[UGAalum94]

I think there might be a lot of people who won't vote for those particular two, and I'll be prepared for a lot of accusations of sexism or racism if they fail to be elected.

But I think most people would vote for an African American or a women who reflected their political positions.

For instance, a lot of people from across the spectrum would have voted for Colin Powell.

And I think a lot of conservatives would have voted for Ward Connorly or Alan Keyes (although I think he's gone to far right now and seems a little freaky).

Of course there are a lot of people who wouldn't, but nobody would probably frame the people who wouldn't as racists, but I think if Obama loses the south, it will blamed on racism as opposed to his actual positions being too far left.

And if Hilary crashes in the red states, it's because she's freaking Hilary not because she's female.

As far as women, Elizabeth Dole was at one point, I think, electable at that level and may still be. Or Condolezza Rice maybe although I don't think she can fake the warmth that she'd have to. (I don't think she's any colder that H. Clinton or E. Dole, but they can play the role that American voters want to see better I think.) And this is an absurd example for obvious reasons, but I think a big section of the right would have voted for Margaret Thatcher had it been possible.

People ARE prepared to vote on the issues and leadership, rather than race or gender, but Clinton and Obama aren't going to pick up too many Republican moderates, I don't think.

(Oddly, I think they may pick up some hard right conservatives who might not vote for Republicans again for a long time. I think they are mighty angry and want to punish the party.)

In regard to AlphaFrog's question, at this point, it's a question of which party is even less competent than the other incompetent party. I don't think either is capable of pro-active strategy.

In the last election cycle one party put forth John Kerry and the other George Bush. Could it get worse? You wouldn't initially think so, but I bet you it can.

(Who would bother to go to the polls in a Giuliani vs. Clinton election outside of New York? How different are their actual positions, other than attitude toward Marc Rich?)