On the fight over the NAACP conference, Nathan Newman has it right.

"When someone gives a job interview, they have the right to expect you to show up. Is it too much to expect one appearance at the NAACP convention after months by candidates visiting the the homes of white Iowa farmers and small town New Hamphire families?
The political blackmail exerted by Iowa and New Hampshire in keeping two highly unrepresentative states at the front of the calendar is far more problematic than the largest black organization in the country demanding the courtesy of a visit."

Blackmail? Damn right, but it shouldn't have been necessary.

There's a debate at the ACS Blog about the Thomas dissent and his quote from Frederick Douglass. The argument against Thomas on this is just silly.