Farrakhan defends Obama after debate

Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Thursday that  presidential candidate Senator Barack Obamas comments during the  presidential campaign where he denounced the muslim leader should not  dissuade voters to reject their support.
Farrakhan issued the  statement after the Ohio televised debate with Democratic presidential  rival Hillary Clinton. Farrakhan sent a statement to the Associated  Press that he said was a response to outrage expressed by many over  Obamas comments.
Those who have been supporting Sen. Barak Obama  should not allow what was said during the Feb. 26 presidential debate to  lessen their support for his campaign.  This is simply mischief making  intended to hurt Mr. Obama politically, said Farrakhan in the  statement.
Farrakhan praised Obama during a Saviours Day gathering in  Chicago last weekend, where he declared, A black man with a white  mother could turn out to be the one who can lift America from her fall.
During  the Ohio debate, Tim Russert, host of NBCs Meet the Press, asked  Obama whether he accepts Farrakhans support. The senator responded that  while both he and Farrakhan live in Chicago, thats where their ties  end.
I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister  Farrakhans anti-Semitic comments.  I think they are unacceptable and  reprehensible, Obama said. I did not solicit this support.
Following  an exchange with Clinton, he added, Theres no formal offer of help  from Minister Farrakhan that would involve me rejecting it.  But if the  word reject Senator Clinton feels is stronger than the word  denounce, then Im happy to concede the point, and I would reject and  denounce.