South Side Kabuki?NYT 4/30/2007
Despite the canceled invocation, Mr. Wright prayed with the Obama family just before his presidential announcement. Asked later about the incident, the Obama campaign said in a statement, “Senator Obama is proud of his pastor and his church.”
In March, Mr. Wright said in an interview that his family and some close associates were angry about the canceled address, for which they blamed Obama campaign advisers but that the situation was “not irreparable,” adding, “Several things need to happen to fix it.”
Asked if he and Mr. Wright had patched up their differences, Mr. Obama said: “Those are conversations between me and my pastor.”
Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama’s audition for the ultimate establishment job.
“If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.”http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=sloginIs this the long-planned scene where Obama needs a boost for his 'moderate' credentials? Was Wright a straw monster, caricaturing himself at the National Press Club etc. for the 'public distancing'?
Lights, camera, action!