Evangelical leader tears into Obama

Colorado Springs: As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses him of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the constitution.

The criticism, on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio programme, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organisation's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

The Christian group provided an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment that highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal.

Obama mentions Dobson in the speech. "Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?" Obama said. "Would we go with James Dobson's or Al Sharpton's?" referring to the civil rights leader.

Symbolism: Joint appearance

Former rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton plan to campaign together on Friday in the small New Hampshire town of Unity, their first joint appearance meant to ease tensions over the closely fought Democratic primary.

The location, announced on Monday, was chosen not only for the symbolism of its name, but because each candidate received exactly 107 votes there in the January 8 primary that Clinton won. New Hampshire is a critical battleground state in the November election. Former president Bill Clinton does not plan to appear with his wife and Obama, ceding the spotlight to the two former foes.