Politics

Obama Friend Denies Allegation He Tried to Bribe Rev. Wright Into Keeping Quiet

Obama Friend Eric Whitaker Denies Ed Klein Amateur Book Allegation He Tried to Bribe Rev. Jeremiah Wright Into Keeping Quiet

AP

One of President Barack Obama’s closest friends has denied the charge that he tried to pay Rev. Jeremiah Wright $150,000 to keep quiet until after the 2008 election.

Eric Whitaker was not named in Ed Klein’s book “The Amateur,” but Klein revealed his name during a promotional appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity.”

“His name is Dr. Eric Whitaker. Dr. Whitaker is the vice president of the University of Chicago Medical Center and he’s a member of Obama’s very tight inner-circle,” Klein said. [Whitaker] sent an email to a member of the church saying that the Rev. Wright could get a $150,000 if he would shut up and not criticize Obama anymore.”

According to Klein’s book, Wright rejected the offer, prompting a secretive visit from candidate Obama himself.

But in an email to ABC News, Whitaker denied the book’s allegation.

Whitaker wrote: “I have received your message asking whether I’d offered any sort of a bribe during the 2008 campaign. The answer is no. Thank you for giving me the chance to respond.” He didn’t respond to a follow-up question.

In the book, Klein recounted the following conversation with Wright:

“Who sent the e-mail?” I asked Wright.

“It was from one of Barack’s closest friends.”

“He offered you money?”

“Not directly,” Wright said. “He sent the offer to one of the members of the church, who sent it to me.”

“How much money did he offer you?”

“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” Wright said.

Klein’s journalistic methods have come under criticism from both sides, including a critique on this site.

Asked to respond to the bribery allegation, White House press secretary Jay Carney told ABC that Klein “lacks a certain amount of credibility.”

“The Amateur” contained a number of other explosive allegations, including that former President Bill Clinton called Obama an “amateur” and wanted Hillary Clinton to run against him in 2012; that Caroline Kennedy considers Obama a “liar”; and a rivalry between first lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Comments (72)

1 2
  • Coonrapids
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:29pm

    The cockroaches will always run when the lights come on. Back to dope, white women, and the Chicago trash in 169 days.

    Report Post » Coonrapids  
  • Hickory
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:26pm

    You may be interested in this:
    http://godfatherpolitics.com/4506/obama-campaign-threaten-life-of-chelsea-clinton-to-keep-parents-silent-on-obamas-ineligibility/#.T3sutNslxbU.twitter

    Report Post » Hickory  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:26pm

      Interesting article ..but i always thought bill Clinton and Obama were Birds of a feather…Bill Clinton is a whole lot smarter than Obama and Still has a lot of influence in politics. .it seems unlikely he would do nothing if his family was threatened.

      Report Post »  
  • tothepoint
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:22pm

    Obama and his gang are proven serial liars.
    Believe nothing they say.
    Watch everything they do.

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:45pm

      They couldn’t admit it for it would incriminate themselves “Hence the need to plead the fifth in a court of law”

      Report Post »  
  • Hickory
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:03pm

    Sooooo, which one of the liars, Obama or Wright, is lying this time?

    Report Post » Hickory  
  • jbrote47
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Wonder how much obama paid to have someone say he didn’t pay the reverand?

    Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:32pm

    Did not the Republicans try this last time? Maybe it will work the 2nd time…..Rev. Wright, Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright Rev. Wright
    Nobody is listening!!!!

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:56pm

      Dream on ! Everybody is aware of the Smoke and Mirrors this time around…

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:13pm

      barber2
      Really?

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:45pm

      TIME: Yes. Really.

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:54pm

      barber2
      Ok…. Good luck with that.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • Cosmos102
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:39pm

      You’re so smart and fun to have around, time_2_end. Please promise me you’ll never go back to your old Leftie website.

      Report Post » Cosmos102  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:45pm

      Cosmos102
      Thank you but im really not that smart…….barber is just………….well…………thanks again.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • Publius Duo
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:29pm

      Repubs had nothing to do with Wright, it was Klein, who, until he dissed King Obama was the darling of the left. So get your facts straight. The libs will eat their own if they dis the King.

      Hope for Change. Vote NObama in 2012.

      End the Monarchy. November 6, 2012. America’s Bastille Day.

      Report Post » Publius Duo  
  • nobull14
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:23pm

    You cannot believe anything out of the Obummer administration or any of his paid off friends ? .

    Report Post »  
  • Free2speakRN
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:55pm

    Bunch of liars. Who can you believe? It was in Obama’s interest to bribe the Communist.

    Report Post »  
  • savewhitepeople
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:42pm

    Africa for Africans, Asia for Asians, White Countries for Everybody
    Annihilation by Assimilation

    Every white country on earth is supposed to become multicultural and multiracial. EVERY white country is expected to end its own race and end its own culture. No one asks that of ANY non-white country.

    The Netherlands is as crowded as Japan, Belgium is as crowded as Taiwan, yet no one says Japan or Taiwan will solve the RACE problem by letting millions of third-worlders invade, mate and date with them.

    The final solution to the RACE problem is for EVERY white country and ONLY white countries to bring in the third world and assimilate with them.

    Immigration, tolerance, and especially assimilation are being used against the white race.

    All this immigration and intermarriage is for EVERY white country and ONLY white countries.

    Anti-white is called anti-racist, which leads to the disappearance of one race only, the white race. The real aim of anti-racism is to wipe out the white race or make it a minority anywhere it exists.

    It is genocide.

    Report Post »  
    • cliffattheblaze
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:21pm

      What? I’m sorry, but in my humble opinion, you’re nuts. Whites have interbred in every country they conquered. Look at Mexico if you want proof.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:54pm

      CLIFF: please read my comment below. This one is odd…

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:01pm

      CLIFFATTHEBLAZE, If you mean the Spaniards you need to take another look. Spain was successfully invaded in the 12th century by the Moores who held the country for almost a century. They interbred with the Spanish people pretty much making them a race of mulatos. It took the more Arian appearing Basque to come down from the mountains and finally run the Moores back to Africa. The Basque to this day are about the only true Caucasion Spaniards even today.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • savewhitepeople
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:41pm

    Genocide as the disappearance of a people, then how is this not genocide?

    1. Massive numbers of immigrants are forced into white countries only.
    2. Govt forces whites to integrate with non-whites under penalites of law.
    3. Whites are forced to tolerate and praise these actions.
    4. Assimilation (blending) is held as a worthy ideal resulting in many mixed race off-spring.

    How is this not white genocide?

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:29pm

      SAVE: you have written practically the same comments for 9 different articles here. Who sent you here ? Just what is your purpose and agenda ? Very odd…..

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:31pm

    It’s Chicago… What is not to believe about Graft & Crime?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • alcarfl
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:25pm

    P.S. Whitaker took Mrs. Obama’s “cush” position at the U of I medical center. What are the odds of that? Small world, folks. Nothing here, move along sheeple. Just the usual Chicago-style back scratching. Wright turned down 150K. I wonder how much he didn’[t turn down? Just askin’.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:17pm

    I sure wish Obama’s chickens would come home to roost !

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:52pm

      If your wrecklessly driving the train sooner or later it will derail.

      Report Post »  
  • rickroland
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:08pm

    “I have received your message asking whether I’d offered any sort of a bribe during the 2008 campaign. The answer is no. Thank you for giving me the chance to respond.” He didn’t respond to a follow-up question.”

    Riiiiggggghhhhttt! You see, the wording is very slippery here. What was probably said in the e-mail was something along the lines of a donation could be made to Rev. Wright‘s church if certain generalized things happened or didn’t happen.

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:58pm

    It makes no difference. The truth does not stick to Commies until you kill them off. Hopefully before they kill you off.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:57pm

    Ed Klein punked Glenn Beck with a made up story.

    Mr. Beck signature t-shirts emblazoned with his new “I’m An Easy Mark” slogan on sale soon.

    Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:16pm

      Like you just pounced us with this comment ?! ( gotta get it in print . makes it true ! )

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:03pm

      Mary, apparently everything is Bull Sh*t to you. I guess that makes you queen of the BS.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • jmgair
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:56pm

    Oh so it never even happened we are now supposed to believe ? He said no he did not try to bribe Wright which could be true in Chicago where a bribe is not called a bribe because it is just business as usual.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:19pm

      Yes. Sort of the Chicago version of “ it depends on what the meaning of ”is,” is…

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:55pm

    Same old spin on Obamas actions; deny and spin everything until the full story comes out with confirmation; then run and distract all from it.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • 4GODUSAANDISRAEL
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:45pm

    like he’d admit it. all of these liberturds lie about everything. are we really shocked that he pulls the same action a 5 year old caught with their hand in the cookie jar would? “Nuh uh, I didn’t do it.” For Pete’s sake, even when you have them on tape saying something they go, “That’s not what I said, you took it out of context, this is what i really meant (even though the words I’m using now are a complete 180 from what I said previously). you just didn’t understand it.”

    Report Post » 4GODUSAANDISRAEL  
  • dadsrootbeer
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:44pm

    Lying is this administrations number one asset

    Report Post » dadsrootbeer  
  • fromo1946
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:13pm

    Really Jay Carney???? Who lacks in credibillity is your boss…I’m sorry, this baffoon is going all over the place at our expense, collecting money for his election campaign, when he should’ve been behind his desk sorting out the crisis with the economy. Yet, you have the gall to point your finger out to others. Remember Jay, when you point out, your index finger points out and the other three fingers point back!!!

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:38pm

      I am so glad that the Blaze released this story!

      I was really torn – on one hand, my belief in God and the knowledge that God hates Abortion, Gay Marriage and Non-Support of Israel, and on the other hand, I was finding it harder and harder to vote for Obama because of the bribe he paid Rev Wright.

      But now that a close friend of Obama has come out and stated that he did not do this – I now feel so comfortable voting for Obama!

      This friend of Obama would never lie. Only Satan will lie, deceive and destroy all that follow him – so why would this guy, in his position at the University, lie about such a thing.

      If you are looking for liars – look at Bush, Chaney and Tim Teabow – now they are real liars occording to Obama!

      This is Sarcasm with a capital “S” – please don’t fall for it – just like all of the God believing Black American Christian, that will turn on God the moment they pull the voting booth lever for Obama.

      I feel like in this election – God will allow everyone a clear chance to accept or reject God Word – let’s take the candidates out of the race – you and you alone will have a clear chance to vote against God or vote for Abortion, Gay Marriage, turning your back on Israel, and spiting directly in the face of God!

      Did I make myself clear!

      Report Post » db321  
    • lwillis59
      Posted on June 3, 2012 at 1:01am

      perfectly clear…. well stated.

      Report Post »  
  • Publius Duo
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:12pm

    Are you suprised? Oh course he’s going to deny it. He‘s one of NObama’s closest friends. Someone needs to pay Wright for that cardboard box already so we can learn the truth, which, we already know. NObama’s a liar. Why would his best friend be any different? Seems like there are alot of Eric’s lying around NObama.

    Report Post » Publius Duo  
  • inblack
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:08pm

    Well someone is lying.

    Report Post »  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:25pm

      Those were my thoughts, exactly. Either the Rev is lying or Whitaker is. Since the Rev is on tape, there can be no denial of what his version of the truth is. It seem to be a bit of a sticky wicket on which one the Democrats wish to call a liar,

      Report Post » pavnvet  
  • ddg7
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:08pm

    A friend of Obama and you expect the truth! That ranks right up there with “the check is in the mail”.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:34pm

      Ah, yes. The friends and associates of Obama : Ayers, Rezko, Blago…..to name but a few !

      Report Post »  
  • Magicsmom
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:07pm

    I believe Rev. Wright. He’s the only one in this scenario with no reason to lie.

    Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love