Obama is in and my vote is clear. And, yes, race has something to do with it.

[Barack_America]

Is that wrong?

Yes, I agree with him on key issues, but it is wrong that I am excited to vote for an African American candidate?

I know of several staunch Republicans that are mesmerized by Obama and will vote for him, in part, because he's black. Is that wrong?

Is it wrong to consider history as well as the issues?

[bling bling]

1. Of course it's not wrong.

I'm also looking forward to having a leader who has experienced life from a different angle for a change. Race and gender affects our experiences in life. And we have no reason to feel ashamed for, in addition to wanting quality leaders, wanting leaders from different races and genders to represent us, rather than just one race and one gender and one socio-economic status all the time. The more varied our representation the more we are *truly* "represented."

[question everything]

13. Ah! But Obama's expeirence is not that of Blacks in America

He is not a descendant of slaves. Did not grow up in a house where both the victories and the calamities were absorbed. Did not hear about the Civil Rights movement, or about the humiliation of a grown man being addresses as a boy. Did not have to wonder why members of his family and neighbors could not get a decent job, a decent mortgage, a decent car insurance. Did not have to suffer racial profiling for being at the wrong place.

Sure, as an adult he heard about all that, especially after his marriage. But by then he incorporated this experience on a cerebral level, not viscerally.

[Barack_America]

14. Ummm, and who's experience is closer??

You said:

"Did not have to wonder why members of his family and neighbors could not get a decent job, a decent mortgage, a decent car insurance. Did not have to suffer racial profiling for being at the wrong place."


I'm sorry, am I living in a different country?? 'Cause in the country I live in, those struggles are very much STILL happening! He has no doubt experienced these things!

[bling bling]

16. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Obama has experienced life from the perspective of someone in a minority. Someone other than a white male.

I'm not opposed to a white man being the president. But the fact that I would like representation from people who have other experiences is not something I'm going to be afraid to admit. It's nothing bad. It is what it is. Race and gender matter when it comes to your experiences in this country. And that enables me to have different perspectives and vantage points about things. My experiences have shaped everything from my perspectives on issues to my political philosophy to those traits I consider to be my biggest strengths.

I don't see anything wrong with admitting that Barack's race has impacted his experiences and as a result of that I see it as a strength. As the OP said, I count that as another check in the "plus" column. But of course that's not the only consideration. Obama would be my choice regardless, though. He inspires me. He's the kind of leader who inspires people to take action so that we cann all make the country better together. That's the kind of leader who is effective, and it's the kind of leader I've been waiting for.

[beaconess]

18. What are you TALKING about?

He is not a descendant of slaves.

True. So?

Did not grow up in a house where both the victories and the calamities were absorbed.

How do you know this?

Did not hear about the Civil Rights movement, or about the humiliation of a grown man being addresses as a boy.

Really? Where did he grow up? In a cave?

Did not have to wonder why members of his family and neighbors could not get a decent job, a decent mortgage, a decent car insurance.

Did not have to suffer racial profiling for being at the wrong place.

Wrong again.

You are apparently under the misapprehension that Obama grew up a little white boy in the Hamptons and then woke up about five years ago to find (Horrors!) that his skin had turned black a la the "Watermelon Man."

Contrary to what you seem to believe, regardless his parentage, Obama was raised and grew up as a black boy/man in America.

[question everything]

45. Not in the Hamptons, but in Hawaii, by his white grandparents

you may want to learn a bit about his background, facts, not wishful thinking

[smalll]

21. he's only experienced it "cereberally" not "viscerally"? You're forgetting,

despite his unusual history and his lack of blood ties to the original West Africans who became America's Blacks, that he has LIVED his LIFE as a "black" man in America. Sure, he might not look that dark, and Biden would tell us he's unusally "clean" or something, but when someone sees Obama (certainly all throughout his life before he was famous), you and I and the rest of America sees a "black man." I remember hearing Obama himself address this issue by referencing the fact that he has had a hard time sometimes hailing a taxi, for example, just as much as any other Afican American. He has "viscerally" had the experience, I'm sure.

[DonkeyInChinaShop]

46. His wife would be the first African-American First Lady

Regardless what you think, you can't deny that.

[bullimiami]

2. its obama and hillary imo and i dont have a prediction.

[DebJ]

3. No: a symbol of American unity. That what it means to be

American is not W-A-S-P, but "American", in a feel-good-by-doing-good way...the only true American ideal, the ideal by which we (used to) lead the world.
What it means to be American is this: to be the best, to care the most, to try the hardest, to have hope and to never give up.
Obama 08!! I can't wait to vote.

Sign me as an Irish-Spanish-French-Native American-English - Scottish American mutt

[RiverStone]

4. From MLK's - I Have a Dream Speech

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Words from a speech delivered by Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963.

[question everything]

12. Bravo! (nt)

[derby378]

36. Exactly!

Whomever gets my vote in the primaries won't get it because of gender, skin color, or sexual orientation. They'll get my vote because they've earned it.

[Indigent A-hole]

5. Yes.

The only requirement for the job should be capability and leadership experience. Can you really say just based on his race that he would be the best Chief Executive for our country for the next four years?

Though I do admit the prospect of a black or female or hispanic American President is exciting, and we all know that these barriers must be broken eventually, I do not support making such a monumental decision for our nation based on such concerns.

Look what happened the last time someone thought a candidate looked "Presidential"- we ended up with Bush.

Now THAT was an informed decision.

I wish Obama the best of luck, but based on his performance on CNN after the President's speech on Iraq (versus John Edwards surgical dissection of the issues on the same program) I see him as green, and we need experience to undo all that has been done to harm our country.

(I looked for the video above but couldn't find anything... hit me up if you happen to have a good link!)

Just my two cents!

[Barack_America]

7. Video???

I actually really like Edwards. He's definitely my #2. I would support an Obama/Edwards ticket no matter who was the Presidential candidate (I would look forward to voting for the other as Pres. in 8 years). I would love to see Edwards stay on and possible run with Obama. It wouldn't be the first time that a VP candidate was named for their foreign policy, etc. experience (except this time it would actually work).

[question everything]

6. Sure, let Blacks vote for Obaman, Latinos vote for Richardson

whites for the rest and black and latino women vote twice, once for Clinton, the other for their race.

And poor MLK, in the month of February, no less, be rolling in his grave, still wondering when will his child be judged not by the color of his skin.

Since whites are still the majority in this country, we can wait 200 more years before we will have a non-white man president.

[Barack_America]

9. So I take it that you are against affirmative action then??

Considering that also takes race into account.

And, for the record, I'm a white woman. So technically I should vote for Hillary? I shouldn't vote for him because he's African American??

ETA: But I am from the Midwest, so I have to vote for a midwestern candidate, so I should vote for him, right?

Basically I'm saying that I don't understand your argument.

[question everything]

15. You should not understand them because I was being

facetious. Perhaps I should have used the sarcasm avatar.

We should judge the candidates on their platforms and, at some level, on their "electability." Yes, this was the reason for Kerry but I think that the failure of Kerry was the failure of the primaries. "Our leaders" wanted an early resolution and we never gave Kerry a chance to really debate what he is - another topic.

If Obama is the candidate I will, of course, vote for him. I may even vote for him during caucus night. I have not studied all the candidates, yet.

But voting for Obama because he is black - though his is not the descendants of slaves' experience - or for Clinton because she is a woman, or for Richardson because he is Latino, or for Biden because he is Catholic (I think) is ridiculous.

Vote for Obama because you agree with what he stands for and you believe that he can really chart a better future for us. But, please, do not vote for his because he is black. You will do him a disservice.

[Barack_America]

17. Please take a look at my original post...

I DO agree with his position on issues. I would not vote for him simply because he is African American. I described it somewhere before as an added bonus that my vote would also be for an important moment in American history.

BTW, the same applies to Hillary. If I were to vote for her, it would be an added bonus that I was also voting for a woman.

[beaconess]

19. I think what you're failing to understand is that being black is more than being descended from

slaves. Many black people in this country have had particular experiences in America as a result of being black that has little to do with whether the ancestors who injected the black into their blood were slaves, West Indians or Africans.

Black people in America have a broad range of experiences, backgrounds and heritages. But there is still a common bond and certain common experiences. Insisting that some black people aren't "really" black because they don't have the same lineage as other blacks not only doesn't comport with reality, it assumes that we are all a monolith, which certainly isn't the case.

[Bucky]

48. I'm balding, but I don't have plugs. Must I now vote for Giuliani?

Oh, wait, I'm not a cross dresser. So I guess I'm back with Biden now, right?

[sandnsea]

8. No

I think Obama's African-American experience more closely resembles my union working background than Hillary does. I also think having an African-American President will do more to break down racial barriers than anything else could. It's important. It's time.

[thoughtcrime1984]

10. I don't even see color with Obama

I see a truly selfless, great man, who wants to help this country's politics to become more civil and achieve the visions of the majority of Americans. I don't see what's not to like.

[Barack_America]

11. I wish I didn't have to see color...

But the fact that with voting for Obama, I'm not only voting for a candidate that I agree with, but that I am voting for the the first African American President in our history. So he's a ++, in my book. The same thing with Hillary, voting for her would be a +-, the + for a woman candidate, the - for some of her positions.

I wish that race and gender didn't play a role and, hopefully, very soon it won't.

[beaconess]

20. I hear you. You make perfect sense.

[sandnsea]

23. Seeing a person's background is a good thing

I see color in Obama. I see the color of his African heritge and recent visit to his grandmother's village. I see his childhood in the Philippines and the influences that has on his political outlook. I see his work in the south side of Chicago.

I see color in John Edwards too. I see color in his personal experience with segregation and the deep knowledge of its ugliness.

Everybody has a history. If color is part of it, we should embrace it and all that it meant to the character that it shaped.

[ButterflyBlood]

22. It's not wrong, but it has no effect on my decision

I'm voting for Obama because I think he's the best man for the job. I'm not looking at his skin color or any other candidate's at all.

[LWolf]

24. I don't think it's wrong.

He won't get my vote, because I don't agree with him on some of my key issues. But I'm glad to see anyone of color in the race. I'd like to see some women, too.

[cadmium]

25. that was the deciding

factor for me in the Mass Dem primary. We had 3 excellent Dem candidates and the prospect of breaking the race barrier was the reason I voted for Deval Patrick over Gabrieli and Riley. I think it is a legitimate consideration at times.

[Clarkie1]

26. It's called Affirmative Action. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

27. I don't think that's quite it

I want to see an African American President sooner rather than later not because I feel that it's an African American's turn, but because I think it will help break down some of the racial prejudices on both sides in this country.

[Clarkie1]

28. Like I said, it's called affirmative action.

I don't mean that in a negative way.

I could see myself potentially voting for Obama (he's my second choice depending if Clark runs or not) for reasons that have nothing to do with race (scientifically speaking, there is no "race," but that's another thread).

Still, I think it is perfectly valid for those "on the fence" to choose a candidate based on what we call "race." That's called affirmative action, and it's not a positive thing.

[Barack_America]

29. I'm confused, do you think that it's okay or not?

Like I said before, I think that Obama might shape up to be a good choice for me and that voting for an African American would be an added bonus. Do you think it's wrong to feel that way? Are you for or against affirmative action? You said above that it's "not a positive thing?".

[beaconess]

30. In some instances, particularly in politics, race can be one qualification

While I don't think race should be THE factor in any decision to vote for or against a candidate, it can be ONE of the factors that's considered in certain instances.

In this case, for example, the fact that Obama is black could be one of the reasons that someone decides to vote for him - that they believe that in this day, age and point in history, it is important to have a black president or that a black president would bring certain experiences and perspectives to the job. It is just as valid, in my view, as considering whether a candidate is a southerner or whether they are a child of privilege, the middle class or poverty - it's part of who he is. It certainly shouldn't be the ONLY factor but I don't see anything wrong with considering their race in some circumstances.

I don't know whether I will vote for Obama. But the fact that he is black and, in my view, shares some of my experiences and perspectives and also can help others to better understand the condition of blacks and other minorities - and anyone else who is not part of the mainstream - is a very attractive aspect of his overall package.

I would never vote for a candidate just because they're black - for example, Condoleezza Rice or Alan Keyes would NEVER get my vote. And I have absolutely no problem voting for a white candidate - I've been doing it all my adult life and, in many instances, have voted for a white candidate over their black opponent. But the fact that Obama is black AND his blackness has informed his worldview, attitudes, philosophies and approach to people, problems and policy in a way that I find very compelling and important and valuable makes his race an added bonus for me.

AND, one can never underestimate the power of the message that would be sent if a black man were elected President of the United States - or if he even came close.

[Barack_America]

31. Great post. I agree entirely. n/t

[NashVegas]

32. I Guess It Depends on the Date of Your Primary

I firmly believe that Obama's main purpose this election season is to be used as a lightning rod to protect Hilary from bad press, early on.

I'd love for you to be able to finally vote for an African American presidential nominee (and me, too), I just don't think it will be Obama in 2008.

[beaconess]

33. On what are you basing your supposition that Obama is allowing himself to be used

as a lightning rod for Hillary?

[NashVegas]

34. The Fact It's Happening

We've heard nothing but "Hitlery" for 15 years. Sure is quiet, isn't it?

BTW, I did not speculate that it was Barack's will to be used. I simply stated it's happening.

[beaconess]

35. Sorry - that's just not good enough

And it's ridiculous to assume that Barack is being used against his will - as if he's stupid. How is it that you know all about this, but he doesn't?

Please. The tinfoil hat is on way too tight.

[EffieBlack]

37. This former little black girl wept yesterday when I saw Barack's daughters wave to the crowd

When those two precious, beautiful little girls waved to the crowd, my heart lay down.

As a little girl, who begged my mother to straighten my hair to look like Caroline Kennedy's, who had only white Barbie dolls to choose from (I could pick between a blond, a brunette or a redhead, but their white skin was all the same), who was consistently told by the media that blonds had more fun and who knew that, no matter how many of their posters I hung on my wall or how many letters I wrote to them, none of the Monkees were going to date me, since I never saw any colored girls on their show, I could never have dreamed that someone who looked like me would ever be in such a position.

Those two beautiful brown-skinned girls, standing between their two beautiful brown-skinned and obvious loving parents, sent a message across America and the world that was so powerful that it made me weep. Yes, we have a long way to go as a country when it comes to race, but by God, this strong, powerful, in-tact black family - so much like the families that most blacks have grown up in and know - tells the world that this ain't your daddy's America's. This is America where everything is possible.

Those two little Nubian dolls, eyes bright with excitement and impishness, stealing one last wave at the crowd before their mom and dad swept them inside to begin facing the new adventure ahead, helped to remind us that all children are our children. Imagine how proud countless little black girls watching someone who looked like them standing in that spot. I know the little black girl that I used to be burst with pride.

[crispini]

49. Wonderful post

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[Jennicut]

38. Um, are people forgetting that Obama is indeed half-white?

He is both African American and Caucasian as his father was from Africa and his mother was from Kansas. He represents both types of Americans. His unique background makes him able to emphathize with many different walks of life which is why I am considering voting for him. He is not "an African American" candidate. He is a candidate, period. Once we get past labeling people than we will all be better off. He should be judged on his qualifications and ideas not on his race or ethnicity.

[beaconess]

39. One day, in the future, perhaps we can get to that point

But we are not there yet.

After more than 200 years of only white male candidates being seriously considered for the presidency, there's nothing wrong with noting when an African-American candidate has a good shot at the nomination and the presidency.

And, while Obama is half white, he is also African-American. Most blacks in America are part white - that does not mean we are not black.

I think it's interesting that white American began labeling us from the minute we were brought to these shores. We spent centuries trying to remove the labels and just be called Americans. We finally gave up, recognizing that no matter what we did, we'd continue to be characterized by our race. So we embraced it and said, "If you insist on calling us something, WE'LL decide what we'll be called."

Yet, whenever we call ourselves by what we want to be called or others identify us by race in positive ways, we are told to stop it - that this is a colorblind society, that we're just Americans, etc.

Case in point - the Biden comments. When Joe Biden referred to Obama as the "first mainstream African American," white commentators and other defenders of his comments jumped all over anyone who criticized Biden for pointing out that Obama was black, insisting that he didn't mean it in a "racist" way, he was just stating a fact. Yet when Obama or other blacks point to his blackness in a "non-racist" way and with pride, folks attempt to shut us down by insisting that we shouldn't be talking about race.

I agree that it would be great if we could get past labeling people. But we're not there yet. And in this America, race and ethnicity DO matter and, in Obama's case, I see his race as a positive thing because it has helped him better understand, in a first-hand way, how race and racism continue to weave through the fabric of our society. Only by addressing race can we get past it. I think he can help us all do that.

[Jennicut]

41. Biden's comments were racist but I reufuse to see Obama as just an African American candidate

He is white and black, that is his background. Also, just because you are one race does not mean you cannot represent other races. I am white but have had many Hispanic and African American friends and have been just as digusted by racism as they are. I once had an African American friend from college visit me in ultra white ultra rich Cheshire, CT where unfortunately I was from. People made comments behind our backs and gawked at us as we walked down the local walking/biking path as if a young black male chould not be see with a young white female in this town! It made me so angry and I guess I just wish people would see others as people not as a particular race. I am also not saying that people who have labeled you should be able to define who you are but that no one should be forced into a corner as only representing one side of themselves. Really we all came from one species and one ancestor and it is a shame some racists don't understand that.

[beaconess]

43. I think we agree for the most part

However, I don't think that Obama is only representing one side of himself - and he's certainly not going to let anyone else force him to do so. He consistently acknowledges his white heritage. But he represents the duality of being that most black Americans have always had to deal with, just in sharper relief. We have always had to live in two worlds and have always been of mixed heritage. The difference is that we aren't all aware of exactly where those bloodlines trace back to - he does.

Unfortunately, in this country, most whites see themselves as "American." They see blacks as "other." The fact that so many whites are uncomfortable with Obama embracing his blackness, in my view, has less to do with a concern that he's giving short shrift to his "white" half, but that the fact that his "white" and "black" halves are so evenly split exposes that fallacy of the labeling that has always been imposed upon us.

[mbali]

40. I don't think anyone is suggesting that he doesn't represent white Americans

The difference is that, unlike most of his predecessors, he clearly also represents African Americans. There's nothing wrong with pointing that out.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

42. I voted for an inexperienced African-American woman for city council for that reason and it was a

disaster. Voting for someone because of race and gender is as bad as voting against someone for the same reason it's based on bias not qualifications and ability. Clarence Thomas is an example of selecting someone for the wrong reasons.

[beaconess]

44. I don't think anyone here is saying they're going to vote for an inexperienced person because he's

black.

But when you've got a crop of experienced, qualified candidates, there's nothing wrong with considering race, gender, and many other factors that help to inform who they are - and in many instances, can be part of what has formed their experience.

Obama's experience as a black man in America, in my view, is a plus that adds to his qualifications. There is absolutely nothing wrong with considering that, any more than it's wrong to consider Edwards' background as the son of a millworker or Hillary's experience as a woman or being the wife of a president or Clark being a poor kid from Arkansas or Vilsak being adopted. These things are all part of who these people are.

[Bucky]

47. Yes it is wrong to consider race. It's less obnoxious than rejecting him for race, but still wrong.

A vote is a choice, not an opinion. If you select Obama in part because he's black, then are you also rejecting the other Democrats because they're not black? If so, how is that not racism? That's not a rhetorical question... I'm sincerely asking for a response to this.