Castro: Si Se Puede

This week in unhelpful endorsement news: Retired Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has come out in support of Barack Obama, calling the Illinois senator, "doubtless, from the social and human points of view, the most progressive candidate to the U.S. presidency." Castro, no fool, recognizes that his advocacy may not play well here in the states, noting that, "Were I to defend him, I would do his adversaries an enormous favor. I have therefore no reservations about criticizing him," which he does by chastising Obama's refusal to end sanctions against the island nation. It's a smart play: offer your support but pull back just enough that it can't do any real damage. Hopefully, when if finally comes time to officially endorse Obama, Jimmy Carter will do the same thing.