Ben Franklen – Obama was approached by a publisher to write something when there were a flurry of national news stories after he became the first Afro-Am editor of the Harvard Law Review. He was going to write something wonky – re the future of reform politics etc – but eventually ended up taking things in a more personal direction (w/ the pub’s blessing).

Wade – “No past,” “Youthisms” – Contempt doesn’t become you or anyone. Think back on O’s options as a brother with a Columbia degree – LOT of money to be made in a (Reaganite) cultural context that was saying YES YOU CAN…So what’s he do – well you read the book so gotta clue – Yet you’re (now) all disdain, all the time for his work pushing those ladies to talk back to the bureaucrats or that assist to that lost Sister with the blue contact lens. Youthisms, huh? Did you do a lot MORE for folks in the hood when you were in your 20s? And – hey – scratching my head here – When did becoming the first AA editor of the Harvard Law Review become an insignificant deal. Not big on Firsts myself -and O doesn’t talk it up but…Then the guy goes back to Chi-town and gets his ass into politics – TEACHING himself how to inspire what will become his base, not one-on-one but BigTime – and teaching them how buying all the way in to an America (that’s disdained them) is the way forward. Not content with being just another smart SOB, he makes himself someone who can help us all realize the Dream. And this is someone YOU are contemptuous of…Sheesh, You must have some sterling moral & intellectual credentials to look down on Barrack. But You Are Not Alone.