<p>I agree with this:
“Sigh. Let me give my answer. If there were two such candidates, I personally would vote for the black one. Why? Because I think it would be good for the country. It would show in a very demonstrable way that we have made progress toward racial equality, it would provide inspiration to a segment of our society that continues to lag behind in education and achiement, and it would send a positive message to other countries. I also think that having a black president will cause a subtle and beneficial change in how white people view black people in this country. If you are a black voter, you could probably add to those reasons pride that a person who looks like you can become president.”</p>
<p>I remember when my 13 yr. old was in 4th grade. At a parent/teacher conference, she told me how great he was doing in class and mentioned that he could be President some day. I dismissed the comment immediately because this is America and the position of President has been reserved for white men. Yes, all things being equal, it does a lot to have a black president. Strange how voters who disagree with this view, had no problem electing the current dufus, not once but twice.</p>
<p>what if Patrick O’Bama was Patricia O’bama?
what if Barack Obama was Barbara Obama and still half African American and was facing Hillary Clinton?
lots of fun permutations to consider.</p>
<p>One of the reasons I support Obama is BECAUSE he’s black (and I’m an over 50 white woman feminist)–I think it would go a long way toward repairing our international image to have our new president be black. Yes, I’m that cynical. So yes, I’d vote for the black man if he were competing against his white twin.</p>
<p>I would happily vote for Hillary were she to get nominated. I didn’t vote for her in the caucus because I think she looks backward (“I’ll bring back the great years of the 1990s”)–Obama looks forward.</p>
<p>I don’t trust McCain AND I think he’s too old.</p>
<p>All other things equal sure, I’d vote for the black man. I think it sends a good message to the rest of the world too, that we really are about equality and freedom and liberty and all those good things. However in this case the question at least by the time our primary rolled around, was whether to choose between a woman or black man. Either way history was being made.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton vs. Colin Powell. Who would you vote for?</p>
<p>Well qualified white Democrat (no one you currently know so no “baggage”) vs. well qualified black Republican (no one you currently know so no “baggage”). Who would you vote for?</p>
<p>It depends on their associations. If Hypothetical O’Bama had relationships with Gerry Adams or Ian Paisley, he’d not get my vote. Just as RealLife Obama’s relationships with Ayres & Wright rule out any possibility of getting my vote.</p>
<p>As to Hillary vs Powell – that’s a no brainer for me. Powell.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why some people say they’d vote for Obama “because he is black” (BTW, isn’t it just as accurate to say he is “white”?) to “send a message that we’ve made progress, that our country isn’t racist, etc.” </p>
<p>Isn’t that just as racist an attitude as saying “I won’t vote for him because he is black?”</p>
<p>Vote for someone on his/her record alone–not skin color. I wouldn’t vote for Obama or O’Bama because they lack experience. Smooth talkers don’t impress me much.</p>
<p>If Patrick O’Bama did not sit for 20 yrs in a church every Sunday listening to hate filled speeches about African Americans, I would be OK voting for Patrick O’Bama.</p>
<p>So, Hunt, you have a very detailed and well thought out reason for opposing Powell. A reason that to you is legitimate and worth passing up the oppty to have our first black President, despite how historic and healing it would be, not just for the nation but the world. Instead of taking advantage of that historic oppty you would prefer to vote for a woman some feel has no real experience of her own, is very divisive, and would put Bill Clinton back in the White House. But in your case, making this choice is not racist or bigoted or any of the other disparagements thrown about to people who have concerns about Obama a great deal more complex than “he’s a stooge”.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to see how well former Sec Powell would do with the very voters that will not --for any particular reason-- vote for Sen Obama.</p>
<p>Specifically,
would those centrist democrats in WV and Kentucky also reject Sec Powell? If so it reinforces the racial charges, if not we would be left with simple voter preference.</p>
<p>I really don’t know the answer, but I would hope that race would not be the determining factor. Both are good men worthy of a voters attention.</p>
<p>Powell is always in consideration, but his wife is adamant that she doesn’t want him running for national office. She is concerned for his safety. THis weekend McCain is meeting with GOvernors Jindal, Crist, and Romney to start narrowing down his list.</p>
<p>Woodwork, voters who would reject Powell might do so for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with race.</p>
<p>I happened to pick up a Time Magazine from January a few days ago… McCain talks about how he detests Romney. I don’t see that happening. </p>
<p>McCain would be well-advised (in my Democratic, feminist opinion) to pick a running mate who is black, female, or both. A female R governor might be good: Jane Swift comes to mind. (She could take a swift boat into the office.)</p>
<p>SS - Hillary has NOT spent her entire adult life being Bill’s “stooge”, whatever you think that means. They have a complicated unusual marriage that works for them. They are a team and it’s not for us to judge their private life. Hillary would make a great president (although you would no doubt disagree) and if it’s Hillary vs. McCain I will vote Hillary.</p>
<p>None of these three candidates is a “stooge”. They are all ambitious and aggressive and willing to fight to the end for what they believe in. All good qualities for President, imo.</p>
<p>Well! Give Obama 25 years in Politics, he too may emerge with a “complicated marriage”. They all do. I don’t think McCain has a clean slate in this regard either. </p>
<p>I still put Hillary above all of them since she had a lot of forgiving to do in order to patch up their differences. It shows far more maturity than “stooge” behavior IMO.</p>