacy. He said Rev. Wright was like family and it is so embarrassing to air family secrets in public. Maybe they should both go on Oprah's show with Dr. Phil and work things out.

[vanessa04]

Wow! Let me get this straight...

...Reynolds is ONE of the members of a committee who choose ALL of the speakers for the Press Club. And somehow she singlehandedly managed to, A) force the committee to choose Rev Wright as a speaker, B) forced Rev Wright to agree to appear and, C) forced Rev Wright to say incredibly crazy, stupid shit in his speech.

OK. Allrightythen.

Conspiracy theory, much?

[SharonB]

Hillary, quit posting under fake names.

[Aquarius52]

Funny..LOL

[janvoght]

my vote is and always will be for barack obama's brand of politics, because it's the one i can wrap my heart and mind around. the clinton and mccain brand is so steeped in "business as usual" with their backers being of the same ilk as the present administration. the chance for america to recover from the last 7+ years is with honesty and vision for peace and prosperity for ALL! any other agenda will take us further down the path, maybe this time of no return. check history folks. fascism and communism are powerful aphrodesiacs and no one has been able to stop that train once it takes hold, short of much death and destruction, in fact war! how soon we forget, that when a government decides to take basic freedoms allowed by their constitutional rights under no other authority than their own power, where have the checks and balances gone? will we be willing to fight for those rights to be restored, or will we choose to be blinded by the smoke and mirrors of the political show of the greedy, power trippers and war mongers?
obama'08