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WASHINGTON – Imagine, for just a minute, the pain of America's first black president. Not Barack Obama — Bill Clinton.

That's about the only explanation for Clinton's lack of brotherly behavior lately: He's in pain. He is a figurative black man watching an actual black man soak in all the love that black voters used to save for him.

Suddenly, he looks oh so white.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_campaignplus/20080425/ap_ca/on_deadline_race

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But Ross goes on to decode Obama's highly sophisticated use of nonverbal communication:

'Just days before the Pennsylvania primary, Obama dipped into the Clinton racial playbook of old when he blunted Hillary Clinton's attacks with a simple brush of his hand on his shoulder, mimicking rapper Jay-Z in his music video, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." The gesture — clearly deliberate because Obama did it twice then grinned all big — spoke to black voters just like Clinton did in 1992 by playing a saxophone on "The Arsenio Hall Show" from behind a pair of dark sunglasses.'

Sonya Ross misses one point — the gesture didn't speak to black voters, but rather to YOUNG voters. Rap has cross-cultural appeal, but it is very age-specific. Boomers (of all races) hate rap the way the way their parents hated rock 'n roll.

I saw ABC News with George Stephanopolis on a webcast last Saturday.

Sam Donaldson was on the show, and the issue of criticism of the press questions at the Pennsylvania debate came up. I didn't see the debate, but heard that the questions were as petty as the press is capable.

Sam Donaldson's response was indicatively petulant. The talking heads regarded themselves as sancrosanct. At least George Stephanopolis asked John McCain real questions, "You say that you want to cut discretionary spending. From where specifically?"

And then George Will piped in with his defense of lower capital gains taxes as "effective" an criticized Obama for declaring that he would seek greater tax parity.

Then all three chimed in about how everyone has 401(k)'s and what would happen if those were taxed at ordinary rates?

And, the irony of their idiocy is that 401(k) plans aren't taxed at capital gains rates, but only at the higher ordinary tax rates when one withdraws them.

Uncontested. I wish I was on the show. I doubt they even got letters about it.

Working people are taxed at least 15.3%, up to a maximum federal tax rate of 43% at around $95,000 per year, then declines to around 32% up to around $200,000.

Those that don't work pay a maximum tax of 15% on long-term capital gains and dividends. Interest on municipal bonds are exempt entirely. Rents, and interest on federal obligations are taxed at ordinary income rates, but no social security tax.

Receipts from social security taxes are comingled into the general federal funds, so when they report a deficit or surplus, it doesn't include the still large social security surplus on funds that the republicans have no intention at paying out per promises.

Dem voters this year exceed Rep voters in all races by way more than 2-1, Limbaugh's Operation Chaos notwithstanding.

65-70% of Americans oppose the Iraq War and what it's also doing to the economy.

So it isn't going to matter a rat's ass how Obama does in debates or high tension moments when the American populace in in such dire straits, and want things changed ASAP.

To worry is the Republican-Clinton alliance to destroy him. Behind that alliance is a lot of political clout, and they want one of theirs in the House.

Clinton has bought into both the negativity and the Republican ethos, it is a disfavor to whom she might have become. If she had truly embraced Obama's success, she might in fact be leading the race.

Strange but true.

To worry is the Republican-Clinton alliance to destroy him. Behind that alliance is a lot of political clout, and they want one of theirs in the House.

Clinton has bought into both the negativity and the Republican ethos, it is a disfavor to whom she might have become. If she had truly embraced Obama's success, she might in fact be leading the race.

Strange but true.

Sonya Ross misses THEE point.