I have revisited the comment made by BET founder and Hillary Clinton supporter, Robert Johnson. Johnson made the comment at a campaign rally in Columbia, South Carolina in January 2008. The apparent reference in the comment was drug use by Obama (mentioned in Obama’s book) and the inference that Obama may still be doing something in the neighborhood. Below are the quote by Robert Johnson, his apology and explanation and a rebuttal by Obama spokesman Bill Burton:
“I am frankly insulted,” Johnson declared, “that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood -­ and I won’t say what he was doing, but he said it in the book -­ when they have been involved.”

Robert Johnson’s apology:
“My comments today were referring to Barack Obama’s time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect,”

Obama spokesman Bill Burton:

“His tortured explanation doesn’t hold up against his original statement. And it’s troubling that neither the campaign nor Senator Clinton — who was there as the remark was made – is willing to condemn it as they did when another prominent supporter recently said a similar thing.”

I did not give Johnson’s comment much thought when I first heard it. Now, with all the other pieces of the puzzle forming a disturbing picture of the real Obama, Johnson’s comment has more significance for me. What has been going on in the neighborhood?