Clinton, Obama spouses blast opponents' tactics

BY GLENN THRUSH | glenn.thrush@newsday.com

9:53 PM EST, January 24, 2008

ANDERSON, S.C. - The Democratic race is turning into a doubles match -- and a nasty one at that.

Michelle Obama, the slightly less famous Democratic spouse campaigning in the Palmetto State this week, defended her husband against Bill Clinton's criticism Thursday -- as the former president said he's only targeted Barack Obama out of love and loyalty for his wife.

"We knew getting into this race that Barack would be competing with Senator Clinton and President Clinton at the same time," she wrote in a fundraising appeal to supporters. "What we didn't expect, at least not from our fellow Democrats, are the win-at-all-costs tactics we've seen recently. We didn't expect misleading accusations that willfully distort Barack's record."

The increasingly negative campaign grew more bitter yesterday, with Clinton's camp accusing Obama of "kneecapping" by distorting Hillary Rodham Clinton's record on Iraq, NAFTA and health care.

Polls in New Hampshire showed Bill Clinton's attacks on Obama's record -- especially on the Iraq war -- didn't hurt his wife. But Thursday Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state's leading black politician, said Bill Clinton was damaging his own reputation.

Asked if Clinton was sullying his image, Clyburn said, "I think that may be true," adding, "What you say may hurt the other guy but it also may hurt you."

Clyburn, who has kept neutral, also took issue with the famous description of Clinton as America's first black president. "We are still looking for the first black president," he said.

Obama leads Clinton by double digits here and her supporters have been downplaying expectations -- even suggesting there's a chance she'll finish third to a surging John Edwards.

Bill Clinton defended himself, arguing he's responding to Obama's attacks on his wife.

"When I was running, I didn't give a rip what anybody said about me," he said. "It's weird, you know, but if you love somebody and you think that they'd be good, it's harder."

His comments came as the Clinton campaign discontinued a radio ad claiming Obama liked Ronald Reagan's policies. The Obama camp says that distorted remarks earlier this month.

Last night, The New York Times endorsed Clinton and John McCain in their respective primaries.