would race have been a bigger deal if someone like

[freepcrusher]

Ron Dellums was the democratic nominee for president? For Obama, race didn't play that big of a role as he was only half black and personality wise wasn't that "black" (by "black" I mean Jesse Jackson black). But if it was someone who was more "black" like Ron Dellums or Mickey Leland who was running for president, would race have been a bigger deal?

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Perhaps the point is that Obama had much diffrent image than traditional African American politicians, such as Dellums, Jesse Jackson, etc. etc.

See, when Jackson was running, he was viewed as some kind of a sectarian Black candidate. While Obama was not seen just as a representative of a Black population.

[Badger]

Perhaps the point is that Obama had much diffrent image than traditional African American politicians, such as Dellums, Jesse Jackson, etc. etc.

See, when Jackson was running, he was viewed as some kind of a sectarian Black candidate. While Obama was not seen just as a representative of a Black population.

Exactly. Hence, Obama won.

Personally, I always expected the first black president to be a conservative. Someone with a tough military background. Even rednecks have long warmed to the Hollywood stereotype of the tough as nails black drill sergeant who deep deep down just cares about his troops. Kind of an Allen West type (without the war crimes or craziness that is).