The silence was deafening in the camps of Democratic presidential candidates yesterday over civil-rights leader Andrew Young’s tasteless crack comparing Bill Clinton’s and Barak Obama’s supposed prowess with black women.

“Bill is every bit as black as Barack. He’s probably gone with more black women than Barack,” the former UN ambassador quipped on a live TV interview – immediately adding, “I’m clowning.”

Clinton’s campaign had no immediate comment, nor did Obama’s.

Jesse Jackson, who has boasted that Obama “has my vote,” wouldn’t touch the political hot potato with a 10-foot pole.

“He has no comment,” spokeswoman Rashida Restaino said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who hasn’t yet declared his choice for Dem presidential nominee, likewise had no immediate comment.

Young, the former mayor of Atlanta, made the remark after being asked what he thought of Obama during the Sept. 5 interview.

Young, who has not made an official endorsement, said, “I want Barack Obama to be president,” pausing for applause before adding, “in 2016.”

“It’s not a matter of being inexperienced. It’s a matter of being young,” he said.

Locally, Harlem state Sen. Bill Perkins said Young’s comments were way out of line.

“That’s an insult to black women of the ugliest kind that I’ve heard in God knows how long, and he should be ashamed of himself,” Perkins said.