Clinton and Obama smooth over race row

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have tried to smooth over their recent race row as they prepare to meet each other in an evening debate in Nevada.

The Democratic White House contenders have been locked in a war of words after Mrs Clinton made comments that some interpreted as downgrading Martin Luther King's role in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

However, both candidates have said they want to end the row that was dividing the party, which prides itself on supporting minority rights.

Mr Obama, who has a white mother and black father, said at a rally in Nevada: "I've been a little concerned about the tenor of the campaign over the last few days.

"We share the same goals, we are all Democrats, we all believe in civil rights, we all believe in equal rights."

Referring to the Clintons he said: "I think they care about the African American community and they care about all Americans and they want to see equal rights and equal justice in this country."

Mrs Clinton was equally conciliatory, saying they were both trying to break new thresholds by becoming the first female or black President of the United States.

She said: "Each of us, no matter who we are or where we started from, is a beneficiary of Dr. King," she said. "Both Senator Obama and I know that we are where we are today because of leaders like Dr. King and generations of men and women like all of you."

Martin Luther King was a leader of the civil rights movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated four years later.

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