According to Edward Klein in today’s New York Post, then-Senator Barack Obama’s political campaign tried, through back channels, to bribe Rev. Jeremiah Wright not to speak during the 2008 election cycle. The price: $150,000.

According to Wright, “one of Barack’s closest friends” directed an offer to Wright through a member of Wright’s church. Obama also asked to meet with Wright “in secret, in a secure place.” They met one-on-one. Here’s what happened at the meeting, according to Wright:

“Barack said, ‘I’m sorry you don’t see it the way I do. Do you know what your problem is?’ And I said, ‘No, what’s my problem?’ And he said, ‘You have to tell the truth.’ I said, ‘That’s a good problem to have. That’s a good problem for all preachers to have. That’s why I could never be a politician.’

“And he said, ‘It’s going to get worse if you go out there and speak. It’s really going to get worse.’

“And he was so right.”

Apparently, then, Obama never disowned Wright’s views. He just disowned him publicly, and tried to pay him off to keep quiet.