Transcript of NBC Nightly News "Politics and the Pastor" segment tonight:
Brian Williams:
Voices these days continue to point out the math: Hillary Clinton is behind on delegates, states won, and the raw vote. One prominent columnist, though no friend of hers, said today, "The door is closing" on her candidacy.
And all of this talk appears to have brought about a reaction, generated something of a change in strategy. After first refusing to, today Clinton waded into the Obama "pastor controversy." NBC's Ron Allen is travelling with her in Greenburg, PA tonight. Ron, good evening.
RA: Good evening, Brian. Senator Clinton had been asked several times about Senator Obama's relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and about Obama's speech on race relations. But she had never answered those questions directly until now.
<Clip and summary of question and answer with Clinton today>
RA: Clinton compared Wright to Don Imus, saying she spoke out against hate speech by the radio host as well. Clinton's comments about Wright today were in stark contrast to what Obama said in the speech last week, condemning some of his former pastor's remarks, while at the same time calling for racial understanding.
<Clip from Obama speech on race>
RA: This sensitive issue is back in the forefront, as some Democrats grow increasingly concerned about the campaign getting too nasty. And while Clinton faces what many see as an uphill battle for the nomination.
Clip from Steve McMahon, Democratic Strategist: The Clinton campaign has been trying to make the case that Senator Obama is unelectable because of various problems. I think this is a way for her to keep the focus on his relationship with Reverend Wright, which at least last week, was a bit of a problem for Senator Obama.
RA: Also today, Senator Clinton clarified her comments about dodging sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia as first lady, after pictures showed her receiving a warm welcome. Aides have said, she "misspoke."
<Clip from Clinton presser today>
RA: Late today, on the matter of Reverend Wright, the Obama campaign accused Clinton of, quote, "sinking low," "playing politics," "trying to distract attention from the Bosnia story," while Democrats wonder if all this is going to hurt the party come November.
Video link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#23798643