He Really Is a Hard Man to Love

Chris Matthews: You know, I've always said this to people who are tough on the racial front. You know, everybody grows up in their own way. And I'm not passing moral judgment on anybody. And I know we all grow up in this country which is so bothered by race—and we just all are to different degrees—and… Just think about it as you're examining your conscience. What do you want black people to do?

You want them to grow up well, raise their kids well, pay attention to their kids, raise them well, accept responsibilities as a parent, do everything right. This family has done everything you've asked them to do. What more do you want before you're going to vote for a black guy?

That's the question, isn't it? As paternalistic and subtly racist as his rant is, eventually, it gets to the heart of the “undecided voter” issue.

And, yes, I know, he is a University of North Carolina Tar Heel, too. What can I say? We're not all perfect.