Excerpt of Obama on "Hardball"

MATTHEWS: That said, when you hear divisive language, whether from your preacher or from anyone else, why didn't you walk out of that church? Why when you heard that controversial language, why did you go back and give him $27,000 in contributions to the church. Why didn't you just say he's on a different side of this fight than I am.

OBAMA: Because- you, you know, I think that, what has happened is we took a loop out of-- and compressed the most offensive things that a pastor said over the course of 30 years and just ran it over and over and over again. There were those other 30 years- I never heard him say those things that were in those clips.

MATTHEWS: But did you say you heard him say controversial things.

OBAMA: But I hear you say controversial things.

MATTHEWS: But you didn't give me $27,000 either.

OBAMA: But the point is, this is a church that is active in aids, it's active on all kind of thing. And so this is a wonderful church. But as I said, you know, look at the am of time that's been spent on this today, Chris. At a time when we haven't talked about a whole host of issues that are really going to make-

MATTHEWS: But you know the republicans will bring it back many-

OBAMA: Of course it will come back. And of course the republicans will bring it back. But the question is what is actually going to make a difference in the lives of people right now they're on the verge of losing their home? what will make a difference in their lives?