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I had a thought about that today. I couldn't resist the temptation to scan through the TV channels to try to find something interesting (like local weather information, for example) and I heard Joe Scarborough talk a bit of politics. I settled on that channel, then kept on surfing when Joe gushed about the inspiration he was getting from the size of the crowd. Maybe Chrissy Matthews was tingling up his leg.

Then it hit me: This is the first time African-Americans have bought a politician outside of some inner cities. Even then, the Jesse Jackson Juniors of America have shaken down wealthy interests for campaign dough.

It didn't happen this way this time. Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of AA's deprived themselves of material goods in 2008 to get a return down the line. They're standing in DC waiting for payoff.

Now, rich corporate muckety-mucks who have been buying politicians for decades know that you don't always get what you want. Sometimes, all your contribution buys is face time with the pol, and maybe he half-heartedly introduces a bill for what you want, just to bargain it away for something that somebody who paid more wants.

Neophyte "buyers" have no idea of how that works. They are not as psychologically prepared for the letdown that every lobbyist knows is part of the game. Last year, they gave up 40-ouncers, video games, crack rocks, and even shoes for the kids to get a shot at payback. Obama is in the position of either disappointing them, or seeing his white voters get the shock of their lives when he delivers something that the AA's view as adequate 'reparations'. And I'm not just talking about new schools in the inner cities, being book-smart is so honkey, you know.

It's going to be the boldest tightrope act we've ever seen in American politics. And he's got to fall off that rope sometime between now and 2012. Keep your popcorn ready for the big splat.