Opinion: A Race Away From The Past

Obama clearly understands that connection. At the same time, he cannot afford to be seen as one constantly catering to the civil-rights establishment. And he thinks black Americans know that. The black community, he observed during one conversation, is much more sophisticated than many people suspect. It has supported him, he pointed out, even though he speaks a "very universal language."

Obama certainly does not have a lock on the black vote. Many blacks have political ties to, or feel deep affection for, the Clintons, and will therefore tilt more toward Hillary than Obama. Al Sharpton also has his fans. If he runs again, as he's hinted he might, he could draw votes from Obama--though not very many, it seems. To win, Obama will have to put together the type of "universal" coalition no black politician has ever done at the national level. (According to the new NEWSWEEK Poll, voters give Obama a 46 percent to 44 percent edge over GOP Sen. John McCain; Hillary is up 48 to 47. Both Dems lose by a hair to Rudy Giuliani.) One thing that makes him so appealing is his bedrock faith that that is possible, that he does not need to pit one group against another, that politics can be a constructive and unifying force. Of course, we have heard that message before. Now we have to see if Obama can deliver on it.

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