It's interesting to read the comments above.
So much of it seems to be that low-level noise regarding race that we keep jumping on and so far it has served no purpose other than to keep a certain status quo in operation in this country.

Here we are. A woman and an african-American running for president of the united states. Those two facts alone are reason to celebrate as it reflects a certain movement in who we are as a collective country-people.

I think we are at a dr phil moment: do we keep doing the same thing expecting a different result?
The same thing: African-American gets in the mix and we are suddenly at each others throats about race. Woman gets in the mix and we are at each others throats regarding gender.

Doesn't matter who is right or wrong - it's the whole talking that is the thing that keeps us so de-focused on what's important to us that when we finally shut up and the dust settles we are in bed with the same political machine that has been letting us down for a long-long time.

So I realize we are probably sick of the word but here it is again: change. There is no getting around it. If we truly want a change in our government than the message we have to send is a big one. I mean a big one. We really need to force our media, our politicians and each other to focus on the issues that face our country: health care, jobs, the war, immigration, housing, taxes, etc.

This is a higher standard and will require much effort to not engage when the media throws out the bait. I've listened to words said by all the candidates and I did not get the same meaning as the media threw at me when they were done.

Dear Obamnoids-

Alice Huffman, who heads California's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, must be a fool for saying:

"Over the years, Hillary Clinton has earned my respect as a staunch advocate for the rights of people invisible to our nation's government, including women, minorities, children and seniors," right?

But according to you the Obama zombie brigade - those African Americans who support Hillary must be dopes, fools, or easily bought off- shit, they must not be able to think for themselves.

Once again: We are to be judged NOT by the color of our skin but by the content of our character- MLK.

So - should African Americans vote for Obama because he has dark skin? yeah? then call yourselves ignorant stupid racists. Or Rush Limbaugh fans - same shit. Got it?

Thanks Hillary, you've done it again. You're a pro at bringing out the worst in everyone. God help us if you get control of our country.

The only thing the Clinton's did for the African-American community was show that he could play a saxophone on the Arsenio Hall show. Oh, and they also let Bob Johnson sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom (he probably brought some of the BET "ladies" with him for Bill). Oh yeah, they've also helped out the Caribbean blacks when they go to Bob Johnson's vacation house and they tip the servants. (again, there's probably a few BET "ladies" waiting on Bill while he's there!)

This Clinton hate-mongering is so boring. Some people just can't stop repeating old Republican talking points from the Get Hillary days when they stopped her from getting us single payer health insurance. It was so easy in those days to turn the public against a powerful woman, even when she was offering a way to save our health. How much better would we be off now if she hadn't been reviled by the right? Are we going to repeat that stupidity? Then there's the typical anti-women comments - as archaic as those "Iron My Shirt" signs some pathetic guys held are her rally. Senator Clinton's a real hero for me and most women, like Alice Huffman, appreciate that she's been working hard for us, minorities and the underprivileged for decades. Obama was a "part time" state legislature (his quote) and a one-term senator. I do admire the man, but he sure doesn't have a lot of experience or substance behind the great speeches. Hillary Clinton will be the best president America ever had - a combination of track record, intelligence, experience, passion, dedication, courage, class and compassion.

How abut that- the Huff continues its descent by blocking comments not favorable to Obama.....

Sad- A shinning beacon at its beginning - has gottne drunk with a wee bit of power. Sigh.

Obama is not taking PAC money or dealing with PACs and they are a PAC. Usually endorsements come with come PAC money. I'm sure that where the issues lie the candidates are all a lot alike.

there was a great "Law and Order" episode years ago - when one of the first DA's (played by an african american actor) came back and defended an African American woman in a racial charged case -- at the end when DA Sam Waterson asked him what happened to him that he would take a case like this he said (something like) "All those years I saw myself as a man who happened to be black - as I grew wiser I realized I was black and happened to be a man"
Is this a surprise that the head of the CA NAACP is a woman and endorses Hillary Clinton precisely when there is a racially charged moment in time???
If she really felt this way and the primary was Feb 5th - it couldn't wait until things calmed down??
How do you say "used" --

so sad

With all due respect folks the Clintons have been champions for civil rights. If Barack Obama was a white candidate none of this manipulated outrage against the Clinton's would exist. The African American community would defend them for the close ties they have had with us.

Guess who's the first guest in the Lincoln bedroom? I kid, I kid.

No disrespect intended, but I'd be curious to know what was the last thing the California NAACP did of any note? I suppose they get donations from large corporations that like to advertise that they are friendly to minorities. And .... what else?

I have wondered in recent years at the complete lack of leadership in the black community. You've got your idiot rapper/drug dealer and addicts, your drop-outs, the guns, the gangs, all these destructive influences. Who is the leadership? I sometimes think Al Sharpton is the only one. Even Jesse Jackson has been silenced apparently because of his philandering with women.

Anyway, I wonder how much money the KKKKlintons got delivered to the California NAACP to buy this endorsement. And where the money will go? I'll keep my eyes open, see if anybody does anything except get new furniture in the office and give themselves a raise.

Wonder how much money was exchanged. The timing is suspect.