It's absurd to argue that being a member of a 12% minority group is an advantage. Look at just about every country in the world that has free elections and rarely will you ever find a member of a small minority as Prime Minister or President.

Why do you think that is? Because by-and-large people will vote their ethnic affiliation (just look at Iraq's elections for an example). The fact that people will vote outside their ethnic group in this country is a testament to how far we've come, but let's not fool ourselves. There are more people who will vote against Obama than for him based on their ethnic preference.

The editorial board of the National Post (ca) asks: Would a White Obama Have a a Chance?

Jonathan Kay I see that the National Post put Geraldine Ferraro's comments about Obama on today's front page: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman [of any colour], he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

I agree that Ferraro was dumb to say this: She is a member of Hillary Clinton's campaign finance committee, and her comments thereby complicate life for the Clintons, who have already been accused of "playing the race card." But optics and political strategy aside, I'm having a hard time disagreeing with the substance of Ferraro's comments. The fact is, she's right. Check out the March 9 front-page New York Times story "Obama in Senate: Star Power, Minor Role," which nicely summarizes how Obama has done nothing much as a federal legislator. He's spent most of his time burnishing his image.

Yes, he is a good orator, and has a powerful message of "change" -- but even that message is tied up with his race. For many of his supporters, nothing could be more emblematic of a "changed" America than one in which a black man makes history by becoming president. I agree that this would be an inspiring turn of events. But does anyone on this editorial board believe that a first-term senator from Illinois who had all Obama's qualities -- but was white and named Joe Blow -- would be the frontrunner to become the Democratic nominee for president?

From the New York Times article linked above:

Outside Washington, Mr. Obama was a multimedia sensation -- people offered free tickets to his book readings for $125 on eBay and contributed thousands of dollars each to his political action committee to watch him on stage questioning policy experts.

But inside the Senate, Mr. Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, was 99th in seniority and in the minority party his first two years. In committee hearings, he had to wait his turn until every other senator had asked questions. He once telephoned reporters himself to draw attention to his amendments. And some senior colleagues were cool to the newcomer, whom they considered naïve.

Determined to be viewed as substantive, Mr. Obama kept his head down, declining Sunday talk show invitations for his first year, and consulted Senate elders for advice. He was cautious -- even on the Iraq war, which he had opposed as a Senate candidate. He voted against the withdrawal of troops and proposed legislation calling for a drawdown only after he was running for president and polls showed voters favoring it.

And while he rightly takes credit for steering through an ethics overhaul that reformers called a "gold standard," like most freshmen he did not play a significant role in passing much other legislation and disappointed some Democrats for not becoming a more prominent voice in other important debates.

Ferraro didn't say "being black is an advantage." She merely observed - quite correctly - that he is only in the position he is in today because he happens to be black. If he were merely a white freshman Senator with speaking ability, charisma, and ambition, he would be . . . John Edwards in 2004. No fawning media talking about how he "transcends race," no record-breaking fundraising, very few party elders signing onto his campaign.

Edwards finished a poor, flagging second in the primaries - and only that well after Dean and Gephardt had self-destructed.

"13 % of Americans think Obama is a Muslim. 44% weren't sure what he is according to a wsj nbc poll)..I guess many of you for the Clinton side will say that is advantage...Listen he has got enormous demographic disadvantages..Fifty seven percent of Democrats are women, and they have never even had a female presidential candidate before and Hillary has the name all things Clinton, and she is losing to someone who more people mistake as a Muslim than there are African Americans in America, plus Hispanic and and Asians are very predisposed against him.

He is doing all of that with the name, Barack Hussein Obama (I suppose having a name close to America's two greatest enemies is another advantage for Barack for the Clintonites). In spite of everything that he had no control of he is doing so well because he is the most interesting, gifted politician to come along in decades but most of you are too cynical (I'm being generous) to recognize that.

You are used to Anglo Saxon politicians like Bush, Spitzer, McCain, either of the Clintons with volcanic tempers (Hillary probably the least of that lot)all with SECOND CLASS TEMPERMENTS, and Obama has a better mind and his ego in check than any of them. Most everyone who works for the other lot all call them disagreeable, and those for Obama say he is polite and a gentlemen..No wonder America is the state it is and may vote McCain who was nicknamed McNasty or Hillary Clinton the most divisive politician in decades into the White House. Resume regular programming excoriating Obama.

Here is the link for my previous comment on the poll. And these were registered voters presumbly the smart ones.

For once in her life Ferraro told the truth and was right. See how the dhimmi's gods crucify her for it. The can't stand the truth or wouldn't know it if it bit them on the arse.

Ferraro s comments were out of line because Obama is not running as the Black candidate..he is running on the issues and how he will act on them. for example like no mandates for healthcare,, that is a veiw I agree with , that has nothing to do with his skin color,,,the clintons just want everyone to talk about race,,they point to the high percentage of blacks that vote for Obama but how many white women are voting for Hillary ...??????same percentage maybe ....IM glad they called out Ferraro on her comments. I didnt vote for her when she ran for vice president,, and im an Italian American just like her ,, and I still didnt vote for.....whats that called Geraldine ????