http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid50021.asp

The moves seem entirely consistent with Obama's character - someone who wishes to emphasize inclusion, and probably sees himself as a figure who can transcend divides. I imagine he thinks he can best be a leader by refusing to shun people who disagree with him on some issues, but also holding firm to his principles.

By not getting rid of McClurkin, but also making strong atatements about what his own beliefs are, he is simply acting out his sincere approach to these types of divides.

The professional pols may be right in the sense that this type of approach is doomed to failure in the contemporary American political landscape. But it strikes me as an expression of who Obama really is, as a person, and for that I think he should be applauded.

And personally, I think it makes him the type of candidate that I think would be good for this country.

That’s really no surprise: He’s run exactly one significant political race in his life before this one and the the presidential arena is a whole different league.

Actually, that's not true [I guess it depends on what "significant" means]. He ran a failed Congressional race before he ran for the Senate.