Are Americans ready for a Black President?

Question

Forget Al Sharpton and his superficial rhetoric. We now have a candidate in Obama with a clear vision (at least compared to the gang that occupy the White House anyway) and the intellect to lead the country.

So the question is are Americans ready for a black lawyer to be at the helm of power.

And what do you think the 'southern' mindset is about this issue?

Pardon me for appearing as if i am stereotyping the Southerners as a whole. I am Canadian and my knowledge about the demographics of the Southern United States is all from textbooks. Having said that, i think its safe to say that the 'vast majority' of the southerners tend to lean Republican and thus would not vote for a minority candidate. Am i right?

Answer 1

Sure, just not Barak Obama!
Southern mindset? Surely you aren't stereotyping!

Answer 2

The thing about Obama is that he's not running in the way of a typical black candidate. It's good for his chances, honestly. White people are the majority, and most of us just don't like to be told that black people have a harder time and that we push black people down (even though we know in our hearts that it's true on some level).

Obama has a chance, but he does have to overcome that hidden racism in people who might even consider voting Democratic (although those people are overwhelmingly Republicans). Black candidates consistently do better in the polls than they do at the election booth, which is considered to be a sign of how racism still affects elections, even today.

I think that the answer is "maybe". The lower age groups in the electorate, especially those who have been through college, tend to look past race in general, but there are unpleasant reminders everywhere that white America has still not quite accepted that "white" and "America" are not the same thing.

To take the Southern aspect, yes, the idea that (the white portions of) the South is racist is a stereotype. And, as someone who has lived in Georgia for my entire life, it's also not entirely false. Again, with younger, more educated people, it's not really an issue. But there are a lot of older people who fought against integration -- and who knows whether their attitudes have changed? I don't think Obama would be able to carry much of the South, but then again, Al Gore didn't either, and he's from Tennessee. What Obama would have to worry about is the very white, and almost-as-racist Midwest.

Answer 3

Race should be not be an issue. However, we must face the truth, for the most part, Obama's going to get poor votes in the southern states. There also seems to be trends that republicans do not favor a racial minority president. I don't think "ready" is the right word to use. America's always been ready for a black president, as long as he possesses the proper values and characteristics.. However, ignorance and racism, overshadows many opinions and vote decisions. Many Americans also believe, because you're not white, you are less American. It is a shame that race has to be an issue in presidency, but a very realistic issue, it is, at the same time. Despite the many realistic race issues, I still believe Obama, will win the election. I believe Americans rather, whether it be right or wrong, have a black male president than a female white president. A major boost for Hilary Clinton, is Bill Clinton, though. Who wouldn't want to see Bill in office?

Answer 4

I don't think a BLACK President would be any different then haveing a WHITE President. I question that Barak was raised in a lifestyle that is not the Christian lifestyle . I don't care if he did switch to Catholisism later in life. It scares me that he has hid so many other facts from the American people. If he does become President, I just pray that he will be a President FOR the American people. I think Bush owns oil wells and he has oil on his mind. I personally hope Fred Thompson becomes our President. He is a good man, he was a good governor and I feel he will be a good President. I think that some people in theSouth feel that a Black Man has no business even thinking about takeing a position like this but they are getting less and less. Personally I wouldn't care if he was rainbow colored, as long as he works to keep what our forfathers had in mind when they founded this country . I think Fred Thompson is going to do this.

Answer 5

I would hope we are. Actually, after reading Obama's books and hearing the Dem candidates as well as political commentary, I think he is about the best the Dem's have. He seems calm, informed, and he's definitely right about needing a new generation in the White House. I agree with him that we have fought the battles of the 60's far too long, and with every Pres since then..abortion, gay marriage, etc etc. There are a lot of issues we need to deal with both at home and abroad.
The reservation that I would have for him is regarding foreign relations. The fact he is a new Senator doesn't bother me, Bush and Clinton (Bill) were never in the House or Senate prior to being elected. They were governors of their respective states but didn't pass any bills as is the criticism of Obama. As for Condy running for pres....God save us all!!

Answer 6

His 1/2 Black status is probably less beneficial than his 1/2 Muslim status is harmful. Regardless of that, he lost me when he jumped on a mandatory surrender date for our military band wagon. We need a candidate that has a sense of moral obligation to the people that we liberated from a tyrannical dictator, who can negotiate foreign policy while not placing the US in a position of political vulnerability. We need a President that will keep the obligations of the USA, whether he agreed with the manner in which we incurred that obligation or not, we need to do as a nation what we say we'll do. We need a President as committed to securing our borders and protecting our sovereignty as they are to foreign policy. I don't care about political party, race or even gender, but I do care about giving my support to someone that understands the needs and concerns of our country.

Answer 7

no, there are to many issues that divide based on race. why will white america vote for a guy that will always represent the interests of the 13% against the benefit of the 87%. At this point in time it's hard to imagine a black politician that isn't black first american second.

Answer 8

I will more then likely vote for Obama.Mainly because he feels real to me.If that makes any sense. Race and sex should not matter.The one that is best suited for the job should win.Americans should be ready for a Great President.Not a black president or female president.Thats my Texan mindset on the matter :)

Answer 9

I don't know why people keep asking if we're "ready" for a Black president. What is there to be "ready" for? Why would a Black pres. be any different than a white one? If s/he is the BEST one to lead (not "rule" as one of the respondents has already said--That's the problem with the current prez: he THINKS he rules the country!) the country, then s/he gets MY vote.

And what is all this, "but not Obama" stuff? Why not? He really seems too have his stuff together.

Answer 10

I would be willing to vote for a black president, but I'm not going to vote for Obama or Sharpton. I would gladly vote for Walter Williams, the economist, whom Ron Paul is considering nominating for his vice president. I would vote for any candidate, regardless of skin color, gender, age, or sexual orientation who is a libertarian (provided that we aren't talking about those Neo-Cons that pretend to be libertarian and who mostly support that Fascist Guiliani).

Socialism is not a good thing for anybody. It is a system which enslaves the entire population to the whims of the government. I will never vote for a Socialist, under any circumstances.

Answer 11

He wont win. He isnt a good politician and doesnt know how to play the game. So when he loses you will get people like Sharpton and Jackson calling america racist.

I'm a registered dem and this will be the first time i've had to vote for a Republican :(