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Which do you feel is more likely to become President of the United States first: a Black American, a Hispanic American, or a female?
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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I'm gonna guess a woman - Hillary Clinton is going to make a serious run in the next election because the Democrats are going to lose this race.
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I'd say Hillary has a good shot, but Powell or Condi Rice could make a run in four years. I definitely don't see any Hispanics on the horizon.
Posts: 3446 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Latinos are now the largest minority in the U.S. and yet look at how few latinos there are in non-spanish television and entertainment. If they are biased against even in that industry then it's doubtful that there will be a Latin-American president anytime soon, particularly before a Black or women president.
Yeah, it's frustrating. Despite the apparent leaps in civil rights we made this past century, America still has a heck of a way to go.
Posts: 181 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Of course, that prompts the question how much is actual discrimination and how much is de facto segregation? Are hispanics not able to get work on mainstream programs, or do they prefer latin shows where everyone looks like them and sounds like them and they don't have to worry about being used as a token minority? I'd guess a bit of both.
Anybody see the Leonard Pitts column yesterday? He was talking about Cosby talking about race in public. Pitts question was why should the black community run around worrying about what racist white people think of them? You're never going to convince the bigots that you're as good as them so why bother trying. Just live the best you can. I thought he had a really great point.
So I vote for whoever stops trying to impress white america first and focuses on what they need to do to succeed.
Posts: 2283 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Hillary Clinton didn't even make a good first lady. Remember how she was supposed to spearhead healthcare reform, and now we just have a system that is still incomplete and even more expensive to the end consumer?
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Yes, but that wasn't her fault... Blame the Republican majority back there for killing it before it even had a chance. Shame really. I could use some health care myself
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Oh, and TMedina's remark about the back door is reminiscent of a particular form of racism that states that African-Americans who side with Republicans are Uncle Toms or house slaves (as Harry Belefonte put it).
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I like Condoleeze Rice, and might even be willing to vote for her in the future (depending on who's running, etc). That would cover a couple of your demographics.
quote: a Black American, a Hispanic American, or a female
I find it interesting that the quote was not "a black, a hispanic, or a female" nor "a Black American, a Hispanic American, or a Female American". Is it Ok to call someone "a female" but not "a black"?
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Yes, the question has redundancy, since obviously you must be an American (citizen) in order to run for President, no matter what color, ethnicity or gender.
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Since whites are still about 4/5 of the population, no one is going to get elected who alienates white Americans. So Jesse Jackson never had a prayer. A hypthetical black candidate such as, say, Colin Powell, would have to reassure white Americans that he would not be only a "black" president, biased against whites (the way Jackson is perceived as being). Thus at present, a black candidate would have a very uphill battle. The best chance for a black president would be for some white presidential candidate to name a black vice presidential running mate, and then after being elected, the white president would have to either die or be impeached, so the black vice president takes over. It would be interesting to see if either party would make the black former vice president their nominee for president in the next election.
A Hispanic candidate for president would not be too difficult for most white Americans to accept, since most white Americans feel that Hispanics are whites. As long as they are not fanatics about something--but then, fanatics need not apply in any case.
An Oriental candidate for president would be interesting. But it would probably make a difference whether he was Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or whatever. Orientals have earned a lot of respect in our society; they are generally regarded as the smartest and most artistically talented people among us, with the highest ideals for promoting education among their children. So long as the Oriental candidate does not turn out to be a sleeper agent for Communist China or North Korea.
A woman should have a reasonable chance at becoming president now, since half the electorate is comprised of women. But would men be as inclined to view a woman president as representing their interests, as women currently are inclined to accept a man as representing their interests? More men would probably oppose a woman presidential candidate than women would oppose a man presidential candidate, since women have been used to voting for men all along (since women's sufferage in 1920).
Posts: 3742 | Registered: Dec 2001
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I think I could see a divorced, lesbian, half-black, half-Latin woman being elected president before someone of Asian descent. Well, okay, so maybe I'm being a little hyperbolic...
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:A Hispanic candidate for president would not be too difficult for most white Americans to accept, since most white Americans feel that Hispanics are whites.
Ron, I don't know where in the US you live (I assume you live in the US), but in the upper Midwest, especially in rural areas, this is nowhere near true.
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A coworker of mine recently said that he heard that the progression is usually white male, white female, black male, black female. As in first [white male] person in space, first [white] woman in space, and so on. I don't know where Hispanics, Asians, and others generally fit in.
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quote: A hypthetical black candidate such as, say, Colin Powell, would have to reassure white Americans that he would not be only a "black" president, biased against whites (the way Jackson is perceived as being).
I disagree. Jesse Jackson's problem is his personality and ideas, not the color of his skin. Someone like Harold Ford of Tennessee would be a good bet, since he is young, bright, a mover and shaker, etc. And oh yeah, he's black. I don't think people will automatically assume that a black candidate will be against whites, such that he (or she) would have to convince them that he isn't against them.
Posts: 196 | Registered: May 2003
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You're more optimistic than I am, Rohan. It's one reason a Republican black candidate may have a better chance getting elected: more people would probably start with the assumption you've outlined.
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Oh, and Dagonee, I am a HUGE fan of your posts, but it's "weirdness."
remember, I before E, except after C or when sounding like ay as in neighbor and weigh, and on weekends and holidays and all throughout May. or in the word "weird."
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quote:Never underestimate the wierdness of politics: Ditka Ponders 'Da' Senate.
OK, so Tiny Ditka with one arm and both legs tied behind his back against the entire House of Representatives. Who wins?
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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It would have to be someone from the Republican party for two reasons 1)I don't see the democratic party allowing a minority to get that high up in their party. We have already seen a Black Republican sec of state and national security advisor, so seeing a minority Republican VP or Pres would not be that unbelievable 2)Some black democrats might vote for a black republican due to race. That would allow a black republican to feed from both the republican voters and some of the democrat voters. A black democrat would not have that advantage.
As for gender, I think it depends on the person. I think Rice (black female) would have a good shot at the nomination in 2008. Powell would have a great shot if he would become pro life. I think on average male minority would have an easier time at election than a female...but it really would depend on the person. Either way it would be tough.
As for Hispanic or Asian. I really don't see that happening anytime soon. While Asians in particular are thought of as productive in society, I doubt people would put them into public office. It is possible, but I think it is far more unlikely than for an AA.
Posts: 1901 | Registered: May 2004
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quote:An Oriental candidate for president would be interesting. But it would probably make a difference whether he was Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or whatever. Orientals have earned a lot of respect in our society; they are generally regarded as the smartest and most artistically talented people among us, with the highest ideals for promoting education among their children. So long as the Oriental candidate does not turn out to be a sleeper agent for Communist China or North Korea.
And after that candidate explained to America that Oriental describes cookware and rugs, but not people. But since the title is "Which" instead of "Who," maybe we are talking about crockery
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What? Why? What kind of artists are we talking about, anyway?
Oh, and:
quote:Main Entry: which Pronunciation: 'hwich, 'wich Function: adjective 1 : being what one or ones out of a group -- used as an interrogative <which tie should I wear> <kept a record of which employees took their vacations in July>
quote: Oriental describes cookware and rugs, but not people
Could someone explain to me why this is the case? Oriental just means "Eastern", and is the opposite of "Occidental". It describes what area some one/thing is from. "Asian" also describes what area some one/thing is from. They both refer to the same area. Why aren't the two words interchangable?
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote: I find it mildly interesting that an Asian-American didn't make this list.
my appologies, that was unintentional...I only usually hear of Hispanics and Blacks in the States, it slipped my mind to include Asian Americans on the list...
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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MPH, the reason I've heard is that it defines people as relative to Europeans. I guess because Europeans/Americans don't call themselves "occidental." It's only the "other" that needs a geographic description.
quote: remember, I before E, except after C or when sounding like ay as in neighbor and weigh, and on weekends and holidays and all throughout May. or in the word "weird."
quote: Or their.
Is some places, I understand "their" is pronounced "like ay as in neighbor and weigh."
Before he joined the Republican party, there was some talk about him having a serious shot at elected office, possibly the Presidency.
About that time, the Republicans launched pre-emptive attacks on Powell with the intent of tossing the muck about.
Powell apparently squelched the rumors and asked to join the previously slandering Republicans - who then were apparently quite happy to welcome him.
And before you start asking for references and citations Dag - I didn't compile a list. It's my impression and perception of him and it's the reason why I wouldn't vote for him as a Presidential candidate.
As for Jesse Jackson...I do _not_ want a religious figure in this nation's highest office. Call it a quirk.