I call bullshit on the "America's not ready for a Black president" meme

[beaconess]

America wasn't ready to end slavery. America wasn't ready for Jackie Robinson. America wasn't ready for the armed forces to be integrated. America wasn't ready to outlaw school desegregation. America wasn't ready for a Black Supreme Court justice. America wasn't ready for a Black cabinet member. America wasn't ready for a Black presidential candidate. America wasn't ready for a Black governor. America wasn't ready for a Black national party chair. America wasn't ready for a Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. America wasn't ready for a Black billionaire.

America wasn't ready for any of those things, but because people took a chance, pushed the envelope and EXPECTED America to do better, they happened.

When will America be ready for a Black president? Are we supposed to wait around until the magical day when America finds itself ready?

No. America will be ready when we MAKE it ready. And we make it ready by making it happen.

It's time to stop telling Blacks to wait a little while longer since America is not ready for us to do this or to do that. We need to MAKE America ready.

As Thurgood Marshall said 1954 when asked why Blacks didn't approach civil rights with a more gradual approach. "I am for a gradual approach 91 years since the emancipation proclamation is gradual enough."

I don't know whether Obama will be the right candidate in 2008 (or if he even wants to run). I don't know if I'll support him in the primaries if he does. But I do know that the "America isn't ready for a Black president" argument is bullshit. I have higher expectations of my America and I will work like hell to see that she lives up to them.

[keta11]

1. Are you gonna force people to vote for Obama

in the booth? Good luck.

[elehhhhna]

85. Obama needs a few more years of seasoning and a voting record

before I fall into his camp.

His mentorship by LIEberman is offputting, imo.

[Stand and Fight]

2. I agree... However, no Obama for me, thank you.

I completely agree with you. The same can be said for minorities in general and in regards to a female president. Everytime I see this nonsense posted -- and on here no less -- I really have to wonder how far we have come as progressives, and then I have to wonder how far we have come as Democrats and then as Americans. How is it that anyone can postulate that nonsense in this day in age? The idea of discouraging someone from running for president -- I know because fellow soldiers in the Army, white soldiers, discouraged me from doing so on the basis of my skin color. It's outrageous that people would push this meme that someone ought to not run on the basis of their skin color. We shall never know if America is ready until we try, try, and try again, and then we don't give up until we have a black/minority/woman president. Minorities and women ought to have a chance to right things in this country -- God knows white Protestant middle-aged males have screwed things up royally the last six years!

EDIT: To contribute more to the discussion.

[hippiechick]

10. Same here.

:hi:

[Stand and Fight]

12. Thank you... I editted and added more.

Please read what I posted again. It applies to minorities AND women. Especially since some of the most delightful, enlightened, and intelligent human beings I have EVER met have been -- guess what? -- WOMEN.

[hippiechick]

15. And I STILL agree with you!

:hi:

[beaconess]

14. You are so right

It is sad to see so many in DU express this view.

"Don't run because they won't want you" is not that far from "Don't run because we don't want you."

[Stand and Fight]

39. It's sad.

I don't have the energy to debate them. However, when so-called progressives on this board say such things, I am tempted to believe that perhaps they are right and I am wrong. They seem so dammed determined to drive their opinion into everyone's heads. Perhaps they themselves are symptoms of the disease. So long as they keep up the placebo of racism, sexism, racism, racism, sexism, sexism... Well, we shall never get very far, shall we?

[MissWaverly]

16. I would like Conyers to run, I like him, he stood up

when everybody else stood down.

:-)

[Stand and Fight]

41. We need someone to guide us out of the darkness...

We've been muddling around in it too long. Frankly, it does not matter one iota if they're man/woman, black/white, or heterosexual/homosexual. I just know that this country is in deep, deep trouble, and the status quo is not doing a very good job of changing things.

[MissWaverly]

44. who wants the same old, same old

not me, I want someone to stand up for the working class and the middle class not be
a lobbyist's dream.

[Stand and Fight]

50. Precisely...

It is so sickening that Americans across the board -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- keep voting for the same tired candidates. Then they've the temerity to bitch about how ineffective they are... All the while the majority of Americans never get involved in the political process to begin with. We need someone who is not of the same old "mold" like... Well, Paul Wellstone comes to mind.

[MissWaverly]

56. I like Wes Clark, he says things straight out and he does things

like helping out now in 2006 with the dem candidates that need it and saying things straight
out with no bull, he even goes on fox and says it there, there's no mumbling, no I voted for
it before I was against it, and he was against Iraq from day one. I am not going to vote
for a candidate in 08 who is busy sitting on the sidelines keeping his powder dry now.

[Not Me]

3. America IS and HAS BEEN ready for a minority president

I agree with you.

[LSparkle]

19. America is ready for a GOOD LEADER -- of any race/sex/etc.

Good IDEAS can overcome all kinds of pickiness in voters.

[calimary]

33. Agreed. Good ideas can come from any gender or skin color.

But yeah, it's DEFINITELY a woman's turn. High time also for a black President. Also, as we get more Hispanics and Asian-Americans landing more prominent political positions, THOSE talent pools increase as well.

[beaconess]

34. Interesting that DUers aren't saying that Hillary shouldn't run because

America's not ready for a female president.

They're giving lots of reasons to oppose her, but her gender isn't one of them.

If America's ready for a female president, we're ready for a Black or Hispanic or Asian president, as well.

[calimary]

65. Well, that's correct. At least that's the way I see it. Her gender doesn't

rule her out. It's her track record and her ideas. And her slant. Look, I have been a fan of hers for awhile. But the signing of the "Torture's Okay" bill today reminded me of her recent announcement that she's okay with it - for just one itty-bitty fine-print exception. That shut the door for me, then and there. It's like being one itty-bitty bit pregnant. Torture is NOT okay, PERIOD.

Sigh - it's too bad, too, because I think she's a HUGELY capable resource for America in terms of brainpower, her creativity, her energy, her political savvy, her world-class experience, and her name recognition. It would be great to have all of that at our disposal from a place where it'd really count for something, like the Oval Office. I would, and I will, vote for her if she's our nominee. I'll have to. But it will be with a heavy heart.

That's how I look at any candidate. Whatever, and how much, they bring to the table. I don't care what the outside packaging is. If the candidate is Jewish or Muslim (or Catholic, like me). In fact, I think a Muslim believer might be a RAWTHER interesting President, and might disarm some of our hard-core Muslim enemies. Sure would throw 'em for a loop, wouldn't it? We're in such a mess now that we need help from every quarter, and anyone with some really good ideas, the courage of convictions (not the kind you have to admit to on a job application), and energy. NO ONE should be ruled out.

[beaconess]

66. A Muslim president WOULD be interesting, wouldn't it?

And as far-fetched a notion as a Catholic president must have seemed in 1958.

So, who knows? . . .

[spooky3]

69. Actually, I have seen many threads in which

people have made precisely that argument ("we can't afford to nominate someone who can't win; like it or not, white males won't vote for her", etc., etc.). There is plenty of sexism as well as racism on this site as on others. But more commonly, people disguise the "women can't win" or "I don't want a woman to win" feeling behind more socially acceptable reasons--just as many people who won't support Obama won't acknowledge that their reasons aren't entirely pure. This is NOT to say that people can't have legitimate objections to the positions taken by any given female or minority candidate; of course they can and do.

edited to add: there are some such posts on this thread. I also want to clarify that I realize that at least some people who make this argument honestly believe that society is too racist/sexist to elect a woman or minority and that this may reflect no racism or sexism on their parts. however, I also think you have an excellent point that this argument must always be very carefully scrutinized--and should not be permitted to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Temporary1]

4. I find most of the "electability" meme bullshit

It's all designed in PR rooms mostly; in the end people can be very dynamic, we can have radical change if we put our feet and money to it I feel.

However, I don't know about Obama. I don't want DLC blood in the White House, and there are an awfully lot of racist people in this country.

[C_U_L8R]

5. that means Republicans are not ready for a black President

[China_cat]

6. I believe people will vote for Obama before they will Hillary.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I will vote for the Democratic Candidate regardless of color or gender

On the other hand of the same subject, I will vote against the republican candidate, regardless of color or gender.

It ain't about color to me. I can't imagine a democrat voting for whichever criminal the gop runs in 08 if Obama is the dem nominee.

[K8-EEE]

8. The Problem Is The Electoral College

I honestly think MOST Americans would vote for a non-male, non-white, non-Xtian or whatever if it was just majority rules.

But let's face it you have these backwards, stupid ass sexist/racist areas of the country that will NEVER do it in a thousand years....it's really going to be our doom. I guess it's Karma for having set it up to placate them since the begining.

It's depressing but I think we are limited to white male Xtian presidents, unless we get rid of the electoral college.

[ThomCat]

9. Racism is alive and well.

All forms of prejudice seem to be doing very well. I don't think we'll see a male Jewish president any time soon. It don't think we'll see a white woman president soon. I think a black male president is decades away, and a black female president is much farther away.

Even here in Liberal NYC I know people who would vote against people simply based on prejudice, and they'd do it proudly. If I can see the resistance here, it must be worse in other parts of the country.

[keta11]

11. Its not resistance here

He is not my first choice, but I would vote for him if he is the nominee. I am just trying to be practical. I still see so much racism in the workplace and all over, I just knowing putting him up is a sure loser. End of story.

[rodeodance]

13. at times he just seems 'too good to be true"--but i know little of him. H

e eloquant, good talker, good looking-----but at times seems to me to come across a good two shoes. I may requet saying this.

[quiet.american]

17. I have no doubt Obama will be the first black POTUS.

In what year, I can't project. But I have no doubt he will be president.

[elehhhhna]

86. okay, half black.

[quiet.american]

92. Hmn, don't really care for that comment. n/t

[elehhhhna]

93. It will incease his chances by 50%. Facts are facts in whiteyland.

[quiet.american]

97. You're too much. :) n/t

[truebrit71]

18. Call it what you want. Right now it's called "R-E-A-L-I-T-Y"....try some..

...'cos saying Obama in '08 means the Executive stays with the rethuglicans plain and simple....

Don't get me wrong, I think it is PAST time that it was done as an issue, and I think that it would be a welcome breath of fresh air if it happened, but it ain't gonna happen....and it definitely won't happen in the next 2 years...

[beaconess]

20. When IS it going to happen. And what will make it happen?

[truebrit71]

21. When people quit listening to stereotypes and get educated...

...and the deeper problem is with the institutional racism in this country...

When? I don't know, but I don't think it will be in my lifetime....and I plan on being around for at least another 40 years...

[beaconess]

23. And how are those things going to happen - will they just happen on their

own?

And how did we manage to desegregate schools, integrate the military, get a Black Supreme Court justice, etc. under circumstances that were just as bad, if not worse than we have now?

I don't buy your argument, although I understand your frustration. But, frankly, I'm tired of hearing Black people told, "I think you're great, but 'they're' not ready for you yet. And if you push them, we'll be even worse off than before. So just sit tight and stay in your place and don't reach too high. We'll tell you when the coast is clear and you can try to go for what most Americans believe is their right to have. Have a seat - this will be awhile."

[ThomCat]

26. We don't have a magic want to make prejudice disappear.

Unfortunately, we can only do what we can, and many of us do volunteer work or support organizations that fight prejudice. It's not fast, and it's not neat, and it doesn't happen on a timetable.

In the meantime, we have to know how much prejudice is out there, and we have to face it realisticly.

[beaconess]

30. Sort of like the Dems did when they ran Kennedy

although the conventional wisdom was that, given the rampant prejudice in America, there was no WAY a Catholic could be elected President.

But he and the party faced the prejudice head on, stared it down and worked like hell to get more votes.

And like Lyndon Johnson did when he nominated Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court when Blacks still couldn't vote in many states. He just did it and America got over it and did just fine.

We don't get anywhere by patiently waiting for America to get over itself. Some things just have to be done.

[ThomCat]

32. If you think that just because a Catholic can get elected

that means someone who is Black, Female, Gay, or non-Christian could similarly get elected then I think you are deluded.

Yes, there should be efforts. But,

1. Kennedy was white, male, attractive, rich, a war hero, and very well connected. Anyone else running against prejudice would need at least that same level of advantage.

2. He was also able to effectively portray himself as not really very Catholic. He stated flatly that Catholocism would have impact on his Presidency. How many women can claim that they won't be women while in office? How many black people can say they won't be black while in office?

3. Being Catholic wasn't visibly stamped into his appearance in any way. Being anything other than a white man is visibly stamped into your features. It's going to be first and foremost in people's minds every time they see a picture in a newspaper, watch a clip on television, a see a debate.

For all of these reasons, I think we've got a long hard road ahead of us.

[truebrit71]

27. After a disasterous eight wars of bush, I really don't think the Dems...

..can take the gamble that the electorate is SOOOOOOOOO fed-up that they'll embrace a black man for the top job....assuming the giggling war criminal currently occupying the WH actually leaves.....

[davidwparker]

22. Just skimmed what you wrote to see when Obama appeared. It's not

that America isn't ready for a black president, it's just too soon for Obama. I feel we do the same with Obama that the * crime family does with Colin Powell.

Have you considered someone like Charlie Rangel for President? Ask yourself, why not?

See what I mean?

[beaconess]

24. I'm responding to those who say that America is not ready for a Black

president, not that Obama's not ready.

I wouldn't have any problem with Charlie Rangel - or many other African Americans running. I think he's great.

[Benhurst]

29. Or what about John Conyers? God willing he still has many

years left. How I would love to see John Conyers in the White House!

Bottom line: we need a proven progressive with a backbone, whether black or white, male or female.

Obama so far has failed to deliver on the promise many of us thought he had. When his record matches his oratory, I'll be willing to give him a second look.

[FrenchieCat]

31. Excellent point! n/t

[AndyA]

25. Frankly, I don't care what color their skin is, whether they're male or

female, or if they're straight or gay.

I JUST WANT A CAPABLE, HONEST AMERICAN PRESIDENT - HONESTLY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE - WHO WILL DO THEIR JOB, PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION, AND LIVE UP TO THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.

Basically, something other than what we've had since the SCOTUS deposited the current occupant in The White House.

[FrenchieCat]

28. One thing as a Black person, I can say.....racism is alive and doing

very well in this country, as we speak. In fact, I see it growing, not dissepating.

If you look at our justice system and the stats in reference to Black males, you will see what I'm talking about.

There are many Whites who don't even think that there is any discrimination out there....and if there is, they believe it to be the exception, not the rule. Many are even callous in showing any empathy to what Black Americans might face in terms of obstacles, and these same white folks will not vote for a candidate because he/she is Black and will in fact make Obama have to prove himself to be twice as good as any White Politician before they would get on Board. That's a tall order to require of Barak Obama, but nevertheless, this will be the case; that I assure you of.

Please know that this state of mind is not restricted to "conservative" Republicans either....many liberals are liberals to a point, but in personal relationships, many feel the same way; that Blacks do not deserve any special consideration....and that personal responsibility is the key....regardless if a Black American still cannot hail a cab in New York City. These same white people will not rent to a Black person (see all of those "experiments" that were done in all parts of the United States with basically the same results) not because they hate Blacks so much, but mostly because they don't want to take a chance, as it might affect them personally, and many feel that the stats are better in their favor if they just deal with what they would consider a typical "not at risk" person that is more like themselves.

To be even more simplistic, there are many White Americans who don't believe, in their hearts of hearts, say.....in affirmative action as they don't even comprehend what being Black in this nation truly means in terms of the systematic discrimination. They would feel that Obama becoming President would open the door to the Affirmative Action mentality. See even California, which is normally a progressive state (although with arnold being ahead at the polls, I wonder) who has done away with Affirmative Action. This was voted on by the people of California, and won by a large majority. Why? Because these folks internally rationalized that out of 100% of the available slots available in any college, they are entitled to all 100%.....with no consideration to those who do not have the entitlement and built in protection that white skin can provide throughout one's life.

I think that you would be disappointed at America today, if you think that somehow the racial barriers are just due to a small minority who would vote Republican anyways. We, as a country are not getting better at the issue of race; we are getting worse. Maybe it's because many White Americans feel threatened by the large numbers of minorities that are almost overcoming their own White numbers. Why do you think there's the new "English only" issue being discussed? And fences? And why do you think that many White folks move to the suburbs if too many minorities move to their neigborhood? Why are the best schools often the schools where the minority population is low? Why are the "best" neighborhoods with the highest housing market value synonymous with also being some of the least diverse? Why do those who might feel that they have no problem with race still feel disturbed or disappointed if their child came home with a boyfriend or girlfriend of a different race? Because many do.

Racism is alive and well all over America. As a realist, I will not be diluted into thinking otherwise. France tried the "Color blind" system, and it only shows that prejudice goes below the skin.....but is not erradicated by attempts at positive thinking.

Will we ever be ready for a Black President? Yes....one day. But for Democrats to be as idealistic to think that this day is two years from now is amazing. Denying reality has never won an election that I can remember. It would be such an uphill fight....and considering the way the country has been torn apart for the last eight years, I don't have hope that somehow, just yet......we shall overcome in 2008.

[AtomicKitten]

38. I agree with your assessment

which is why I think Obama would be a good choice for VP to ease America into acceptance. It's time.

[FrenchieCat]

43. I could see the Veep position for Obama.....

Depending on who would be at top.

Clark or Gore.......than yes, that could maybe work well! :thumbsup:

[beaconess]

58. Most VP nominees were presidential candidates first

Perhaps because they've already had their "baptism of fire" in the campaign process, which vets a candidate like nobody's business.

Do you think a presidential nominee would pick a vp candidate who has not previously run for president?

Curious.

[FrenchieCat]

60. Why not? There's never been a Black President before either....

"Most", no....make that all have been White.....so why not a couple of other "firsts"?....although I don't remember Dick Cheney running for anything...nor had Lieberman ran for Prez when picked by Gore, or had he? what about Dan Quayle? Did he run for Prez before becoming Bush I's Veep? I don't recall totally......but I think not!

[beaconess]

61. I think Cheney briefly ran for president a few years back

But you're right about Lieberman.

The key about both of these, though, goes to your point - they were both picked for reasons that trumped any need to be "vetted" through the campaign process - Cheney for his National Security credentials and his reputation as a "grownup" (oh, brother) and Lieberman, because of his anti-Clinton credentials.

But I'd be concerned about Obama being selected for symbolic reasons and would rather he go through the full vetting process offered by a primary campaign BEFORE getting into the ring.

[FrenchieCat]

62. What about Dan Quayle? n/t

[beaconess]

67. And his lack of vetting was a problem - tho not enough to lose . . .

I wasn't suggesting that every VP nominee had previously run for president - only that it seems to be a good path toward getting on a ticket.

[Irreverend IX]

96. A VP nominee would be the next logical step for black/female candidates.

And it seems to me that a lot of VP nominees were not presidential candidates first. Edwards? Lieberman? Cheney? No would-be Presidents there.

[bling bling]

64. Obama can win it, even in 2008.

He can win it. We should rally behind him. Like the OP said we can MAKE IT HAPPEN! The Dems here are killing me the way they're stubbornly resisting this opportunity the likes of which none of us have ever seen before in this country. SEIZE THE DAY! We should be giddy with excitement and rushing to push this guy out in front. This guy represents the best in our party, and he's the best thing for the country right now, not just the Democrats. He can bring us together because his energy is electric and he makes you feel proud to be a Democrat, but he doesn't disparage the other side of the aisle (except for the administration and the politicians -- but not the voters). He makes us all feel proud to be Americans.

I just KNOW he could beat McCain. He could beat any Republican I can think of. AND NOW IS THE TIME. Race will play less a role in the 2008 election because people are sick of the war-mongering divisive corrupt Republicans and people aren't going to rush out to vote for them even if they are racist. Their disgust for the Republicans will heavily compete with their racism and they'll likely just stay at home.

If there was ever a reason to throw our fears and cynicism aside and have faith in someone I think Obama is it. Maybe we won't succeed, but I'm not going to dwell on the what if's and maybe's. Like the OP said, Progress doesn't happen by waiting around for it. Progress happens because you make it happen.

Finally, the majority of this party consists of women and almost all black voters vote for Democrats. Do we not deserve to have a say in who represents us? Or are we always going to allow the scummy racists in the society to dictate who our leaders are?

Obama can win it. He can.

[Imagevision]

35. beaconess, who says "America's not ready for a Black president"

[beaconess]

36. For starters - just read some of the posts in this thread . . .

[Imagevision]

37. Beaconess, the posters are responding to you...

[FrenchieCat]

40. Self deleted.....

as there is no real purpose.

[Stand and Fight]

42. Or they don't see the point of debating it with you. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

45. Self deleted.....

as there is no real purpose.

[Stand and Fight]

47. No one has any obligation whatsoever to respond to anyone else's post.

No matter how relevant or important the poster may deem their post to be... Conversely, it could be that the OP is engaged in other activities at the moment. Sorry, but it had to be said.

[FrenchieCat]

49. Ok....lesson learned!

Next time, I'll just read the OP but not bother to respond.....cause that's obviously not how it works. Good to know.

I'll mosey on.

Thanks! :hi:

[Stand and Fight]

51. Well, I'm glad you're kidding...

Because -- even though I strongly disagree with you on this issue as a fellow Black American -- we need your mind and words around here. :hug:

[FrenchieCat]

54. I'll have to pretend that I didn't read that you disagree with me,

since according to you, there is no debate to be had.....

I'm not sure why you even said you disagree...considering it appears that you'd rather not go into it.

How interesting it might have been for two black DUers to have had this debate....but, well, we'll never know.

I would have preferred it....as we all could have learned something from sharing.....but never mind.

[beaconess]

46. This has been said throughout several of the other Obama posts

That's why I began this thread.

For example:

"Productive or not, the south will not vote for a black president...
..take as many chances as you like, won't change that underlying issue..."

"He won't do well up north either
He will poll well the day before and lose on election day. Facts are facts not fantasy. You don't know how racist America still is. "

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2889000&mesg_id=2889000

[FrenchieCat]

48. self deleted.....

as it makes no difference whatsoever.

[beaconess]

53. I don't owe you squat

I chose not to respond to your post because I thought it was very thoughtful and interesting and was curious to see what others thought of it. I'm not aware of any requirement that the OP respond to every comment made in a thread.

I'm sorry that you're so offended that you didn't get the reaction you wanted, but that's not anyone else's problem.

[FrenchieCat]

55. You don't owe me diddley either.....

Thanks for your consideration in pointing that out!

You're right......it is my personal problem.

[lastknowngood]

52. Call bullshit all you want to but America is still a racist and sexist

nation and no one who is not a white anglo male has a snowballs chance in hell of becoming pres.
By the way I'm a white anglo male

[JNelson6563]

57. Nevermind that Obama is black

it's the fact that he's green that makes him not ready.

[beaconess]

59. :-) Touche!

[LynneSin]

79. When I saw Obama speak at the convention....

...first thing I thought is that this guy should be put on the VP ticket in 2008.

I'm thinking the same thing as you, that perhaps Obama needs a bit more experience before putting him in the president seat. But I think he would be an amazing choice for the VP candiancy - give him 8 years of grooming and then he would be our next president. Hell in 2016 he'll still be young enough and much more experienced to serve has president

[wiley]

63. Did you see Kanye and Erwin speak at the BET thing?

Last night. Wow! Magic rocked. Kanye brought the house down. Best speeches I have heard from anyone in decades.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

68. I agree, but that doesn't mean that I support Obama

There are plenty of African-American political figures who have been active longer and who have done more substantive work than this relative newcomer.

[KeepItReal]

70. Think pre-Bush&Co.... Colin Powell had a legitimate shot.

America is ready for the right man or woman...they just have to be ready and strong enough to step up to the plate.

[amandabeech]

74. I agree with you about Powell.

If the Repubs had nominated him in 2000, I think that he might have beaten Gore without any shenanigans, but it would have been a fairly close race.

What would have been interesting is if Powell had stayed out of the Bush cabinet in 2001 and started hanging around with the Dems. I think that given the growing problems in Iraq and Powell's opposition to that war, Powell may have been an interesting Dem nominee in 2004. He certainly would have made even a stronger contrast with dubya on the military service front than Kerry did. Really--head of the joint chiefs vs. a drunken, AWOL national guard pilot.

I would rather have someone who has been a left of center Dem all his or her life, but I'd sure settle for Powell over dubya any day.

I like Rangel and Conyers and would vote for either of them in a second, especially Rangel.
Obama has lots of potential, but he's just not soup yet. I'd like to see him do another term in the senate and then go back and pick up the Illinois governorship. There he could show his executive capabilities. So far, he's shown only legislative skills.

[KeepItReal]

88. You are on the money!

:toast:

[amandabeech]

90. Thanks! I try. n/.t

[w4rma]

71. I really think the first black president will be from the Republican Party

Because the racists will need to get behind the candidate first. Many Democrats might then vote for the Republican candidate just to break a new barrier.

[Canuckistanian]

72. Is this another one of these "straw-man" things?

Because, for the life of me, I can't recall any such sentiment expressed by anybody.

Not on this board. Not on TV. Not even among the worst of the conservative characters or their pundit friends.

Freepers excepted on this point, of course.

[Patiod]

87. No, it came up on another thread

I don't agree with the people who said it, but they were sincere DUers who simply have very low expectations of their fellow Americans.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2889000

[Brundle_Fly]

73. Superman has my vote...

although I am Canadian, and can spot a true liberal a mile away.

[tblue37]

75. I could get behind Conyers easily enough.

But I think Obama is a big disappointment.

[dapper]

76. "America isn't ready for a Black president"

I was thinking that... not that I believe that, I think anyone should have the ability to become president, however, there are people out there who won't vote for a black man and who won't vote for a woman.

I do know, whoever takes over in 2008 is going to have a mess on their hands. If I was OB, I would hold off until 2012.

Dap

[loyalsister]

77. Shirley Chisholm, among others made it "possible"

Electing a black president becomes possible when people begin to think about it. Not only has a black woman actually run for president, there has been repeated speculation about Condi and Colin.
Shirley Chisholm had loyal volunteers, the endorsement of NOW, and got some delegates who she "released" to vote for McGovern.
I have talked to non-political young people who have said that they would work their tails off for Obama.

[LynneSin]

78. I'm gonna give you the same speech I would give in a Hillary thread

If he wins the nominations - I'm gonna support him 110%. But in all reality - I'm more worried about the 2006 election than whether we'll have our first female, black, white, green, purple, polka-dot, martian, alien, blah-blah-blah president in 2008.

Bug me again about it in 2007 after the midterms are overwith and I've had a two month breather from politics.

[Eurobabe]

80. I see you and raise your BULLSHIT alarm to this meme

I honestly think that we will see a Black male president beore a female of any race. (I hope that's not a meme too?)

[Clark2008]

81. I don't think anyone's arguing that the whole of America isn't ready

but the problem with your argument is that is doesn't take into account two factors:

A. The Republican rule that has allowed for a backwards fall in attitudes toward women and people of color and (here's the biggie);
B. The Electoral College. Tennessee maybe poised to send the first black man to the Senate from the South (ever, I'm pretty sure), but that doesn't mean that the rest of the South - and mostly the white-bred mid-West - will follow suite. Yes, Obama is technically from the "mid-West," but Chicago more than overrules the rest of the state of Illinois, who, btw, didn't vote for him in large part. So, while you probably have more than half the country who is more than willing to vote for Obama, it doesn't matter unless more than half the populations of "the Bush states" are willing to - and I don't see that happening... not in 2008, anyway.

The same, btw, is true for Hillary Clinton.

[sendero]

82. I think America is ready..

... for the RIGHT black president. I am simply unimpressed with the centrist Obama.

[Chulanowa]

83. America's been ready a long, long time

The question isn't one of readiness, it's one of acceptance. Will Americans ignore skin color when choosing a national leader? Please, a distressingly large population of the nation is currently arguing that we should shoot Hispanics on general principle and demanding that all Arabs be put on a government watch list "just in case".

The problem is the 52% asshole population of our nation that thinks Strom Thurmond was a moral and upstanding American leader.

We like to pat our own backs about how tolerant and integrated we all are, but compared to a lot of places, the USA is still pretty damn backwards when it comes to race. We've got a long way to go yet, and so long as people can say "the increasing latino population is a threat to our party's power; we need more white babies!" with a straight face and not get kicked in the balls, I'm afraid that, ready or not, America just won't let there be a minority president.

[Bosso 63]

84. "America is not ready for women in combat"

I was just thinking last night how Newt used to say that allot, and how we wouldn't be ready for women to come home in body bags. Seems like we got past that with out to much fan-fair.

[Dulcinea]

89. Then why do some Repubs want Condi to run?

Are they that scared of Obama?

OK, Condi has said she doesn't want to be Prez, but the idea has been floated.

[Chulanowa]

91. Because htey know she won't run.

That way they can look all enlightened and stuff by endorsing what won't happen.

[Vidar]

94. If the president is Jesse Jackson or John Conyers--Wonderful.

Obama--no, thank you.

[Rocknrule]

95. America sure is ready for a dumb, unelected, religious fanatic president

but a black president, now that's just going too far!
:sarcasm: