What are we ready for?

[Mickeyistheman]

I though this would be an interesting thread, Are we the American people ready for a woman President or a Black man?

I mean no disrespect but as a woman I am not 100% sure that I would vote for Hillary, just because I am a woman. I have spoken with several friends (female) most say they will definately vote for Hillary.

I told them that America will have a Black MAN before any woman.

How do you all feel about that statement?

 

[luvwinnie]

I think many people wouldn't vote for either based on race/gender and that is heartbreaking to me. I don't care what race/gender the person is...as long as they can LEAD the country well.

 

[RickinNYC]

I think many people wouldn't vote for either based on race/gender and that is heartbreaking to me. I don't care what race/gender the person is...as long as they can LEAD the country well.

Agree 110%. I wouldn't care if the next President was a woman, or any color in the rainbow, as long as they lead the country well. That's all.

 

[dreamcometrue]

don't care about man/woman and black/white/hispanic! However, I will not vote for Hillary! I can't stand her! Never have, never will!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I guess for one, I would perfer it if you used, "African-American," instead of, "Black."

I have no problems voting for Obama Barrack, at this point. I have done some research and like what I see. Ganted, the debates and campaigning will be important, as well. ETA: I do not really care about the color of his skin so much as I do what he can and will offer to this country that is in dire need of sound leadership at the moment.

As for Hilary Clinton, no. I cannot and will not vote for her. I've never liked her and see her as power-hungry. Seriously, who "moves" to New York becuase there's an open Senatorial seat? I just... ugh. I am a woman. I would love to see a woman in that office. Just not this woman.

 

[Anewman]

This is AMERICA.

There are persons that will vote against Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote against OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

And then there are some that will vote based on qualifications, in which case NEITHER of the above will be considered.

 

[luvwinnie]

I guess for one, I would perfer it if you used, "African-American," instead of, "Black."

.

But not every black person is African American. I have a friend who is black and from CUBA,doesn't call herself African American...another friend is from Haiti.

 

[pearlieq]

I have no problems voting for Obama Barrack, at this point.

As for Hilary Clinton, no. I cannot and will not vote for her. I've never liked her and see her as power-hungry. Seriously, who "moves" to New York becuase there's an open Senatorial seat? I just... ugh. I am a woman. I would love to see a woman in that office. Just not this woman.

First off, his name is Barack Obama. If you're going to pick on people for semantics...

Secondly, politicians move to districts with an open seat all the time. What exactly is wrong with her wanting to be a senator and moving where there was a seat coming open she thought she could win? The people of New York obviously don't have a problem with it. She lived in DC for 8 years, which doesn't have a senate seat. She had to move somewhere.

 

[ButchJohnson]

don't care about man/woman and black/white/hispanic! However, I will not vote for Hillary! I can't stand her! Never have, never will!

Me too, but its not just that, everytime I hear her talk, its almost like she is trying to be boring, mundane, monotone, she is the absolute WORST speaker and politician in my opinion maybe ever. She reminds me of an undertaker the way she comes across, cold, chilling, boring, to me she has absolutely no redeeming qualities. And a total B-word to boot from all the things I've seen and heard about her. (And I'm from Ark.)

 

[LadyyRedd]

But not every black person is African American. I have a friend who is black and from CUBA,doesn't call herself African American...another friend is from Haiti.

Exactly what I was going to say. I have a close friend who will correct people who refer to her as "African-American" and tell them that she is not African-American, her ancestors are not from Africa.

Kimya

 

[Anewman]

Secondly, politicians move to districts with an open seat all the time. What exactly is wrong with her wanting to be a senator and moving where there was a seat coming open she thought she could win? The people of New York obviously don't have a problem with it. She lived in DC for 8 years, which doesn't have a senate seat. She had to move somewhere.

Agreed, and didnt Bill move to New York??

I remember him shopping for office space in Harlem.

 

[CheshireVal]

This is AMERICA.

There are persons that will vote against Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote against OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

And then there are some that will vote based on qualifications, in which case NEITHER of the above will be considered.

I agree with this.

I especially think that some of the older generations probably won't be able to get past the gender or skin color.

 

[luvmydogs]

I'm highly interested in politics, although you'd never know it here, as I rarely give my opinions in the political threads.

I will give my vote to a person of any gender, race, sexual orientation, religion (or lack of one), if, after all my research, I feel s/he is the person whom I would most greatly trust in leading our country down it's proper path. Any past moral indescretions may bother me personally, but if I felt they wouldn't impede a candidate's ability to serve the office of the Presidency, it probably would not affect my vote.

Hillary certainly has the ability to polarize people but honestly, I feel very neutral about her. I'm excited about Sen. Obama's potential candidacy. Aside from his often-lauded charisma and oratorical skills, I agree with a lot of his beliefs, and that makes me want to hear all I can about him and from him.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I agree with this.

I especially think that some of the older generations probably won't be able to get past the gender or skin color.

I agree - and can understand older generations - but would like to believe younger generations have moved beyond that - but sadly that isn't the reality.

(on another note: I really wish we could just debate the female/race question without turning this into yet another Hillary bashing.....)

 

[Mrs.Toad]

There are persons that will vote against OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

I agree with your post, but have to point out that Obama is half white and half African.

It's not like Obama is the first to be labeled this way, but it's always puzzled me why biracial people like him are considered "not white", when in fact, their heritage is just as much "white" as African-American.

 

[pearlieq]

Agreed, and didnt Bill move to New York??

I remember him shopping for office space in Harlem.

Exactly. Bill lives there, has office space there, and maintains a home there.

I'm not the world's biggest Hillary fan, but I would support her if she were the candidate. I just can't get over the potshots people take at her. We, as a society, are so censurious of any woman who doesn't fit our mold of a sex kitten or den mother. If Hillary were a man you wouldn't hear half of the crap people say about her!

Calling a politician power hungry is just silly. That's the whole POINT!

 

[minnieandme]

This is AMERICA.

There are persons that will vote against Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for Hillary because she is a female, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote against OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

There are persons that will vote for OBAMA because he is not white, regardless of qualifications.

And then there are some that will vote based on qualifications, in which case NEITHER of the above will be considered.

ITA. Although I don't really follow politics, from what I have read so far, I like Obama. I also like Clinton. I always cast my vote based on what they will do for the country regardless of color, or gender.

 

[va32h]

Although race and gender relations have certainly dramatically improved in the last thirty years or so, I honestly do not think the majority of Americans will elect a President who is not white, male, and Christian, in my lifetime.

Maybe in my grandchildren's lifetimes.

This past week, my kids brought home some vocabulary words relevant to the MLK Jr. holiday. So I sat with them and talked about the meaning of words like "segregation", "boycott", "justice" and "equality".

They were surprised as confused as to why there was ever a time when people had to go to different schools or eat at different restaurants just because of their skin color.

But in plenty of other households, that same discussion would have been about "the good old days".

We haven't come far enough. The Civil Rights movement was just a few decades ago. Plenty of people can still clearly remember what segregated societies were like - until that is truly "ancient" history, or at least a hundred years or so, I don't see any truly colorblind elections taking place.

 

[Anewman]

I agree with your post, but have to point out that Obama is half white and half African.

It's not like Obama is the first to be labeled this way, but it's always puzzled me why biracial people like him are considered "not white", when in fact, their heritage is just as much "white" as African-American.

When racism is involved, it puzzles me too. But I am confident persons that will vote based on race, will not really consider him "half" anything. I wish it was not that way, but it is. I am third Generation AMERICAN, but to most I am still "the" Mexican(live in a white area), which I dont take as an insult.

 

[KelNottAt]

If I'm not mistaken, our current order of succession is:
Dick Cheney
Nancy Pelosi
Condi Rice

So, it is possible a non-white-male leader could ascend constitutionally before the people actually elect one.