Story highlights Trump surrogate Mark Burns defended his tweet of Clinton in blackface

Burns tweeted in Clinton's voice, accusing her of pandering for African-American votes

Washington (CNN) A prominent African-American pastor who supports Donald Trump apologized Tuesday for a tweet featuring a cartoon of Hillary Clinton in blackface, but said he stood by the message he was trying to convey that Democrats take black voters for granted.

"I prayed that those who I offended really receive ... a sincere apology, because it was never my intention to hurt or to offend anyone," Pastor Mark Burns told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."

"But the message is very clear in what I was trying to say. Obviously, my message, I stand by it, but the methodology, I do not."

Burns had set off the controversy on Monday afternoon, when he sent the offending tweet: "Black Americans, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES and letting me use you again..See you again in 4 years," he tweeted in the voice of Clinton -- along with a cartoon depicting her poorly pandering to African-American voters.

Black Americans, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES and letting me use you again..See you again in 4 years. pic.twitter.com/c4BOc6Tgkt — Pastor Mark Burns (@pastormarkburns) August 29, 2016

On "New Day," Burns repeatedly apologized while defending the sentiment behind the tweet.

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