Daughter: Rev. Wright NOT publishing book in October
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/04/30/art.wright2.jpg%5D
Roland S. Martin
AC360° Contributor
CNN Political Analyst
A New York magazine cover story last week reignited the debate over Rev. Jeremiah Wright when it stated – without attribution – that the former pastor of Sen. Barack Obama was releasing a new book.
But his daughter, Jeri, told me today that the story is absolutely false.
"The only book we're working on is the history of Trinity (United Church of Christ) and I haven't even started editing that," Wright told Essence.com.
After I reached out to her, she called her father, who is teaching and ministering in Ghana (I ran into him last month when I was in the West African nation) and said he "laughed" when she asked about the book.
"He said that he also got an email, but was unable to respond since he's in email hell," Wright said, meaning in a place in Ghana where it's difficult to send and receive email.
"I asked him if he was writing and he said, 'Nope. I'm not publishing anything. I'm not going on any book tours.'"
Rumors about a pre-election book by Wright have been surfacing for the last few months, and intensified since the New York article.
It even has caused a stir among Obama supporters, who were also chasing down the rumor to see if there was any legitimacy to it.
I even got calls from executives in the publishing world inquiring as to whether the story is true.
Jeri Wright says when her dad returns to another part of Ghana, he will issue a formal response to the New York article reiterating that what they reported is false.
Editor's Note: This was first posted on Essence.com. You can also read more from Roland at RolandSMartin.com.
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Filed under: Barack Obama • Raw Politics • Religion • Rev. Jeremiah Wright • Roland S. Martin |
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Who cares if he writes a book or not? It's like the response to Nancy Pelosi's book. If you want to read it, buy it. But I hear sales aren't doing too well.
Rev. Wright is a brilliant man. A lot of what he said in his televised speech is true and should not be considered racist. What is amazing is how on a daily basis, white people whether they are famous or not continue to put down people of color with offhanded comments that they think is okay to say and expect colored people to tolerate, but once you start unveiling the truth about them, then that is perceived as being a bad thing. The truth is, those people don't have a valid right to criticize Rev. Wright for expressing his BLACKNESS and the pain he and other Blacks feel from having to live in a society filled with ignorant and crazy whites who continue to be a problem to us. What I am more interested in hearing from Rev. Wright are possible solutions in dealing with THE PROBLEM. So if or when he does write another book dealing with that subject matter, instead of making a negative issue out of it, people should examine the positive side of exploring these issues because one of the big flaws this country continues to have is a race problem, which Rev. Wright did not create. And if whites continue to attack Black issues, then they are further cultivating the thinking that most Blacks already have about them as a "race" of people in general.
Wright has no clout.
I wasn't worried.
Oh, and from an African American (it's necessary to point this out sometimes) – I support Obama, not for the color of his skin, but for the content of his character; his intellect, his judgment to lead, his ability to be diplomatic...too many attributes to list.
We are only a small percentage of voters. Whites support him too.
Please stop sounding desperate.
Obama 08
We really couldn't care a less what or where Rev.Wright is. Hopefully he stays far away until after Nov 4th. We will see all the Wright footage over again before the election. We don't need new footage. Stay gone Mr. Wright.............
The New York magazine cover didn't ignite the debate over Rev. Jeremiah Wright in my case. I would have never known The NY Mag had such a story had you not reported it here. I would never buy the NY Mag. And quite frankly couldn't care less is Rev Wright is writing another book or not. It's his privilidge and right to do so if he chooses. And what made you think that a possibility of another book by Rev. Wright would ignite anything?
I'm really having a hard time trying to discern who truly are Obama supporters and who are just pretending to be for their own personal gain. Politics can be so confusing.
Don't want poor folk deciding whether to buy the Wright Stuff book or Obama's little red book.
Oh, stop it already. Rev. Wright has a doctorate in theology..he also has 3 other degrees this will be his 4th or 5th book he has written on theology. He's not some dumb preacher like most of those white preachers/mininsters you and your ilk support who have no theology teaching/training. Stop confusing this highly educated man with your kind of preachers.
How much money Obama paid not to publishing the book
Again Chicago politics
If the rumor of a new book by Reverend Wright worried the Obama campaign then what would he have to write about that the campaign would be so concerned with? I doubt many voters would read the book and at this point a lot of people have made up their minds and anything Wright wrote probably would not change their choices.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Roland: Well, it's nice that you cleared up the rumor mill on Rev. Wright releasing a pre-election book. It does make you wonder, though, if he ever was considering it but just changed his mind I, personally, would have no interest in reading any book authored by him.
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
Dear R.M.
Rev. Wright is leaving us alone so why don't we leave him alone. I think he has a right to write a book, and I would read it as a way to better understand his thinking. I think this topic is something Obama's critics are conjuring up to keep the whole story on Wright alive. I dislike politics and media hacks.
Also, I am disgusted with the Hillary campaign adviser (Wolfsen) trying to score points for Hillary by exploiting the Edwards' affair. Edwards wife is fighting for her life and trying to survive this family tragedy as well. David Gergen doesn't question McCain's right to run for office based on his past infidelity to his first wife. Nor will he state the obvious, that Obama is the only candidate of the top three primary candidates who actually appears to love and honor his spouse. So I have found another reason to support Obama. He upholds family values, which of course, makes him an eletist! I wish more Americans could catch the disease.
When's obama's book on his plan to 'change' our freedoms to socialism coming out? I hear its gonna cost $15 to buy or get as an ebook; will it be colored red?
Roland; I'm sure you won't let these comments be posted because as you can tell I'm not an Obama-Devil Worshipper. Timothy, Sen. Clinton did not lose because of The Monica Scandel, she lost because 95% of Blacks voted for a Black, nothing more or nothing less. Obama and his supporters are nothing more than a bunch of racists, who like to point the finger at anyone White and say that they are the racist. It doesn't matter if you like it or not this is the kind of bringing together of the races, that Obama, has succeded in doing. In a world where there is already so much hatred, that's just what we need. OH! and if Obama, does make it to be POTUS, that's when Rev. Wright will write his book, to let White people know that Obama and his wife are nothing more than racist themselves.
C- Los Angeles wrote:
"... the presidential candidate [Obama] swiftboated by his very own black pastor and Jesse Jackson."
Obama's best friend is the white man (and woman).
Blacks had better be toning down their expectations as to the goodies BO will (and won't) be throwing their way should he become POTUS.
Roland;why must you continue to write stories, that brings out hate in Obama supporters? Timothy; you said that you won't vote for any man,(White man) that has cheated, well here's a bit of news for you The National Enquirer, yes the same paper that broke the news on Edwards, has a lovely little story entitled Obama's LOVE CHILD. And as far as Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers and Father Phelger goes,Obama has been friends and attend this hate-filled racist church for 20+ years. I would also like to point out that Sen. McCain never sat in Pastor Hagee's church for over 20 + years. Boy, Roland the last few reports, that you have written, are really starting to show just how much of a closet racist, you are. Obama, is really bringing out the best in people.
Wow, this has a blog, but the fact that Mukasey saying no crimes were committed in the Bush Justice League does not, if so I can't find it on this site....? Hmmm... and the media is suppose to lean left...OK, I'll drink my koolaid now. John Edwards story is really going to help us solve our foreign oil problem too!! More koolaid please.
"And who really cares if he writes a book. If he does that is his prerogative. No matter who likes it or not.
Cindy…Ga."
EXACTLY. I won't be buying it. Besides Obama left the church. Case closed. Move on.
One more thing about the whole "infidelity / sexual scandals" stuff. If this is truly going to be played out in the media, maybe we should all just promise to NOT vote for anyone who has ever had an affair! I'll make that pledge right now. Here goes.
"I hereby refuse to vote for Bill Clinton, John Edwards, John McCain, David Vitter and any other politician who has an affair, or gets caught propositioning anonymous people for sex in a public facility like Larry Craig."
Of course, if enough people make that pledge then Barack "Barry" Obama is gonna be our next President! HOORAY!
So, who cares? No one
Wright is not a factor – So who wanted this written and posted at this very moment. Why was this piece needed. for what reason?
So, Americans are all stupid. and we can't see why this is being done now? This is a CNN journalism disgrace
Sounds like your in with the Rev's family? "his daughter Jeri told me "....You reached out to her?.... You ran into Wright in Ghana?... hmmm small world , this is where the bias comes into play, in reality we have much more serious and urgent problems to address rather than this over paid clergy.
Maritza
I found it very interesting when the mainstream media asked the American public if they were ready for a black President only to have the presidential candidate swiftboated by his very own black pastor and Jesse Jackson.
I wonder if the plane ticket to Ghana that the Obama campaign purchased for Rev. Wright was one way?
Why can't we leave the Wright mess were it belongs...in the past. It is dead and gone and shouldn't even be brought back up.
And who really cares if he writes a book. If he does that is his prerogative. No matter who likes it or not.
Cindy...Ga.
And the literary world is saved once more from having to read mindless dribble while someone who can't write makes a profit because of his name and scandal. Someone thank the Reverend for us all.
You know I was flipping thru the channels over the weekend and Fox News was actually talking about Rev Wright and I just kept flipping thinking about how pathetic they are. Why is this news? Who really cares? I would expect this from them fools over at Fox News but not CNN.
Reverent Wright? Again?!!? How about focusing on the absolutely huge problems our nation is facing after eight years of mismanagement?
AND... if we are going to have to focus on things like Reverend Wright or John Edwards affairs then lets have equal access to Republican Preachers like John Hagee, and Republican infidelities and "family values" of John McCain and Cindy HENSLEY McCain. I'm sure FOCM "Friends of Carol McCain" might have a few choice words about the cheating ways of John McCain and how he pushed his crippled wife and three kids overboard for the pretty rodeo queen. All the Reagan fans out there would be interested to note that Ronald and Nancy Reagan were close friends of Carol McCains and dismissed John McCain as a friend when he left Carol and his kids, for Cindy.
One other thing I'd like to note, and that is the absolute lunacy of the Hillary Clinton crowd saying she would have somehow benefitted from Edwards infidelity scandal being exposed during the primary. Hillary was hurt by Clinton fatigue, in the first place. Had the Clintons not had the Monica problem she would have been our nominee. This scandal would have hurt, not helped, her chances and she needs to face that cold hard fact.
Republicans are truly grasping at straws in trying to attack Obama because there is really nothing left the Obama camp can't turn around and say, "I know what YOU are, but WHAT am I?"