New poll: U.S. more ready for black prez than female one

A new poll just out from CNN/Opinion Research tied to Martin Luther King Day today finds blacks and whites optimistic and pretty much in agreement -- 84% whites, 78% blacks -- that a lot or moderate progress has been made toward the civil rights leader's dream of equality in American society.

But hidden near the bottom of the survey of nearly 1,400 adult Americans Jan. 14-17 is some disturbing news for Sen. Hillary Clinton heading into tonight's Democratic debate in South Carolina and the party's primary there Saturday.

The survey's numbers show that Americans are more ready for a black president than a female president. You read that right.

In Saturday's Nevada caucuses, Clinton beat Barack Obama in the total....

vote, but Obama captured something more than 80% of the black vote from the wife of the president sometimes called "the first black president." That already augured ill for her fortunes heading into South Carolina where half the Democratic vote is African American.

But the CNN poll today shows that 72% of whites and 61% of blacks believe the country is ready for a black president. That's up from 65% and 54%, respectively, two years ago. (Both polls have a margin of error of +/-4.5%.)

But asked if the country is ready for a female president, blacks and whites both are in agreement; they're less sure -- only 63% of both whites and blacks answer yes. That's up slightly (from 58%) for whites but down among blacks from 67% since December, 2006.

Interestingly, men and women remain in agreement on this issue, too. In 2006, 60% of both genders said yes and this time it's 65% female and 64% male.

Food for thought, or maybe some debate questions in a few hours.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[uneeda]

FIrst problem with your little Poll information.."It was done byCNN"..Thereby it is not "RELIABLE"!!!

Don't believe everything you read; PEOPLE LIE..

[Scott Looper]

Interesting to note, more blacks feel America is ready for a woman president than a black president.

[Ramona]

Perhaps it simply reflects history.
The 15th amendment granted black men the right to vote in 1870.
The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920.

[rubyb]

What this really says is that the country wants a man for president rather than a woman ... still a lot of chauvinism around.

[My 2 cents]

I'm not ready for either. A woman would be too weak, plus the Arabs would just hate us more. As for a black, find me one country in the world ran by blacks that is worth a damn. Not going to.

[gichaba]

If the trend in the recent New Hampshire and Nevada is anything to go by, Obama needs a cushion to at least 15% ahead of Clinton in pre-polling numbers to have any hoping of winning any primary. Right now, the Soouth Carolina polls have Obama ahead by 9 %. I am afraid that won't cut it.

For whatever reason, pollsters are being mislead by potential voters who turn out to be mostly closted Hiliary supporters.

[Rocco]

Wow. They polled 1600 Americans. That's not enough to know. We'll all know on election day when the Clinton/Obama ticket win.

[Xjt]

You seem to be going out of your way to promote Barack Obama on this blog. I believe you actually had the nerve to write that our "better angels" would support Obama last week, or some such nonsense.

The Republicans have moved this country so far to the extreme right that many people are understandably concerned about a candidate who promises to work with Republicans. The Republican party has governed as though Democrats haven't existed for the past 7 years. Now suddenly, when it's clear that the Republicans are about to lose the presidency because of their incompetence, you're in love with a candidate who calls for bipartisanship and working together. A candidate who praises Ronald Reagan. Where has the call for bipartisanship been the last seven years?

It's hard to know what to make of the figures you site. Certainly this blog, as well as the mainstream media (such as Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson, Andrea Mitchell for starters) have gone out of their way to promote Barack Obama and to insult and degrade Hillary Clinton. Given the hit job that the media has done on Senator Clinton it's no wonder that people may have more doubts about any female candidate.

You guys in the media seem more intent on shaping public opinion these days than reporting it.

[Jay]

Black? Yes. Black woman? Yes. A certain non black woman with the initials HRC..... NO WAY!

[White American]

Black President...sure. Just not Obama.

[John Gearheart]

How about America being ready for a good president. I don't care if it's a woman or a man, a white or black, a Christian or an atheist. WHO CARES. How about a president that believes in a small government and more personal freedoms. A president that believes in secure borders and regulated, legal immigration. A president that believes in less taxes and more self reliance instead of a socialist nanny-state and permanent welfare class. A president that believes in goods being sold in America being made in America, and any "fare-trade" agreement working both ways. A president that believes in a strong military and defends America, but doesn't get into unnecessary foreign entanglements. How about a president that doesn't bow down to fanatical, militant "environmentalism" (i.e. anti-capitalism) and drills for oil here at home, builds refineries, and nuclear power plants to wean us off of Middle east oil while we work toward REAL alternative fuel solutions instead of converting the world food supply into this bio-fuel boondoggle. A president that believes in a common language that helps people to function in society and be successful. A president that believes that in a free society with free speech you are going to get offended once in a while and need to suck it up and get a thicker skin instead of filing lawsuits or having draconian laws imprisoning people for their words. A president that believes that immigrant are welcome to bring there cultures with them, but also need to assimilate into the American culture to once again become a melting pot and not a salad bowl of conflicting cultures.

[John Gearheart]

How about America being ready for a good president. I don't care if it's a woman or a man, a white or black, a Christian or an atheist. WHO CARES. How about a president that believes in a small government and more personal freedoms. A president that believes in secure borders and regulated, legal immigration. A president that believes in less taxes and more self reliance instead of a socialist nanny-state and permanent welfare class. A president that believes in goods being sold in America being made in America, and any "fare-trade" agreement working both ways. A president that believes in a strong military and defends America, but doesn't get into unnecessary foreign entanglements. How about a president that doesn't bow down to fanatical, militant "environmentalism" (i.e. anti-capitalism) and drills for oil here at home, builds refineries, and nuclear power plants to wean us off of Middle east oil while we work toward REAL alternative fuel solutions instead of converting the world food supply into this bio-fuel boondoggle. A president that believes in a common language that helps people to function in society and be successful. A president that believes that in a free society with free speech you are going to get offended once in a while and need to suck it up and get a thicker skin instead of filing lawsuits or having draconian laws imprisoning people for their words. A president that believes that immigrant are welcome to bring there cultures with them, but also need to assimilate into the American culture to once again become a melting pot and not a salad bowl of conflicting cultures.

[Scott C]

thanks scott looper for making an important point, which the author (obviously a hillary-hater) irresponsibly overlooked. this is why people need to actually read the facts for themselves, and not just read headlines picked up on by people like matt drudge (how i got here).

[Duane]

.... and I'd guess that the same percentenge if not higher are ready for an ethical president rather than the Clintons.

[Susan]

Oh for the love of pete!!! I am so sick of these "polls" and their stupid questions.

I"m ready for a black president, a mormon president, a purple president and, gasp, a woman president! But I'm not ready for THAT woman (Hillary) as president.

Please MSM, stop making identity politics your lead story. Give us voters a little more credit. We're smarter than you think.

[TruthBtold]

Gender and race aside Obama inspires Clinton mires.

[GRE]

Good one. Doesn't this well timed opinion poll seem like a red herring? Hopefully, in a free society there will be no race issue, like MLK dreamed about. Today it seems like a reliable divider of the population. As if we're going to forget about those aggressive, bloody wars or our diminishing civil liberties. Happy Dr. King Day.

[Ed]

I don't believe the poll. There is no way Americans would elect a black president. People are terrified of even criticizing a black person lest they be called a racist and lose their jobs. Most white people love blacks when questioned about it in public or in a perceived public forum. How was the poll worded? I would love to know. I agree with uneeda. If CNN is involved, I don't trust it.

[Douglas Blaine Kenney]

Are we to believe that less than fourteen- hundred individuals - no matter how carefully selected by how skillful a pollster - are truly representative of three hundred million Americans?

[MATT]

I keep wondering, come November 2008, which will be easier for Chris Matthews to explain; why America didn't elect a woman president or why America didn't elect a black president. I am sure he is working on his questions now. Are we a racist country or are we a sexist country? The idea that we are a republican country won't enter his mind.

[Peter H]

"72% of whites and 61% of blacks believe the country is ready for a black president."

This little statistic stands out, too! More whites would supports a black president than blacks do....

I think this poll reflects upon the present woman and black(ish) candidates. It shows that Obama is more popular/less offensive than Clinton. Mostly a popularity contest.

This is a CNN poll so consider the source.

[Stuart]

Hillary actually has LESS executive experience than Obama. A senator adds his or her vote to a to a GROUP, like any of us do when we vote. BIG DEAL. So they can join a crowd. That is NOT leadership. Since President Eisenhour we have had as presidents ONE General (Eisenhower), only ONE Senator (Kenedy), four vice presidents (Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Bush the senior), and FIVE govenors (Carter, Reagan, BillClinton, Bush jr.), Why so many Governors? Because Governors are already EXECUTIVE in their experience. Obama has had many executive positions and ventures in his extensive resume. Hillary simply doesn't., she is a wanna-be. If she wanted to be a leader she should have aquired EXECUTIVE experience as a Governor or as a mayor like Guiliani, not hide out as a Senator. Obama needs to stand up to Hill and Bill's misrepresentations of him

[miriam biteng]

If women are not given the opportunity to run this country, thus,this country cease to prove what it stands for. The international hears are not deaf and surely see this as a defeat on each of us.

[Brian Larsson]

Are we more ready for a black, conservative President or a liberal, white, carpet-bagging, commodities-futures insider trading, Rose Law Firm-associated, failed state-run medical system advocater, White House travel office personnel firing, coffee cup saucer throwing female? I doubt if a Clarence Thomas or Thomas Sowell-type candidate was running that CNN would have reached the same manipulated, pushed- polling result. Filter all news through the sieve of history, folks.

[BigGuy]

It really doesn't matter if they are Black or White or Female or Male. What does matter is the person. I don't think the another Clinton would be good for this country. What this country NEEDS is fresh ideas, NOT the same old thing. I am an independant and as of now my Vote would be for Obama. I beleive that he is for the country as a whole, unlike those who only care about themselves.

[John Bull]

Ha ha! You guys vote for a whole year and still end up with Bush. What a hoot! This time you will probably end up with Clinton 2, the crummy sequel, and it will still take you a year to choose.

[John]

When you ask if Americans are ready for a female president, it evokes image os President Hillary which I'm sure makes many people say NO!

I think we are ready for a female President....jsut not the one currently running.

[Stella]

I don`t believe polls. Lot of people lie big time when it come to race questions enough said.

[cindy]

Well we just can't seem to see how we are being played. Keep on fiddling
all the while Rome is burning. There are some serious problems going on
and obviously the press is just to suckered in to even notice.

[X. L. Woo]

I think that an African-American is also a man, who has no difference from other men. A female is very much different from a male. She can bring difference to America, which men may not be able to do. So it's right time for America to have a female prez.

[Danielle]

Oh, but John Gearheart, haven't you heard? The term "melting pot" is politically incorrect now, because people would "lose their identities." I agree with you whole heartedly on everything, and wish more people did. It really doesn't matter to me if the person is black, white, female, male, atheist, Mormon. I just want them to run our country the best way possible.

[ShyGuy]

Stuart must be a stand-up comedian. Only the Writers are on strike!

Obama has more executive experience than Hillary? You based this on what, his statements on his experience?
Such as when he claimed he was an executive at a Financial Consulting Company?
Unfortunately that was a lie! He rewrote copy for this company and they were not a Financial Consulting company. They published a financial newsletter. He claimed that he had a private office and his own secretary, too. Also untrue. The only people who had their own secretary at that company was the President and Vice-President.
He claimed that he wore a three piece suit and had meetings with German bond traders and Japanese money men. Untrue.
Nobody at that company wore suites or even ties. They usually wore blue jeans and anyone wearong a three piece business suit would have stuck out like a sore thumb. They didn't go out and have meetings with money men. They received reports from correspondents via FAX, Internet and mail and rewrote them into a standard form for publishing their newsletters.
That is the "Executive Experience" that Obama has. I've had more meeting with executives than he has had in his whole life and I would hardly describe myself as having Executive Experience.
The only thing is that I don't lie and I don't exaggerate my experiences, unlike Obama.
I also don't award million dollar contracts to my ex-bosses without telling other board members about my relationships to the person being awarded the money nor would I award money to someone just because they are my ex-boss and contribute to my campaign. This is also something Obama has no problem doing either.

As to the poll, what does the result of this poll have to do with anything? If it were accurate, which I highly doubt, that doesn't mean that the people answering the poll were saying they were more likely to vote for Obama over Hillary. They said they would be more likely to fote for a Black than a Woman, not this Black over this Woman. What about a Black Woman? Did they ask about that? I bet not.

Like several respondents, I am in favor of any person for President who can be a competent President. No mattter what their race, creed, color or political party may be. Right now the best Democrat can't win and of the two left, Hillary would be the better President than Obama. Not that she would be the best choice, but any means. Just the best choice of those who have the ability to actually be nominated and can win.

[ejj]

Has anyone here ever worked in a majority female government agency with 90% of the managers being female? I have....and I will never do it again. I will never allow myself to be put in a situation where I have a female boss again (except when I get married) either. The agency I worked at was severely dysfunctional and very, very poorly managed. I shudder when I think what will happen to our country with a female president - talk about broken government and widespread turmoil.....it would probably be good to get it done and over with though.

[Mark Twain]

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics" Mark Twain

[Taniwha]

"the Clinton/Obama ticket"

Oh, brother. Yeah; THAT'LL happen...

Not saying it wouldn't be good tactics, just that, well, look: they can't even stop hitting each other when they have to because they're both getting hurt. They declare truce, and both keep swinging. The hatred is palpable, and their followers hate each other just as hard if not harder.

Besides - which ever one wins the nomination will need to pick a runnngmate with some experience in something. Neither of them will do that for each other.

[Other Brother Darrell]

Did the poll ask how many Americans are ready for another stupid white guy for president?

[Oakland Girl]

I think that what America wants most is a fresh face, a brand new show instead of another stale rerun.

People who still have a mindset of identity politics should realize that the world is much different today. Us young people are colorblind in the sense that we see a person as a person, regardless of gender or skin color. Only the simple minded like to pigeon-hole people according to superficial appearances.

Moreover, whether you like him or not, you cannot deny that Obama is something different. He is not just another politician. It takes someone with an amazingly intelligent and creative mind to speak the way he does. We are in the midst of experiencing the kind of ground-breaking history that we have only read in history books (or that baby boomers lived through while in college).

I have yet to find a convincing argument against Obama's candidacy. The worst you can say about him is his "lack of experience", but perhaps this time around the less time you've spent in the White House, the better. And besides, it's not like he is some Joe Shmuck standing on a soapbox. He has much more experience than we give him credit for, not to mention that his character and intellect is far above the rest of the candidates.

[mike]

I think the country is ready for either a black president or a woman president. I am not, however, ready for another Clinton. I think Bill is looking for Hill to get into office and then would be able to pardon him for anything he did.

[Carl]

Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Christ.

If you disagree, then you either don't know much about her or have not read much about her.

[GL]

America is getting what they deserve. Anytime you get a decent man, like George Bush, you can't pillory him fast enough. You deserve another eight years of Clinton lies, deceit, sexual abuses. Think of what the jihadists will make of another Clinton in the White House. If they hated you before, think of the venom they're going to feel toward the great satan after you elect her.

[Harry From Iowa]

Remember folks. It's all about Bill. He wants a 3rd term so he will have a legacy instead of all the baggage of the scandals he was involved. At least Obama is a fresh face and appears to be squeaky clean. Yes, he experimented with drugs in his youth, but he has owned up to it.

[Joseph]

Of course, when a lot of people answer this question, the woman they will have in mind is Hillary Clinton. That probably accounts for a significant part of the result. When a more qualified candidate comes along who has a better character and isn't part of a family dynasty, I'm sure Americans will show more enthusiasm to elect her.

[justwalkingby]

None of that surprises me a bit. My personal feelings are in line with the poll results.

Colin Powell could have been President if he wanted it. We have had former generals and officers as Presidents. Some did pretty well. Grant was at best so-so.

I would have happily voted for Powell. I really believe he would have carried the South too. A shoulder full of stars overcomes a lot. And Heaven knows he could have done the job too. But he was not interested.

But Obama has potential and possibilities but, in my opinion, is short on experience. But Hillary is about at the same level in my opinion.

Bill Richardson, a Hispanic, has tons of experience at several levels of government. He never got a look and has since left the Presidential hunt.

[Linda]

As a 72 year old woman I must say I would vote for a woman but NEVER HILLARY. TAKE THAT HOLLYWOOD.

[Debbie]

I'm still trying to understand why the newsmedia has not asked Americans why they would want an impeached president back in the White House. A president who sexually harassed a white state employee and while a state lawsuit was going on turned around and sexually harassed a white federal employee. Both of these victims were women.

Also, the newsmedia in this country lie all the time about leaders. You do recall that Saddam Hussein was accused of having weapons of mass destruction and that turned out to be a lie. I would suggest people tunr to LINK TV. You would be amazed about what is really going on in other countries.

In terms of all presidents of color being bad. Do you recall American President Richard Nixon? Do you recall President Bill Clinton, who used the Oval Office as a bordello? And do you recall the secret arms deals of the Reagan Administration?

[Chuck]

This isn't about being "ready" for black or female. It is about the individuals vying for the job!

I'm just not ready for them.

[Michael]

Uh. 65% of of women and 64% of men equals 63% total? Is there another gender out there I don't know of?

(No, not a gender, but there are men and women who said no, they're NOT ready.)

[Debbie]

EJJ, I worked in an all female enviornment for six years and it was a nightmare. Everything, I mean everything was personal. There were cliques and backstabbing galore. They thought of the workplace as a an extension of their home life. If they weren't speaking to Suzie this week then Suzie wouldn't get the support she needed to get her work done. They gossiped and gossiped and were mad if you didn't particpate in the gossip or if they didn't have any gossip about you.

If the woman running was Barbar Bush, or Elizabeth Dole, or Condi Rice I would consider it but not the woman with the initial HRC. A woman who remained silent and complicit in her husband's sexual harassment of a Whiet House intern.

This race is about character and that completly leaves the Clintons OUT!

[Carl Buschmann]

As our country finds itself in deep trouble with a myriad of issues confronting it, I firmly believe we have to elect a president that has no connection to the Tri Lateral Commission and Council on Foreign Relations. We have to start somewhere and we need to have a man or woman of strong stature in the White House that will initiate the actions required to return this country back to the people. We have to start somewhere.

Consider this. Multiple taxation, binding mandatory arbitration in all contracts, a controlled press, a shadow government, drug use, torture, runaway health costs, government control of schools and what children learn, government control of states using highway funds, destruction of the nations self sufficiency and replacing with dependency, government lies, bankruptcy of the United States (Can you come up with 30 thousand or more dollars which is your part currently of the national debt?), and so forth. Do a search on your favorite search engine and your eyes will be opened.

All this did not happen overnight and will not be fixed overnight. The cleanup job will require a lot of dedicated work by many many people.

Self denial has to be eliminated and working together initiated.

We are not presently the leader of the free world. There is no free world. We do not treat other countries as we want to be treated.

I am willing to fight for my freedom - are you?

And thank you Andrew for another fine springboard to use. And should we ever meet I fervently hope it is in a country of true freedom - The United States of America under the red white and blue.

Regards. Carl

[Incredulous]

Woman? Margaret Thatcher, Ann Coulter, Condi Rice? Sure. HRC. NO WAY!
The big difference is that Hillary is the epitome of the victicrat. She plays the "poor little woman, all beaten up by men and mean republicans" routine. Can you imagine the Iron Lady ever taking that posture? No way. Hillary is a disgrace.

[kathleen]

vote for obama....this will be the last chance for a black man before this national has a majority of hispanics....

a republican for obama....a democrat reagan!

tucker has these dem. hillary/obama down pat!

this will be the last time in american history before the spanish major in this county comes to elect a black president...and a nice on too!

i don't know what america is going to do about these clintons...but the BIG DIVIDE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING BETWEEN BLACK AND HISPANICS IS A BIG PROBLEM...obama better win...!...and NOT HILLARY....the majority of hispanics are watching this very closely....so in the next 4-8 years there will be a big majority of hispanic voter along with more open borders...

the clintons have done a great job once again of divided this country...and same goes for the women...men are no good and the black man continues to be outst by a clinton and now a hispanic...

boy...my older b rother prodicted this in 1985...about the hispanics......and are hard workers...love the family etc...but who should be president now...before an hispanic ...who with out doubt will be the majority in this county soon...a black man or a women?...and a women who was cheated on by her husband a former us president....do you think for one second that oprah would put up with her man cheating on her?...hillary is weak and bill is an asshole...but the bill's clinton loves the attention from minorities because he doesn't get it from the MAJORITY...white men!....

great job tucker....YOU GOT IT RIGHT ON THE MONEY...vote obama or a repubican!

thank you, kathleen, a republican...that might vote obama!
ref to tucker msnbc

[Jeff Wetherbee]

I think it's partially because everyone knows who the particular candidates are. I think that if Jesse Jackson were the black candidate, and Ann Coulter were the woman candidate, the numbers would change. Look, I'm a white conservative Republican...but I LIKE Obama. I know that I'm not alone either. He explains himself without making enemies, Hillary does not. I haven't listened to a thing any Democrat has said in years, but I enjoy watching Obama, and hearing what he has to say. I'm tired of fighting and having to take sides, but that doesn't mean I won't. On the other hand, every time either of the Clintons' opens their mouth, I want to throw a brick through my TV! If she and Bill are elected, this country will come to a grinding halt because half of it hates her (them). Obama on the other hand seems like a good sport, and I could live with losing to him, heck I might even vote for him! Democrats hold all the cards in this election. Their choice of a candidate will either bring this country together, or tear it limb from limb. Yes, we are ready for a black president, and we are ready for a woman president too, just not this particular woman.

[eddie]

Eddie Gonzolas
Orange County, California

(Eddie, give it up, man. We're not printing your stuff.)

[Billary Billary Boom]

Yeah, I'm female, and I think when people asked the question, the respondents had "Barack" in their minds as the black president, and "Hillary" in their minds as the female one.

I don't want her as president. It's got nothing to do with her gender, or even her paper policies. It has *everything* to do with her mudslinging, back room, politics-as-usual "game". The last thing I want is another four years of her showing us how good she is "against the republicans" and their "tactics".

Nothing will get done. We'll just have the same split congress, same lack of production, same inability to pass the STUPIDEST of bills.

Not to mention Bill Clinton showing up on tv every Sunday and bitching about this or that statement by the opposition.

Enough! Enough! Enough!

[Wayne]

The question should not be whether America is ready for a black president or a female one. Men are men, whether black, whiter, brown, red or yellow. The real issue is whether America is ready for Obama or more of what we got from the Clintons. So many radical socialists have crept into the presidency unawares because of the deceitfulness of the media and the forgetfulness of the public. America has lost its discretion and sensibility, and the politicians know it. Choosing the wrong man or women may be the beginning of blood running in the streets.

[mjo]

HOW about a qualified black woman? Dr. Condolezza Rice

[John]

The media is making it seem, through these polls, that the only reason blacks are voting for Obama is because he's black... Why don't you ever go into details about policies and details that African-Americans are responding to? Do you really believe this is just about the color of his skin?

[juandos]

Maybe people are ready for a black Prez (but a half black one?) or a woman in the Oval Office...

But are they ready for a pair of lying, socialist parasites that both Clinton and Obama are?

[The Spartan]

The country may be ready for a Black president or a woman president....just not this black gentleman or this woman. As a Republican I have to admit though that I'm not happy about my candidates either. None of these turkeys is a conservative...they sound like democrat lite....same ideas, just not as strong. God help us!

[nanette]

Look at the countries that have/ had women presidents/leaders... now look at the countries that have/had black presidents/leaders. Which of these countries have/had better economies? Better civil rights?

Barack just makes broad representations/ideologies. I want to know if his political will is tied to the ideologies of his church & spiritual leader... Trinity United Church of Christ. He's charismatic, that's all... but so was George Bush!!!

We have no idea how he really will be once in the White House. We are facing a perfect storm of events for the downfall of America (serious economic problems, war, hatred by other countries & the rise of the Soviet Union, China, etc.). Would you really hand over the reins of this country at a time like this to a novice?

I would never take that chance! Not after what I went through to become a US citizen. People that own this privilege have no idea what others go through to earn this!

[Robert]

America can't survive another 4 years of Clintons, unless your a comedian
its a loser for everyone else. How many times to we have to be lied to,
how much corruption, how many secrets to we have to sell to Red China
how much sleaze do we have to endure? The Clintons are bad for America
no matter how much big media like them. Liberal fascism is alive, next week
watch Billary continue Slime campaign for power junkie nirvana.

[Zm]

Obama/Edwards 2008

Obama and Edwards would be a great ticket. Even John McCain isn't horrible but I'd really prefer to see what the US can do with Obama/Edwards leading it. As for the Clintons, they had their fair share of time already. The Clintons' tactics and history show low integrity; they'll say anything and do little.

[Bob]

Its not about Black,Female, White, it's about Character & Vision & Leadership.

The Clintons have the sleaze & power junkie thing down, but females need
to wait for a women character, not some bad characters without tons
of dirty laundry & a bad smell. Obama has vision & leadership.

[Nick]

I'm sick and tired of the media pushing Hillary down my throat on a daily basis. Every time I turn around there she is, in print or on TV. Can you imagine , not 4 but 8 more years of the Clintons in the White House? And if (a big IF) Hillary is successful, just who will be presiding?

[aehtorod]

Makes no difference, the color of their skin. It's the content of their character, stupid! I"ll take the content of Barack Obama's character any day.

[Robert]

McCain & Clinton are media's candidates, it will be Romney against the group
for retreat first.

[Bill in the Burg]

I'm 60 years old - I've never voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate in my life. That could change. Forget the race and gender issues- we should be beyond them. There is no Republican in the race that would work to unite the country. Possibly Obama would. I disagree with him on many issues, bit woluld like to see a consensus government (vs. us against them) in my lifetime.

[andro]

The poll asked whether Americans "believe the country is ready" for a black or a woman president -- that is asking what someone thinks others think. Is that really the same as asking what they "personally" think?

[bambino]

Well the way it's going, this democratic race is really beginning to become a soap. It seems that the goals are set high and seem they both agree but they are to concerned about digging for dirt. Hillary's high hope Bill asleep daydreaming if you will during MLK's speech at a church way to go Bill that's the way to show him how much MLK Jr. accomplishments really interest you. Maybe thinking of your Canadian gal which you were told to dump because Hillary has never questioned your love for her. Hey isn't this girl in Detroit now. What is really happening is a set up to bring the democratic party down and I guess the GOP will remain in the White House. So keep lifting your collars Clintons and tell the people vote for me because I'm popular Bill has made me this way.

[Brett]

RE: Peter H - "72% of whites and 61% of blacks believe the country is ready for a black president." The survey asks if the respondents believe the country is "ready for" not whether "they support" the idea of having a black president. I believe that 100% of blacks would support the idea of having a black president, it's just that the 39% who believe the country is not ready yet, are just a little more sceptical about the possibility of it happening than the other 61% are. Anyways, as you and others have already noted - the poll is from CNN, so you can't trust it anyway.

[bambino]

Here is one people, remember just because somebody endorses a candidate doesn't mean you have to vote for him or her. If your minister endorses Hillary don't vote for her just because he says so, use your own judgement. Freedom of speech. There will not be nobody watching you in the polls. Study the candidates on what they say don't just vote for someone just because some one tell you to. It defeats the purpose. Read get informed.

[Jedsil]

You liberals still don't get it. It's not that voters don't want a woman for president. They don't want Hillary. Her personality, personal history and politics matter far more than her gender. Do you think conservatives would have trouble voting for a strong leader with conservative values like Margaret Thatcher? No. The LA Times poll reflects the simple fact that most people, even conservatives, like Obama. Most people DO NOT like Hillary.

[simon]

I think it depends on the candidate. If the woman was not HRC, someone like Jodi Rell and the black person was Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton I think the poll results would be reversed. Just as HRC is disliked by many, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are equally disliked by the general public.

[alex]

I didn't look at the original survey, but a lot depends how the question is asked. If the question asks "do you think America is ready for a ___ prez?" it speaks more to what the interviewee feels about other Americans. A more appropriate question would be "are you personally ready to accept a ____prez?" That would more accurately gauge America's readiness. I bet the #'s would be higher for the 2nd question than the 1st, because people are more likely to think less of their fellow citizens.

[Doug Fretty]

Based on the data, this article's conclusion is weak. With a 4.5 per cent margin of error for both polls, the precise opposite could be true--that the nation is more prepared for a woman than an African American in the White House. Just add 4.5 to the "pro-woman" responses and subtract 4.5 from the "pro-black" responses, and you get:

67.5% of whites and 67.5% of blacks "prepared" for a female president, compared to

67.5% of whites and 56.5% of blacks "prepared" for a black president.

[Charles Miller]

Obama is a liberal socialist, just like Hitlery Clinton, who will destroy the country. Don't vote for either of them.

[John]

Someone on here mentioned that the republicans in this country have taken
this country too far to the right. what? george bush is a republican, but he
is no conervative. maybe on abortion and fighting against terrorism he is.
but he spends like a democrat and his weenie stance on allowing illegal aliens
to benefit from being in this country is ridiculous. he's weak on the borders
which isn't consistant with his fight on terrorism overseas. barack obama is
proving to be more acceptable to democrats and others because, though his
views line up with hillary clinton's, he's not a corrupt and nasty person like
she is and her husband. i would never vote for a socialist, like obama or
clinton. a woman would be acceptable, if that woman was anyone but hillary
clinton who is only here because her last name is clinton. she was already
co-president. she had her chance. she'll never say she was co-president.
that's what she's referring to when she talks about her experience.

[Lee]

The real truth is probably that we are ready to consider a black or a woman.....simply not THIS woman.

[MATT]

This really isn't a question/poll about all of America. It's a question for the Democratic party. They nominate the party candidate and coming out of their convention it will be either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. The Democrats are going to have to decide who they are. Only then does it become a national question. I look at it like this, If Obama were a Republician he would win the national election. If Clinton were a Republician she would not.

[Jinny Williams]

After reading all the comments, the race seems to be between Obama and Clinton, don't forget we still have another choice Edwards. He is so sincere in what he wants to do for this country and is not throwing mud at anyone.
In fact, he was trying to keep the debate under control last night.
So everyone black or white, man or woman, who cares pick the best and that is Edwards

[Bev]

In what country are they talking about? America is not ready for neither one. A woman , black man or democract.Vote democract and drive the final nail in the republic. Have to be a fool to believe the lies the media wants you tobelieve.

[juggernaught]

i think this poll speaks to this particular black candidate and this particular female candidat. i dare say that if it was another black candidate , versus another female candidate the results of the poll might be diffrent. i think these polls are just saying that people would rather take barak , then hillary. hillary is hugely unlikeable. un popular

[LYNN]

Most people I know they could be very well ready for a woman president but not
Hillary Clinton
get this branded in your skull out there.

[Tom]

Several posts here make a point. If the situation were reversed, and we had nothing but white women as our president since the 18th century, should white men be expected to vote for an Adolph Hitler style person simply because he is a white guy?

I grew up in a small "white town" in the midwest where we had one "black" family and several "mixed" familes. I grew up in a home similar to what was portrayed in the tv show "All in the Family". Today, I have no problem with Obama or Hillary for what they are genetically. I do have a problem with the Clintons since I became a veteran of our great armed services. My only problem with Obama is how will he fight this war and take care of our returning veterans? I do not know that answer as of yet! That's not a hard question, just an honest one. I want those who return from this war to be treated as honored citizens, with the respect they deserve and a government that supports them in deeds, not just words. I want a president who will fight for us, and achieve victory over these worthless terrorists, and punish those nations who support them. I want a president who will make America victorious over the tyranny us veterans pledged to defend us against. Let our brave men and women return victorious, and let us thank them in a way our Vietnam vets were denied.

[Michael]

It's not that she's a woman and it's not that he's black. Can't we just genuinly hate what they stand for and what they are trying to do to this democracy. I would vote for Condi in a heart beat if she would just run.

[Tom]

In terms of the war we are in, I would think it "cool" that a woman is in charge of a nation so powerful that she could order the bombing of militant muslims and their subsequent torture (which I whole-heartedly support). On the other hand, perhaps a man with experience with Islam (like Obama, or our own for-father Thomas Jefferson whom comissioned the Navy to fight the muslim Barbary Pirates) would be well suited to fight those worthless scum terrorists.

Fact is: We need to get evil with Al-Qaida. We need to fight them in a way that makes them fear a ballsy no-fear free world. If that idea offends the San Fran libs or the Pat Robertson flocks than to hell with them...America is not dominated or decided by those small, insignificant, over-hyped crowds.

[NH Dem]

This poll might have meant something if it had been taken of voters who had been carefully quarantined against all political information for the last two years.

However, as reality stands now, "black president" means Barack Obama, and "female president" means Hillary Clinton.

And what this poll tells us is that more people believe the country is ready for a President Barack Obama than believe the country is ready for a President Hillary Clinton.

[G Jiggy]

The post by John Gearheart on January 21, 2008 at 03:48 PM (why aren't these posts numbered for easy reference?) hits the nail on the head. Couldn’t have said it better myself. That man is the kind we need more of in this country. Voting for somebody because they are something (black, woman, Mormon, Catholic) instead of what they stand for is the utmost in foolishness. But we have a lot of foolish people in this county as the current credit crisis illuminates.

At this point and until the primaries are over, the question is not "Is America ready for a black/woman president." it is "Are the Democrats ready for a black/woman president." Once the Democrats decide which they are (racist or patriarchal), then America can decide if in fact who they are is more important than what they stand for. And on that I refer back to Mr. Gearheart's post for guidance.

[Jack Kennedy]

Another POLL. Just like in New Hampshire, POLL's dont mean squat.

Real Americans see the problems with women or blacks leading the country and it aint happening.

[TallyHo]

After eight years of BushCo I gladly will support and vote for whatever Dem candidate runs in the general - black, white, male, female, or otherwise. Things can only be better.

[Geoff]

Hillary's so called experience is vastly overstated. Being married to the President is not experience in my book. I don't think that she had the necessary clearances to be privy to classified information. Given this "fact" If she was she should not have. Would you let the spouse of a brain surgeon operate on you and claim that the spouse had the requisite experience by virtue of marriage and information that rubbed off on them?

[Nicole M]

FYI, with 46 primaries to go, there is still another viable candidate: John Edwards. Last Saturday, while in Atlanta, John Edwards had
a private meeting with Martin Luther King, III -- the
eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Edwards' passion for fighting for justice and equality, so impressed Martin L. King III that King sent Edwards a letter encouraging him to continue in the campaign. http://www.johnedwards.com/news/20080121-mlk-iii-letter.pdf
I just received a link to a 2 minutes 45 second video that someone has created using the Martin L King III letter and very powerful images to illustrate the importance of fighting for justice and equality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos3hvO5_Ro

[Hargrove]

America, We're Better than the Clintons!

Barack Obama knows something that only a mixed-race child, raised by a loving white person can know. He knows that a person with white skin, can love a person with dark skin . . .

In Iowa, what Barack knows, resonated with the best of who we are. Inspiring Iowans to show the world that white Americans can judge a man by the "content of his character."

But the Clintons know something about us too. They know that behind our good intentions there lie unconscious beliefs about race and sex. Waiting to be manipulated.

On the road from Iowa to New Hampshire, the Clintons pulled out of their bag of tricks, something they probably only intended to use if things went badly, and things most certainly went badly in Iowa. The secret weapon enlisted by the Clintons in the New Hampshire race was the racializing of Barack Obama, and the feminizing of Hillary Clinton.

On the eve of the New Hampshire race, CNN went to work to remind us that, Barack Obama is, after all, black. Because they know that there is black, and well then again, there is BLACK.

Black is merely the color of one's skin or the skin color of one's ancestor. BLACK is who you are, defined by your skin color. Perpetually poor, ugly, hated, rejected, untrustworthy, immoral, lazy . . .

For most of us, black doesn't mean BLACK, but everyone black is suspected of being BLACK. Add to that the fact that all of us have swirling around in our heads and hearts, ideas about when black equals BLACK . . . These ideas can be activated, to become racist behavior, by manipulating symbols, that act as triggers.

While Barack was getting BLACK, on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, Hillary was amassing girlie credentials. She went from a person who doesn't cry at funerals, to one who gets weepy when asked a simple question. Her girlie credits grew as she was not just weepy, she was weepy while surrounded by a group of girlfriends, who looked so nice, they had to be nice. Hillary was officially one of the girls.

If we were not persuaded of Hillary's girl credentials, after the almost tears, and a gathering of the sisters. We had to embrace Hillary when, a couple of hours later, mean men showed up demanding, that Hillary "iron (their) shirts." Hillary rose to the occasion, perhaps too well, telling us that it was sexism. In her words, "sexism was alive and well."

By the eve of the New Hampshire election, Barack was BLACK, and Hillary was a damsel in distress. BLACKS are rejected, damsels in distress get rescued.

Hillary has already been caught staging events, during this election, in order to deceive us. At the CNN hosted debate, she planted a person in the audience to ask her if she preferred, diamonds or pearls. Whose to say she didn't also stage the teary gathering with her sister women, in a setting that couldn't have been a more perfect photo opt, for feminine solidarity, if it had been planned.

According to Hillary's people, both men and women were invited, but by some happenstance, the men just didn't show up. But the camera crews did. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox, and MSNBC were all present, for that little gathering of women. Could someone have known in advance, that there would be tears to remember.

If the men didn't show up for the gathering, as "luck" would have it, they did showed up later, if only to tell Hillary, to "iron (their) shirts." Adding "sexism," to female solidarity, all on the eve of the New Hampshire election.

While Hillary was getting feminized, Barack was getting racialized, compliments of CNN. They crossed the globe to highlight Barack's poor African grandmother, bypassing his middleclass white grandmother, who lives in America, and who raised him.

Then his name began to be accompanied by racializing words and symbols. A Clinton advisor called a vote for Barack the expression of a desire to have a "hip black friend."Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, expanded Barack's name to include his middle name, "Hussein," a name he's never used. Clinton Supporter, Andrew Cuomo, used "shucking and jiving," to describe Barack related press conferencing. Finally, Jack Cafferty of CNN's Cafferty Files, flat out told us that Barack is black. Perhaps he was trying to tell us that Barack is, really BLACK.

Even Bill Clinton got on the racializing bandwagon, while pretending to explain all of that "fairy tail" stuff. In the process he made a racially divisive statement that probably resounded in the ears of some white people, as a call to protect "their own." He said that for African Americans, a vote for Barack Obama is "a source of enormous pride . . ." Signaling that an African American vote for Barack is a vote for racial pride. Inferentially, if African Americans are voting racially, white Americans should do the same . . .

If we're honest, most of us who support Hillary, believe that we're electing Hillary and Bill. That's no reason to elect a president. The first woman elected to the presidency, should be someone who we believe, can do the job on her own.

Another reason not to elect Hillary, she misrepresents women's issues, in order to get what she wants. Who can believe that all of those girlie moments, except for the one she admits was a lie, came about by some cosmic arrangement? Especially when the language and ideas of the perpetrators, look a lot like Hillary's.

In 1992, Hillary derided Tammy Wynette, by associating her with "baking cookies and having teas." Despite public outrage, less than two months later, she again used that phrase, "I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas... "So while she points to some unknown bad men, as trying to put her down in New Hampshire, by making light of the comforting and socializing work that women do. It is highly suspect that her detractors just happened to borrow her idea, that performing traditional female work, diminishes a woman.

The last and most important reason we should not vote for Hillary, she's not comfortable being a woman. The first female president has to be someone like Geraldine Ferraro, who quietly and incisively, cut George Bush off at the knees, when he attempted to condescend to her in a debate, "Don't you dare condescend to me," she said. Meeting sexism head on, even though it was swirling all around her, and no one came to her rescue. Throughout her campaign she was confidantly a woman. She experienced her value, as a woman - without distancing herself from ordinary women, and what they do. A woman cannot stand with dignity before men, unless she's at peace, with being a woman.

While the Clinton era had it's moments, it is now trying to resurrect itself at the expense of the social and emotional growth of the American people. Consequently, the American people should let it rest in peace.

The Clintons selected to use the divisive politics of race and sex, as a tool to reclaim the presidency. Appealing to women to oppose men and whites to oppose blacks. It is time for their era to end.

Finally, the Clintons are creating a dynamic by which the Republicans could win.

Karl Rove is the godfather of the Republican party. When he thought that Hillary was the one to beat, he published an open "Memo to Obama..." telling Barack to use the sexist tactic, of demeaning women, "find a way to gently belittle her . . ." Probably hoping that Barack would weaken her, for them.

But when he saw what a formidable opponent Obama became, he personally whipped out the race card, using the racial triggers of not qualified, lazy, dishonest, not very bright, "(h)e is often lazy, given to misstatements and exaggerations and, when he doesn’t know the answer, too ready to try to bluff his way through." Clearly, Karl Rove wants Hillary to win!

Racial and sexual behavior is to code words and inappropriateness, what salivating in Pavlov's experiment was, to ringing the bell. When people, affected by a racialized and sexualized culture, see the symbols, they move toward the behavior. The beauty of campaign 2008 is that the pressure of this campaign, is forcing the ringmasters out into the open, where people can see whose jumping through the hoops, and whose pulling the strings.

Barack Obama calls on the best of us, and in Iowa we responded with a resounding YES WE CAN! We can overcome the lies and manipulations that have limited us. We can rise to become all that we can be. America is better than the Clintons!

[sirtriz]

Wow. I've never seen so many silly, ignorant comments with warped logic as the reasons why someone won't vote for Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama. Many of these notions construed by the media but have nothing to do with reality.

Those who have such strong aversion to voting for either of these candidates might want to question if you're willing to cut off your nose to spite your face.

[BOSSMAN]

Should people care if our next president is a black person or a woman? NO. The only thing that should matter is if they're qualified for the job and have the potential to bring about a much needed change and uplift to this country. I think the only people that are concerned about this are the people that continue to plague our country with their stupidity! Just because someone isn't a pushing 60 year old white man doesn't mean they're not qualified to be president! Personally I would like to see someone that is young (18-34) become president because that seems like the only generation that wants a change!

And if you're wondering I'm a 29 year old black man; independent.