Obama Team Won't Promote Him as Racial Pioneer

Barack Obama's inauguration as the first black president tomorrow will make history, but don't expect him to dwell on that point, Politico reports. The president-elect's team is weaving a narrative not about a racial milestone, but about unity—just look at the diversity of yesterday's We Are One festivities.

Obama has come out against "the temptation to view my candidacy through a purely racial lens," although plenty of reminders of the Civil Rights movement surround tomorrow's swearing-in. But Obama's inauguration spokeswoman notes that although powerful and emotional, "This is not a celebration of an election—it is a celebration of our common values." (More inauguration stories.)