Is America ready for a minority president? Options

[MiSSxMELON]

The 2008 election marks a milestone in history - minorities are running for presidency. There's the woman - Hillary Clinton, and the African-American - Barack Obama. We have never had a woman or a minority in office. Is America ready for it? Or should things stay the way they have been? Some argue that if a woman is president, then other countries - specifically those that look down on women - will lose respect for America. Others argue that it's about time for some major changes; we need reform!

What do you think?

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

I don't think someone's gender or race should implicate their ability to run for, an achieve a position in, office. I think it's been proven in our history of presidents (Nixon comes to mind) that even if you are a white male with previous background in law that it doesn't mean you'll make a good leader.

Race or gender doesn't determine if you can lead a country. And I'd hope that if we had a good leader other countries wouldn't have an issue with it. I think that they'd use it more as an excuse to have an issue.

[HakunaMatata]

I don't think someone's gender or race should implicate their ability to run for, an achieve a position in, office. I think it's been proven in our history of presidents (Nixon comes to mind) that even if you are a white male with previous background in law that it doesn't mean you'll make a good leader.

Race or gender doesn't determine if you can lead a country. And I'd hope that if we had a good leader other countries wouldn't have an issue with it. I think that they'd use it more as an excuse to have an issue.

Ah, I agree, but if only it was true. I guarentee that hundreds of thousands of people will vote for Clinton or Obama solely because of their gender or ethnicity. It's upsetting and true.

How many countries left in the world would look down on America for having a female president? Only a handful at most, so I doubt that that's a credible concern. And as far as a minority, yes, we're ready. But why should it matter? Like Dee's said, just because they are a female or a minority it doesn't guarentee failure or success as a President

[MiSSxMELON]

I guarentee that hundreds of thousands of people will vote for Clinton or Obama solely because of their gender or ethnicity.

That's one of the predicted outcomes - maybe a higher percentage of Americans will vote in 2008 to get a woman/minority in office OR to keep them out. Although Clinton&Obama might "encourage" more Americans to vote, I do not see it as a positive thing because they would be voting for the wrong reasons (gender/race).

How many countries left in the world would look down on America for having a female president? Only a handful at most, so I doubt that that's a credible concern.

I think we should not underestimate other countries opinions on America. Yes, we are a very powerful country, and yes there are countries who already do not like us, but it's still important to look at the possible outcomes. Best scenario? We inspire other countries to be more like us, and we evoke change. However that's unlikely for countries that view women as inferior because of religion. Worst scenario? More countries join the ones that already dislike us, creating a greater rift in the UN, etc. America is sort of "shunned", so to speak.

It's established, of course, that the quality of a president does not rely on the person's gender or race. I think the real question now is the impact it would have on the rest of the world.