Mr. Butts said last night that if offered the position, he would be "excited about taking it."

Mr. Butts said he realized that his sermon would be condemned by some.

Mr. Butts said he finds a special commitment among many parishoners.

"Whether he understood them is another matter," Mr. Butts said.

Mr. Butts said he had recused himself from the issue.

"By far, the reaction has been positive from both black and white people in this city," Mr. Butts said.

The average cost of running the plan's eight core investment options, is 0.20 percent, Mr. Butt said.

Mr. Butts said both candidate have been working overtime to gain support from selected black leaders.

Mr. Butts said he would not be a candidate for president this fall, but in the future, "Who knows?"

"I want you to take off from work and go down," Mr. Butts said.