Bill Clinton Welcomed Wright

Photo from 1998 shows controversial pastor no fringe character
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 21, 2008 8:06 AM CDT
Bill Clinton Welcomed Wright
Then-President Bill Clinton shakes hands with Reverend Jeremiah Wright in this Sept. 11, 1998, photo, which appeared on an anonymous blog and again in the New York Times yesterday.

Barack Obama’s controversial former pastor was twice invited to the Clinton White House with groups of influential clergy, Politico reports, demonstrating that he is not the fringe figure he's been made out to be in the recent flap over his views. A photograph of Jeremiah Wright with Bill Clinton was posted by an anonymous blog supporting his church and has been distributed elsewhere, including the New York Times, courtesy of the Obama campaign.

The photo is from a “prayer breakfast” Clinton held to express contrition at the height of the Lewinsky scandal. Many religious leaders were present, as were Al Gore and Hillary Clinton. There is nothing to indicate that Clinton knew of Wright’s views or statements. Asked for a response, a top Clinton aide responded, “Urgent indeed—a picture?—oooooooo!” (More Barack Obama stories.)

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