Thread: Kilpatrick Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Kilpatrick Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Last Update: 3:18 pm

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (AP) - Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick defended Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. on Friday, saying Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's controversial former pastor should be judged by his life's work.

"I've been to his church. I've heard numerous amounts of his speeches," Kilpatrick said. "I think he's probably one of the greatest orators to walk this earth. If he says something to offend people, he apologizes."

The embattled mayor is facing his own personal controversy in the form of perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice charges that stem from a text-messaging sex scandal. He made the comment in response to statements made by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

Kilpatrick and Patterson were two of the panelists at a meeting of regional leaders in Birmingham.

Wright is scheduled to deliver the keynote address April 27 at a fundraiser for the Detroit NAACP.

"We all know what Reverend Wright said," Patterson said. "If he goes to the Freedom (Fund) dinner and makes similar comments, then he's just driven a huge wedge, I think, to divide blacks and whites - African Americans from the white community.

"I think he's one of the most divisive people I've ever heard speak. If he gives the same speech he gave before, I think he'll do irreparable damage to race relations" in the area.

Wright is a retired pastor at Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Video excerpts of some of his past sermons contain comments by Wright in which he calls the country "U.S. of KKK-A." Wright also accuses U.S. leaders of bringing on the Sept. 11 attacks by spreading terrorism.

Obama has condemned the remarks, but his relationship with Wright has dogged his presidential campaign.

Wright should be judged by his 36-year career, not those remarks, Kilpatrick said.

"I don't agree that somebody, who's not from here, can say anything to do irreparable harm to race relations," Kilpatrick said. "If he can do that, then we have very bad race relations right now."

Kilpatrick was expected to appear Friday afternoon at a 36th District Court hearing in Detroit on whether the judge assigned to his criminal case, and the entire court bench, should be disqualified due to potential conflicts of interests.

He and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, are accused of lying under oath at a whistle-blowers' trial when they denied having a romantic relationship. They face a June 9 preliminary examination.

Kilpatrick and Patterson were joined by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chair William Crouchman at Friday's forum, which primarily focused on race relations, the economy and regionalism.

The panel, especially Kilpatrick and Patterson, often seen as foes on policy matters, did share light moments.

In response to a question from a 9-year-old about what classes it takes to become mayor, Kilpatrick said: "First, a solid background in law."

Patterson quickly pointed out a lawyer in the audience and joked he was the only attorney Kilpatrick hadn't yet hired.

Kilpatrick countered: "It's still early."

http://tinyurl.com/3so6dm

Birds of a feather flock together

Hmmmmmm...Kwame Kilpatrick. Now there's a ringing endorsement.