GG - al not-so-sharp-ton & jesse 'fornicating' jackson are hacks. They play the system but are (thankfully) becoming redundant post-Obama.
Obama is a smart, urbane, educated, articulate person (who stands on his own merits) who has set a new standard away from the hip-hop/rap ebonics-speaking 'stars' and the sports gods.
There are others like Colin Powell & Condileeza Rice who considered 'traitors' due to their political (Republican) leanings.
Condi is smarter than most men out there. And for her age... quite attractive. I can't say the same for jesse or al. jesse is 'hurt' that obama does not defer to him...
Michelle Obama is another smart cookie. She may seem to be seen taking the back seat to Obama (unlike Hillary) but do not under-estimate her.
Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett