People want change, they are just too focused on the mass media to read between the lines and choose a real candidate.

I have to disagree.

While it may be true that Barak Obama has had many advantages with the education he was afforded and perhaps a more advantaged upbringing (I really know nothing of his biography so cannot comment) I do not believe his success has come without costs. We live in a racist society, and I believe the U.S. society to be even more so. Obama’s riches have not entirely erased the colour of his skin. I have no doubt he has experienced things no white man would ever dream of being expected to endure. There is more to racism and black history than being forced to grow up in the ghettos.

Yes, women do continue to be discriminated against - and yes, I believe it has taken great efforts and persistence for Hilary to reach the levels she has reached. In fact, I would find it much more likely that Americans will accept a black President who is male, then a white female. Women make up just over half of the adult population and yet, only make up about 20 percent of elected representatives at any level of government!

I won’t pretend to know enough about either Obama or Clinton to say one or the other “deserves” to become President. Nor do I know enough about American politics to have a well formed opinion about these polls.

It IS a shame that this campaign has come down to gender versus race. However, it will be a monumental day if/when either a black man, or a white woman becomes President.

Obama has a stastical great chance of being the next US president. Like Kennedy, look for Obama to undertake huge iniatives. Should be interesting to watch.

Although I understand that basis of your rebuttal to Adam Reid’s post I have to ask you….why should those of us who are white (males) still be punished for the actions of our idiot forefathers? When is enough enough? Is it not reverse racism to discriminate against Caucasians on the basis that our ancestors were oppressive and therefore past privileged?

Ben

Does Hillary Clinton have a steeper hill to climb because she’s a woman? I don’t think that’s fair either. I’d say between her and her husband plenty has happened that calls her (and his) character into question. The trick Obama might have to pull off is how to be tough against her slick political saavy without looking mean.

She strikes me as a crafty political calculator who won’t leave out any sly tactic to get ahead. Who would be better to answer a 3:00am call at the White House? That’s a scary scenario that isn’t based on anything. It doesn’t show or prove anything other than that someone working for the Clintons (or one of the Clintons) has a useful imagination. Too bad that ad apparently worked.

Mike

I think you have a lot of thoughtful and valid points but I think your missing the most important point. Barak has something that is rarely seen these days in politics; charisma and authenticity! He is Young, Vibrant and can grab the attention of large crowds. I don’t think his skin color plays to the level that your suggesting. He can certainly deliver a speech and I think that the delivery and substance of his message is what has projected him forward. People everywhere are hungry for inspiration and leadership. Right now, that has them excited until later when they will ask themselves how this young, inexperienced man can follow through and deliver. He believes he can which gives his authenticity. I think the reality of his lack of experience will remain clouded while he continues to pass out opiates through his message.

I heard, again, on your station this morning (03/07/08) saying that Hilllary climbed the corporate ranks to struggle to where she is today. There is no doubt that Hillary is determined and highly intelligent, but climbing the corporate ranks….? She is inteligent in the fact that she used her husbands coat tails to get to where she is. Now do not get me wrong, becuase she is a woman in the US, she did not have a hope in hell of getting where she is without using the opportunities she had (her husbands success), but she had other decisions she could of made to benefit all women. First and foremost, she could have left when Bill starting his little excursion. What more of an example could that have been for all women? But no…she decided to take it and be the “good wife”, why, to further her career. And when you consider her career in politics, she has not accomplished any more than your ‘non black’ candidate has. Serving on the board of Walmart and investing in Big Oil until she officially entered the Democratic race seems to be examples of a typical behaviour for a politician. So please explain to me why the fact that she has breast makes her a better candidate. She will be important because she will be breaking a barrier and that is what she will be remembered for, but whether she is effective is doubtful.

Now as for Obama, do you have a list of requirements that a person of color should meet before they receive the Andrew Krystal official ‘Black’ Label. Should his pants be a certain number of sizes to large, should he have ‘growd up’ in a certain neighborhood. I am quite certain that if you ask the general public to look at a person with his ’shade’ of color, they would tell you he is a black man. I am quite certain that he has experienced racism and ignorance, even while attending Harvard. So would those experiences score any points on your ‘black’ scale. Now do not get me wrong, like Hillary, Obama used what advantages he had around him to get ahead. On you show this morning you spoke of the lack of students being able to afford school and develop critical thinking. So I have to ask what would qualify him more in your eyes, coming from the hood or going to Harvard. He will be important because he will be breaking a barrier and that is what he will be remembered for, but whether he is effective is doubtful.

Clint

You have obviously decided to launch your latest ‘jihad’, and unfortunatley it is on a very genuine, charismatic, educated, caring, qualified man who has been compared to beloved leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King and JFK. I’m not sure why he is your most recent target, but some of your comments are as usual very offensive, and misguided.

‘Black’ Americans do not just represent struggle, and to think that because Senator Obama did not grow up with a low socioeconomic status, in the ghettos of the US, or within the backward bayous of the South, his skin color is not still a factor, you are very naive. Skin color is as much an issue now as ever, and your focus on his color or lack of ‘blackness’ proves that. To think you or I as white men and women have the same understanding as Sen. Obama of what being ‘black’ means because his mother is white and his parents were educated and did not struggle financially, demonstrates your ignorance and lack of rational thought on this subject.

Senator Obama represents change not based on his skin color, but based on his platform, his approach to politics, and personal qualifications (to which I have attached a link). I have been a keen follower of this race, and also a strong proponent of Senator Clinton, and have yet to see the platform and/or speech that qualifies Senator Obama as an agent of change based on his skin color? Poles have consistently shown that Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have a diverse group of supporters, showcasing that Americans are voting based on more than sex and/or race.

It’s unfortunate that when a new face enters the race, people like yourself continue to pull the race/sex/religion card, to discredit them.

Thank you.
MF

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×4678548

The sad fact is, society was once highly exclusionary, and that is why these groups and organizations were formed. Change did not come about because white society suddenly woke up and changed their minds; it came about because these individuals were willing to put themselves on the line to educate society about its wrongs, wrongs we are still working on correcting. “White pride” is celebrated every single day in this society, as most of us had positive role models and examples to live by, as well as belonging to a culture that is well-steeped in “whiteness”. White teachers, principals, managers, authority figures, etc. Even “beauty” is measured against white standards. It’s no wonder minority groups need these organizations to make their voices heard. Will you speak for them? Will anyone else?