CHICAGO (AP) -- The Reverend Jesse Jackson says "crude" comments he made about Barack Obama were in response to a reporter's question about speeches on morality that Obama has given at black churches.

Jackson tells CNN that he felt there were other important issues to be addressed in the black community, including unemployment, the mortgage crisis and the number of blacks in prison.

But Jackson says he made the comments -- which are described as "crude" -- Sunday during a conversation with a Fox News reporter during what he thought was a private conversation.

Jackson says he's very sorry for the comments, and has called Obama's campaign to apologize.

He says he "unequivocally" supports Obama's bid for the White House.

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