Democratic Candidates Praise MLK Together
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez, Aaron Lewis and Maria Gavrilovic
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- It was a chilly, sunny day in Columbia, South Carolina as the three top Democratic presidential candidates attended an outdoor rally to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama were originally scheduled to make the annual march from Zion Baptist Church just six blocks away to the rally site on the steps of the state capitol building. The problem? Neither Clinton nor Edwards attended the march portion of the event.
The candidates briefly spoke to each other and were generally cordial. Their interaction can best be described as polite.
Clinton peppered her speech with one line she continued to repeat: "Stand up, speak up, act and vote!" She added that in keeping with King's legacy, it is important that "no one is left behind or left out."
Clinton concluded her speech by telling the crowd, "I know we will find our way together."
During his remarks, called Obama "an extraordinary and talented young man," while Clinton, he said, "has an opportunity to speak on behalf of so many women whose voices have been left unheard."
"Whether you're here supporting Senator Obama, whether you're here supporting Senator Clinton, or whether you're here supporting me," said Edwards, "every one of us – all three of us – are on the journey with you on the march to equality, and justice and fairness in the United States of America."
Edwards spoke of the impact of King's characterization of silence as betrayal. And while King was speaking out against the Vietnam War 40 years ago, Edwards said that the philosophy applies today.
"Brothers and sisters, we can no longer stand silent," said Edwards. "We have to speak out. And we must speak out together… in unity with one voice. And it is time for us to not remain silent about this war in Iraq. It is time to bring our men and women home from Iraq."
Beyond the war, Edwards said it would also be a betrayal not to speak out for the nation's impoverished.
"(Poverty) was the central issue, along with equality, in the life of Dr. King," said Edwards. "We have islands of poverty all over this country today. We talk about the 'Corridor of Shame.' Brothers and sisters, we must turn the 'Corridor of Shame' into a 'Corridor of Hope and Opportunity' for the people of South Carolina.
Edwards ended his seven-and-a-half-minute speech with final words of urgency to fight poverty and social injustice.
"It is time for us to say enough is enough," he said. "We're better than this. The United States of America is better than this."
Obama, who was the first of the three to speak, walked in the NAACP MLK Pre-Rally March with local city leaders before his remarks. A large crowd marched with him for nine blocks, in a chaotic scene causing some to question the safety of the march. Although Obama was surrounded by the Secret Service, he walked down a street surrounded by office buildings and open roof tops. The campaign would not comment on whether Obama's safety was a concern; they do not comment on security issues.
During his remarks, Obama also spoke about King's legacy.
"Unity is the great need of the hour, the great need of this hour. Not because it sounds pleasant or because it makes us feel good, but because it's the only way we can overcome the essential deficit that exists in this country," Obama said.