Thom, that's really going out of the way in terms of logic - a white Democrat running for office in 2008?  He'd get like 80% of the vote. With the nation in the shape that it's in? 

Yes, someone with the same on-paper credentials as Obama might not go as far (coughsarahpalincough) - but the point is moot - Obama is going as far as he is despite his color and experience - he's made a tremendous impact in the last four years because he is exactly what a lot of people want in a President - an intellegent composed leader-figure with vision.  It's been too long since America had a President we could look up to - discounting Regan - it's been since Kennedy, for christ's sake!  (I discount Regan because while I understand that many conservatives see him as the second son of God - I grew up in a part of America where he was regularly burned in effigy and his name used as a curse word.  So... you know, not ALL Americans loved the old bastard.) 

But your point only works if we were to replace Obama with a white Obama.  Fact of the matter is without Obama the candidate would have been Hillary.  Who is not Obama.  Who lacks the intellegence.  Who lacks the leadership.  Who is not someone you look up to - it's someone you kind of vaguely pity for being an abused spouse, but then you don't feel too bad about it because her voting record reveals her to be a shallow opertunist.

No - I reject your point, Thom.  I say that the only reason Obama isn't 30 points ahead in the polls is due to his race.  But I think he'll be elected and America will have a black President and the world will not end, and people will get over their fears and things overall will be better for it having happened.  And we'll be one step closer to what we all want - true equality.  Which is not even on the radar at this point.

Don't get me wrong - as much as I have antipithy towards whites in general, if a white man came along who I felt was another Truman?  I'd be just as passionate about him.  But look at our choices:  Hillary Clinton?  John Kerry?  Al Gore?  Bill Clinton?  Mike Dukakis?  Walter Mondale?  Jimmy Carter?  McGovern?  etc etc etc... there have been good Democrats in my life - Mario Cuomo and Ann Richards spring to mind - but none who have run for President.

Obama is the first person of either party in my lifetime to run for President who fits the bill - race or experience not being a factor at all.

But that isn't enough. He's got to have a fake Texas twang.

**

Out of curiousity, does Texas have a successionist party, too?

If not, would anyone be kind enough to start one?

No, Jason, there's a difference - Edwards, Clinton - those guys are scumbags.

Cuomo had what Obama has - he SEEMS Presidential.

Obama is special , to me since he is bi-racial, I think he represents the best of both races.  I think race has helped and hurt Obama in some ways. With Obama there is something nobel about him, he worked very hard for his life and he is a perfect example of the American Dream.

John Kennedy Jr. could have brought the same energy to politics.