Oh... Americans will not vote for a woman or a black man. It is not that the Americans have baggage it is that women and black men have too much gender and race baggage still that they are carrying around.
It wouldnt be because they are black, or women (or both)-- It's just that most nationally-known members of these 2 groups are flaming liberals, and more importantly, NEVER stop reminding us that they ARE in fact, black, or female (or both)--Not-so-subtly implying that their loyalties are ONLY to these groups. Being a middle-class white guy, WHY would I vote for Maxine Waters or Charles Rangel, or John Conyers or Barbara Mikulski or Shillary? I would rightly conclude that my interests are going to be skewered in favor of their narrow interests. Having said that, Colin Powell would PROBABLY be president right now, had he chosen to run--he is who he is, but he is an american first, not a black man first (Condi rice probably in same category, but she hates politics--obviously a smart chick)
(edit) fergot Michael Steele, a black man who WOULd be the Republican senator from Maryland right now had he switched parties to Dem-- The Washington Post trashed him continously for the last year, as well as the 'African-American' segment of our political world. He committed a crime, which was to be a black man in the Gop--As it was, he nearly won
