Clintons Try Easing Racial Flap

Bill goes on Sharpton's show, explains 'fairy tale' remark
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 12, 2008 5:33 PM CST
Clintons Try Easing Racial Flap
Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen., Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, and Rev. Al Sharpton, left, look on during the 9th annual National Action Network convention Friday, April 20, 2007 in New York. Hilary's campaign has run into racial trouble lately, and Bill went on Sharpton's radio...   (Associated Press)

Bill Clinton was in damage control mode yesterday, going on Al Sharpton’s radio show to clear the air over remarks that some have called racially insensitive. Clinton offended by calling Obama’s campaign a “fairy tale,” but Bill says he was referring to Obama’s statements on an Iraq vote. Clinton backers meanwhile attacked Obama for aggravating the issue, the Washington Post reports.

A memo turned up yesterday listing racially-charged comments from the Clinton camp, including Hillary’s statements praising Lyndon Johnson over Martin Luther King. Obama’s people deny involvement, but Clinton surrogates accuse them of fanning racial flames. “I personally was offended that they think the African American community is going to be blinded,” said black Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. (More Bill Clinton stories.)

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