I would expect Senator Obama to say something to the effect of "It's not right to punish these folks for who they supported during the primaries."  I would expect him to mean it, too.

However, I wouldn't expect him to bend over backwards either.  If real and actual voters are mad at their elected representatives then they should vote them out if they can.

The job of the representative is to actually represent the voters.  Those voters determine whether or not they've gotten good value.

And yes, this cuts both ways.

I can see the argument that Obama shouldn't do anything to help these primary challengers, but he clearly shouldn't condemn them.  These incumbents don't own their seats.  There are Congressmen who backed Obama in pro-Clinton districts who have to explain their vote to constituents, and will be judged accordingly, and that's all as it should be.  Doesn't mean Clinton or Obama should stoke these fires, but incumbents have so many advantages if one gets toppled for this reason you can bet it's not the only issue in play.

when he was being threatened, so Lewis switched his allegiance from Hillary to Obama.

I am certain as this gets around others will begin to examine those congressional members or state elected officials who supported Obama.

This backlash may even affect Obama's electoral tally in November especially in the states which could swing Democratic or Republican.

CBC showing it's true colors. Can't say I am surprised. No bother guess the Obama leaners in Clinton districts here in San Diego are now fair game.

Thank you for your diary. I agree with you and am seeing both sides as well. Call it unity ar whatever, Democrats need to work our shit out or the right will try whatever means to use this against us. If anyone is listening, if you hate Hillary or Barack, please get over yourselves. I am not saying we cannot have reasonable and civil disagreements, but I will no longer pay any attention to the vitriol.

Those damned angry Negroes don't know their place.

Primary challenges are a part of democracy.  If a Congresscritter's constituents want him or her out, they're out.  If they want to keep them, they're in.

Ok. I am wavering already. I usually like to post a response to the author of the diary without reading any comments. So after writing the above, I started reading comments, and am getting disgusted again.

I guess I would really like to see is for us to stop bashing each other over the heads with racism and sexism. As many have so elequently stated, I see most of the disagreements between us as family disputes that must be worked on. However, I still see the 'other side' as being diametrically opposed to almost everything I believe in. I want to bash the Republicans over the head. You all (mostly), I just want to talk with and try to work things out. Hell, maybe what we need is a great big therapy session. Heh. mostly kidding

Even some congressmen who did support Obama, like Steve Cohen of Tenn. and Rep Barrow of Ga., are facing African American primary challenges, either because of the incumbent's race (Cohen)

That's a fairly serious accusation, that AA's are voting against Cohen based on race. A link backing that up would be nice, as the linked article doesn't mention Cohen.

And please, don't tell me it's just obvious.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDia ry.do?diaryId=2123

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/20 08/02/jewish_rep_cohen_battles_antis.htm l

My favorite line form the second link "He's not black and he can't represent me thats the bottom line".
This is the same guy who in order to better service his AA constituents applied for membership in the apparently racist black caucus which denied it to him. By the way, I despise Steve COhen for his disparging remarks about Hillary Clinton but do not think he should be tossed out of office just because he is not black.