Hi Gang,

This is a question that I have asked myself several times. And I cannot seem to come up with an answer. I have lived in the US for almost 13 years and I am not well versed in American History as some of you on the forum are. But given that, does anyone have an answer to this question? And if you think we are ready, what makes you so sure?

Absolutely. I would personally have no problem with a black or hispanic president. We've come a long way since I was a little girl and I think it will happen in my lifetime.

If Collin Powell told the public he wanted to run in 2008, then the Republicans would annoint him before the primaries began and I think he would have an excellent chance in the general election. After all of these years of partisan fighting, I think a true moderate would have a lot of appeal with the middle third of the electorate who are not hard core advocates of either party and tired of the constant bickering in Washington. Anyone who follows him knows he is his own man and would not be a puppet for anyone else. As such, he could show that we are ready to back a minority candidate who will truely be our leader and not just some mouthpiece.

So I guess you can say I think we are ready. In fact, I think it would be a big asset for either party to find a minority candidate with the name recognition and popular appeal to run. The Republican's especially would sell their souls for the shot to make inroads into the African American or Hispanic communities and a Presidential candidate from either community is a likely ploy to attract these voting blocs.

JP5,

Why are you so sure? I agree that a lot has changed in our world and we have come a long long way. But what makes you so absolutely sure? I am not doubting your belief. I think its wonderful and as much as I disagree with you on quite a bit, I have to respect you for your optimism.

But in your experiences growing up and what the mindset was, what convinces you that we are ready?

And Dan, if you think Colin or Condi out of the situation (two people that I think the whole world respects immensely) who could you name as a prominent Black or a prominent Hispanic that would make a fine President?

Powell would be a good one....but don't think he's interested. Plus, don't think his wife wants it. So, I don't think he's an option.

I'm thinking Condoleeza Rice. That would be the first black and first woman all rolled into one. She's brilliant....she's accomplished....she's got plenty of foreign policy experience....and she's seen first hand inside the White House under two president's now.

I'm just basing my opinion on my life's experiences. While the media plays up the instances where we fail in this area, I've seen too many examples of blacks and hispanics being accepted in power positions. In my daily life, in work areas, in corportions, in local politics, and in national politics.

I could be wrong, of course. But I hope not.

But I do not know if any are positioned to run in 2008. Still, thats more of an issue of individual timing than what America is ready for. If we can agree that Powell could be a viable candidate, then I think its clear that America is ready for a strong minority president who would be his own man and not some mouthpiece.

While I think the world of Rice personally, I think she has too much negative baggage from Bush to be a viable candidate in 2008. Once she gets some distance from Bush, then who knows. Still, I think she is more likely to be our generation's Gene Kirkpatrick than anything else. I see her as an Ambassador and somewhere down the line being a secretary of state for another Republican.

The question was if America was ready for a black or hispanic president and I do think Powell's viability proves we are ready. The fact that Powell may not be ready to be that guy is really a side issue to the original question.

I just don't see Rice in 2008. While I really like her myself, I think she is at least 8 years out from a real shot at it and maybe more. Thats why I did not give her as an example of whether or not we were ready for a black or hispanic now.

I had already answered that question in my first post....saying absolutely yes. So, I know it was a side issue....as we had moved onto "who?"

so I had not moved on when I said it. Still, I understand what you mean now. I thought you were saying he is not a good example of why we are ready and that is not what you were saying at all. Thanks for the clarification.