THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The Congressional Black Caucus-CNN Democratic debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., was watched particularly close in Alabama, where a number of undecided Democratic voters are up for grabs.

They&8217;re not being quiet about it either.

When state Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, spoke Monday during the commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sanders said King would be proud &8212; having a female and an African American choice for the Democratic nomination.

Alabamians go to the polls on Feb. 5 to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary Election.

Sanders said he did not know whom he would vote for, which is nothing uncommon here. There are an estimated 33 percent of Democratic voters in Alabama who are undecided, according to a Mobile Register poll.

The front-runners, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. squared off in the debate with former Sen. John Edwards, chiming in saying the squab is not what Americans wanted.

Both Clinton and Obama camps claimed victory.

Emmanuel Avraham, Clinton coordinator for the Montgomery area, which includes Selma, watched the debate in Selma Monday night. He said it was clear Clinton is the number one candidate.

Millie Lee Dulaney, the Black Belt Coordinator for Friends of Obama, said she watched the debate, and liked what she saw. &8220;He&8217;s no longer going to sit back while they attack him. He&8217;s fighting both of them (Sen. Clinton and President Clinton). It&8217;s kind of unfair the way they&8217;re twisting what he&8217;s said. He did not say he liked President Reagan. He was fighting him.&8221;

Dulaney said she saw leadership in Obama. &8220;I saw him stand up for his principles, and him wanting to change this nation. He&8217;s in the race for the little old ladies like me here in rural Alabama. He wants to make a difference,&8221; Dulaney said.