The Briar Patch

Decent report. But there's the story (which you covered), and there's the story about the story, which is the media critique thereof. I, being white, don't speak for blacks, but I understand that blacks take offense at the whole is-he-black-enough debate. Many believe that the idea of a unified black voting block was created by black leaders (whose power hinges on a unified voting block) and the media (ie, YOU).

There is one thing that trumps race in this contest, and that's $! South Carolina state Senator Darrell Jackson is, I think, less-than-forthright in offering his unqualified endorsement for Sen. Clinton, since it seems he was playing a game of "The Price Is Right" to provide for himself. Citing the same reasons you quoted in your dot-com piece, and adding the undeniable trail of e-mails, Lynn Sweet's column in today's "Chicago Sun Times" reveals that Jackson was negotiating with not only Sen. Clinton's campaign, but also with Sen. Edwards' campaign and Sen. Obama's campaigns to offer his services as a consultant, presumably worth around $10,000 per month. Sen. Clinton's campaign won the bidding; Jackson endorsed her without mentioning that his company would be working for her. So, if anyone asks how much an endorsement is worth in this pre-primary season, it's worth at least $10,000 per month!