Looking at the landscape of prospective candidates right now, I would probably vote for Obama before everyone else.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I just don't want to see him blamed for the past 8 years this government has done to the US. There's a lot of issues for the next president and I'm not sure if there's a right choice in any of the decisions.
I'd rather him come in with less responsibility, as a VP and gain a better understanding of what it means to be President. Also it gives him 4 years to build a support group around him and strengthen his political network, so when he steps in as President he can actually make a difference.</div>
You make a very good point, Shape. The thing I wonder, though, is this: Do the Dems have a strong enough candidate other than him
this year, so he can become Vice President? I don't know. Other than Hillary Clinton or John Edwards, I don't know who else off the top of my head who would be a viable option for Dems. That means Obama might have to run for President right now, ready or not. I'm no political expert though
As for the gender/race issues, I think that progress is being made; we've now got three Latino Senators, a few black Senators - and Governors - and there are more than a few women in office, too. Who knows? The prospects aren't good on paper, but it appears that we're becoming incrimentally more progressive as a nation, and it could be the right time to at least give it a shot.