On the Democratic side, Senator Barack Obama has again distanced himself from his former pastor, whose political views have brought national attention. Over the past week, Reverend Jeremiah Wright has been scrutinized in the media for linking the attacks of September 11 to US foreign policy in the Middle East and for saying that the country was founded on racism. On Tuesday, Obama said he disagrees with Wright on several issues but could not ignore their personal ties.

Sen. Barack Obama: “As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding and baptized my children. Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect. He contains within him the contradictions — the good and
the bad — of the community that he has served diligently for so many years.”

Observers called the speech the first time Obama has extensively addressed the issue of race during his fifteen-month campaign.