Clinton apologizes to black voters

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton offered several apologies Wednesday night at a Washington forum sponsored by a black newspaper publishers association.

Her biggest apology came in response to a question about comments by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, after the South Carolina primary, which Barack Obama won handily. Bill Clinton said Jesse Jackson also won South Carolina when he ran for president, a comment many viewed as belittling Obama's success.

Clinton also repudiated comments by supporter and fundraiser Geraldine Ferraro, who'd said that Obama would not have made it this far if he were white.

Clinton said she deeply regrets Ferraro's comments and said, "Obviously she doesn't speak for the campaign." Ferraro has resigned her honorary position on Clinton's finance committee.

The Clintons long have enjoyed overwhelming support from black voters, but that has been eclipsed by enthusiasm and support for Obama.