Why Do Racists Always Mention That Blacks Are Articulate?

Obama's charm lost on America's black activists (Tony Allen-Mills, Sunday Times, 1/14/07)

Belafonte, who returns to British cinema screens shortly with a small role in Bobby, the new Emilio Estevez film about the assassination of Robert F Kennedy, also cast doubt on Obama’s credentials as a legitimate candidate.

"He’s a young man in many ways to be admired," Belafonte said. "Obviously very bright, speaks very well, cuts a handsome figure. But all of that is just the king’s clothes. Who’s the king?" There were contrasting views on the likely impact on Obama’s campaign of black competition or criticism. One analyst argued that a Sharpton candidacy would "put Obama on the spot" by forcing him to address awkward civil rights issues such as police brutality and racial profiling that he tends to steer clear of. One Democratic blogger argued that Sharpton was "just what the doctor ordered to keep Obama on the straight and narrow".

If we judge a man by his adversaries, that's one point for Obama.