"Will America Really Vote For A Black President..."

[Adam]

... Is the headline in Today's Daily Express newspaper.

Now, I know the Express is the biggest piece of shit on the planet; but what sort of a pathetic headline is that?

I think it proves that many people still have issues with the color of people's skin.

[Fenella]

What's the context of it Adam? If a lot of white people think he will put the needs of black people first it may put them off him I suppose. I can't imagine that the colour of his skin alone is an issue in America. I haven't really followed the story in detail? Does he refer to his colour much or to black people in general?

[Gemo52]

I think it’s ridiculous.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/07/31/PH2007073101347.jpg

[Dongle]

The Express is basically trying to imitate and outdo the Mail.:rolleyes:

[Fenella]

The Express is basically trying to imitate and outdo the Mail.:rolleyes:

I don't think the Mail have said that - well not that I've read anyway. If anything, it's been targeting Hilary Clinton and going on about Bill's womanising. :D

[Gemo52]

I’m in danger of making a sweeping generalisation and oversimplification here and I apologise. From what I have seen of Americans they fall into two categories: 1) – the, generally white, conventional, God … erm … respecting ones that will vote Republican no matter who the candidate is – the present situation supports this theory – they often do not rate the benefits of thinking; 2) everybody else, a lot of whom will vote Democrat but some will weigh up the situation and may vote Republican.

Please not that I do not intend to offend anybody in this post, it’s just that a lot of my friends belong to group 1) and I’ve had a lot of “discussions” with them.

[Fenella]

I’m in danger of making a sweeping generalisation and oversimplification here and I apologise. From what I have seen of Americans they fall into two categories: 1) – the, generally white, conventional, God … erm … respecting ones that will vote Republican no matter who the candidate is – the present situation supports this theory – they often do not rate the benefits of thinking; 2) everybody else, a lot of whom will vote Democrat but some will weigh up the situation and may vote Republican.

Please not that I do not intend to offend anybody in this post, it’s just that a lot of my friends belong to group 1) and I’ve had a lot of “discussions” with them.


It doesn't offend me gemo. I think there's too much emphasis on people's colour in the US and here as well. Remember when Condoleeza Rice was appointed as Secretary of State? There was much made of the fact that she was black, which had sod all to do it as far as I could see.

Are a lot of black people voting for him because he's black do you think? If so, that might suggest that they see him as a sort of "champion" for black people rather than the best person for the job.

[Gemo52]

I hate labelling people, but I would describe Barack Obama as being much darker than the guy whose picture is below his.

http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/barack_obama.jpg

http://www.alarmingnews.com/archives/Tony%20Blair.jpg

The people who vote Democrat will generally not do so unless they have considered who is the best person for the job.

[Fenella]

Yeah, so what's your point then gemo?

[Gemo52]

Yeah, so what's your point then gemo?

The the Republican is likely to get in. :(

And that calling Barack Obama black is a label that has very little to do with reality.

[Adam]

I actually preferred Hilary Clinton.

[Gemo52]

My mates, who were in the states in April, said that all the newspapers were giving Barack Obama bad press. I would really like him to get in but I don’t think it will happen. I would love to be proved wrong.

[Peccant]

I like Barrack Obama, I like the way he thinks. I despise that people are playing up his skin colour and his middle name of Hussein to try and smear him and detract from his policies. He is not "black" he is half white and half African. His skin colour is a light brown which reflects this fact.
I love that he doesn't play on his racial heritage to get votes. The Clinton campaign can learn alot from this, with their talk of glass ceilings for women in politics.
Vote for the politician based on their politics.

[Dongle]

.
Vote for the politician based on their politics.
I agree but many people will vote for someone - or not - based on whether they like the look of them - their appearance, accent, demeanour, etc including sadly yes, ethnicity/race.

The classic example in recent British politics, some years ago, was when the Tories (due credit to them) selected a black candidate for the safe seat of Cheltenham - and lost it.

[Dongle]

I actually preferred Hilary Clinton.
She's finally conceded and endorsed Obama.

AP article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_on_el_pr/clinton)