Even carefully worded statements can be twisted by the press, so Root certainly did leave some rope out there to twist.  Root might have taken the more careful approach by emphasizing that Obama has been given a pass and that the press hasn't lived up to its "fourth branch" responsibility of vetting candidates.  Obama needs special vetting since there is so little to his public service record and he never built a private business like Root has.  Supplying grades, transcripts, associations in school, etc. might, therefore, be clearly necessary to introduce an unknown like Obama to the public.

But the curious thing is that suppose some pro-Obama zealot in the larger media even bothers to read Reason and gets all bothered by Root's statements.  That zealot could use his media to attack Root, call him an evil, white, rich racist.  Then consider the two possibilities: 

(1) No Obama transcripts are produced.  What's Obama got to hide?

(2) Transcripts are produced or manufactured and let's say they are better than Root's.  Does this mean Obama has so little substance that his college grades are a big deal?  What's next, his junior high grades?

It's my guess that the Obama camp probably doesn't want to do anything that remotely reminds anyone that he has little in the way of experience and qualifications.  Palin had a good line about a small town mayor being sorta like a community organizer with actual responsibilities. I imagine if Obama shows grades to a third party candidate, then Republicans will ask to see his "refrigerator art" from grade school. 

My guess is that Obama's campaign will be smart to simply ignore what Root said.

Mark

I'm not so sure that even the Rs will be all over it.  If the Rs choose to blast Root by severely twisting his comments out of context, then they are, in fact, admitting that the LP is a threat.  It would be like the Ds going out of their way to blast Ralph "is-he-even-running-again" Nader.

Suppose the Rs say, "Barr/Root are rich, evil racists." Then they say that's because Root said Obama's college career might have been nothing more that a big affirmative action program culminating in a degree backed by unknown grades.  I'd bet half of the Republican base would have wished McCain or Palin said that.  If that causes Fox to investigate Obama's grades, then they might even shove a microphone in front of Root to see what else he has to recall about his old college days.

Again, I might be completely wrong, but it also might not be to the Rs advantage to acknowledge this statement by Root.

Mark