Obama moving past pastor issue, wife says

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's decision to break from his controversial ex-pastor was hard but necessary, the wife of the Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful says.

The campaign should be about issues, not remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Michelle Obama told CNN.

"I was proud of the statement he made. It was a tough thing for him to do; it's a painful situation to be in," she said of Obama's news conference Tuesday in which he said he was "outraged" by Wright's most recent remarks on race and America.

Obama, D-Ill., said Wright's remarks were the antithesis of his beliefs and campaign message. Obama responded to Wright's blistering comments ranging from the U.S. government infecting people with AIDS to casting Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in a positive light.

Obama has had to address his relationship with Wright for months after videos of controversial sermons surfaced.

Now the Obama campaign will focus on issues such as the economy and healthcare, Michelle Obama told CNN. She said she believes Obama will win the presidential nomination.

"There's still an energy and a passion among his supporters," Michelle Obama said. "And people are coming on board every single day."