Re: Re: Re: Do you think Americans are most likely to elect...
 

I think that Colin Powell, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, or Sen. Leiberman could potentially become the President.

1. An ethnic minority
2. A non-Christian
3. A female
4. A homosexual person
5. Someone who is (relatively) poor

Which candidate has the best chance for the Presidency?

1. someone who is (relatively)poor - I don't think this is such a big deal. Yes, you have to have financial backing to run for President, but as for it being an issue among constituents, I don't think it would be.
2. someone from an ethnic minority - Colin Powell!!!
3. a female - So I'm biased, but I think a woman should be President at some point :) As long as it isn't Hillary Clinton, that is. ;) Can we say Elizabeth Dole?
4. a non-Christian - It depends on what type of "non-Christian" they are. But I find it unlikely that they would be elected (especially in the South)
5. a homosexual person - I personally do not think this will EVER happen.

Who's more likely to win a presidential election in America?

This is totally interesting. I agree that if money weren't a requirement to fund a campaign, then a poor person would do well. However, being realistic, this is how I see it:

In order of likeliest:
1. Ethnic minority- most likely only if they are black and christian
2. & 3. (tie) non-Chrisitan or female- I think they both have strong groups that would support them. However, I know a lot of religions think women shouldn't be leaders.. so those people who were stricter, so to speak, would have to choose between someone that shouldn't be a leader and someone with different religious beliefs- both offensive to them I imagine.
4.Homosexual- as long as they kept it pretty much under wraps. I think there are too many people in this country that are threatened by them and/or think that homosexualty is inherently evil.
5.Poor-again, only because they don't have the immediate funding to finance their campaign.

Disclaimer: I don't hold any of the above beliefs, but I know many Americans, unfortunately, do

That all being said, I had this great friend in college. My other friends and I would always tell her she was going to be the first female president & the first black president. (And she'd make a damn good president!). I recently got together with some friends, and she came up in conversation - she has a Master's, spent some time in Africa, and is now working on her Ph.D. from what I gathered. And we all still agree that one day we're going to flip on our TV and see her announcing that she's running for president! So when you see Sayo's name on that ballot, vote for her! :D (Did I mention she's also a fine member of Alpha Kappa Alpha?)

1. By poor, I assumed we were discussing the upbringing--Bill Clinton as opposed to the Bushes--and all that comes with being born and raised in upper-class society. Since we have had a President from humble beginnings in very recent history, a "relatively poor" president is more likely.
2. Non-Christian--but only Jewish. No Eastern religions or atheism.
3. Woman--but probably white, from an upper-class background. Think Senator Clinton.
4. Ethnic minority--but probably from an upper-class background, and probably conservative in political viewpoints. Military background is a plus.
5. Homosexual.Too many damned homophobes.

As much as I would like to think that our country is accepting of any and all diversity, I don't think we're going to have a Buddhist
Vietnamese Lesbian President in our lifetimes--even if she is loaded. The feasibility of a President who is outside of our norm--upper-class, white, Christian heterosexual male--will only be so when he/she conforms to most of that norm.

i think they would elect a woman, followed by a minority.

i don't ever foresee a gay president, or even a jewish president.

i wish another catholic would run. jfk was one of the best presidents we ever had