Clinton losing black leaders to Obama

[Clarkie1]

By Toby Harnden in Washington
Last Updated: 5:17am BST 25/04/2007

Black power brokers in New York are shifting their support away from Hillary Clinton and towards Barack Obama in the latest sign that the Illinois senator's bid to wrestle the Democratic nomination from her is gaining momentum.

Mrs Clinton, 59, had already secured the tacit support of most of the black politicians in New York, her home state. But the fact that many of them are now wavering indicates the potential for Mr Obama, 45, to secure a clear majority of black voters, a mainstay of the Democratic party.

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According to The New York Times, a "significant number" of black officials who had been seen as firmly in the Clinton camp have said they are now "undecided" because they are "impressed with the strength of Mr Obama's campaign in recent weeks".

This shift has occurred despite Mr Obama doing almost no campaigning in New York. It is significant because key black politicians hold considerable influence over ordinary black voters.

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