Clinton Blames Obama Campaign For Distorting MLK Comments

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

RENO, NEV. -- During a press conference today, Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama's campaign of distorting comments she made last week regarding Martin Luther King's role in the civil rights movement.

Clinton said in an interview in New Hampshire earlier this week that Martin Luther King's role during that time was facilitated by the help of President Lyndon Johnson. The comments drew fire from the African-American community who felt Clinton belittled King's efforts.

"I'm particularly offended at the way some have taken out of context and apparently deliberately tried to mislead others about what was said," said Clinton inside a local Mexican restaurant in Reno. Clinton called the attacks "baseless and divisive." She went on to say that she was "personally offended at the apporach taken that was not only misleading but unecessarily hurtful."

"It clearly came from Senator Obama's campaign and I don't think it is the kind of debate that we should be having in our campaign."

The press conference came as Clinton wrapped up a full day of campaigning in Nevada, which will hold caucuses next Saturday.

Yesterday, Obama spoke at a campaign rally in Las Vegas where he told a large group of supporters, "Since I'm in Las Vegas, I'm going to say: I'm the jackpot. My bet is paying off."

When asked about this comment Clinton took the opportunity to jab Obama.

"I don't think this election is about us, it's about the American people. The jackpot belongs to the American people," said Clinton.

"You know, to me, this is not a gamble. I'm ready to lead. No one has to take a chance on me."

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by PulSamsara January 14, 2008 2:48 PM EST: Hillary sticks her foot in her mouth and blames it on someone else.

She''s playing the victim again.; Reply to this comment


by g02342000 January 13, 2008 12:55 PM EST: John Edwards is the only one that will fight poverty and bring health care and education to the poor & middle class of America. The Edwards / Biden ticket would be the best Presidency for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the canidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Only Edwards can fix Bush''s mistakes!; Reply to this comment


by tjr3nc January 13, 2008 12:20 PM EST: Why is obama whose only part black trying so hard to pull the black vote, why is he not calling upon the muslims to elect him,Makes me wonder how uninformed about him this country is.; Reply to this comment


by mg1220 January 13, 2008 2:23 AM EST: Isn''t it contradictory for Obama to claim to be a unifyer and yet sow intrigue and division by mis characterizing Clinton''s remarks? In my simple pure mind, the remark was a fair call on the fact that it took (regardless of race) a MLKjr to bring forth a dream and it took a Johnson to make that dream a reality. Both played equally important roles. Now Obama is talking up on that dream again but it is Hillary who has the strength and experience to continue prospering the changes that realized that dream. The African Americans should choose between Obama who is talking up on a divisive civil rights sentiment, OR Hillary who has already embraced MLKjr%u2019s dream and have always worked for that realized dream. After all, Bill would not be the %u201Cfirst black president%u201D for nothing.; Reply to this comment


by mg1220 January 13, 2008 2:20 AM EST: Isn''t it contradictory for Obama to claim to be a unifyer and yet sow intrigue and division by mis characterizing Clinton''s remarks? In my simple pure mind, the remark was a fair call on the fact that it took (regardless of race) a MLKjr to bring forth a dream and it took a Johnson to make that dream a reality. Both played equally important roles. Now Obama is talking up on that dream again it would be Hillary who has the strength and experience to continue prospering the changes that realized that dream. The African Americans should choose between Obama who is talking up on a divisive civil rights sentiment OR Hillary who has already embraced MLKjr%u2019s dream and have always worked for that realized dream. After all, Bill would not be the %u201Cfirst black president%u201D for nothing.; Reply to this comment