US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has told the BBC that he expects to be his party's nominee once the final primaries are over next week.
US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has said he is "deeply disappointed" at a supporter's sermon that mocked rival Hillary Clinton.
Speaking to the BBC's Katty Kay, he said the general election campaign - against Republican John McCain - would then begin in earnest.
Rev Michael Pfleger said Mrs Clinton felt "entitled" to win because she was white and was forced to realise there was "a black man stealing my show".
Mr Obama is battling Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
Mr Obama said the sermon was "divisive, backward-looking rhetoric".
Meanwhile Mr Obama has told the BBC he expects to be his party's nominee when primary elections end next week.
Rev Pfleger has apologised for his sermon at Mr Obama's Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
According to Associated Press news agency, Rev Pfleger said in the sermon: "[Hillary Clinton] just always thought that, 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white.'
These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them Rev Michael Pfleger
"And then, out of nowhere, came 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama.' And she said, 'Oh damn, where did you come from? I'm white. I'm entitled. There's a black man stealing my show.'"
He added: "She wasn't the only one crying. There was a whole lot of white people crying."
In response, Mr Obama said in a statement: "As I have travelled this country, I've been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that unites us.
"That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."
Rev Pfleger said the words in his sermon were "inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them".
Mr Obama has had other problems with a clergyman during the nomination campaign.
He denounced the claim by Rev Jeremiah Wright, who officiated at his wedding and baptised his daughters, that the 9/11 attacks were an example of "America's chickens coming home to roost".
Convention
In an interview with the BBC's Katty Kay, Mr Obama said the general election campaign - against Republican John McCain - would begin in earnest after the primaries end next week.
Barack Obama believes he will be the Democrat nominee by Tuesday
Mr Obama is ahead in delegates won and is confident he will pick up enough of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination.
Mrs Clinton could still win, by persuading enough "super-delegates", or senior party officials, to back her.
Mrs Clinton could still win, by persuading enough "super-delegates", or senior party officials, to back her.
But Mr Obama is confident that he will pick up enough of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination.
"If we've gotten the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination then I am the nominee," he told the BBC.
'Political stunt'
The delegates will choose the party's nominee at a nominating convention in August and the candidate with the most delegates will win.
The delegates will choose the party's nominee at a nominating convention in August and the candidate with the most delegates will win.
Some delegates are "pledged" to vote according to the results of elections - or primaries - held in their state, while others - the unelected "super-delegates" - are free to vote for whoever they like.
Some delegates are "pledged" to vote according to the results of elections - the primaries - held in their state, while others - the unelected "super-delegates" - are free to vote for whoever they like.
So far in the race, Mr Obama has picked up more of both types of delegates - elected and unelected - than Mrs Clinton.
Only three more contests remain: the Puerto Rico primary on Sunday and the South Dakota and Montana primaries on Tuesday.
Only three more contests remain: the Puerto Rico primary on Sunday and the South Dakota and Montana primaries on Tuesday.
Mr Obama also told reporters that if he managed to sew up the nomination he planned to make an overseas trip, including a possible visit to Iraq.
The announcement comes amid criticism from the McCain campaign that Mr Obama has not visited Iraq since the beginning of 2006.
"It's been 871 days since he was there," said Mr McCain in Los Angeles, as he offered to accompany Mr Obama on a joint visit to the country.
"I am confident that when he goes he will then change his position on the conflict in Iraq, because he will see the success that has been achieved on the ground," the senator added.
But Mr Obama described Mr McCain's offer as "a political stunt".
"I think that if I'm going to Iraq, then I'm there to talk to troops and talk to commanders, I'm not there to try to score political points or perform," he told the New York Times.
Are you in South Dakota or Montana? Will you be voting on Tuesday? How do you intend to vote? What outcome do you expect to see after the final round of primaries? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in South Dakota or Montana? Will you be voting on Tuesday? How do you intend to vote? What outcome do you expect to see after the final round of primaries? Send us your comments using the form below.
