Replies

LAWTON: Wright says he warned Obama at the beginning of his career that their relationship could have negative ramifications.

Rev. WRIGHT: They're going to associate your name with mine, and that could be detrimental, I told him back then. It holds just as true, even more so, now.

--------

Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama’s audition for the ultimate establishment job.

“If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.”