Feb 27, 2008 7:35 pm US/Pacific
Clinton Reacts To Supporter's Remarks About Obama
DALLAS (CBS) ―
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Hillary Clinton responded to comments made by Barack Obama in Dallas on Feb. 27, 2008. (File)
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Senator Hillary Clinton responded to controversial comments made one of her prominent local supporters.
"Obama simply has the problem that he happens to be Black," Adelfa Callejo said when asked if it was smart for Sen. Obama to reach out to Latino voters.
The 84-year-old is a prominent leader in the North Texas Latino community and has a history of fighting for Latinos' rights.
But in a recent interview with CBS station KTVT-TV in Dallas, Callejo, a strong supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton, acknowledged she still felt the deep division in Dallas between many Latinos and African Americans.
"When Blacks had the numbers, they didn't do anything to support us," said Callejo. "[There are a] lot of hard feelings, and we won't get over that anytime soon."
Callejo attended Sen. Clinton's rally in Oak Cliff last Friday morning. In a satellite interview Wednesday, Sen. Clinton said she was unaware of what Callejo has said.
"I believe strongly that the fact that we have an African American and a woman running for the Democratic nomination is historical, and I'm very, very proud of that," said Sen. Clinton. "I want people to look beyond race and gender and look at our records."
KTVT-TV asked Sen. Clinton if she would reject or denounce Callejo's support because of her comments.
"People have every right to express their opinions. I just don't agree with that," said Sen. Clinton. "I think that we should be looking at the individuals who are running. That's what I intend to do."
Late Wednesday night, the Clinton campaign called to clarify the senator's remarks. In a statement, the campaign said, "Senator Clinton was unaware of these remarks until this afternoon when she was asked about them on a local newscast. After confirming that they were accurately portrayed, Senator Clinton of course denounces and rejects them.
During Thursday night's debate, Sen. Clinton criticized Sen. Obama for not rejecting support from controversial figure Louis Farrakhan.
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