Obama Suggests Ex-Pastor Is Contrite

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Barack Obama seemed to suggest in an interviewaired Friday that his former pastor has acknowledged that hiscontroversial remarks were inappropriate and hurtful, although thereare 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.

"Hadthe reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he hadsaid had deeply offended people and were inappropriate andmischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, forall its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there atthe 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 wouldneed to be assured that the reverend understood why what he had saidhad deeply offended people and mischaracterized the greatness of thiscountry," Burton said.

Wright, who officiated at Obama's weddingand his been his spiritual mentor for years, recently retired from theTrinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He became an issue inObama's presidential bid in recent weeks when videos circulated ofWright condemning the U.S. government for allegedly racist andgenocidal acts. In the videos, some several years old, Wright called onGod to "damn America." He also said the government created the AIDSvirus to destroy "people of color."

In a highly publicizedspeech last week, Obama sharply condemned Wright's remarks. But he didnot leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said waslike a family member.

Wright has not spoken publicly since thecampaign controversy flared up. He canceled plans this week to speak inFlorida and Texas.

Obama said Wednesday he has spoken with Wright since making his speech on the controversy in Philadelphia.

Obama'srival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary RodhamClinton, said this week she would have parted ways with a pastor whomade the remarks that Wright had made.