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Obama Cools Race Rhetoric, Praises Hillary

Clinton says MLK dispute doesn't show 'what is in our hearts'

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2008 8:49 PM CST

(Newser) – Troubled by the "tenor of the campaign," Barack Obama cooled off the recent race row with Hillary Clinton and praised her for being "on the right side of civil rights issues," the Swamp reports. But he added that her recent comments on Martin Luther King, Jr. revealed her outlook—"that what happens in Washington is more important than what happens outside of Washington," ABC News reports.

Hillary reacted with a conciliatory statement, saying their recent war of words "does not reflect what is in our hearts. I believe we must seek common ground. Our party and our nation is bigger than this.” Obama's news conference today was so rare that a New York Times Caucus blogger called it a tactical move, giving him the "high road" leading into tomorrow night's Democratic debate in Nevada.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, greets supporters at a town hall meeting held at Rosemary Clarke Middle School in Pahrump, Nev., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C.... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., lower right, addresses supporters during a rally in Reno, Nevada Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a town hall meeting at Rosemary Clarke Middle School in Pahrump, Nev., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama pauses for a moment while speaking during a town hall meeting at Rosemary Clarke Middle School in Pahrump, Nev., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae... (Associated Press)

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Obama Cools Race Rhetoric, Praises Hillary

Clinton says MLK dispute doesn't show 'what is in our hearts'

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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Bill Clinton • racism • Martin Luther King Jr. • Democratic Party • Election 2008

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