"I served six years in the military. Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?" Barack Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright remarked earlier this week.

Pastor Jeremiah Wright has been a lightning rod for controversy and is dragging Obama's candidacy in the mix. Clearly trying to move past the controversy, Obama explained this week why he didn't act faster to denounce his former pastor.

"If i had wanted to be politically expedient, I would have distanced myself and denounced him right away. Right? That would have been the easy thing to do. That would be the standard stock political advice," Obamba said.

Obama went on to say that Wright's public comments this past monday bordered on hate.

"His comments were not only divisive and destructive. I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate." he said.

Clinton gets the endorsement of North Carolina's governor, Mike Easley, among the superdelegates each Democrat desperately needs. Easley is the second North Carolina superdelegate to endorse Clinton. At this time, Obama has the backing of six of the state's 17 superdelegates.

Clinton wants oil companies to pay the 18 cent federal gas tax this summer that consumers now pay.

"We need a president who's gonna take on the oil companies again. We've gotta stop this gas price madness. Oil companies aren't paying their fair share to help us solve the problems at the pump. So in the short term, we have to take aim at these enormous oil company profits." Clinton said.

John McCain and Clinton both want the gas tax holiday this summer. McCain was the first to propose a federal gas tax holiday. He'd lift the 18.4 cents a gallon federal tax on gasoline during peak summer travel months, May through September.

Senator McCain is on the campaign trail today in Pennsylvania talking about health care. The likely Republican nominee spoke to doctors and other health care workers at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown.

McCain said he wants the government to subsidize the cost of private health care by offering individuals a tax credit of $2,500 and families a tax credit of $5,000.The money would go directly to an insurance company. He said he would move insurance away from coverage provided by employers to an open market.

He also said taxpayers who are happy with the current system could keep their present plan, but everyone would get a $5,000 tax credit. But for every American who wanted it, another option would be available.\

"Every year, they would receive a tax credit directly, with the same cash value as the credits for employees of big companies, or small business, or self employed. You simply choose the insurance provider that suits you best" said McCain.

There has been some speculation by political analysts that McCain may ask the former Arkansas governor to be his running mate in the November presidential election. Voters in Indiana and North Carolina head to the polls May 6.

Florida voters rallied outside the Democratic party's headquarters, threatening to block the doors to this summer's convention if their votes aren't counted.

Obama took his hoop dreams to blue heaven today in basketball stronghold Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was shown around the University of North Carolina basketball facilities by coach Roy Williams. Obama also met the UNC basketball team, and played in a pickup game against the likes of all-American Tyler Hansbrough.