It also isn't a situation unique to African American identity politics.

You see the same stuff in Latino/Latina identity politics, Native American identity politics...too many "old school" guys who don't like the upstarts outshining them.

Another aspect of the phenomenon, is the old school guy hogging the limelight has usually lost the support of their community.

I can't tell you how ugly it got in some of the communities I've worked in over the years. Like, really ugly.

I can't stand Obama, but I do feel for him right now--and for all of us. Because the tired, old racial identity politics is NOT the road we should be heading down at this crucial juncture in American politics.

And if I didn't know better, I'd really have to say--who got to Jeremiah Wright?

You may have read the piece at Salon.com? They had one of those articles this morning. It was a good "say this" blurb.

Honest to god, I don't know how the hell Obama ballet dances his way outta this one. I haven't a clue.