Clinton's RFK Remark Sparks Fear, Outrage

Hillary defends her prolonged bid by recalling '68 murder
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted May 23, 2008 7:54 PM CDT
Clinton's RFK Remark Sparks Fear, Outrage
Obama exiting a car.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Hillary Clinton whipped up a storm of anger today by invoking Bobby Kennedy's murder as grounds for staying in the Democratic race, the New York Times reports. Recalling the surprise outcomes of past contests, including her husband’s in 1992, the senator told editors at a South Dakota newspaper that “we all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California" in 1968.

The Obama camp gave a muted response—Clinton's remark was "unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," it said—but Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina called it "beyond the pale." Clinton quickly defended herself, saying she wanted “to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That’s a historic fact.” (More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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