This is a long time problem within the black community. When someone gets out of the ghetto, unless they are a singer/rapper or an athlete, they are seen as a sell out. Obama is loved by many in the black community, but one of my relatives sees him as "out of touch" with the inner city because of his pedigree and where his father comes from. I
Using an anology here, surveys have shown that boys get their faith from their moms and their church going habits from their fathers.
Obama's mother is an upper class white lady. Whether you like Obama or not, the fact still remains that he is genuinely the person he personifies. To act differently would make Obama somewhat of a fraud. That certainly take away the respect that many people have for this man. Obama is his mother's son just as much as he is his father's son.
I have read or heard several African-Americans say that Obama is not culturally African-American as his father is not descended from slaves, but rather a recent immigrant who is Muslim, nothing close to the African-American culture that developed over centuries here in the South.
When as an adult Obama could make the choice for himself, Obama chose Christianity, not Islam, the religion of his father.
I am for Hillary, but I am not against Obama. I believe Hillary is more qualified for the job. I also believe that the Hillary negatives are already on the table and there won't be surprises. I believe that if Obama gets the Democratic nomination, the Republicans will find all kinds of negatives against Obama. Some of those negatives may even be true. But to the Republicans that won't matter. Their goal will be to turn the majority white voters away from Obama even if all the dirt they pull on him is fake.
There is no doubt that Obama is a very articulate person, extremely bright and he is a people person.
I'm sure he is a threat to the established old guard African-American leadership.
The thing I like about this year's Democratic contenders is that I like all of them. I am not against any of them. Usually there is one that I just am against for whatever reason. Obama or Edwards would make great presidents I am sure.