the controversy after the arrest of a prominent black harvard professor who said he was a victim of racial profiling. political analyst darryl west says whatever the reason for the president's call, it was the wrong call to make for the potential to alienate obama supporters. >> the president needs to focus on the ifsh oohs issues that are crucial for his own long-term future and not get drawn into these cultural or social issues that really are not central to his future performance. >> reporter: president obama is an avid fan of football, as have other presidents been, including richard nixon who at one point, legend has it, supposedly called the coach of the washington redskins and gave them a play which they used in their very next game. it had disastrous results and the team actually lost. martin savage, cnn, atlanta. up next, it's been a big year in politics from the crazy campaign ads to the midterm elections.