Obama Calls for End to Political Mudslinging

Obama's presence in the Democratic race continues to cause a stir in the media when recently, following a lavish Hollywood fundraiser for the senator, Dreamworks co-founder, David Geffen, who supports Obama, accused his presidential competitor, Sen. Clinton, for being "dishonest." Geffen's critical comments elicited a response from the Clinton camp, who demanded that Obama return Geffen's money. Obama declined. His spokesman likewise reminded the Clintons of one of their supporters, a South Carolina lawmaker, who stated that Obama can't win the White House because he is black.

The recent back-and-forth between the Obama and Clinton camps is apparently tiresome to Obama, who stated at a Houston fundraiser that it could be detrimental for the country if politicians continue to engage in this sort of "tit-for-tat."

Whether Obama or Clinton will end the petty bickering is anyone's guess. There are still more than 20 months away before Americans go to the polls to pick the next president, so the political race, which has been notoriously brutal to those who enter it, could get more intense as the stakes for the White House are raised for the candidates.

A greater concern though remains how this race will be covered by the mainstream media. Clearly, the media seems to be enjoying this "tit-for-tat," often highlighting these stories in their nonstop coverage of the upcoming 2008 presidential election. While there are many valid questions as to whether either Clinton or Obama have ideas that will get this country back on track again, those issues are being ignored for horserace coverage amped up on steroids.