I stand and applaud boynextdoorkpt ! I cannot fathom what Barack Obama's qualifications for a presidential position are. He is a very likable man, obviously educated; but what are his plans for this country's future? He keeps crying " Change", but what is he planning to change, and how?
If anyone dares question this, we are branded as racists. Look, I feel it is certainly time for a man of color, or a woman to take the rains of this country.
However, we need the next president to be the best person for the job he/she can possibly be. I don't care what color/sex that person might be, as long as they're the best prepared to guide this country thru the next 4 years.
If Colin Powell or Charles Rangel were running for the office, I'd have no problem giving my vote to their presidential run. These are men of color who have proven themselves in a national and a world arena. Barack Obama? He's not ready for the responsibility. Maybe in a few years, after some seasoning, he will be a prime candidate, but for now, I'm torn between Hilary and John McCain.
I am not a racist, but I am a realist. Just as I would not discount a man for the presidential seat based on the color of his skin, I WILL NOT vote for him based on the color of his skin because it might be fashionable.
Obama has done nothing special to merit being our next president. He does not have the necessary savvy to bring us through this awful economic position we're in. I do not question his intelligence or his ambition, but it is not his time and I think to vote for a man because he would be our first black president, despite his lack of credentials would indeed be a foolhardy move on the part of our society.
Once again, I applaud boynextdoorkpt for having the courage to raise the question.