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Seeking to quell a controversy over inflammatory rhetoric by his former pastor, Presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered a speech in Philadelphia focused on race in America and distancing himself from the controversial remarks of Rev. Jeremiah Wright-- the man he has referred to as his spiritual advisor for the past two decades. SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, presidential candidate, saying (English): "Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems." But Obama did not repudiate Wright himself-- someone he has likened to an uncle. SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, presidential candidate, saying (English): "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community." In the course of his 35 minute speech, Obama acknowledged that questions about his connections to Rev. Wright remain unanswered. SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, presidential candidate, saying (English): "Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed." While the Obama speech was called thoughtful by former presidential speechwriter Ted Widmer, the controversy over Rev. Wright could threaten to overshadow Obama's central message that he would bridge divisions in America, including those involving race. SOUNDBITE: Ted Widmer, historian -Brown University, saying (English): "The more that the Wright sermon is out there, the worse it is for him. It tarnishes him. He's talked a great deal about coming together and here's someone whose pastor doesn't believe in togetherness very much at all. So it is a problem." The comments from his former pastor also come at a critical moment in his candidacy. Constant replays on cable television of Wright shouting, "God damn America" and railing against black discrimination risk alienating some white voters. In fact, a Rasmussen poll published yesterday said Wright's comments made 56 per cent of the electorate in general less likely to vote for Obama. Jon Decker, Reuters.