BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 18, 2007

Obama Jokes About Newfound Relative Cheney

Also Talks About Clinton, Housekeeping And Gay Marriage On Talk Show Appearances

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  • Democratic presidential hopeful Sen Barack Obama, D-Ill., talked about claims that he's a distant relative of Vice President Dick Cheney on

    Democratic presidential hopeful Sen Barack Obama, D-Ill., talked about claims that he's a distant relative of Vice President Dick Cheney on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.  (AP)

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(AP)  Is Barack Obama worried about polls showing Hillary Rodham Clinton leading the Democratic presidential field?

"We've got a long way to go," the Illinois senator cautioned Wednesday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

"Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare 'mission accomplished' a little too soon," Obama said, referring to President Bush's 2003 speech in which he stood beneath a "Mission Accomplished" banner and declared the end of major combat in Iraq.

"When your name is Barack Obama, you're always the underdog," the senator quipped.

Leno also needled him about claims that he's a distant relative of Vice President Dick Cheney. Lynne Cheney, the vice president's wife, says she uncovered a long-ago tie between the two families while researching a book.

Obama insisted the newfound relationship would have limits.

"I don't want to be invited to the family hunting party," he said, alluding to a 2006 accident in which Cheney wounded a friend with shotgun pellets.

In an interview that ranged from serious to silly, the Democratic presidential candidate predicted his wife Michelle could best Bill Clinton in a debate, groused about Mr. Bush's Iran policy and fessed up to sloppy housekeeping.

"I admit that I am not always great about hanging up my clothes," Obama said.

"And you want to be president?" Leno scolded.

"I am not a perfect man," the senator said.

Obama's appearance on Leno's stage was one of three talk-show interviews he scheduled on a swing through Los Angeles. He taped a segment with "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which will run Oct. 29, and planned a segment for Public Broadcasting Service's "Tavis Smiley," to air Thursday.

Obama will be back in the area later this week for a string of private fundraisers, including an event at the home of Universal Studios chief Ron Meyer.

During his chat with DeGeneres, Obama restated his position supporting civil unions for gays and lesbians and leaving it up to churches to make their own decisions on gay marriages.

"The state has to make sure that everybody's rights are equal and right now we've got over twelve hundred benefits that married people get that people who have civil unions that are recognized by their own states don't get," Obama said, according to a transcript of the show. "That's just not right."

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by signof4 October 19, 2007 11:30 AM EDT
"I don''t want to be invited to the family hunting party,"

Ha-ha....what a card. Look out Eddie Murphy, Ubama is snipping at your heels!
Reply to this comment
by amazedd October 18, 2007 9:18 PM EDT
Mini-Me!
Reply to this comment
by bxazy8 October 18, 2007 5:38 PM EDT
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by agnim October 18, 2007 4:09 PM EDT
"Of course Chaney and his rediculous consort want to let everyone know that they come from a line of slave-holders and they are proud of it. Puke!
Posted by geneonlbk at 09:26 AM : Oct 18, 2007"

You are getting things a bit confused.

OBAMA FELL FROM WHITE LOINS!

OBAMA IS RELATED TO THE DEVIL, CHENNEY, FROM HIS MOTHER SIDE!

OBAMA''S DAD WAS KENYAN, NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN!
Reply to this comment
by iceman_1960 October 18, 2007 2:08 PM EDT
I liked the part where Barack Obama told Leno, "My wife Michelle could hold her own one-on-one in a debate with Bill Clinton."

Jay Leno: "You sure you trust Bill Clinton alone with her ?"
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by pghlady3 October 18, 2007 1:57 PM EDT
In a resolution passed Tuesday, the lawmakers are the latest group to contend that Clemente should be honored in the same way that Jackie Robinson was for breaking baseball''s color barrier in 1947. Robinson''s No. 42 was retired for all teams on April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Clemente''s Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Pirates began in 1955 and ended when he died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while trying to deliver relief supplies following an earthquake in Nicaragua.

"Roberto Clemente was more than a great baseball player," said state Rep. Angel Cruz, who sponsored the resolution as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. "He was a humanitarian who gave so much of himself for those in need."

Major League Baseball has remained mum on the subject of retiring Clemente''s number as an homage to his being the first Latin American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and his humanitarianism.

Jackie Robinson''s daughter, Sharon opposes the move. Argued that Jackie Robinson''s contribution was unique in the sport, and that a similar honor for Clemente might diminish baseball''s tribute to Jackie Robinson.

Hispanics Across America, an advocacy group that wants to see Clemente honored for his character and because he died trying to serve others.

Roberto Clemente was a 12-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner and four-time batting champion who had exactly 3,000 hits in 18 seasons. He was 38 when he died.

Reply to this comment
by geneonlbk October 18, 2007 12:26 PM EDT
Of course Chaney and his rediculous consort want to let everyone know that they come from a line of slave-holders and they are proud of it. Puke!

In America we sell injustice to the rich and force it on the poor.
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