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'Race Doesn't Matter,' Supporters Chant

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By CHARLES BABINGTON, The Associated Press

Published: January 27, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. - An exultant Barack Obama said his overwhelming win in South Carolina disproved notions that Democratic voters are deeply divided along racial lines.

"We have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans we've seen in a long, long time," the Illinois senator told joyful supporters at a rally. "They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino and Asian."

As if anticipating his remarks, his supporters chanted "Race doesn't matter" before Obama took the stage Saturday in Columbia, and again as he spoke for 20 minutes.

Obama praised runners-up Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards without naming them. He took a veiled shot, however, at the sometimes edgy comments made by the former first lady and former President Clinton in recent days.

"We're looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington," Obama said. "And right now, that status quo is fighting back with everything it's got; with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face.

"We are up against the idea that it's acceptable to say anything and do anything to win an election," Obama said. "We know that this is exactly what's wrong with our politics. This is why people don't believe what their leaders say anymore. This is why they tune out. And this election is our chance to give the American people a reason to believe again."

The crowd repeatedly chanted, "Yes, we can!"

With wins in heavily white Iowa and in South Carolina, where about half of Saturday's voters were black, Obama said he has proven he can win in any region.

After his speech, Obama flew to Macon, Ga., where he planned to attend a church service today before campaigning in Birmingham, Ala.

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