Wright speech angers Obama allies

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's backers say the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has resurfaced at precisely the wrong time, trumpeting his racial and political views to reporters just as Obama is struggling to win over skeptical white voters.

After weeks of maintaining a low profile, Wright cheerfully jousted Monday with members of the National Press Club, much to the chagrin of Obama aides, who believe the senator's former pastor is scuttling Obama's chances of reaching out to blue-collar whites.

"It isn't helpful," said Obama's top strategist, David Axelrod. "It's unfortunate. ... It's a needless distraction."

Wright, who says he's embarked on a weeklong media blitz to defend the honor of the "black church," shrugged off the Democratic presidential candidate's speech in March that criticized him as divisive and out of touch.

"If Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would not ever get elected," said the 66-year-old Philadelphia native. "I'm not running for office, but I am open to being vice president," he added as the crowd, packed with his supporters, including writer Cornel West, a professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University, erupted in laughter.

Obama, speaking in Wilmington, N.C., later said Wright's views "offend" many people and don't reflect his own.

"I don't know why he's doing this to his friend ... he's seriously hurting Obama," said Stu Rothenberg, an independent political analyst.