Sooner Than We Thought?

We're informed by CBS News this morning that, as we predicted would happen a few days ago, somebody tossed the race grenade into Senator Obama's lap in Nevada.

We just didn't think it would happen this soon, but folks in the Silver State are known far and wide for their independence, outspokenness and ability to go right to the heart of the matter.

There was no carefully stage managed scripted play for the cameras, which, in any case wouldn't have worked. We figured that this was coming sooner or later and the 'gennelmun from Illinois' would have to man up and deal with it straight up.

He handled it with his usual understated aplomb, which vindicates our confidence in his intelligence and midwestern gift for plain speaking.

Here's how CBS reported it:

A local woman told Obama that she wants to vote for a Democrat who is electable so she wonders what role race will play in his presidential bid. “We have never elected a black man in our country,” she said.

“I noticed that,” Obama joked.

He went on to say that he believes the American people will look beyond the issue of race but acknowledges there may be some who will not vote for him because of it.

“I don’t want to sound naïve. Will there be some folks who probably don’t vote for me because I am black? Of course. Just like there may be somebody who won’t vote for Hillary because she’s a woman or wouldn’t vote for John Edwards because they don’t like his accent.”