Director Spike Lee questioned the timing of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s press conference this week, and the statements he made.
Lee hinted at a political conspiracy behind the Chicago pastor’s recent, contentious attempts to justify his remarks. “It looks like he’s being paid to keep talking,” he said…”I’m starting to wonder whether somebody has been contributing to the building funds of his church. Seriously.” Lee, whose films have frequently tackled the issue of race relations in the US, believes that Obama had hoped to survive the presidential contest without talking about race: “But now he’s been forced to – by a combination of Jeremiah Wright and the Clintons.”
Is Lee on to something? Is someone exploiting the split in Obama’s relationship with Wright? And are they paying — in money, favors, or future promises — for his continued high profile?
Thom Hartman, who is not a Clinton supporter, believes Wright has a book deal. Hartman, who is the author of over 20 books, including NYT bestsellers, says publishers will pay extra, often double, if there is a controversy because controversy = sales.