"Hillary asked me to help her secure votes from black male ex-convicts," says Watkins, who has been a distinguished lecturer in China and Europe. "But I was not convinced that there would be support for these men after receiving their votes."

Dr. Watkins is known as the nation's leading advocate for black males, including regular commentary in national media during the Michael Vick case, the Jena 6 case in Louisiana, and the Barry Bonds Steroids scandal. He has also argued that the NCAA should be challenged for not compensating black families for the billion dollars per year earned from black males in collegiate athletics.

Dr. Watkins, who has done political commentary for Fox News and authored the book "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" says that he is insulted by Bill Clinton's status as "The first black president."

"How insulting to say that someone who is not black is the first black president," says Dr. Watkins,who worked with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to get Don Imus off the air. "Just because you eat barbecue chicken and can swing your neck in church, that doesn't make you black. I was disappointed with Hillary's desire to follow President Bush to war in Iraq, Barack had the courage to oppose it."

Dr. Watkins says that he does not want to become directly involved in the Obama campaign, but is willing to lend his support.

"Politics makes you dirty. I don't want to get mixed up in all that," says the professor. "But I consider Barack my brother and Oprah my sister, and I certainly applaud their courage."