The multiple coersions of Rev. Wright

The story grows deeper daily. Byron York writes:

At another point in the interview with Klein, Wright discussed the book he hoped to create. “What I was going to write on the Barack Obama thing was what it was like being the pastor of the one who ended up being the first African-descended president,” Wright told Klein.  “Before the media mess, what was it like?  And Martin said if you’re keeping notes about what happened, don’t publish that until after 2012, regardless of how the election goes.  So I really put it aside.  And every time I look at that box, with all those things in it — ”

When Klein asked more about the box, Wright revealed that in 2008 Eric Whitaker, a close friend of President Obama’s, offered him a substantial sum of money to stay quiet about his relationship with Obama until after the ’08 election.

“What’s in the box?” asked Klein.

“An email offering me money not to preach at all between the explosion of the media the first week in March [2008] and the November election,” answered Wright.

“An email from whom?” Klein asked.

“One of his friends.”

“Whitaker?” asked Klein.

“Yeah.”

“Eric?”

“Yeah.”

According to Klein, Whitaker’s offer, which was made through an intermediary at Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ, was $150,000.  Wright declined. Wright also said that some time after he received Whitaker’s email, he spoke one-on-one with Obama, who did not offer him any money.

Um, isn’t someone else on trial for this?

 “Was [Obama] aware that Eric Whitaker had offered you money?” asked Klein.

“I don’t know,” said Wright.  “I didn’t mention that.”

“But he asked you not to appear at the NAACP or the — ”

“National Press Club,” added Wright.

“Those two things?”

“No — and don’t do any more public speaking.”

“What did you say to him?”

“I said, how am I supposed to support my family?” Wright said.  “I have a daughter and a granddaughter in college whose tuitions I pay.  I’ve got to earn money.  He said, ‘Well, I really wish you wouldn’t.  The press is gonna eat you alive.'”

“And that’s all he said?  Just that?”

Oh, the compassion.

Whitaker declined to comment. Who wants to place bets he’ll conveniently disappear for a while?

Advertisement