Voices Are Raised in Democratic Debate

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Clinton, Obama Clash at Debate

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama engaged in an angry exchange Monday over past statements on Republican ideas and the words of former President Clinton in a presidential debate five days before the pivotal South Carolina primary.

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Obama responded: "I think Charlie's right in principle. Now, obviously, he and I differ in terms of what would be best for the nation." But later, he added: "I don't want us to get drawn into this notion that somehow this is going to be a race that splits along racial lines."

Obama was also asked whether he agreed with a statement by African American author Toni Morrison about Bill Clinton that "this is our first black president. Blacker than any actual black person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime."

Obama paused for several moments, then responded: "Well, I think Bill Clinton did have an enormous affinity with the African American community, and still does. And I think that's well earned." He went on to add: "I would have to, you know, investigate more of Bill's dancing abilities, you know, and some of this other stuff before I accurately judge whether he was in fact a brother."

"Well, I'm sure that can be arranged," Clinton said, as the crowd laughed.

The Democratic race has been roiled by racial issues over the past two weeks, after statements made by both Clintons and a key surrogate that were interpreted by some black leaders as attempts to unfairly undermine Obama's candidacy.

A week ago, Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson, a longtime ally of the Clintons, used his introduction of Hillary Clinton at an event in South Carolina to drop a veiled reference to Obama's previously acknowledged drug use as a young man. Johnson at first denied that was his intent but later apologized to Obama.

Tensions between the Obama and Clinton campaigns have risen sharply in the past few days, with Obama and his advisers outspoken in their criticism of the former president. In an interview Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Obama accused Bill Clinton of distorting some of his recent statements.

The candidate and his advisers are upset with statements that both Clintons made about Obama's position on the Iraq war, his campaign's efforts in the Nevada caucus and his remarks about Reagan.

"One of the things that we're going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he's making statements that are not factually accurate," he said on ABC.

When excerpts of the interview leaked out Sunday night, Bill Clinton shot back at a Buffalo event that Obama "said President Reagan was the engine of innovation and did more, had a more lasting impact on America than I did. And then the next day he said, 'In the '90s, the good ideas came out from the Republicans,' " he continued. "Which it'll be costly maybe down the road for him because it's factually not accurate."

For Obama, the Reagan issue represents a potential sore point in the nomination battle. Praising Reagan -- even in an objective historical context -- is not a recipe for success with liberal Democrats or African Americans, among whom Reagan was not popular.

The issue of race is also sensitive for Obama. He needs strong black turnout to win South Carolina and create momentum as he heads into the 22-state showdown Feb. 5. But he has sought throughout his campaign not to make his a racially based candidacy.