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

[speakingtruth2power]

Just like the neocons did to conservative values,

The DLC will trade liberal values for their power.

[Wigelah]

I wondered how long it was going to be before Hillary Clinton got the blame for this too. It didn't take long at all. Sheesh.

[maggieb]

Agreed, as if she made him run his mouth...

[vanessa04]

Hillary makes the world turn, don'tcha know? She makes the sun burn, the moon rise, the tides ebb, the flowers bloom, and the sparrows to sing. She is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful, the All-Mighty. Haven't Obama's supporters taught you anything?

The one thing that Obama's supporters have made me understand it is that nothing - and I mean NOTHING - happens in the universe without Hillary MAKING it happen. Hell, she probably sneaks into Barrack's mind at night and tells him which of his five, mended $5,000 suits he's going to wear in the morning.

[stepintothelight]

I have visited Rev Wrights former church twice out of curiosity. I will be joining this month. I am so happy that the MSM have given him a platform. He will not cater to the fears of the white man because in his heart he knows he is working for ALL men. I like how he does not lay down to the demands of conformity. Obama has tried, as many before him, to play by the white mans rules. I see that even the MOST qualified person is punished for a black face and proximity to Black culture. I see this is coming down to a choice again. My father explained it to me. There was a time when the more radical factions of black liberation rose above the media "authorized" pacifist. Some followed Dr. King ... some met the evil with evil ie... the Black Panthers. We as black people must accept that America will always attempt to marginalize our place in America. We are coming down to the choice again only America is making the decision for us. Obama plays by their rules but he is not good enough at kowtowing ... Wright is in a completely different league!!! I'm sick of negotiating.

GOD DAMN THIS COUNTRY!!!!

[Pressmatters]

So eloquently and brilliantly stated!!! The mainstream media was shocked and startled at his un-ashamedly-black-identity. It was a surprise to see this man they had try to villify and disempower, rise like "The rose that grew out of concrete". GOD BLESS JEREMIAH WRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

[controversy101]

Pressmatters, while I wholeheartedly agree that Reverend Wright statements were true, they were also untimely and presented in a confrontational manner instead of a logical, illustrational prose. There was no way any republican or Senator Clinton supporter was going to accept anything from him. They would only disect the interview until they found something they could use against Senator Obama--and that's why he should have refused the interview.

[speakingtruth2power]

What Dr King taught US is that we're all in the same boat

& while I can understand more radical politics in the Black

community as well as the SDS, SLA and the Weathermen,

I reject violence, hatred and separatism, Divided we fall!!!

[stepintothelight]

And where is Dr. King now .... Same place as Chairman Hampton!!! Yours is the ignorance and base mentality of division. Reject what you will ... we failed long ago!!!!

[Marioth]

The ferocity of the attacks against Wright confirm this. I watched many in the MSM spit out such pre-programmed nonsense because they do not want to talk about race. They would rather call a six-year marine unpatriotic and a "whackadoodle." Because he gives as good as he gets, he's loud-mouthed and uppity, If he were female, he'd be a bitch.

Obama, sadly, is caught in the middle. He cannot acknowledge t he truth of some of Wright's words without acknowledging the man. And Americans are so good a dismissing people with whom they do not agree, as if those with whom they disagree will just pick up and move away. You cannot use abusive language and then expect to live all nice-nice together. Ain't no one goin anywhere on this tiny rock that gets smaller by the day.

Lucklily for Obama, there is nothing in his makeup to suggest he plays these childish games. He instead appears to continue to live by the very christian values he learned from Trinity, those of temperence, tolerence, truth, and unconditional love. Neither McCain nor Clinton project this, and it's why neither of them attract crowds numbering in the tens of thousands.

Rev Wright shall pass.

Pax,
M.

[furelise]

What exactly did the Black Panthers do for you? Rev. King was the antithesis of violence and by extension Rev. Wright. Pacifism and civil disobedience has accomplished more than anger ever has. We have to live in this land together and "Rants" do nothing to create a peaceful society. Voters will make the choice and I hope it will be based on the most qualified person and not race. You are creating a dichotomy. If America rejects Obama it is, according to you, a marginalization of Africa Americans. It may surprise you to learn there are white people who will vote for Obama and Black people who will vote for Clinton. In either case, it will be decision we will all have to accept. You are defending a man Sen. Obama has repudiated. Do you believe he did it out of political necessity or is he sincere. You can't have it both ways.

[stepintothelight]

He appeased the demands of power ... simple as that. What did the Panthers prove to me. I learned that when I point a gun in the face of someone holding a gun to mine ... It won't take 300 years to convince him that I hold just as much power and it has been my rationale to not pull the trigger ... and out of "hope" that there still resides resolution and EQUAL satisfaction. One thing you learn in acquiring a Chicago attitude ... Don't bring a knife to a gunfight!!! When there is no fight then we can talk about living together. When a black man gets shot 50 times and the POLICE officers that did it are PENALIZED as anyone else should be then we can talk about living together. And for your information ... do not marginalize me. I am smart enough to see commonality with both men. All black people do not think alike. When you spew the same objectivity and scrutiny about others seeking the same achievement of leadership without using a narrowed feild of vision ... Then we can talk. I am creating a dichotomy??? Get over yourself and your genius observations. I am a black man functioning PRODUCTIVELY in a country that exist to cause shame and defeatism on those like me. I AM LIVING IN A DICHOTOMY!!! Thank you kindly massa fo ceptin ma's "rant" but ahs purfer to not "jess cept it"!!!

[whiteboyblues]

No surprise, that's why I will never ever vote for a Clinton again. Chelsea you are on notice.

[Biracial1]

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


So now he is newsworthy? Yes, for political gain, we will sell each other out! It's not what he said, it is the timing of it all that has "deal-making" written all over it. Just two weeks before NC and Indiana. Why now? Thanks Barbara and Hillary.

[furelise]

Rev. Wright made himself newsworthy when he agreed to interview with Bill Moyers, NAACP and the National Press Club Dinner.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

People really need to stop getting hysterical. Senator Obama has distanced himself from the comments. We just have to wait and see how much damage if any that it did. I think we should keep pointing out the role that we think that the Clintons played in this whole debacle. Can't see how it helps her any if she did play a role. None of this changes my opinion of Senator Obama in anyway. It's not as if any of this stuff came from his mouth. If he could just get her off his back, he would have some time to build some trust with some people. She is definitely a thorn at this point!

One thing we've had going for us so far, is that the superdelegates keep on dripping! Not a whole lot, but at least one a day.

[sayheytou]

Exactly! Now we know why HRC and her people have been telling the Superdelegates to wait to endorse. They knew Rev. Wright was coming back stronger than ever.

Nothing has changed for true Obama supporters.

[furelise]

I think she's catching up on superdelegates and in the polls in North Carolina.

[Truthfighter1]

to people that didn't see the answer he gave about the HIV statement, he very clearly quoted it from a book that a white man wrote insinuating the same possibility, in fact if you could get off your lazy butts and do some researchin' instead of being spoon fed by the MSM you would find that alot of his most controversial statements come from books that study's have been recorded. He simply puts those points out to raise questions to the average listener and your thoughts.

I personally watched all three of his media debuts this week and over the last two days I have watch MSM pull bits and pieces from his statements and fit them together for their agenda. Wake up people, Wright is trying to teach you guys about the Media, or if he isn't on purpose maybe God is trying to get us to pay attention through him, remember they came to Rev Wright, when they decided to portray him as something he is not and did no research.

Only now are we finding out that he was a Marine\Navy guy, who actual helped with perform Surgery on Lyndon Johnson, only now do we her he has over 3 degrees and knows 5 languages. This man is mad as hell at the media, he and his church members received death threats, what would you do?

[furelise]

I guess you haven't heard Sen. Obama's press conference repudiating Wright? Wright isn't just angry with the media. He is angry with Obama and is trying to sink his ship.

[floydknight]

I support Obama. I do not support Clinton because she has shown a pattern of dishonesty during the campaign. I pity her supporters who are voting for her DESPITE the fact that they know she lies. What does it say about this country that struggling, poor Americans would rather vote for a lying white woman than an honest black man. I respect Wright and agree with 80% of what he has said (that has been reported by the MSM). The other 20%, I disagree with, but that is simply "disagreement." I have nothing demeaning or disparaging to say about Wright just because I disagree with some of his opinions.

[indianadem]

Ohhhh....I don't know why just randomly some of my posts don't get approved.

Where is Oprah now? Why is she suddenly so quiet? She should do a show or two about Wright and Obama....didn't she attend the church also?

Another thing about this, I wonder really how much Obama really attended the church, someone outta put his attendance records out there.. it has been said that he needed some "cred" with the local community was part of his reason for joining the church. Was he really there every Sunday to hear what was being preached. Lots of people are members of churches that don't actually attend all that often. But then, if he doesn't attend often, he must be a Muslim! Oh jeez, he can't get a break!

[indianadem]

Where is Oprah to talk some sense into all the lemmings out in TV land???? She should do a show or two giving a fuller story about Wright and Obama. Didn't she attend the church too? Why is she so quiet now?

[furelise]

Maybe Oprah should invite Dr. Phil to the show so Obama and Wright can air all their dirty laundry in public. No, that won't work. I heard she left the church because she didn't like the pastor.

[indianadem]

When Wright first came into the headlines everyone speculated about how terrible it was going to be for Obama and then some days passed and the polls didn't really change much....now every one is in hysterics again.....SOME of what he was was indeed crazy, but a lot of it was truthful and maybe enough American's will first of all recognize that fact, and second recognize that Obama didn't say ANY OF IT!!!

[Indepatriot]

Fellow Obama supporters take a deep breath and Chill... Did you think the Rev issue was just gonna go away cause Barack made a speech? The nomination is a done deal and it's his/ours. Not even the Democrats are dumb enough to toss not only this election but the future of the party under the bus to appease The Clinton's lust for power. This is the best time to deal with the Rev, as Obama's got to wait until June 3rd for the primaries to be over before the "super delegates" commit. Better to get all this out in the light of day now, so it'll be old news by November. The more reasonable people see of Wright, the more his life story is made public, the better for Barack. This will "humanize" the Rev to moderate voters who might be unsure about voting for change. He'll never get the racist cracker vote anyway, so why bother trying. Free-thinking Americans will have no problem with the Rev, and his "I'll go after Barack if he screws up"line will help in distancing his harsh image from Obama's. As an Atheist, I find this whole mess an insulting, degrading, waste of time. As an Obama supporter I say what better time than now? Yes We Can! p.s. if your feeling powerless DONATE!

[Cyndee1113]

This is it! I cannot believe this! I am going to change my party. I will not be in the party with this woman. I refuse to vote for her or have anything to do with that witch!

[kenjisan]

sad to say, that if this chaos continues, the democratic party is dead for sure. I can see how so many democrats will be leaving the party for a third party of going Independent. This is taking a toll on the voters' faith in the party.

[VillyVal]

Do you need a ride to the Court House or Post Office?

You can get in line behind Antonin Scalia, Bill O'Reilly, Lou Dobbs, and Chris Matthews. I'm sure you'll be much happier.

Bye.

[flagal1970]

After watching the Rev. Wright on Bill Moyers last week I find that the Rev was right on a lot of issues concerning the african american communites not only in Chicago but around the United States. We as Blacks can not have pride within ourselves and praise God the way thay we want to? Well for some of you who get easliy offended by just the sound bites of a Rev then you wouln't want to live in the black community here in St. Petersburg, Fl where I live because alot of us feel Rev. Wrights views. I guess when it's not being pro-white or pro-american then it's a sin against the nation. I challenge any pne who post to this post to goggle Rev. Wrights sermon "Americas Chickens have come home to roost" and you will see that the Rev does preaches hope for all americans but like americas track record our nation is always mis-informed about what our county does over seas and back room deals our country makes unbeknowing to us. Check it out and let me know what you think??? Peace and Blessings, Flagal1970

[TRex86]

His ministry did a great service to his community--white, black and otherwise. His few inflammatory statements (taken out of context) were only fuel for McCarthyite guilt by association. They had begun to dwindle away until his latest antics, which seem to come straight from the Clinton playbook. He shows no generosity of spirit, no magninimity, no forgiveness of the undeserved scorn heaped on him--up until now. I guess having the first AA president is not as important as pumping up his own ego.

[EyeWantOneNation]

flagal1970...After seeing the little "sound-bytes" the media was feeding us, I DID check out the Rev. Wright's sermons. I watched him on Bill Moyers; and listened to his entire Press Club speech. You know something...I think you're right...in more ways than one !!!

Blacks need to have their own way to worship...as do every other color race and creed in this country. If you're white, and don't understand something different than what you're used to, doesn't mean it's wrong.

The media is responsible for twisting this way out of proportion. As Americans we really need to say we're smarter than this; we're open-minded enough; to accept something new - and to most white people, this "inside view" of a black preacher and a black church is, indeed, something new !!! It's not hate, by any stretch of the imagination. Rev. Wright's words apply to our country as a whole. 90% of people posting remarks about Rev. Wright have not even bothered to listen to this man. This is no longer an issue of playing the "race card"...this is first a open discussion of race itself, and further, a discussion of some of the ills of our country as a whole !!! We are being forced to look in the mirror on issues of inequality of race other than white in this country. It's about time.

I'm white; lived in St.Pete, FL for 22 years; I understand what you are saying...good post !!!

[RobinL]

Yuck. More Clinton fingerprints on some devious, underhanded, viperish garbage. She and her supporters are truly snakes.

[OrionGal]

Yep - the more I read, the more I hear, the more WE THE PEOPLE witness what the Clintons puppeteer .....


I Will Not Be a Puppet -

I'm voting for Obama, so are my family and friends. We cannot be manipulated by Fear!

[gwhizz]

Oh you're being manipulated just fine.

[VillyVal]

Let me see if I've got this right:

Barbara Reynolds has been trying to get Wright in front of the National Press Club for a couple of years.

Wright became "newsworthy" after being tossed under the bus by Obama.

Barbara Reynolds supports Hillary Clinton.

Therefore, Clinton and all her supporters are snakes, devious, underhanded and viperish?

Question: are the damning fingerprints two years old or are they new?

Give it a rest.