Why is Russert asking this question to Obama at all? It's clearly an RNC talking point that the Sean Hannity's of the media thrive on to deflect any negative press away from Bush. As Digby notes:
"How about his opinions on how he feels about Charles Krauthamer, Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson, Fred
Barnes, Morton Kondrake, Sean Hannity and Joe Scarborough that bin Laden sounds like a Democrat?"

Nope. Why would Russert ask something like that?

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Steve said in an email: Has Russert ever asked a Republican senator, George Allen, perhaps, to defend what Pat Robertson says? No. The ONLY reason you ask me this question is that you assume there is some affinity between me and Mr. Belafonte.

Peter Daou raises an important question:

Why did Russert ask Obama in particular about the statements of someone who isn't an elected official, who doesn't speak for Democrats, who doesn't represent Obama, who doesn't represent the Democratic Party, who is entitled to his own opinion....read on

Update: The News Blog has more: Senator Pimpin' Style