Talk-show host Smiley tackles Obama and race

Tavis Smiley says, 'I believe my role in the media is to get people to re-examine the assumptions they hold.' "Tavis Smiley" airs at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 1:30 a.m. Saturday on UNC-TV. By Kinney Littlefield, For The Associated PressComment on this story LOS ANGELES - Tavis Smiley is all wound up. His voice is rough from too much vocalizing, but the host of public television's "Tavis Smiley" talk show and public radio's "The Tavis Smiley Show" is on an oratorical roll about race, politics, and his fellow African-American, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. "There is no such thing in America as race transcendence, and Obama's going to find that out real soon," says Smiley, leaning into his words. As he sermonizes, he sheds suit jacket, tie and belt in succession, getting comfy in his... [read full story]