as was evident by many of the South Carolinians who voted--chanting at Obamas' victory speech in unison:"RACE DOESN'T MATTER".

Who cares whether Obama got his votes from the majority of AAs?

He also happens to be a very qualified candidate, with courage, wisdom, a unifying message, a vote against Iraq.So why the hell shouldn't AAs vote for him?

All I care about is that he routed HRC.

But for those who are naive enough to think race was not raised in the last weeks-must live under a rock.

I live in the South---so I got it immediately(and I'm white!). Bill C. is also Southerner-so he knew this about Southern race relations. Statements made just days before a MLK birthday and holiday-diminishing his role(by praising LBJ)-was a most idiotic move-and insensitive to African-Americans everywhere.

I don't think it was unintentional-said jsut days before heading to SC.

Rep Clyburn was correct in voicing his anger.

On another note-I see Joan Walsh, longtime friend and Wellesley grad-is once again trying to spin this as the medias fault.

To that I say:

The media didn't say these things, the Clintons DID.

The Clintons' could have backed off their statements- and DID NOT(making references to Jesse Jackson the day of the primary and Obama).

Again---that was NOT the medias fault--the media did NOT put those words in Bill C.'s mouth. HE DID.

Did they egg it on-and give it Bill C. statements too much attention? Yes they did. And they need to stop the focus on him-and focus on the 2 candidates.

They are giving Bill C. a platform to spew misinformation and slander. They will give him further ammo for him to turn around and blame it on them for focusing on it too much or distorting what he said.

So quit covering him and the disgrace he brings to a former Presidents' office.

Or once again, the "victimization" of the Clintons will continue. (this part is snark!)

It also will allow the media to get bitten in the ass by Clinton-if they continue to play into his narrative and take the bait.

Stay away MEDIA-stay far-FAR away (for your own good).

I'm not religious either.

But I can recognize something out of the ordinary-not status quo--by looking at how a person has voted and lived his life-to make a judgement about them.

And I have looked at his votes and his work in Ill.

Why don't you just admit-that there is something about Sen Obama that he is able to transcend and touch peoples' hearts and minds?

You want to call it "religion" or "messiah-complex" of many of his followers-but it's more than that.

what that "it" is-is something emotional and not describabale.

I have yet to hear you say or even comment from any of the places the primaries/caucuses were held-or go to any of the places the candidates are-to interview them yourself.

So all you have is second-third-hand information.

You also want to get angry at Obama supporters for defending him so readily-without trying to see why supporters think he is such a great candidate.

Supporters aren't about to see thier candidate get smeared in the Rovian way-because I don't think he is made of the same slime and sludge insider Beltway politicos are.

That's refreshing, inspiring, honest, and courageous...

if he's willing to stick to his truth and be straight with me-I will gladly reward that honesty/wisdom--by striking down at unfair charges/slanders/smears against him.

I can be objective-but as I have repeatedly asked-can we talk about issues to be objective about and not these Right-wing talking points?

Pleeeez!

You really don't see the difference between someone saying they are a Christian and one who says he wants to remake the Constitution according to the Bible?

Seriously?

'cause there are worlds of Dominionists greys there.

Glad to read so many of the intelligent readers are easily able to see through your obtuse argument about religion---with blatant disregard to the mentality/importance(in SC voters minds) of religion.

Put the cardboard tube down GG-there's a much bigger picture to present to readers here-like understanding the politics/religions/bases of certain states like SC...

(which I still don't get myself- even having been a native).

I've mentioned that I'm originally from SC and have parents there still.

I had a hateful Rovian-like email circulated to me (from mom-forwarded to her by some her WHITE GOP friends)over a year ago in the"Obama is a Muslim" vein of smear.

You don't live there GG, and you don't understand the simplistic us/them mentality of SC backed both by a military and an evangelical base.

So, in answer to that kind of hate/racial smear tactic-he has no choice but to answer it.

It's too much an ingrained part of the SC voters' mind.

Secondly-it has been the media-and maybe you've missed all of the debates that religious questions were brought up-that have made the issue of religion front and center.

You neglected to mention Mitt Romney in all of this-instead honing in on only 2 candidates.

Or what about a Guiliani thrice-married-moving his mistress into the Govs. mansion, I think before his divorce was even final.

I would rather see the questions brought up as morality issues-or philosophy-over religion-but sadly it's you and the media that want to continue to try to divide and ask secondary/irrelevant/intrusive questions as opposed to issues primarily.(war, economy, torture, wiretapping..)

I agree with Tortoro-thanks GG.

fwiw-I'm not worried about Obama trying to remake the Constitution according to the Bible.

Huck-yes

(the disrespect for the US as being a melting pot of races, religions.. was on full display in that single-minded,intolerant declaration).