Barbs fly in contentious Democratic White House race

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Tensions between Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton rose again Saturday after the rival campaigns exchanged harsh words as Obama gained the backing of the country's only Hispanic governor.

Rival Hillary Clinton's campaign dismissed the nod from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as coming too late to have any effect, while Obama's staff hit out at Clinton's alleged dishonesty after records detailing her years as first lady were made public.

The fresh mudslinging Friday capped off a week in which the hard-fought race took on an increasingly nasty tone with both sides trading charges of misleading the public and trying to divert attention from political scandals.

On the campaign trail, Richardson's move was a setback for Clinton and...