Obama ticking off blacks for not stating the obvious

I've avoided the Imus flap for two main reasons: (1) it's getting enough coverage everywhere else that there's not much for me to add; and (2) it doesn't take a genius to see that the man said something so monumentally stupid.

Though I am obviously no fan of the empty suit from Illinois who'd like to be president (despite his pledge a couple of years ago to not seek the Oval Office), it seems to me that Sen. Barack Obama is catching hell for nothing. From the Boston fishwrap:

With the Rev. Al Sharpton leading calls Monday for radio host Don Imus to be fired over racially insensitive remarks, Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign avoided the controversy throughout the day.

Not until Monday evening, five days after Imus's comments were uttered and hours after CBS Radio and MSNBC announced a two-week suspension for the radio host, did Obama weigh in, saying in a statement: "The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful, and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds." Obama did not address whether he thought Imus should be taken off the air.

The episode is the first test of how Obama -- who is of mixed-race background -- is handling the contentious issue of race in his presidential campaign. Even as polls have shown other Democrats attracting a large share of the black vote, Obama has steered clear of the kind of activism symbolized by Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who were both highly visible in the Imus episode but whose aggressiveness on race issues has alienated some white voters in the past.

Quick sidebar: Sharpton's and Jackson's race-baiting as alienated SOME white voters IN THE PAST?? Earth to Boston: their race-baiting alienates MOST non-black voters PAST, PRESENT, and foreseeable FUTURE! That racist Shartpon has yet to apologize or be held fully accountable for his actions that have led to the death and assault and smearing of others: falsely accusing Steven Pagones of rape and mutilation of little Tawana Brawley (a crime that never occurred and cost Al $345k in defamation damages); inciting murder of "white interlopers" and arson at Freddie's Fashion Mart in Harlem; inciting the Crown Heights Riot because a Jewish cabbie had accidentally killed a black youth (an innocent Jew was stabbed to death in Sharpton's incited riot); etc. Until such time as that son of a b#tch apologizes or is held fully accountable, I have little tolerance for his calls for an apology from anyone! Now, back to the main point...

But with Obama battling other Democrats -- most notably Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York -- for the support of black voters, the candidate's reticence on the Imus issue set off alarms yesterday among some black activists who are anxious to see him more forcefully push for racial justice.

Melissa Harris Lacewell, a professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University, said Obama missed an opportunity to prove himself to blacks and white liberals who would have wanted Obama take the lead in denouncing Imus.

Lambasting an easy target qualifies as "leadership" in liberal circles? Wow. Good thing they're not overly concerned with terrorism or defense matters, since they clearly have bigger fish (an idiot broadcaster) to fry.

Barry O must not be black enough, since he's not piling on Imus like everyone else is. I have little sympathy for Imus here, but why is it news for a politician NOT to say something that really doesn't need to be said? Is our society so driven by the sound bite that Osamabama's failure to follow the sheep is newsworthy? I suppose ALL politicians have to find a camera or microphone ASAP, so as not to give the appearance of condoning Imus' remarks? How ludicrous!