Should blacks vote for Obama because he's black?

Should blacks vote for Obama - and withhold criticism of him - simply because he's black?

That's what at least two prominent blacks have suggested. Syndicated radio host Tom Joyner has been blunt and unapologetic about his feelings, telling his 8 million listeners "Stick together, black people."

Radio host Al Sharpton agrees. He's told his nightly TV audience on MSNBC that he criticized David Dinkins, New York's first black mayor, then regretted it when Dinkins lost a reelection bid to Rudy Guliani.

"I said I'll never make that mistake again," Sharpton said.

The expected onslaught of disagreement has followed. Washington Post Kathleen Parker, in today's Observer Viewpoint section, says rightfully that voting for Obama simply because he's black does a disservice to the voters and our country.

Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas agrees, saying such a vote would be racist.

Thomas suggests that Joyner and Sharpton are really concerned about blacks losing a seat at the political table, and he's correct. But similar motivations are what prompt conservatives to support the "R" on the ballot - and Democrats the "D" - no matter how much they have to hold their noses to do it. We all, to some degree, vote defensively - pulling the lever for the candidate potentially will do the least damage to the things we hold important.

But Joyner implicitly demands - and Sharpton less implicitly - that blacks hold their tongues instead of criticizing Obama. That kind of loyalty mandate is dangerous and counterproductive, because it silences the suffering and stills the voices that candidates need to hear, Democrat or Republican.

Peter St. Onge