During the election, President Obama wouldn't be seen in the same state with Al Sharpton. Now, he is a frequent guest at the White House, where a marked change in strategy on racial relations is underway. Apparently, the White House is using Sharpton to deflect criticism from some quarters that it isn't doing enough to specifically help struggling black Americans. This is quite a role change for the Reverend Sharpton, who is more often known for traveling the country following the news of racial incidents to hype them and draw more media attention, like a personal injury lawyer follows an ambulance in pursuit of a settlement.

This strategy seems to be a dangerous one for the Obama Administration, as Sharpton has a bad rap among many for his behavior, particularly in the Tawana Brawley hoax, which resulted in a defamation judgment against him. Many independent voters are likely to be turned off by his presence, and it could further hurt Democrats at the polls in November, and that should easily outweigh the gains Sharpton might bring with his appeals to the black community. That, and I can't help but think that a tiger has a hard time changing his stripes.