astralis

OTOH, bush has been one of the most africa-friendly presidents around. if you go to the african aid groups around DC, most will say that they are very pleasantly surprised by the president's various african initiatives and policies.

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Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

dark-alias

Exactly, this administration has set a whole new range of goals for Africa and has set aside the time and money to see them through.

dark-alias

Is there another thread we can move to with the same topic, or can we start a new one, or can a mod. move us so as not to spoil this thread. I really feel if we keep going on this it will go that way.

Sorry guys, not to spoil any of the fun

JAD_333

If he is elected, politics will make Obama want to be perceived as the president of the United States, not the black president of the United States.

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To be Truly ignorant, Man requires an Education. (Plato)

dark-alias

JAD,
Very true indeed he will feel he has something to prove.

Desdemona

Newsweek - National News, World News, Health, Technology, Entertainment and more... | Newsweek.com This weeks edition features Obama and the headline the "O Team" on the cover. The photo of Obama on the cover is a black and white photograph. A little subtle undertone of the perceived black and white voting issues....

__________________
"We are the people our parents warned us about." Jimmy Buffet

Ray

I wonder if a Black can become a President of the USA!

US is changing, but as an outside observer, I think it will require some more time.

Even a woman requires time to be a President of the USA,

McCain appears to be the winner without even trying!!

My views and I could be wrong!

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"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

HAKUNA MATATA

TopHatter

I'll see about splitting off the other threads to a new subject when I get home

Brigadier,
A Black or a White can become President (certainly Obama has strong support amongst the Democrats and right the Republicans are not looked up favorably due to Iraq and the economy), but we'll never know until after Election Day because of all the variables and unforseen gaffes that could occur.

For example, several months ago, McCain's campaign looked to be down the drain. He was in serious trouble and people like Romney and Huckabee were much stronger.

And now he's a shoe-in for the Republican ticket.

Ditto the actual Presidential campaign. Something could happen between now and November that renders McCain unelectable.

antimony

Going by the policies (or lack thereof) they seem to be propounding, as an Indian I would rather have Mccain than Obama, though I remain liberal at heart...

Some of the Americans here may say that I have no business expressing views on American politics; I would disagree. I pay taxes in America and any change in political leadership potentially affects me. Also, a US president would take a lot of interest in world affairs; and therefore the world has a vested interest in US Presidential elections

JAD_333

That's a question always in the background. I believe it becomes more and more possible as black and white interests merge closer together.

This time is rather unique because as Tophatter pointed out Iraq and the low standing of Republicans has brought the Democrats together more so today than in the last 2 elections.

I think we've gotten over that hurdle, but of course it depends on the woman's politics.


I am sure no one in the McCain campaign believes that, and certainly none of my Republican cohorts believe it. In fact, we believe that when the Democrat nominee is decided (Obama probably), the polls will show the dems slightly ahead. That, too, could change, if McCain scores points against his opponent's positions, or a nasty piece of negative news surfaces.

IMO, it will be a close election. In a close election what remains of racial bias against blacks or gender bias against women could be decisive.



It goes without saying that any of our view could be wrong, at least half of us.

JAD_333

Why?

Not this American. In case you haven't noticed most Wabbers no matter where they are from have absolutely no compunctions about commenting on affairs in any country.

Desdemona

I think your views are pretty close to being correct. Personally, for me it is not a race or a sex issue but one of a lack of integrity and overall qualifications from Obama and Hillary.

I noted on my blog recently that for some people, it is in fact a racist and sexist issue as the topic of the election comes up often ..." "It seems male voters in this area are in a quandary. I quote the guest with his heavy, ethnic accent, " Whoom am I gonna vote for? A ****** or a woman?" There it was, right out on the table. " " A MOMKISS2U: Obamination of Pizza, Chinese Food and Oil

My own brain just doesn't think this way. Sadly and surprisingly, I am running into more and more people whose views are similar- while not quite as blatantly ignorant. Maybe being born here rather than immigrating makes the assimilation of all races and sexes pretty much equal in my mind. Maybe these thoughts really do reflect some of my neighbors opinions and are too politically correct to say so. I don't know. Do all Italians make good pizza and all Chinese good fried rice? No, just a stereotype. In the case of Obama and Clinton, I think that a lot of democratic voters in my little neck of the woods are not going to go to the polls because of this bigoted way of thinking and sealing John McCain as the next President.

Not that I am not cheering for McCain to win; but to not vote for someone or to vote for someone only based on race or sex just sort of undermines the whole idea of selecting the best person for the job. Like everyone else, for what it's worth- just my humble opinion.

antimony

Probably because I have a political identity crisis. I tend to identify myself with Liberalism but find myself frequently in agreement with Conservative policies, especially economic issues and those relating to defense matters.

I like the concepts of free market ecoomics as well as the importance of self reliance. However I also want society to care for the ones who genuinely cannot care for themselves and would like a more culturally open society.

Also, I like the idea of gun control (I don't want crazies owning guns) but I love guns myself - thats how I stumbled upon WAB.

Explain that how you will...

I know, I try to take full advantage of that

JAD_333

I am not unlike you in some respects. Self reliant, but concerned for the
truly needy. But that would describe most conservatives.

If your conflict is over which party to identify with, that is a different matter. Maybe you would be more comfortable calling yourself an independent. In any case, I think it is admirable that you make up your own mind.

antimony

I frequently fantasize myself as a Democratic Senator who crosses over the floor to vote conservative on key economic issues. I still vote (in my fantasy ) democratic on social issues and gun control, but then side with my conservatice colleagues on the death penalty and same-sex mariages.

That is before I run on a Presidential ticket of "hope and unity" coupled with a strong support for the military

And the fun part is I am not even an American citizen