Guide Note

Barack Obama held a press conference intended to deflect growing media concern about his relationship with controversial minister, Jeremiah Wright. In the speech, he referred to recent fiery comments made by Wright as a "bunch of rants."

Wright's remarks and refusal to get out of the public eye is seen by the Obama team as a threat to a successful presidential campaign.

The previous day, April 28, Wright gave a press conference in which he suggested that the criticism of his controversial sermons is an attack on the black church. Obama said he was saddened and angry about the comments.

1. March, 2008: Wright relationship with Barack Obama questioned
2. Wright's controversial opinions on patriotism, 9/11 were attacked by many commentators in print and on TV
3. Obama's critics try to imply Wright's opinions have influenced similar views
4. Obama's speech came after his previous attempt to distance himself from the pastor in "race speech" of March 18, 2008

Fast Facts

1. Obama: "outraged" by his former minister's comments
2. Response to a Wright press conference held the day before