In November this year, the people of the United States will go to the polls to elect a new president. For the first time in history, one of the contenders is black. Obama has now won the support of the Democratic party and the lead up to the elections is looking to be fascinating. The whole world is watching to see what the Americans will do. The fact that the US might elect a black president this year leads us to our your view question – is the US ready for it? Have the racial troubles of the 60s now receded far enough in to the past for people to accept the idea? Please remember to attack points of view and not the people speaking. Ad hominem attacks are a signal of defeat in a debate.
Is the US Ready for a Black President?
My answer: Yes. I believe the majority of Americans are ready for a black president. I think the American love of politics and their desire to see integrity in the office means that they will vote for the best man for the job – regardless of race or gender – and I think that this year the election will prove that.
bucslim, (112),
“Pushing off this suspect idea that we’re headed towards a climate induced doomsday and demanding that we all change our attitudes and lifestyles about energy while burning enough jet fuel to light up the countries he flies to, spreading his weak gospel. And the cherry on top is energy bills to heat, cool and electrify his personal home that top $30,000. He wants you to change, and he’ll fly anywhere to tell you to do it. Now that, my esteemed friend, is what I call dumb. And it’s also at the very heart of liberalism. That sort of smug, ‘higher ground’ bull***** that they all demand you to change but have no intention of doing it themselves.
Oh, it’s real, pal, it’s real. Forget politicians who lie and manipulate either because they enjoy it, or no one will vote for them if they tell the truth (fact). Try asking a hundred or a thousand of the world’s most respected relevant scientists and see how many deny man-driven climate change. It’s their study, my friend, not politican’s. Like you get a pilot to fly a plane, or a surgeon to operate on you, not a politician.
And yes, we have the same sort of save-the-planet book-writing mouth-shooting heroes down here who live like Lord Muck. That doesn’t make me believe climate change is bollox, I know it isn’t from my own work. It makes me despair.
P.S.
It will be interesting to see whether, how and how much the issue called *global warming* figures in you presidential election. Perhaps it is there, but I’m not myself aware of significant groundswell interest from the voters.
bucslim:
“Just keep telling yourself Obama will cure all your problems pal.”
yeah, okay buddy. You can keep trying to dismiss people’s enthusiasm over him thusly… but it won’t work.
It’s particularly insulting to MOI, as you know very well I am no mindless follower. I don’t believe for a moment that “Obama will cure all my problems” or all OUR problems or anything of the kind. I think you know this very well. I, and others, have logical and quite strong reasons for supporting Obama.
out of time. Hopefully will check in later.
Anon – sorry, you’re just not going to prove that to me. I spent quite a bit of my time arguing this in the ‘your view’ question on global warming.
But I do love the usage of the word bollox.
kiwiboi:
“Randall – deal. But, in return, we expect a full descriptive report on this year’s intake of co-eds”
You GOT it, my friend.
(so, so many hotties… dear god I love my job).
Anon ~ There is actually quite a bit of legitimate debate about the science of “global warming.”
“NASA now begrudgingly confirms that the hottest year on record in the continental 48 was not 1998, as previously believed, but 1934, and that six of the 10 hottest years since 1880 antedate 1954. Data from 3,000 scientific robots in the world’s oceans show there has been slight cooling in the past five years, never mind that “80% to 90% of global warming involves heating up ocean waters,” according to a report by NPR’s Richard Harris.”
The question now becomes, is America ready for a WOMAN VICE-PRESIDENT??? McCain picked Sarah Palin, Alaska’s governor.
Sorry, I’m excited.
frankly I’m not sure if the USA is ready for barack (or a black president) but the rest of the world sure is. And it’s gotten to the point where it doesn’t even MATTER, mccain is such a screw up that you HAVE to take the alternative…at least the alternative is good for once though…
I think we ARE ready. I worry a small bit him possibly being assassinated by some crazy NRA-KKK nutjob, but you run those risks no matter who is elected. We’ve had all white males as President in the past, and some of THEM got assassinated, did they not?
I support Obama and I will be dancing into the polls in November to cast my vote for him. He is well spoken, intelligent, and when I watch his speeches, I BELIEVE what he is saying. I’m usually very cynical when it comes to politicians. McCain just seems slimy and mean to me. Not just because he’s old, and not just because he’s a Republican. I like Reagan even if I was a baby when he was in office, from seeing him on TV and stuff when I was older, and reading about him.
I know Obama can’t do EVERYTHING he is promising, I’m not that naive to blindly believe. (Pardon the rhyme, lol…) However, at least when I think about a future with him as President, I see it as a possibility.
IN 88
“In America i know it’s not compulsary to votebut judging by some of the comments, if you don’t vote at all, then i believe you have no right to complain about the politics.
If you don’t vote there’s no point going on about how crap a president is because you didn’t even take part.”
I disagree entirely, not voting can be a form of protest and if I opt to not vote because neither option represents what I believe than I still have every right to complain that the person elected is doing a horrible job because I was not even given a choice to my liking. That is called Freedom of Speech and until it is taken away I have every right to use it as I see fit.
rushfan: I, for one, am ready for a woman VP- especially this one. Have you seen her? She’s totally hot. I would definitely give her an additional 5 kids.
Obama must NOT lose.
If he loses, that means another man will win, a terrible, archconservative bastard that is Cain.
If Obama loses I won’t move to the USA as planned, because a dark future will await you.
Dread Pirate:
I beg to differ
While I doubt a different party will ever get elected, there are more than two options. Additionally, there is never going to be a “perfect” candidate for you or anyone else. Some things in parties are direct contrasts of each other. (conservative values include pro- death penalty AND pro-life, for example)
If you don’t have an opinion to vote, you shouldn’t have an opinion when things go wrong.
If you have a young child and give it no rules, isn’t it hypocritical to yell at that child when it does something wrong? Same thing.
Color does not come into play for me. I was raised to treat all people the same, but Senator Obama is not the one for my presidential office. I can’t vote for him at all. Sorry, I have to have a firm belief that he is capable and that he is what this country needs and I just don’t. Were there a Colin Powell sitting as a candidate, I’d vote for him in a millisecond. I admire him tremendously. Anyway, do I think America is ready, well some would say yes, some would say no, but I can only speak for me and I say yes. Just not Senator Obama, in my opinion.
Well, there you are, all you good folks in the voting line. The McCain chips are down (via my Chilean on-line newspaper). If he gets picked, you’ll be a cardio-vascular accident away from Palin as Presient. And that’s Sarah, not Michael, by the way.
Hope you’re ready for that.
This election, kind of like the last elections, I wasn’t really too keen on the presidents to be swayed to vote one way or the other.
Honestly I really hope that Hilary doesn’t win, and not because she’s a female, but because she contradicts herself way to much .
if obama wasn’t black would there be that much controversy, probably not. I really don’t care if he was black or white, if he can do a good job as our president. Im pretty sure most anyone is going to be better than george bush jr.
People at this day and age.. really really need to get over the skin color issues. its not a different race, its a differnt type of race. the race being human. There are many different types of human, but in the end.. we are all still human.
Uh, Mike, you need to crush some tinfoil on those rabbit ears around your brain pal. McCain isn’t ‘archconservative.’ Just ask Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter.
Jeez, typical liberal hysteria.
And Anon, I’d like to remind you that if Obama wins, we’re also a cardiovascular event away from one of the biggest pantloads in the senate.
Wanderer – not sure if you’ve picked up a paper recently, but Hilary probably isn’t going to win now since she lost the nomination.
F*ck that! We need Homer Jay Simpson in the White House! Hahahah
Rushfan: Certainly hope if McCain gets into office he doesn’t die. How old is he? How much political experience does Palin have? How much international experience? Lots, I forgot she is a former Miss Alaska. Rather ironic that the same qualities (lack of experience etc.) are going to be used to justify Palin as McCain’s running-mate as were and are being used as a weapon against Obama.
O….kay. Last night Obama makes one of the most stirring and powerful political speeches of….oh, say the last 30 years at least…. once again indicating, by the forcefulness and clear specifics (NOTE: *SPECIFICS*) of said speech that he’s got the character, wisdom, judgement and strength to be president…
…and then today McCain names, as his VP choice… some nondescript (albeit sweet-looking) and *utterly* inexperienced MILF?
Uh huh.
o…. kay.
120. Zylen: Do you think they hadn’t considered that before? Military bases are technically American soil, so if you’re born on a base, you are born not in America but on American soil. He’s American, nice try.
To answer the question: not entirely. I can’t pretend to have my fingers on the pulse of America, but most people I talk to are open-minded enough about race to vote for the party or the best candidate. There are many, many people, however, I do *not* talk to. Those are the people I worry about.
I am voting for Obama. I don’t believe magic rainbows and the repopulation of the American Bald Eagle will come of his presidency, but damn, great choice with Biden. That’s what won me over.
Clever choice on VP, McCain, clever choice. You sly white devil, you.
bucslim, (137),
“And Anon, I’d like to remind you that if Obama wins, we’re also a cardiovascular event away from one of the biggest pantloads in the senate.”
What are the insurance risk stats for that then, at his age? Don’t you mean an assassination event? In which case you could blame your extreme rednecks for any pantload of *****e you and the rest of us are lumbered with.
Or are they a good reason for not *risking* Obama?
i say yes. his skin color doesnt make a difference. hes a good candidate(sp?). but i think its a good (possible) change out of routine
Randall: I am in agreement. Haven’t heard such a stirring speech since Kennedy. Thanks to Beany for providing me the webcast last night.
My fingers are crossed.
As a Canadian i think that America is ready for a black president for the most part. i think that certain areas such as the deep south there will be more issues with it but overall i think Americans are ready. However, having said this i would be shocked if there wasn’t an attempt on his life. Looking back in time Presidents with more open views (for the time they held office) didn’t fare very well i.e. Lincoln and Kennedy but we can’t give up hope. GO OBAMA!
As an outsider, with all the advantages and limitations of that perspective, just a quick look in on this new Sarah Palin situation. Without wishing to judge or blame her personally in any way, it looks as though there might have been a tactic to pick up the loose Hillary votes by her choice. I.e., the McCain votes are settled, the Obaba votes are settled. The Clinton votes are up for grabs and will probably make the difference.
If, I’m right, and it may well not be the case I freely admit, is that the basis you Americans want a stand-in president chosen from? I will state that I imagine we in the rest of the world don’t need that and would find it deeply disturbing.
Wow, these kinds of things are popping up all over the place. I think that yes, America is ready for Obama and would have been ready for a woman too if a better one had been offered. I guess I’m just not sure what all the hub-bub is about. He’s a politician just like any other. I mean, I guess there’s novelty value to some based on superficial appearance and due to that he can appeal to minority demographics that may have been previously overlooked/unreachable by other politicans. I just don’t understand why people are making such a big deal about it. If he gets elected time will tell if he makes a good president or not. He promises to bring change to the white house and unite the people for the greater good of the country. If he is elected and is able to keep his word and make good on all those promises (surely a feat for any politician, lol), then that would be a very good thing for our country indeed.
We’ll soon find out? Truth be told, given the stark contrast between the two candidates, their relative intelligence, health, vitality, their allegiance or opposition to failed Bush policies, and especially the competence of their counsel, their wives and running mates. If America were as ready for an African-American president and first lady as we should be, Obama would win in a landslide.
Why shouldn’t we be? (although I do know some people in the south that still think they won the Civil War) We’re all about the freedom to do pretty much whatever we want in accordance to the law, and as far as I know Mr. Obama running for president isn’t against the law. So yes we are ready.
On a side note I personally do not like the term “African-American”, he was born in The United States of America, therefore he is an AMERICAN.
And for those of you who may be undecided come voting time. When in doubt vote Nader! (I don’t know if he’s running this year but I think it’s a funny little saying.)
This list makes me sad. =( Your skin color, gender, speaking ability, etc. have NOTHING to do with your actions in office.
t_man, agree about African-American, it’s too long. When I was a lad writing term papers for social studies, we used the word Negro, ugh! Black is best.
Disagree about voting for Nader, that’s just splitting your vote between the two viable candidates.
anon:
Yes, clearly it’s a cheap tactic, on McCain’s part, to pick up disgruntled Hillary voters. But I’ve said all along–if those people were so hooked on Hillary that they won’t vote for Obama, then they’re not really democrats anyway, and certainly are *****-poor citizens in any event… and are almost certainly just crypto-racists. OR so insanely “feminist” that they’d vote for the carbonized corpse of Eva Braun if she were running for president over ANY male in creation.
You know, t_man, when I voted for the first time at 18, I did vote for Nader lol!
I won’t be voting for Obama but I did like when he said “if I do lose this presidential race it won’t be because I’m black”. That to me was very refreshing and says how far we have come.
Randall,
“OR so insanely “feminist” that they’d vote for the carbonized corpse of Eva Braun if she were running for president over ANY male in creation.”
Wow, thank God the sanctified mortal remains of Evita Peron aren’t running then!
Yep, Black Female here and I think we are ready. Look at all the bull thats going on now. This world can’t get any worse. Obama is a great man. Why pass on a great leader because some small minded people are not “ready” for someone whose skin color isnt white to become presedent. I could go on and on but I gotta go home. Getting off work
Sarah Palin is a stunningly poor choice. With McCain’s age and health issues a concern, why would you select someone who is so obviously not qualified to assume the duties of the president, should that be necessary?
Yogi,i I think you can argue that she has just as much experience as Obama. She is running a state which I think comes closer to the Presidents responsibilities than a legislator. Being a Governor makes her Commander & Chief of the National Guard of Alaska. Plus I think overall she has more life experiences than Obama.
The bigger question is, is America in need of a President who can begin to bring our Nation into the 21st century with intelligence, pride, integrity and decisiveness?
I think that that answer is yes, something long overdue.
Barack O’bama has won my vote with his marvelous grasp of the problems and difficulties that he will inherit if he is elected to office. He has shown a desire to move our country towards a more positive and creative future. He has outlined a multi-faceted game plan for a long term goal of success that is based on the strengths of a new generation of thinkers and doers.
This is the person we need to represent our Nation, and I don’t see where race comes into that question at all.
bucslim, (124)
“Anon – sorry, you’re just not going to prove that to me. I spent quite a bit of my time arguing this in the ‘your view’ question on global warming.”
Just noticed this. This is one of your serious entries, ya? Not comix bollox!
Well, so have I (spent time on the global warming site). If you don’t accept the twin spearheads of the issue, I certainly can’t convince you. You’ll just have to wait and see if you are right, and hope so. They are:
1)The vast majority of scientists have now accepted the issue, including those who have spent their careers studying all the disciplines involved.
2) That if you are right we can carry on as before and you can turn round and tell me, “I told you so”. If you are wrong you might not be here to hear me say that and I might not be here to say it to you. You wouldn’t even take that risk, so you must have 100% proof that you are correct. Yes? Otherwise why would you not take precautions *just in case* for your sake, your kids sake (if you have any), and for everything on this planet you hold dear (if only LV)?
If someone says “Doctors don’t know ***** about medicine and there’s nothing wrong with me”, I guess that’s the end of any argument though.
And no. I’m not going to prove that to you. How on earth can I, or anyone else? The only thing that will *prove* it is by hindsight should it happen. (I’m optimistic: assuming survivors, note.) All we can do is look at unusual related phenomena and make well-educated guesses at what they signify. That’s what scientists do, from lifetimes of study, research and experience. And then they get together and add up their data, see how much agrees, what is forming patterns and what fulfils earlier predictions of many kinds. This is the work that has convinced them. They now need the backing of the rest of us, but will have to count without yours. I only hope they can count on the next U.S. president, black or white.
his color matters about as much as his favorite color
seriously
he is the man for the job
whether you agree that he is best for the job or not, his color doesnt matter
think: would you (dis)agree as much if he was white?
i know i would still vote for him
i dont want to see 4 more years of the same, plus he has interesting and good policies, go look at them, listin to him speak
I think the majority of the country is ready for Obama & I’ll be voting for him in November.
Anon: oh yeah, I caught that, too. McCain is so saucy with his sneakiness, blinding us with her voluptuous ta-tas in hopes that he can shove her in front of him and equate somewhere near “even” for asthetics.
Yogi said: “If America were as ready for an African-American president and first lady as we should be, Obama would win in a landslide”
Yogi, is it at all possible that if Obama was not black he would not be where he is politically speaking.
Yogi said: “If America were as ready for an African-American president and first lady as we should be, Obama would win in a landslide”
Yogi, is it at all possible that if Obama was not black he would not be where he is politically speaking?
I’m not asking that in a snotty condescending way. Someone asked me that question and I had to admit that he probably wouldn’t.
The Obama campaign calling Palin inexperienced is a joke. Maybe they should take a look at their own candidate before making comparisons. Sarah Palin is the only individual involved in this election with one minute’s experience in an executive branch of government. What expertise do Obama and Biden have on energy policy? None. Palin ran one of the largest energy producing states in the nation. Legislative experience does not always transfer to executive success. I’m not saying that Palin has the experience necessary to run for President, but neither does Obama, and she isn’t running for President. Obama is. Just because McCain picks someone inexperienced to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, that doesn’t negate the fact that Obama is just as inexperienced and he is running to lead the country.
Sorry for the double talk. I guess I’m a typical politician
Yes.
Anyone that is not ready is a stupid racist that is too blind to see how smart Obama is.
I agree Dave
The Obama’s campaign first put out a statement saying :
“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency”
Then they retracted it and said
“We send our congratulations to Governor Palin and her family on her designation as the Republican nominee for vice president. Her selection is yet another encouraging sign that all barriers are falling in our politics and while we obviously have differences over how to best lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign.”
I guess they could see the writing on the wall.
I think the more important question here is “IS HE CAPABLE” well i think so? an hope so? O-B-A-M-A! O-B-A-M-A! O-B-A-M-A!
wow seriously? why does everyone keep saying mccain will be just the same as bush? does no one pay any attention to congress? mccain has gone against the bush administration more than any other republican in the entire congress. just because he’s white and a republican doesnt mean he’ll be the same as bush. maybe you should ask the question if america is ready for a moderate politician? because he’s not that conservative. he’s like leiberman but conservative instead of liberal.
but what really made me laugh this week was hillary clinton endorsing obama after all the bashing she did against him during the primaries. that made my week.
Barack Obama is a good man. A far more intelligent and wise than McCain. If America chooses to deny themselves the best candidate for president they’ve ever had (almost), it’s on their heads. He needs to win. If he doesn’t, we’re down the *****ter.
I can’t decide if America is ready. But I am.
THANK YOU DAVE! Well said.
Palin is not running for President, but Obama is, but if you want to be a stickler, day count-wise she has more experience than he does.
Some Americans are ready and some are not, I don’t care what color his skin is, I only care that Obama, being the better candidate should win. It’s likely people will vote or not vote for him based on his race and not his political stance, and that is unfortunate, but it is also life. I will be voting for the first time in my life in November, and I guarantee Barack Obama’s skin color will not be a factor in my vote.
I don’t understand the “nice try” comments directed at me about McCain not being eligible considering the government itself felt it needed to pass a resolution making McCain a natural born citizen. A resolution which was, oddly enough endorsed,by Hillary and Obama. If an American base on foreign land is considered American soil this would not have been necessary.
Zylen, I don’t think the 14th Amendment was written to change the rules of who could be the President, it was to determine citizenship. I don’t think the founders would have agreed to rule out someone in McCain’s position. I mean come on, he was born on a military base because his father was serving his country.
I think we are ready, but with McCain choosing a female as a Vice President running mate, America will be seen as *****ist if Obama wins, and racist if McCain wins
Well I don’t care about the colour of a person’s skin in relation to power. That said, I don’t like him not because he is black. I’m afraid the best guy for this job is Ron Paul who isn’t running any more.
It should no longer matter in America what color a person is. We ARE ready for a GOOD president, and Obama is that person.
It’s terrible in this day and age that this question should even be asked. He’s HUMAN!!! He should be judged upon his achievements, policies etc. Move on peoples.