On the campaign trail, Senator Barack Obama has sharply denounced his former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Wright broke his media silence this week since the controversy over his alleged views on issues including US foreign policy and the 9/11 attacks. On Tuesday, Senator Obama condemned what he called Reverend Wright’s “divisive and destructive” comments.

Sen. Barack Obama: “The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met twenty years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church. They certainly don’t portray accurately my values and beliefs.”

Obama has previously distanced himself from Rev. Wright’s political beliefs but refused to repudiate his former pastor, whom he likened to a family member.