The story, from a journalistic standpoint, is illustrative of an important point -- the involvement of important people, even if that involvement is peripheral, makes the story. It is the person -- not the act -- being covered here. The story doesn't have any real relevance to Obama personally, but it must be reported because his name came up. The story was reported. This story says the senator did not even know about his aunt's presence -- which appears to be true -- and the reporting raises the question of whether there was a political motove -- an October surprise -- in the fact that the issue was raised by anonymous federal officials. The story seems even-handed and gives voters what they need to know as they decide to vote. ... More »

Breaking news item citing the Obama campaign response to a recent Associated Press report that the candidate's Kenyan relative is living illegally in the United States. Both reports are largely based on unconfirmed statements from anonymous sources, and lack sufficient evidence, in-depth research, sourcing and context. At least, this report quotes David Axelrod's remark that "people are suspicious about stories that surface in the last 72 hours of a national campaign" -- but I would have expected the reporter to provide that context on their own. Until more verifiable factual evidence emerges, it is premature to form any definitive judgment on this story.