Why Not Give It a Chance?

AS VEGAS - Speaking to a gathering of African-American journalists in this city of casinos and conventions Friday, Sen. Barack Obama bet a stack of chips on an opening quip derived from an old stereotype.

Appearing before 2,000 people in the ballroom of Bally's Las Vegas hotel and casino, the Democratic presidential hopeful apologized for being late.

"But you guys have been asking if I'm black enough," he added, flashing a sly smile. The remark brought a squeals of delight from older audience members who remembered when blacks were derided for lacking a sense of time, as well as younger people who had heard the story of that slander from their parents' memories of the bad old days.

Obama met with humor a question that members of the National Association of Black Journalists have been asking during their convention. Many were obviously delighted he met the issue square on.

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