In a defiant appearance before the Washington media, the Rev Jeremiah Wright said on Monday that criticism surrounding his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church and he rejected those who have labeled him unpatriotic. “I served six years in the military,” Barack Obama’s longtime pastor said. “Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?”Wright spoke at the National Press Club before reporters and a supportive audience of black church leaders beginning a two-day symposium. He said the black church tradition is not bombastic or controversial, but different and misunderstood by the “dominant culture” in the United States.He said his Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has a long history of liberating the oppressed by feeding the hungry, supporting recovery for the addicted and helping senior citizens in need. He said congregants have fought in the military, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.“My goddaughter’s unit just arrived in Iraq this week while those who call me unpatriotic have used their positions of privilege to avoid military service while sending over 4,000 American boys and girls to die over a lie,” he said.Wright seemed to relish the chance to speak out after weeks of being derided in the press. He reveled in his retorts, high-fiving an audience member, pointing and winking at his supporters and mocking descriptions of him as Obama’s spiritual mentor.“I’m a pastor, he’s a member. I’m not a spiritual mentor. Voodoo,” he said, leaning into the microphone and wiggling his fingers in the air like he was conducting a seance.Wright’s appearance was his third in four days, keeping alive a story that continues to dog Obama’s campaign.Obama says no to debate•Senator Barack Obama has refused to debate with Senator Hillary Clinton before the crucial primaries of Indiana and North Carolina that will be held on May 6. Senator Clinton threw the gauntlet on Saturday challenging the front runner to a Lincoln-Douglas style debate with no moderator — a reference to Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.•Clinton has a better chance than Obama of beating Republican John McCain, according to a new AP-Ipsos poll that bolsters her argument that she is more electable.
