A Woman in the White House

[illinoisprogressive]

My point is that party and ideological orientation are far more powerful factors in securing the White House than race or gender in 2008. Imagine for a second if Colin Powell had never served in the Bush White House, were thus untainted by the Iraq war, and were the Democratic nominee. Experience, off-the-charts national security credentials. He’d win in a landslide.

Yes, clearly, there’s a subset of voters who would vote against either Hillary or Barack just on the basis of bias. But 2008 is shaping up to be a magnificent year to be a Democrat — the kind of wave election that can overcome all sorts of built-in disadvantages.

Larry Sabato, a veteran handicapper, thinks Hillary needs the biggest boost: “Hillary is going to get the generic Democratic vote minus about 5 percent. That is to say, a Democrat will have to be heading toward a landslide for Hillary to win. Narrowly.”

Does the same go for Obama? “I’m still wondering about,” says Sabato. “I know he’s stronger than Hillary. Race is a plus or a minus — it can help you more than it can hurt you if you play it right. He’s the equivalent of putting a badge on a white suburbanite and the badge says ‘I’m not a racist; I voted for Obama.”
-- Tim Dickinson

http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2007/08/30/rolling-stone-national-affairs-daily/

[napi21]

1. There's very little comparison between Powell and Obama.

Both were very personable and likeable guys. And yes, both are Black men. But I think that's where the comparison ends. The same racists would vote against both, and although I used to respect Powell a lot, I can't get that UN presentation out of my mind. That's a big advantage Obama has over him, there's not a lot of baggage.

[rudy23]

2. i'd love to see a woman in the White House

Nancy Pelosi

[DURHAM D]

3. Larry Sabato is an idiot.

Anyone who posts shit from that tool doesn't remember his nightly false anger and stupid rants against President Clinton in the 90s. He needs to be in the bathroom with Senator Craig.

As for Colin Powell - there is a reason why he is referred to as The Sponge. He has no personal moral core - no original thoughts - no actual internalized values. He has been beholden to the right wing ideologues for his entire career - starting with Mi Lai.