Faced with what his advisers acknowledged was a major test to his candidacy, Senator Barack Obama sought on Monday to contain the damage from incendiary comments made by his pastor. Obama also prepared to address the issue of race more directly than at any other moment of his presidential campaign.

Some associates advised him against giving the speech. “Race is now officially on the table. It’s not going away after this,” a senior aide said.

In interviews, Republican strategists mapped out how Obama’s association with Wright could be used against him in a general election. “This isn’t red and blue America,” said Donna Brazile, a Democratic consultant. “This is black and white America,” she said.