Obama, Clinton cross paths in march

By ASSCOIATED PRESS
Published March 5, 2007

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SELMA, Ala. - Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton crossed campaign paths for the first time Sunday as they paid homage to civil rights activists who they said helped give them the chance to break barriers to the White House.

The two candidates and former President Bill Clinton, making his first appearance with his wife since her campaign began, linked arms with activists who 42 years ago were attacked by police with billy clubs during a peaceful voting rights march. "Bloody Sunday" shocked the nation and helped bring attention to racist voting practices.

"I'm here because somebody marched for our freedom," Obama, who would become the first black president, said from the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where the march began on March 7, 1965.

Not to be outdone in the hunt for black votes, Hillary Rodham Clinton also spoke in Selma at a church three blocks away and brought a secret weapon: her husband. Three days before the march anniversary, her campaign announced that the former president who is so popular among blacks would accompany her for his induction into Selma's Voting Rights Hall of Fame.

Sen. Clinton said the Voting Rights Act and the Selma march made possible her presidential campaign, as well as those of Obama and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who would be the first Hispanic president.