Reply #10: Interesting question

[salin]

in other eras I would guess that being black would be a bigger handicap. In this era of division of "you aren't Christian but we are" exclusivity being a mormon *could* rival being black - except that there is a whole lota forgiving if one has a chance to win that goes on in the GOP (look at Arnie in California) which quickly lowers the Mormon handicap - leaving the black handicap as bigger. BUT and this is an important BUT - Obama has charisma that Romney doesn't. Sure Mitt is "attractive" but some folks find Quayle is attractive - but neither have ever resonated with crowds like Obama does. He has something very special - one of those qualities that is hard to quantify or explain. I honestly believe this quality eclipses perceived 'handicaps'.

For example, imagine Obama vs someone like Quayle - any question who would win? Now go to the current GOP field. The only folks with any 'appeal' to the broader public (broader than the 30% that still likes bush) are folks like Hagel who are hated by that 30% that is important to winning the primary. Given that reality - the 'handicap' question becomes an intellectual game (that above I engage in) that has no real meaning, imo.

All of that said - I am not yet behind any candidate. My biggest concern per Obama is his relative lack of 'experience'. But does 'experience' lower him per presidential potential below any of the other announced candidates? Not in my book - each has their own potential flaws. And this time around 'electability' doesn't seem to be an issue to me - as for the first time in my lifetime I honestly believe that whoever becomes the dem. candidate WILL be the next president. Why do I believe that? Because since the 06 elections the Bushco seems intent to still pushing their muscle upon the entire GOP forcing the whole party to be a part of very, very unpopular policies - and they (other GOP elected officials) do not appear to be strong enough to stand independently of bushco - and if this continues (and bushco's actions suggest that it will) the whole party will be tainted with the low popularity of the president as they will not be able to frame things as a 'bad apple' scenario.