I'll agree with you, Mouse. But unfairly, it's that "funny sounding" name that is the thing other candidates use against him. "Obama" is too close to "Osama." Local papers in my area are beating this to death. This strikes a sentimental chord with many Americans, as if Obama himself had planned and executed the 9/11 disaster.I believe the other candidates will ride this issue for the full value they can, even though this is unfair to Obama. But then again, I've never heard of "politics" and "fair" in the same thought expressed by anyone.I didn't believe that race was still an issue, but Mouse's post definitely shows that it still is to many Americans.

I think he will make a great VP next year.

And that will give the people who are worried about his blackness and his funny-sounding name four (or hopefully eight) years to get over it, before he mounts his next, more successful presidential run in 2016.

As far as names, hey, we elected a Dick and a Bush, right?

Forester, do you believe that America is ready for a woman president? Forget about Hillary's color; we know that there are still those who might be in the Obama camp simply because they are not yet ready for a woman president. I think both candidates have their share of supporters whom fall in this "either/or" category.

I would like to think we are, but.....

And they headed the military with a Colon...

Personally, I think the voters will take a white woman over a black man as president, all other things being equal, because I think racism is still more prevalent than sexism in this regard. (Both should not exist, but I'm trying to be realistic here.)

But when we start talking about specific women, I think Hillary is not that woman. She has too much baggage associated with her past. Most people still see her as Mrs. Bill Clinton, and discount what she has done as a Senator. Some look at BOTH roles, and think negatively of both.

To sum up, I still think Obama will make a great VP.
I just have no idea at this moment who will make a great P.

I can tell you, however, that if either she or he is the nominee, either would get my vote.

Ah, but sexism is more widely condoned then racism.

Publicly, yes. I agree.
But in the voting booth, racism can be nice and private.

I don't know... just my opinion.
I think they are both faced with some serious demographic "-ism" challenges.

I would have no problem voting for a competent woman if one was placed before me. But Hillary ain't the one as far as I'm concerned. If the Democrats would only come up with something other than the two that they have as frontrunners now, I might actually vote for them. But as it stands, it looks like I'm gonna vote for "The Other Guy" again. Whoever the least offensive alternate party candidate turns out to be.