Obama is a well-spoken, intelligent, concerned leader....who just HAPPENS to be of mixed heritage and a product of several cultures...(mostly American).
   I find this to be of enormous value and relevance when I contemplate him being president and dealing not only with domestic issues, but also with countries and issues around the world! American has been represented by men of one basic color & basic heritage since its beginning, and it's time we represented this 'melting pot' by having a fine leader who IS part of that melting pot! It's a bit like choosing Jackie Robinson to be the first to break the color barrier in baseball....he was GOOD, he was intelligent, and he was willing to absorb the crap until folks got used to him.

   It will be another generation before it will be easy for folks of other cultural backgrounds and 'colors' to be commonly elected to high office with little mention OF their ethnicity or color ..or gender... but Barack Obama is the perfect breakthrough. *IF* he does well and leaves office respected as a trusted, honest and reasonably competent leader, it will be huge leap in this country's ability to gain respect in the world and acknowledge the values of ALL its citizens!

   John McCain, for all his heroic service and attempts to cope, represents the past in many ways, and he shows it in his failure to 'get' what is necessary to lead in these trying times.

I hope be be here in 4...or 8... years to refresh this thread and say "I told you so."

Whoever wins in Nov. is inheriting one HELL of a situation, and it may take several years of the BEST leader & some good luck to dig our way out of this mess....I want Obama to win, buy I don't envy him.