It's Getting Hot

(CBS)

CLEVELAND – The tension between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continues to grow.

"I think things have gotten a little hotter over the last couple of days," Obama said. "There's a lot at stake and people have been putting in a lot of work over the last year and been away from families and people are getting tired, so certainly what I've told my staff – and I think that I'm sure Senator Clinton has told her staff as well – is that let's play to win, but let's make sure that we are maintaining the kind of campaign that win or lose we will be proud of afterwards."

At a press conference announcing the endorsement of Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Obama blamed recent squabbles, such as publishing the photo of him in traditional Somali garb, on tired staffers.

Dodd cautioned both Obama and Clinton not to lose control in the coming weeks, and called on the campaigns to be careful. "I know the temptation in campaigns, beyond the ability of the candidates themselves to control it, can get out of control," he said. "We've witnessed a little bit of that here."

Dodd said his concern stems from his belief that a Democrat will be in the White House next year. "We're on the brink of a great victory for this party but more importantly for this country," he said, "and I don't want to see us lose that opportunity because of the mistakes made or the divisiveness that can enter a campaign."

Even though the Democratic race is heating up, Obama did not believe race would play a role win the outcome.

"If that person is green, they will vote for them and if that person is purple, they will vote for them, and if that person is African American, I think they will vote for them," he said. "That is my firm belief and the American people have not yet disappointed in that regard."