only on the left would it even be plausible for a black candidate to be a presidential contender.

I think that one thing this race might show us is the growing strength of the Hispanic voting bloc, which has the numbers to supplant the aa bloc in political importance.

If Obama is the nominee, I think the question will be whether he's ready to lead, and has the experience to lead the country.

If you're looking at a post-racial society, it occurs to me that the rich/poor dynamic would eventually supercede the black/white dynamic.

Which means that there would be less uniformity amongst the AA voting group.  A low income black person voting republican would be no more surprising than any low income voter.

I know some black republicans that I admire and respect.  They will vote for McCain in the fall and they are not fools and it does take courage for them to vote for McCain.  It takes courage for them to be republicans.

So, I really disagree with the assertion that black conservatives who will vote for McCain are fools and lack courage.  To me, this article is close to calling them an Uncle Tom or a house slave.  So, to me, it is hypocritical and shows that they will be scorned, as the author of this article so unconsciously told me with their own poorly disguised words.

And a reason why black conservatives who help to prop up barriers to progress aren't martyrs but fools.

I think this also says so much for reaching across the political divide.

I know that black people in my community have been scorned for supporting Hillary.  It has been very hurtful to have their friends and church members turn on them because of their choice in candidate.  

Why is it unreasonable for an African-American to support the ideals of the Republicans? Something must have drawn Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, etc. to the party.

Blacks shouldn't be expected to vote for a candidate they think is full of crap just because they share the same skin color.

A lot of fear, uncertainty, and doubt was spread about the clintons early in the campaign--and when that happens people increase the pressure on others to vote as a block.  Without the race-baiting (fear/outrage), I don't think the primaries would have been as bad.  Disclaimer: I'm coming at this from my queer/feminist experiences.

I honestly think many of you have missed the boat and are expressing discriminatory views and double standards for minorities.

What right do you have to demand that minorities vote as minorities?  That voting non-democratic is disloyal or stupid for certain minorities?

By telling minorities that they must vote as minorities you are defining their ethical values for them, limiting their behaviors, and dehumanizing them.  You're also setting them up for easier exploitation because they're a "reliable voting bloc".  And I don't care if you are a minority, you're still dehumanizing individuals in your group by telling them they have no choices but your ethical frame.

On paper, many of these voters should be Republican voters,

That would require a complete shift in the alignment, and it's likely that many more whites would be Democrats, in that case.

I think if you realize that you have a reasonably good chance to get your party's nomination, and you realize that this candidacy had added importance because of the historic nature of electing the first African American, you have a responsability to only run if you believe you can win the general.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Voting on the basis of race, gender, or religion as a core issue is morally suspect for me.

I don't mind soeone preferring Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama on the basis of a difference in character. The race (for me) seems to be boiling down to issues of character. And it dramatically close.

In my heart I may be judging Hillary negatively on the basis of gender. I think about it but I keep moving back to issues of values. She's a cold judgmental and calculating politician (for me) and frankly I don't think she has run enough campaigns to see that this won't play well with democracts. They tend to value empathy and vision.

In 35 years she has only run for office twice, I think and she is learning a hard lesson against this young visionary, charismatic upstart. We don't know what he will do once he's elected but we believe it will be different. Like Jimmy Carter... different is enough.

I don't think he could possibly be as poor an executive as Carter or his campaign wouldn't have been so effective.

Let's see how the next few primaries go and keep the conversation going.

I'm not getting it. Wills makes the claim 'blacks are socially conservative' and the only evidence he offers is the BS that they're socially conservative because they go to church.

A) there is no equation between people going to church and being socially conservative or republican. Anyone who knows and follows the teachings of Jesus would draw exactly the opposite conclusion, that church-goers should be the most tolerant, liberal people on Earth... not the oppressers, accusers, and intolerant hags in America that are pawned off as people of faith in the republican, US corporate media hype.  

B) there is no evidence that I'm aware of, and certainly no evidence offered by Wills that Blacks go to church more than any other group in America. Based on the lack of opportunity to Black children and families in inner cities and rural areas, and all the difficulty for steady family life that portends, I'd be real surprised if Blacks had a higher than average church-going rate.

Blacks have been steady Democrats because republicans have been doing Blacks dirty for a very long time. Period.

But never conflate - it's very risky to conflate the candidates with race or gender. You can be a white male and run for presidency and fail, and that particular president has failed, and we move on. If you run on your color or on your gender and you fail, then it's all black people who fail as presidents, weren't - not good enough--

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not [vote for a person because of] the color of [his] skin but by the content of [his] character.