Obama distances himself further from controversial minister.

WINSTON-SALEM. NORTH CAROLINA  UNITED STATES (APRIL 29, 2008) NBC -

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama denounced his former
pastor in his strongest language to date on Tuesday (April 29), saying he was
outraged by Rev. Jeremiah Wright's assertions about the U.S. government and
race.
    "His comments were not only divisive ... but I believe that they
end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate," Obama told reporters.

        Obama was forced to address the issue again after another
appearance on Monday by Wright to combat criticism of his controversial
sermons that have, among other things, suggested the United States deserved
some blame for the Sept. 11 attacks and had had a hand in spreading AIDS to
blacks.
    "When he states and then amplifies, such ridiculous propositions
as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that
Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th
and 21st centuries, when he equates United States war time efforts with
terrorism then there are no excuses. They offend me. They rightly offend all
Americans and they should be denounced. That's what I am doing very clearly
and unequivocally here today" Obama told reporters.  
     Wright's comments have undercut the campaign of Obama, the the son of
a white mother and a black father who has based his campaign on a promise to
unite the country after years of sharp political and racial divisions.
     Wright, who presided over Obama's wedding and baptized his children,
is now semi-retired from Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, which
Obama joined 20 years ago.