Obama: Wright repented, so he stayed
WASHINGTON -- Democrat Barack Obama seemed to suggest in an interview aired Friday that his former pastor has acknowledged that his controversial remarks were inappropriate and hurtful, although there are no public accounts of the minister having done so.
Obama discussed his relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright on ABC's ''The View,'' which was taped Thursday and aired Friday.
(AP)
''Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church,'' Obama said.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the senator's remarks did not imply that Wright has expressed misgivings about his statements. ''Sen. Obama was clearly saying that were Rev. Wright not retiring, he would need to be assured that Wright understood why what he had said had deeply offended people and mischaracterized the greatness of this country,'' Burton said.
Obama sharply condemned Wright's remarks in a speech last week, but did not leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said was like a family member.