Every candidate will misspeak at one time or another during an election. I can't imagine a day without some politician having to “clarify” what he or she meant to say. Sometimes, they have to do it more than one time. It is simply not that unusual.

However, when a pattern emerges, we have every right to be concerned. Especially from a campaign that is dominated by some of the best political and media minds in the Democratic Party, including President and Senator Clinton.

There has been a disturbing trend emerging from the anything-to-win Clinton campaign. At first, my tendency was not to write about it because I thought it might be one or two isolated incidents. Now, I am becoming very concerned about a undercurrent that seems to be emerging in this election.

Just consider all that occurred around the New Hampshire primary:

- A Clinton campaign co-chair sugested that Obama might have sold drugs as a youth
- Senator Clinton appears to diminish the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, noting that Obama is no Dr. King anyway.
- President Clinton – one of the most media savvy politicians ever – made a strikingly poor choice of words in saying that Obama’s position on the war was a “fairy tale”
- A consultant for the Clinton campaign specializing in outreach to Hispanic communities said this week, “The Hispanic voter — and I want to say this very carefully — has not shown a lot of willingness or affinity to support black candidates”

In a powerful and detailed article on Politico.com, Ben Smith delves into the difficult issue:

"A Harlem-based consultant to the Clinton campaign, Bill Lynch, called the former president’s comments “a mistake” and said his own phone had been ringing with friends around the country voicing their concern.

“I’ve been concerned about some of those comments — and that there might be a backlash,” he said.

Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones, a prominent Obama supporter, echoed those sentiments.

"It’s very unfortunate that the president would make a statement like that," he said of Bill Clinton's criticism of Obama's experience, adding that the African-American community had "saved his presidency" after the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"They owe the African-American community — not the reverse," he said. "Maybe Hillary and Bill should get behind Sen. Barack Obama."

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., through a spokesman, used even stronger language. "Following Barack Obama's victory in Iowa and historic voter turnout in New Hampshire, the cynics unfortunately have stepped up their efforts to decry his uplifting message of hope and fundamental change.

"Regrettably, they have resorted to distasteful and condescending language that appeals to our fears rather than our hopes. I sincerely hope that they'll turn away from such reactionary, disparaging rhetoric."

Meanwhile, the Clintons have taken offense at statements by those who believe this behavior represents a pattern. Of course, one tactic in a campaign is to force an issue out into the public domain, so everyone is discussing it, and then distancing yourself from it. The Clintons also tend to portray themselves as the victims in these situations.

For me, I will never forget when President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996. He expressed to the LGBT community how painful it was for him, noting that he had signed the bill late at night with tears in his eyes. It was all about how hard it was on him and not what the implications were for millions of LGBT Americans. A few weeks later, the ’96 Clinton campaign was running ads all over the South on country western stations bragging about his signing of DOMA.

In all fairness to them, neither were heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s. Bill Clinton was in grade school during the battles in Little Rock and then later in the decade worked for Senator Fulbright who, while heroic in his opposition to the War in Vietnam, voted against both the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Bill. Senator Clinton actively supported Barry Goldwater, a conservative Republican, in his race for President. Goldwater was opposed to all civil rights legislation of that time. So, it is quite possible that they really don't understand the sensitivities and feelings of those who did serve in those historic and important battles.

There is no one who wants to believe that Senator Clinton’s campaign did this as part of a tactical plan to discredit Obama, but there is enough evidence to put up warning signs and hold them accountable, if for nothing else, sloppy rhetoric!

For those who can't remember or those too young to remember, no matter who you support in this election, this clip will remind you why this period of our history should not be made political and held as a sacred moment.