Press Club Chief Disputes Notion That Wright Appearance Was Scheduled to Hurt Obama
The president of the National Press Club is disputing suggestions that the woman who facilitated Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.’s speaking engagement Monday did so out of a desire to hurt Barack Obama politically.
A New York Daily News columnist wrote Tuesday that club member Barbara Reynolds, who as head of the speaker’s committee was the club’s point person for Wright’s appearance, is actually a Hillary Clinton supporter. The opinion piece raised the possibility that Reynolds had ulterior motives in bringing Wright to Washington since the pastor “couldn’t have done more damage to Barack Obama’s campaign if he had tried.”
But National Press Club President Sylvia Smith said she doubts politics had anything to do with it.
“I can’t imagine that it would have been (to hurt Obama),” she said. “That would be a pretty convoluted conspiracy theory.”
Smith said Reynolds actually suggested inviting Wright as a speaker two years ago, but that the club declined since he “wasn’t newsworthy.”
She said she thinks somebody other than Reynolds suggested inviting Wright this time around, and that Reynolds was only assigned as point person because she has connections with Wright and his Trinity United Church of Christ. She stressed that Reynolds was not the deciding factor in the invitation, and that Wright was brought in because he was making news.
Daily News columnist Errol Louis wrote that Reynolds — a journalist and minister who teaches at the Howard University School of Divinity — claimed in a blog on her Reynolds News Service Web site that she voted for Clinton in the Maryland primary as “my way of saying thank you” to Clinton and her husband for the Bill Clinton presidency.
“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,” he wrote. “But it’s safe to say she didn’t see any conflict between promoting Wright and supporting Clinton.”
The column was swiftly picked up by bloggers who repeated the assertion that Reynolds was somehow in cahoots with Clinton.
Clinton’s campaign has not responded to a request for comment.
The personal blog where Reynolds expressed her Clinton support could not be found online as of Tuesday afternoon, and Smith said she doesn’t know whom Reynolds supports.
“It doesn’t matter (which candidate she supports),” Smith said. “I do not believe Barbara Reynolds has a political agenda … Even if she did, he’s a newsmaker that we’d want at our podium. It’s irrelevant.”
Reynolds did not return repeated requests for comment from FOXNews.com.
Wright’s used his raucous appearance Monday to taunt reporters and claim the controversy surrounding him was an attack on the black church. It prompted Obama to denounce Wright’s statements Tuesday as “ridiculous” and “appalling.”
Though Reynolds primary allegiances are not clear, she has expressed strong support for Wright and his church. In a blog entry on her Web site from March 17, Reynolds condemned the media for “brutally” trashing him and urged Obama not to “burn the bridges” in distancing himself from his former pastor.
“Pastor Jeremiah Wright is no weird, anti-American hater and separatist cult leader. He loved his country enough to serve in the U.S. Marines … the Jeremiah I know is a sought-after preacher in seminaries across the country,” she wrote.
Click here to read the column on Wright in The New York Daily News.
FOXNews.com’s Judson Berger contributed to this report.
if you want to find dirt look for a clinton. either one will do
That is a typical Clintonian move, devious! She is a good follower and has learned to do dirt from the masters, Bill and Hillary.
Why in the world would you give a forum to a KNOWN racist, bigot such as the Rev. Wright?????
You can’t blame him for accepting your invitation, but you can certainly blame yourself for for providing the opportunity!
Stop trying to accuse others, Hillary or McCain supporters, for this disgusting performance! Obama defended this man before, allowed him to marry him and baptise his children and then after being faced with his racist words a month ago still defended him.
Your organization and those involved are as trashy as the speaker!
If this is true….oh well. Obama’s supporters have been dogging Chelsea about Monica. All is fair in love and politics
Convoluted conspiracy theroy? Please! Hillary and her backers have taken lies and ugly, unethical, campaigning to a new level. Why would anyone not think there was a connection between Barbara Reynolds involvement in bringing Wright in to speak and the Clinton campaign’s chance to take full advantage of it. Hillary and her people want to do as much damage as they can to a fine man just so Hillary can win. Obviously for Hillary it doesn’t matter how sneaky you are, who you run over, or how many lies you have to tell to destroy someone enough to get what you want. I could not stomach her winning the Democratic nomination. I would be ashamed to have her as a president. As for Barbara Reynolds, I hope whatever Hillary promised her is enough. I hope she can sleep at night.
And the spin cycle continues, i was wondering how long the media was going to take to somehow put blame on Hillary one way or the other. Yes, Hillary directed Obama to choose Trinity Church and Wright as his spiritual advisor for 20 years. Yes, Hillary directed Obama to defend his pastor during his speech on race. If there is anything else Obama can do to put his foot in his mouth, by all means you make sure he takes no responsibility for it and make sure you blame Hillary. PATHETIC!!
you really think reynolds wouldn’t do that to hurt obama? Pahleeeeeeze. You are dreaming. It was completely done now to hurt obama. Very obvious.
i’m just waiting to see what the clinton supporters pull out of their bag of DIRTY TRICKS NEXT
Wow! That is an interesting piece of news. I think the only thing that will result from this is that Hillary Clinton and her supporters will not bully Barack Obama supporters into voting for her. In the end, when she steals the nomination, we’ll probably look at the lesser of two evils.
At this point, McCain looks like a saint compared to Hillary Clinton, so I’ll let you guess who will have the upper hand.
That said, I hope the American people have enough intelligence to realize that Barack Obama has a different message than Reverend Wright, Hillary Clinton, or John McCain. Yes, I think all three of the other individuals should be put in the same basket because they represent the politics of the past.
Yeh, Right! This has a familiar odor.
Obama has finally denounced reverend Wright… Wright did himself in, and proved once again that he’s even more egotistical than imagined. By attacking Obama yesterday, Wright puts himself at odds with the whole black populace and makes clear he holds no affection for Barack. What the media wont tell you, is that Wright was basically forced out of his church over all this, and holds animosity for Obama. He also is now financially broke and seeking new sources of funding. He should only blame himself for this mess he’s in, and every time he opens his mouth he proves all the naysayers points. This is good for Obama, because now there is a clear separation between himself and Wright, if not open hostility. Clearly, the two dont agree on much at all. Gee I wonder who might have helped fund Wrights “Media tour”… But what Hillary doesnt get, is that her star swift-boater, just went Super-nova! Good riddance Wright, and good luck on the talk show circuits…
So now that Obama has denounced Wright, I guess it’s OK for Republicans to denounce Wright as well and not be considered racist. I’m so tired of double standards!!!
She even talks in cirlcles like Clinton
You would need to be stupid not to realize that Hillary’s campaign dug up Rev. Wright and has been using him to promote the idea that Obama is somehow guilty by association. Please remember that Hillary and Bill know all about Wright’s church, they invited him to the White House when Bill was fighting impeachment. They now are dragging the Reverand through the media in the hopes that Omaba will anger the black community. This is a very well thought out plan, but like all Clinton’s tactics it is based on mudslinging and not honestly putting forth better solutions for the Country and working Americans.
The news media has helped Hillary by ignoring Hillary’s lies, her ongoing Federal case and reporting instead on the word ‘bitter’ and Rev Wright. Bill and Hillary have manufactured this entire Rev. Wright controversy to further her campaign. Is this the kind of ‘fighter’ we want in the White House?
Errol Louis apparently has an agenda. A writer should not be guessing. Facts should be the only criteria. Opinions should be states as such.
Hillary Clinton and her supporters are low down and dirty. Winning is everything to her and she will sell her soul , if she has one to be president. POWER will get you nothing. We will take to the streets in front of the White House, and march for days. and you want be the President, John Mccain will. and uou still want win, unless you steal the election like Bush did. We will have another Bush in the White house. You and your husband fooled the American people not anymore.
One’s character and position amongst his or her peers is determined in large part by the people they associate closely with. If a person wants to appear mainstream, then they want to insure that their friends and associates are mainstream. Obama’s choices of associates eliminates him from qualification to be President of these United States, in my opinion.
Just so Hillary fans don’t get too excited, I don’t feel Hillary ever was qualified to be President of these United States.
John McCain is the only choice left that qualifies to be President of these United States. It is not a game with him. It is called Patriotism!
Undoubtedly another Clinton ploy. These are Hillary’s tactics.
Now,plot thickens. If Ms Reynolds offered the invitation to cause more disruption in Obama’s campaign, she certainly got her money’s worth.
For 20 years Obama supported Rev. Wright and everything he said. Or, at least he didn’t condemn him. But, now that Obama is running for President He condemns him for saying what he has been saying for 20 years. As if yesterday was the first time he had heard the Rev. make those remarks. America beware!
This is too coincidental and smells of Clinton & “friends”. Please investigate further.
Obama is just politicking again…oh yeah he “distanced” himself now when Wright went too far in his “rants”. But couldn’t denounce him earlier beacause he needed the black vote than went ahead and gave an eloquent but diversionary speech on race. Then why did you contribute to this church for the last two taxation years ? This guy is unbelievable. I mean literally, unbelievable.
He’s not Clinton’s pastor you koolaid chugging automatons. And I don’t think anyone could STOP Wright from speaking. You heard what he said about Clinton. Why aren’t you commenting on that, you hypocrites? If Obama doesn’t like listening to his pastor, what was he doing in his church for over 20 years? Not to mention that he brought his kids to listen!
Yes, the light has come on!!! Not only the kitchen sink but an old battered Rev Wright got thrown at Barack. Good job Hillary and company. Rev Wright answered that Red Phone at 3:00 am. Shame on you Hillary, Shame on you.
Let others do your dirty work to protect what little dignity you have!!!!!!
Rev Wright should denounce Hillary and Bill.
Democrats be aware if this woman who will stoop so low to win. Destroy O’bama, she may have a chance in 2012. If he wins the General she is toast for the next election. McBush will beat Hillary in the General. He will be so awful and old, he will only stay one term. Wow, Hillary is on the scene. O’bama wins the election he will be so wonderful and refreshing he will stay two terms. Poor Hillary she is won’t be up for the challenge. Makes you go Hmm!!!
As a WW II vet I’m interested in knowing the precise dates J.A. Wright served in the Marines. I believe he was a hospital attendent serving in the US only. Why was he discharged?
Responding to Stephen who noted the flip flop of OB,s memory of what Rev. Wright said illuminates another issue. What has happened to integrity? How come the leader on the Black Theology thinks it is OK for a politician to say what ever he has to say to get elected, and Wright can say whatever he feels he has to say to keep his job - but nobody in the”esgteemed press club” noted? Is that how the press media keep their jobs? Never mind the facts, just say whatever? And what about the pictures of a Black Jesus. Does that make a white man black because it’s ok to change the fact that he is white? Convoluted preaching.
This entire episode smells like the Clintons and anyone who is associated with the Clintons is behind this dirty story. Hillary will do anything to get elected and certainly needs to be investigated. Certainly the Clintons will deny having anything to do with it but this along with all the dirty tricks that she has trashed on Obama doesn’t surprise me.
To little to late for Obama. I think this was all cooked up to provide Obama with a way to reject wright because he was hurting him to much.
How Hillary accomplished this with such impeccable timing we’ll never know. But it was done with precision and planning. I just wonder how much she’s paying Rev Wrong to completely destroy Obama’s chances of ever being elected to another office. When the machine is working, it is a thing of beauty!
I hope that there is some further investigation into this. This story is entirely too perfect for the Clintons and would help explain some of the timing of this. This story has Carville written all over and is a typical desprite, dishonest Clinton strategy. It would also be typical for the Clintons to use someone like this and then run for the hills and deny tht they had any connections. After all, if you compare the two candidates, the Clintons track record for telling lies and behind the scene acts is far higher. I encourage some dedicated reporter to investigate this further.
OF COURSE CLINTON WAS INVOLVED IN THIS THING! HER NAMES ALL OVER IT. WRIGHT IS VERY WELL IN CLINTONS BACK POCKET!! WRIGHT WILL PUT MONEY BEFORE OBAMA LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE FOR THE CLINTONS!!
Hillary seems to be behind the whole thing.
I cannot believe that Jeremiah Wright and his nastiness has taken center stage during this election while Clinton goes blithlely along as if she is squeaky-clean. If the press would have us focus on a relationship with a candidate’s pastor of an 8000-member church you would think that relationships would be important for all candidates. Clinton’s relationship with her husband and his philanderings? Clinton’s relationship with Levin, Rosen, etc? I also wonder if the press is digging into the involvement that Barbara Reynolds had with Jeremiah Wright’s invitation to expound at the National Press Club “performance.” It certainly smells a little fishy.
None of the candidates should get a single vote. They are all crazy in one way or another!
No one should be suprized by this invitation. It is simply more of the same Clinton tactic.
Wright should not even be talking about something he knows nothing about. Like God!
His performance is truely appaling, disgusting, arrogant, stupid and ugly.
He should hide his head in shame!
Of course not……the Clintons will stoop to anything. Ms Reynolds was just happened to be the one that did the dirty work for them.
Of course the Press Club will dispute any claims of this. Duh!!! This was a plot against Obama. Kinda goes along with Congressman Clyburns’ claim that Clinton was trying to destroy Obama’s chance for the presidency. Clyburn stated that Clinton knew she couldn’t win the election and was doing everything to destroy Obama’s chances. He also stated that Clinton wanted McCain to win this election so she would have a chance in 2012. This was on CNN at a press conference a couple of weeks ago.
Obama is tough! He will survive!
Obama for President - Yes We Can!!!
I have come to the conclusion that Obama supporters that blame Clinton for Wright are blind sheep following! This is the by farthest let me qoute Obama here the most “ridiculous” comments yet that I have been reading. I bet she put Michelle Obama up to her anti american comment as well, heck lets blame Hillary for the JFK assination while we are at it. With this division between the supporters of each nominee contender so tainted, all I can say is Congrats to President McCain.
wright proves the fact most people know many blacks have used inferior degrees to get fed, jobs & call themselves doctor for years . do you think wright acted like an educated person before the press club . does powel ,rice,& many others no! they have a real eduation & have worked very hard rather than use race as an crutch & abuse their own race & the poor.where did the millons come from wright has in his downtown bank?
Anyone who says the Clintons were behind this are giving them WAY too much credit.
Obama’s been hiding behind the skirts of the media and his campaign and always blaming others for his problems. Hillary had nothing to do with this. Obama should step down now while he still has some integrity left and go back to the senate floor until he grows up.
Thank you Hillary for giving Obama the opportunity to distance himself from Rev. Wright. It shows time and time again how the mud that you throw at Obama ends up hurting your opportunities to be our nominee.
I didn’t believe there was a Clinton connection until today, on MSNBC a Clinton spokeswoman was asked “has the Clinton campaign had any contact with Rev. Wright” The answer: “Not that I am aware of”…odd indeed.
Regarding Obama’s 20 year relationship and the oft repeated “he had to have known” -Tamron Hall MSNBC has stated several times that the Trinity Church is ‘mainstream’ she said she lived in Chicago for 10 years, attended the church 5 or 6 times, and heard nothing offensive and that long time members she spoke to heard nothing controversial during sermons and at least one member who attends regularly was shocked by Wright’s recent statements.
Yes, it would be a nasty campaign tactic and that is exactly how the Clinton’s political machine does business. Of course the Clinton campaign was behind this engagement just as they are responsible for bringing the Pastor into this election. Please remember that Hillary was aware of Trinity Church as she and Bill invited Rev. Wright to the White House when Bill was facing impeachment for lying under oath. The Clinton’s denial of bringing Rev. Wright into this campaign would not even be on the radar for people who are able to put their hand on the bible, swear to tell truth and then lie.
Obama created this situation. He got into bed with the leader of one of the biggest churches in Chicago to further his political career and now he is paying the price. He talks constantly about the “old” politics yet it appears that he has been playing that game since long ago when he started pursuing his amibitions for political office. His chickens have come home to roost.
What concerns me is that no one is on the news talk shows are reporting this conspiracy theory!! The cable news shows are full of the Wright Debacle but won’t'question why this supposedly respected Press Club would stoop so low just to have a Clinton supporter pay back a favor!!
And you say this political race is not about race? What’s going to happen is, that all of the black supporters of Obama (if he does not win the Democratic nomination) will not vote for Hillary or anyone else. This smells to high heaven!!!! I am one of those black supporters of Obama and will not, under any circumstances, vote for a devious and untruthful person such as Hillary Clinton!! I am sure that most black voters feel the same.
It is not surprising to have someone whining about this - the racial card will be played AGAIN.
And OBAMA camp will whine on. If you sleep with a dog, you get fleas - Live with it. Obama said Wright was fair game.
After hearing him talk the other day, I am surprised that anyone would belong to his church.
There is little doubt in my mind that the Clinton Machine is behind attempts toward a downfall of Obama, including the Wright stuff - the most powerful yet.
I wonder how Rev. Wright feels now that the truth is out. The press wasn’t interested in hearing his side of the story, they only used him to try to sabotage the DNC nomination for Obama.
And of course neither Clinton nor Reynolds could be reached for comment, how politically convenient.
Because of these types of dirty campaigning Hillary and republicans will provide the most fun to people like me who would love to watch both sides destroy each other during general election. Maybe then, Americans will wake up and put an end to both parties. I cannot wait to vote for Obama/Bloomberg as the leaders of a new independent party that will take the presidency during 2008 & 2012 and put this country on the right track.