Obama Downplays Race

Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) says if he doesn't win the Democratic nomination, it won't be because of the color of his skin.

"'It's going to be because I didn't project a vision of leadership that gave people confidence. It's going to be because of something I didn't do as opposed to because I'm African-American." -- Sen Barack Obama, quoted by the Associated Press

The Senator has recieved Secret Service protection -- some of the earliest in history for a Presidential candidate. He admits some of the threats he's recieved have been because of his race. (Edwardsville Intelligencer)