Posted March 25, 2008 - Controversy stemming from the remarks of Sen. Barack Obama’s former reverend, Jeremiah Wright has recently gotten a lot of attention. So much, in fact, that last week Obama was compelled to publically address race for the first time during his campaign, in what some are hailing as an historic speech on race relations.

The Rev. Wright, though, has been quiet through the swirl, not making any statements publically. But a letter sent about a year ago to  New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor, written by the pastor gives us some insight into his thoughts on Obama, before the release of his taped sermons. 

In the letter, posted below, the Rev. Wright, praises Obama while lighting up the writer for saying he was “disinvited” to the event where Obama announced his presidency among other claims.  “I have never been exposed to that kind of duplicitous behavior before, and I want to write you publicly to let you know that I do not approve of it and will not be party to any further smearing of the name, the reputation, the integrity or the character of perhaps this nation's first (and maybe even only) honest candidate offering himself for public service as the person to occupy the Oval Office,” he wrote. He also called the newspaper’s editor a sensationalist.

Read the Reverend’s fiery note in its entirety on the next page.