M.Ted ..... thank you for the summary of my reasons for starting such a dubious thread.
I am amazed that without knowing me you can presume to know what I am thinking.

The question had nothing to do with my own views but was an attempt to get a cross section of views from people at the sharp end (so to speak).
Many have done that and I thank them for it.

Some (like yourself) have been very defensive as if to deny past attitudes and history.

Your question is "dubious" because it is not really a question, it is an editorial comment on how you view America--it is a weakly veiled way of saying "How can you have an African-American President when you're all such racists?"
These are your words and your thoughts --- not mine

f America weren't ready for Obama, 17.5 million people would not have voted for him already in the primaries, and he wouldn't be he is right now--
But how many did not/would not vote for him?

our question is "dubious" because your country faces the same, and perhaps even greater issues related to the inclusion of ethnic/cultural/racial minorities in government, and starting a discussion about whether "American is ready..." is a way of pretending that you are above and beyond it all.
I am very aware of my countries shortcomings in this area and I am in no way pretending that the UK is different.
Start a thread about it and I will give you my views in detail, should you would be interested to hear them,.