"The suitors are lining up for black voters"

[mark414]

Eugene Kane
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

It was pretty exciting for some folks to see both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Selma, Ala., last weekend to commemorate the historic 1965 civil rights march.

The first side-by-side meeting of the two leading Democratic presidential candidates meant the black vote in 2008 was officially in play. Let the games begin!

What's exciting in this race is that the "black" candidate isn't clear-cut. Obama, an African-American U.S. senator who is a political neophyte, has won over hearts and minds quickly. But don't forget Clinton still has former President Bill Clinton - the first "black" president - to use as a hole card.

Surprisingly, the first person in town to suggest the Selma meeting might signal something significant for 2008 was a longtime black Republican.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=573249