History Is Made Again in Selma, Ala.

March 4, 2007 — -- Selma, Ala., on Sunday witnessed an uneasy convergence of history, race and politics.

Forty-two years ago, a day known since as "Bloody Sunday," Selma became a flashpoint in the civil rights struggle. State and local police clashed with protesters demanding voting rights.

This Sunday, it was the scene of a political clash between the two Democrats leading the race for their party's nomination for president.

Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., gave dueling speeches at black churches just a block apart.

Because Selma is sacred ground, the politics was muted. There were few campaign signs out, after churches urged supporters to keep them at home.

Obama spoke at the church Martin Luther King, Jr used as headquarters when he came to Selma to fight for the Voting Rights Act.

Obama seemed to address accusations that he is not black enough because of his mixed ancestry.

"Don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Ala.," he said. "Don't tell me I'm not coming home when I come to Selma, Ala. I'm here because somebody marched for our freedom."

Clinton decided to come to Selma only after Obama announced he would be there, but she insisted it was not a political move.

The Voting Rights Act is "a gift that keeps on giving," she said. "Today it is giving Sen. Obama a chance to run for president of the United States and, yes, it's giving me that chance too."

The line to hear Obama was far longer than the line to hear Clinton. Asked why, Obama laughed it off, saying it showed only that he was speaking first.