Candidates courting S.C. blacks

Saturday, January 24, 2004 6:50AM EST

By ROB CHRISTENSEN, Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. --

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The competition for black votes is especially keen between the two white Southerners hoping to win South Carolina -- Edwards and Clark, who are trying to keep momentum going in New Hampshire ahead of the primary Tuesday.

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Edwards recalled the sight of black children forced to sit in movie theater balconies, of whites-only signs at restaurants and hearing a sixth-grade teacher telling his students he was quitting rather than teach in an integrated school.

"Those of us from the South carry an enormous responsibility when it comes to issues of race and equality and civil rights," Edwards told a racially mixed crowd of 250 people. "I feel it personally. We have so much work to do."

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Clark appears to have learned from his old boss and fellow Arkansas native Bill Clinton. He hired a group of Arkansas political consultants -- Clinton veterans who wear black cowboy hats -- called Buffalo Soldiers, named after the black cavalry who fought in the Indian wars. He has campaigned with former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of New York.

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"I am reminded of what John Kennedy said when he was president," Edwards said. "He said, 'Here on Earth, God's work must truly be our own.' Brothers and sisters, we have important work to do in this country."

The choir sang "Victory is Mine" as Edwards left.


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http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/3267392p-2920594c.html

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Interesting, sometimes amusing article on all the candidates' efforts to reach out and touch.