With friends like these ...

Barack Obama should consider changing his campaign slogan from "Change We Can Believe In" to "Keep Your Mouth Shut". At a moment when unity is paramount the Democrats look far from united. Partly this is the result of a fractious primary campaign and deep wounds which have yet to heal. But the past few months have seen so-called friends of Obama damaging the candidate's chances with their remarks. However, a more potentially catastrophic division has been revealed by a careless Rev. Jesse Jackson.

His words were crude, rude and highly damaging. For the Democrats to capture the White House they have to win at least two southern states, something they have not done in the past two presidential elections. They cannot win these states unless there is a large turnout by black registered voters. Sometimes, in politics, it is not your opponent that causes you most concern, it is your friends.