Obama Pastor’s Tampa Appearance Canceled for Security Reasons
  • An anticipated appearance in a Tampa, Fla., church by Barack Obama’s former pastor and spiritual adviser — his first since his inflammatory sermons drew national scrutiny — has been canceled due to security concerns, according to the senior pastor at the church.

    The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. had been expected to speak at the Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace for three nights starting Tuesday evening.

    Rev. Earl Mason, senior pastor at the church, said he canceled Wright’s appearance because the local sheriff’s office would not agree to provide the necessary security without charging the church extra, and that he had concerns about escorting Wright and maintaining crowd control.

    Mason said the church was under no pressure from the Obama campaign to cancel the appearance.