Reply #6: I really don't think you can know for sure what extent Obama is/was willing to use his race

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. . . to his advantage.

Sure, he may not have wanted to talk about race. But, many of his supporters have inevitably weaved his race (and others' reaction to it) into their discussions, and even advocacy. In those efforts, there is always the potential for folly and unintended ripple effects, as others react and weigh in.

I don't think the insertion of Obama's race as a campaign issue, in and of itself, is the problem. I think the way it was raised, in the midst of political attacks on each other, from the candidates and the campaigns, allowed the subject to be used by others as a political weapon. Both campaigns were drawn into this.

If the discussion is steered back to something which isn't about the candidates, back to the concerns of voters, then its discussion can be managed in a responsible way. As long as that discussion centers on the candidates, the arguments will just become, mostly, a referendum on Obama's race.