Tavis Smiley: Doesn't Expect Obama Interview, Accused Of Being Obama "Hater"

Tavis Smiley doesn't expect presidential candidate Barack Obama to agree to come on his PBS late-night talk show before the election.

"The odds are slim to none -- and slim is out of town," Smiley told me a few weeks ago, in an interview.

As we talked recently on the Los Angeles set of his program, Smiley turned serious. He reminded me that he has received his share of flak from some African-Americans because they were unhappy with his professional posture toward Obama.

Smiley said that to the consternation of a number of Obama supporters, he hasn't given the Democrat a free pass during the campaign. Smiley said he has acted like an objective, probing journalist. It makes no difference to an ethical journalist -- whether he works in a news room or hosts a talk show -- what a candidate's skin color is or whether or not Smiley privately supports that person's prospects.

Smiley said he had heard from some African-American viewers that "'Tavis is a hater... a traitor...a sell-out.'"

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