I emphasized to her what an extraordinary race that she has run and said that there are not too many people who understand exactly how hard she has been working.

We also don't want a church subjected to the scrutiny that a presidential campaign legitimately undergoes.

Father Pfleger, who is somebody who I've known, who I consider a friend, who has done tremendous work in Chicago. But made offensive statements that have no place in our politics and in the pulpit.

I have no idea how it will impact my presidential campaign, but I know it's the right thing to do for the church and for our family.

She's an outstanding public servant.

I suspect if you were in my shoes it seems plausible at least that you wouldn't want your church experience to be a political circus.

I am not going to approach this as a political exercise.

Caribbean Heritage Month isn't only about celebrating the common past between the United States and Caribbean nations; it's about securing our common future.

What has drawn so many Caribbean men and women to America is the same idea that drew my own father to America many years ago -- that America is a place where our dreams for ourselves and our families can come true.

My faith is not contingent on the particular church that I belong to.

There's no doubt that had Reverend Wright's controversial statements not surfaced then this would not have been as -- this would not have been a prominent issue.