Top Five Reasons Obama Fails to Inspire

Obama chose not to attend the rallies, though his campaign did issue a statement calling for fairness and re-examination of the criminal justice system. Former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson -- an Obama supporter -- reportedly said of Obama's decision: "He's acting like he's white." I suspect Jackson said what many people thought at the time.

It seems like Obama chose not to take up the mantle of past civil rights leaders by not joining the Jena Six protest. It was a unique moment for Obama to show support for the black community. The question will be whether or not it will be seen as a make-or-break moment for black voters.

Obama's wife, Michelle, made comments a few months ago on MSNBC that seem typical of how the campaign thinks. Speaking about the black vote, she said: "Black America will wake up." She continued: "There's a natural fear of possibility" and "always doubt in the minds of people of color."

Presently, polls show that Obama and Clinton split the black vote approximately 50-50.

There's no doubt Obama is an excellent candidate for president, and he may even present a historic win. But before that can happen, he must explain to Democrats why he doesn't want to continue the fights of the 1960s -- included battles over civil rights, the antiwar movement, expansion of Social Security and expanding health care (Medicare). Many Democrats passionately believe in these issues.

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