Bill Clinton’s remarks were a “bizarre” conduct and black people were incensed over the comments he made, according to third ranking Democrat in the House of Representative James E Clyburn.  Bill Clinton had equated the eventual victory of Obama in South Carolina in January to that of Rev Jesse Jackson in 1988 — a parallel that many took as an attempt to diminish Obama’s success.
Moreover, the former president defended his remarks by saying the Obama campaign has “played the race card on me by making an issue of those comments.”
But Clyburn replied that Bill Clinton’s conduct in this campaign had caused what might be an irreparable breach between the former president and an African-American constituency that once revered him.
“When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,” Clyburn said. “I think black folks feel strongly that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.”
Clyburn said there appeared to be an almost “unanimous” view among African-Americans that Mr and Mrs Clinton were “committed to doing everything they possibly can to damage Obama to a point that he could never win.”
Actor backs Obama
Veteran actor Martin Sheen has lent his support to Barack Obama. According to Sheen, both Hillary Clinton and Obama’s camps had approached Sheen for his support, he said.
“I haven’t said this publicly before, but I’m an Obama supporter,” he explained. Sheen had played president Josiah Bartlet on the popular show The West Wing, of which even former president Bill Clinton was a fan.
“Bill Clinton loved The West Wing and still calls me the president, so I have to be careful,” he said.