Why blacks are refusing to condemn Blagojevich

Mary Mitchell of The Chicago Sun-Times explains:

Blagojevich didn't pass up an opportunity to show ordinary black folks that he is a friend.

When fire destroyed the landmark Pilgrim Baptist Church, within days, Blagojevich announced that the state would provide a $1 million state grant to help to rebuild the "non-church" portions of the building.

With his trademark dramatic flair, Blagojevich donated $1,000 of his own money toward the rebuilding while attending an event at another black church.

It wasn't unusual for Blagojevich to jump into the pulpit at a black church and join in the gospel singing.

We saw that same Blagojevich on Friday, when he appeared at a press conference with a lineup of ordinary citizens who have benefitted from his health reforms.

The obvious exploitation was shameful.

But Blagojevich has also taken some tough stands on controversial issues involving race.

For instance, in 2006, he came under fierce fire for his appointment of Claudette Marie Johnson, the chief of protocol for the Nation of Islam, to a state panel combatting discrimination and hate crimes.

He refused to back down.

The world of Chicago politics.