Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered an address on race and politics. In an attempt to calm the turmoil surrounding controversial comments by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama rejected Wright's comments but said that Wright had inspired his Christian faith and has been his spiritual guide for nearly 20 years. He talked at length about historical issues of racial division, black grievances, and white resentment while emphasizing that progress has been made in racial reconciliation. Senator Obama spoke at the National Constitution Center.