Mar 28, 2008 11:16 pm US/Eastern
Rev. Jeremiah Wright Makes Surprise Appearance
Sen. Obama's Controversial Former Pastor Speaks For First Time Since Scandal Breaks
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright made a surprise appearance in Chicago Friday night.
Wright, Sen. Barack Obama's former pastor, appeared at Saint Sabina church to hear famed African American poet Maya Angelou speak, CBS station WBBM-TV reported.
Wright has been laying low ever since some of his controversial sermons surfaced, and his appearance Friday seemed to come as a surprise to the audience. They quickly showed their support.
Wright looked tan and smiled as the audience sang happy birthday to Dr. Maya Angelou, also a speaker at the event. Angelou turned 82.
People who know Wright believe it is clear the ordeal has taken a toll. It is not clear how the pastor feels about the fact that Obama has distanced himself.
"Had the Reverend not retired, and, had he not acknowledged that what
he had said had deeply offended people, and were inappropriate and
mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for
all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at
the church," Obama said on "The View."
Wright did not mention Obama, or the tapes that are played over and over on national televison. He simply gave the benediction and received another round of thunderous applause.
"He looked affected. I mean, it's hard not to be affected when that many things are said on a national stage about what you are," said Chicago School Board President Rufus Williams. "It's hard to ignore it and it's hard to not be affected by that."
After he spoke, Wright went to an office off the pulpit, where dozens of people lined up to greet him.
"I wanted him to come tonight as a guest, because he loves Dr. Angelou, and I wanted him to see the love of people for him," Father Michael Pfleger said. "And so when I asked him about coming he said it would be an honor to come and it was a blessing having him here."
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