OJ Simpson and Barack Obama

[bongerman]

Race in the US...

Cast your minds back to the OJ Simpson trial - originally touted as a "Husband kills wife after finding her with someone else" trial. Evidence comes out to show that during the marriage Simpson had been violent on numerous occasions and Women's rights group rightfully used this to highlight some of their concerns. As it go closer and closer to verdict day the country then appeared to get divided on racial grounds rather than gender grounds - Black women cheered at OJ's innocent verdict.

I live in London - a city that has far more mixed marriages than any US city - and while their are often (over) reported tensions along racial grounds we get onpretty well. Over the pond however, I fear that the US aren't ready to elect a black president. Furthermore, Hillary is not popular (seemingly) and therfeore the Republicans might get in.

I appreciate that each Rep and Dem candidates have their own individual strengths and weaknesses but I know several voters will take race and gender into account before they vote so my question is...

taking into account the voting population - will the US have by the end of the year a black (or mixed-race) president, a female president or another white man?

[R1Man]

Wel let's hope it's a Republican, last thing we need is a smegging lefty democrat. The old septics will be up to their mincers in diversity meetings before you can say "recount"!

It's a pity they can't change the rules so GWB can continue. He's been by far the best president they've had in a long time. Anyone who cranks up the liberals and eco warriors like George must be doing it right. Go George!

[Gromit]

Electing a President and sending a man to the death chamber are slightly different. Though they both involve difficult decisions, the same prejudices will not apply.

Before we had one, the probability of a female Prime Minister seemed unlikely. The American voters seem to be looking for the candidate which is the least like Bush. A change. My guess is that over the entire country, Clinton (mostly due to her experience) will win. Though McCain has been Bush's biggest critic on the disastrous wars, he is a republican and I believe that that isn't change enough for the voters.

White woman Democrat President is about as far as you can get from GWB.

[4GS]

All the focus (over here in the UK at least) seems to be on Clinton and Obama. Apart from McCain, we haven't really had a lot of media coverage about the other candidates unless I've been watching the wrong news channels.

I said to Mrs 4GS earlier this week that it was wrong to write off Clinton when she suffered an almost humiliating defeat, never underestimate the woman, she is very very intelligent, and like John Major's stunt during the 1993?election when he stood on a box so that he could address the crowds, Clinton's tears may have swayed reluctant voters. (Us guys can't resist a lady's tears can we guys).
Having said that, another scenario put forward is that Obama's supporters were so confident of victory that they didn't bother voting.
Until 'Super Tuesday', it's too close to call right now.

[Bazile]

And lurking in the background , is the dreaded 'chads'