Alabama Democrats differ on Obama's chances to be elected president

Despite Sen. Barack Obama's almost double-digit defeat of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Iowa caucuses, Joe Reed isn't convinced that white America or Alabama is ready to elect a black man president.

"Look. Time will tell about that. But when all this is over and if Senator Obama is president, I'll be the first to get down on my knees and say I was wrong. But I don't think I am based on just one vote in one state," said Reed, longtime leader of the Alabama Democratic Conference, the black wing of the state's Democratic Party.

The ADC overwhelmingly endorsed Clinton for the nation's highest office in October, and Reed said ADC will continue to support Clinton in the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary vote.

CHARLES J. DEAN

News staff writer

Hitspot.com | Hitspot.net | Promodiamonds.com | Finewine | MusicRow | Blog | Bar | Widgetgames | More widgetgames | TwoDog | Deals | Carryons

Six People Killed in Alaska Plane Crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A small plane crashed Saturday in waters off Kodiak island in southern Alaska, killing six of the 10 people on board, authorities said.

The Piper Navajo Chieftain crashed soon after take off at 1:48 p.m. in shallow waters, according to the Coast Guard. The pilot radioed that he would be turning the plane around, according to Clint Johnson, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board.

"Just after takeoff, the pilot reported an undisclosed problem to tower," he said. "We don't know why he tried to come back."

A private float plane from a fish processing company pulled four people from the wreckage. One person died trying to swim the roughly 300 yards to shore, said State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters.

Hitspot.com | Hitspot.net | Promodiamonds.com | Finewine | MusicRow | Blog | Bar | Widgetgames | More widgetgames | TwoDog | Deals | Carryons