[Tallenn]

Just remember that everyone you meet is going to wonder if you chose that combo just for the xp bonus. True or not, doesn't matter- they will all wonder it.

On the other hand, if I were to make a cleric (I thought of it, but changed my mind- one of my mains in live was a cleric, and I liked it), I would definitely choose halfling. Not so much for the bonus (though that is nice), but for the sneak and hide. Getting regular invis has always been tough for clerics, so the hide is awesome, and the sneak allows you to use merchants almost anywhere, as well as complete some quests without having the faction.

DE is a good choice too- also have hide, and get a nifty necklace that allows them to snare (a crappy snare, though), which can come in handy if you solo. Soloing as a cleric is always possible- I've done it many times- but it's neither fast nor interesting. Grouping is always better, and groups are generally easy to get. But, DEs get no sneak.