Opinion: The Rev. Jeremiah Wright watch: He’s taking a rest

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Along with winning the Oregon primary and passing his self-declared milestone of obtaining a majority of pledged Democratic convention delegates, Barack Obama had another reason to be in a good mood Tuesday, even as he absorbed a thumping in Kentucky.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright -- his preacher-turned-bete noir, canceled two approaching appearances in all-so-important Pennsylvania.

Wright was scheduled to headline a revival at a church in the Philadelphia area on May 28 and 29, and then preach at another local church on June 1. But the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that he had decided to take a pass, citing fatigue.

Understandable; we imagine that almost single-handedly wrecking the presidential campaign of a former parishioner can be quite exhausting (to recollect his now-infamous appearance at Washington’s National Press Club, go here).

This quote from one of the ministers who was going to host Wright, however, must have sent shivers up the spines of Obama aides. The Rev. Martini Shaw told the Inquirer that Wright ‘desired some time for refreshment and refueling.’

Just what the campaign doesn’t need -- Wright resurfacing at some point with a full tank of gasoline (figuratively speaking, of course).

-- Don Frederick