A person familiar with the exchange between Obama and Biden says they spoke Wednesday, shortly before the president discussed his views on gay marriage in a television interview. Biden expressed his regret and remorse for speaking out about his own support for same-sex marriage before the president.

The person familiar with the exchange says that Obama told Biden that he understands that Biden had been speaking from the heart On Sunday, Biden said in a television interview that he was "absolutely comfortable" with gay couples marrying.

The person familiar with the exchange requested anonymity in order to discuss it Thursday.