Obama Scores Early Win In South Carolina
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A planned speech by presidential contender Senator Obama, Democrat of Illinois, to South Carolina’s black legislators has survived a bid by key supporters of Senator Clinton, Democrat of New York, to have her take his place.
Mr. Obama had accepted the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus’ invitation to speak at its April 13 gala. But state Senators Robert Ford and Darrell Jackson – who have endorsed Mrs. Clinton – tried to sway their caucus to their candidate. The men relented Tuesday night and the caucus unanimously approved Mr. Obama’s appearance.
The annual caucus fundraiser traditionally features a black speaker and will provide a high-profile platform this year in a state that is hosting the first Southern primaries. Black voters accounted for 49 percent of vote in the 2004 Democratic primary here.
“Senator Obama is very excited to attend this event and is very much looking forward to it,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a spokesman for Mr. Obama.
State Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a caucus member, said Wednesday she was “flabbergasted” about the split on the speaker. The Orangeburg Democrat, who hasn’t aligned with any presidential candidate, said the Illinois senator was the right choice to begin with.
“The committee’s interest was in having Senator Obama as affirmation for young people of color that the sky’s the limit,” Cobb-Hunter said. “A number of us were interested in having him come to motivate people and get them involved in this process.”
Mrs. Clinton will speak to the caucus as some other time. Caucus Chairman Leon Howard extended her an invitation a couple of weeks ago when she made her first campaign stop in Columbia. “It was very open-ended,” Mrs. Clinton’s campaign spokesman Mo Elleithee said Wednesday.
Messrs. Jackson and Ford endorsed the presidential run in 2004 of former Senator Edwards, Democrat of North Carolina, but threw their support to Mrs. Clinton last month, saying she has the best chance of winning the White House. Soon after, Mr. Jackson confirmed his consulting company had negotiated a $10,000 monthly contract with Mrs. Clinton’s campaign. Both he and the campaign have denied any deal was struck for the endorsement.
