Clinton, Obama court black voters

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The Congressional Black Caucus remains split so far in its support for Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Sens. Clinton of New York and Obama of Illinois each have picked up 12 endorsements from the group's members, The Washington Times reported Saturday.

If elected president, Clinton would support giving every newborn $5,000 toward a college savings plan, she told the caucus' annual legislative meeting Friday.

"When that young person turns 18, if they have finished high school, they will be able to access it to go to college," Clinton said, noting more black Americans need access to education and the ability to build wealth.

Meanwhile, Obama spoke Friday at Howard University promising, if elected, to create a voting rights division in the Justice Department to defend the right of every American to vote without deception or intimidation.

"When fliers are placed in our neighborhoods telling people to vote on the wrong day, that won't only be an injustice, it will be a crime," he said.