Clinton heads to Harlem after Nevada win

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton attended services Sunday at a historic black church in Harlem, a day after her victory in the Nevada caucus and with a fresh challenge looming ahead of her in South Carolina.

Clinton received a standing ovation from the congregation at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, founded by Ethiopian sea traders more than 200 years ago. Rev. Calvin Butts, a Clinton supporter, introduced her as someone who "has been our friend."

In her remarks, Clinton told churchgoers how pleased she was to be there on the weekend before the federal holiday honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and she recounted how she had gone with her church youth group to hear him speak.

"It was a transforming experience for me," she said. "He made it very clear that the Civil Rights movement was about economic justice."

Clinton, who represents New York in the Senate, has been criticized for saying King's dream of racial equality was realized only when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She since has reiterated her admiration of King and his work.

Clinton defeated Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in the Nevada caucus on Saturday, garnering support from women and making a strong showing among Hispanics. But Obama won among black voters, who are expected to make up more than half of the voters in South Carolina's Democratic primary next Saturday.

After the service, Butts officially endorsed Clinton. It was a lively scene, as a couple dozen Obama supporters showed up and shouted, "Harlem for Obama." Clinton supporters tried to drown them out by shouting, "Hil-la-ry!"

Clinton spoke warmly of her opponent, saying, "I recognize what a challenging choice this is."

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080120/ap_on_el_pr/clinton [link]