Stealing from John Rosenberg seems to be my hobby anymore. But he recently linked to a terrific Washington Post article on black politicians who are increasingly chafing at being thought of as "black leaders."

The best part? How "black civil rights advocates" warn that those black politicians who dare to be more than "a black politician" will be seen as "sellouts." (Who do those uppity negros think they are anyway, thinking for themselves and all?)

The article also points out a challenge that's frequently overlooked for today's Democratic Party. For now, they are still able to take black votes for granted, even though surveys increasingly show that black voters are far and away the most conservative voting bloc in America (even moreso than middle class whites). The next time you read an article talking about how Republicans will be in deep trouble in the coming years due to the increasing number of non-white voters in the US, ask yourself this:

What kind of trouble will the Democratic Party be in when some of their favored ethnic groups go off the plantation and start not just thinking, but voting conservative? Will the Republicans pick them up? Or will the Democrats become more conservative than today's Republicans?

Only time will tell I suppose. But if you aren't sure you believe me, have a look at this recent set of discoveries about Denise Majette, who sounds more like a Republican than a lot of Republicans on the issues.

(By the way, I've said this before, but is the Washington Post the best left-leaning newspaper in the country or what?)