Jan 20, 2008 9:39 pm US/Eastern
Influential Harlem Church Leader Endorses Clinton
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Fresh off her win in the Nevada caucus, Hillary Clinton got another major boost Sunday when she won the endorsement of one of Harlem's most prominent black clergymen. Team Obama sent protestors, but it didn't dull the moment.
It was a very unusual Sunday at Harlem's 200-year old Abyssinian Baptist Church; for one thing Hillary Clinton was in the house.
"I am deeply, deeply happy to be home and to be here," Clinton told the congregation.
Abyssinian's charismatic pastor, the Reverend Dr. Calvin Butts, endorsed a white woman over a black man for president. Rev. Butts said Clinton's experience made him pick her over Barack Obama.
"The rhetoric of change in which we are presently engaged must also be accompanied by the experience and ability necessary to successfully and resourcefully accomplish it," said Rev. Butts.
The Obama camp didn't like it one bit, and their protestors chanted, "New York for Obama! New York for Obama! New York for Obama!"
Rev. Butts admitted that even before the official endorsement he had received calls of protest. His response?
"I would like to make one thing very clear this was not, and is not, and will not become a race-based decision for me, and I hope it will not become a race-based decision for you either," said Rev. Butts.
Although the Clinton and Obama camps have been continually sniping at one another, standing in Harlem Sunday, Clinton had nothing but praise for her main opponent.
"I have the highest regard and admiration for my friend and colleague Sen. Barak Obama," said Clinton. "He is an extraordinary human being with enormous gifts."
Sen. Clinton is scheduled to return to the metropolitan area on Wednesday. She has several events in New Jersey, which along with New York, is one of the 24 states that votes on February 5th.
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