Perhaps the point is that Obama had much diffrent image than traditional African American politicians, such as Dellums, Jesse Jackson, etc. etc.
See, when Jackson was running, he was viewed as some kind of a sectarian Black candidate. While Obama was not seen just as a representative of a Black population.
Exactly. Hence, Obama won.
Personally, I always expected the first black president to be a conservative. Someone with a tough military background. Even rednecks have long warmed to the Hollywood stereotype of the tough as nails black drill sergeant who deep deep down just cares about his troops. Kind of an Allen West type (without the war crimes or craziness that is).
