When I sift through Yahoo! Answers on the Barack Obama questions, many people say: "Oh, we're not ready for an African-American president." Why is ethnicity or gender such a big deal in the USA? Europe apparently has no problems with things like that. Britain had Margaret Thatcher as the prime minister, and Angela Merkel is the current chancellor of Germany. And South Africa elected Nelson Mandela as president.
OK, USA had a history of slavery and all of that, but WHY do some people say that America is not ready for a female president? WHY?
2006-10-24 15:00:50 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Name the last Black Chancellor of Germany. France? The Netherlands? Switzerland? Belgium? Britain? Ethnicity is not that big of a deal in the U.S. It really is a big deal in Europe, because anyone who has descendants from Africa is an immigrant, and doesn't represent the People's opinion.
If you found the right Black or Female, who are both Qualified for the job and represent the thoughts, opinions, and best interests of the majority of the citizens of the United States, then I think you will have found the perfect candidate. Race and Sex don't matter, but when those who have both of those atributes use their heritage as a soap box to promote social programs for those races or sexes, and in doing so discriminate from the rest of the citizens of this country, then I think they do not represent the best interests of this country, and are therefore not serious contenders who can unify our country.
2006-10-24 15:25:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it is a way of not having to address the issues.
If Mrs. Clinton was to run (which she is) and not become president (which she wont) then people would chock it up to People being sexist instead of saying she was during her whole life very left wing however she is now tying to woo the middle by appearing to be a moderate, most moderates that are involved know more about her past than the last few words let out by the Media.
If Mr. Obama runs and isn't elected people will say it is because he was black. They won't mention that it is because he was a last minute right in for that seat and was elected because he was a Liberal in a Liberal town (anyone there with a (D) by their name at the last minute before an election would have been a shoe-in) They also won't mention that he has only 2 years experience in national politics and isn't properly ready for it.
It is my firm belief that it is the people on the lefts idea to say these things because they are not ready.
I would vote for any man or woman if they were close to my idea of what I wanted and I know most conservatives would..
So to make a short story long I would say this is more Liberal double talk propaganda
2006-10-24 22:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by Rox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a big deal since the US has problems talking about race in general.
However he also has a real advantage in a bid for the Whitehouse: He could galvanize the largest part of the non-voting population, African American males. And he could bring people to the polls that have never voted or haven't for a long time.
He's also a proponent for centerist politics, good looking and charismatic.
Do not underestimate the power of personality - look at GW. His resume isn't anything to write home about but his 'folksy' way and 'warm' personality won a lot of the country over.
The Republicans have frequently chosen their leaders on more superficial terms because they are savvy to the truth that being a politician has more to do with celebrity than cerebellum.
If Obama were to ask me I'd say 'go for it'!!
2006-10-27 18:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by Solunas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America-politics , big business etc is still dominated by Men America is a male dominated society and until women are really equal as in salaries, capabilities and perceived to be---- but after the Mess of Iraq I think anything is possible since there is such a total dissatisfation. Do not forget Hilary Clinton-she may be defeated BUT the chance of her being the first woman to run will set the way. As for a African American, although he may be well qualified, can;t ee it happen for a while yet for the African American Image has taken a nose dive due to Hip Hop.Rap, Crime , also consider the Number of African American Politicians convicted of Corruptionand .. Once that image is no longer so tarnished then,,,,Possibility
2006-10-24 22:37:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A lot of the hype and subliminal messages are coming from the paid spin doctors on every network and website implanting the ideas you've mentioned. That's the style of the people in power these days. It is geared toward the people who are too busy having fun or filling their lives with other interests that they don't really think about it and before you know they are brainwashed because they've heard it repeatedly and will not vote for a woman or a black man. I've found many people are too unconcerned or lazy to research these things.
2006-10-24 22:11:40 · answer #5 · answered by nobluffzone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think we are ready for a female president. I also think and African-American president would be great. Maybe we'd actually see some changes in this country for the better, the old white men running the government right now haven't done such a bang up job.
2006-10-24 22:09:29 · answer #6 · answered by i have no idea 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of the younger population are much more accepting of the idea of a minority or female president. However, the majority of our voting population consists of baby boomers who still hold old-school thoughts that women and minorities have no business being the president. It will happen eventually, people just don't like change and for some reason feel women and minorities are not capable of doing what a white man can do.
2006-10-24 22:06:31 · answer #7 · answered by Rexy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obama would make a good president, he is from a large family, his mom is white, he has in laws that are Asian and Mexican, he voted no on Iraq, he voted no for tax cuts for the wealthy, he voted yes for gay marriage, he voted no on the patriot act, he has said that Iraq was a lie, he has said that the people have not been told the truth about 9-11, he did say that 9-11 was a terrorist attack but the people was not told everything that they need to know about it, he is for the poor working person, i live in Illinois and had the chance to meet the man and i did not see any fault with him and i would vote for him.
2006-10-24 22:35:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont' think its a big deal. I think the main stream media is making a big deal about it because Obama is the rock star of the Democrat party.
By the way, the majority of people in south Africa are black. Although they do have a large white minority. It would be news if they elect a white leader, which I'd be willing to bet we elect a black president before they elect a white one.
2006-10-24 22:05:52 · answer #9 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most Americans including me do not believe America as a whole is ready for a Black or female president.
Whites in general are not ready and will never be ready. .
Personally, I am ready as are hundred of thousands of others.
Non-whites or women should not be deterred. Entering the race is one means of shoving it in their faces for them to evolve further.
2006-10-24 22:08:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋