Good question Karen. I'm not sure who decided that this is so, but it's that way 100% of the time. Maybe, someday, there won't be any labels except maybe - American. Unfortunately I don't think we'll ever see that.

I agree. The only analogy I can think of is your last name which is what people hear.  Your mother might have been Italian but if your father was Irish, you are percieved as Irish.  Similarly, because he has black features he is percieved as black.  I guess there is also the issue of religion.  Ronald Reagan was born to a Catholic father and a Protestant mother but raised Protestant so that is how he is remembered.  But as an Irish Catholic, I still count him.  LOL  

Probably goes back to the pre-Civil War days when a person was not considered "white" if they were as little as 1/8 African heritage.

For Sen. Obama, he himself identifies with the African American community. 

Some think he is too black, others think he isn't black enough...doesn't matter what he calls himself, he will be criticized no matter what. 

Lenn probably has the historical angle correct. It is also comes down from the British practice of calling anybody of certain mixed heritage "colored" or "blacks". Unfortunately, we, as a society, continue that same practice.

Personally, I would rather see us focus on the potential President, who happens to be black, rather than the first black president. Until we can get past the first black president, or the first woman president, or the first Mormon president (we already had a Catholic president) I don't believe the nation is ready for either.

BTW, I am not a republican, never have been, I used to be a Democrat, but not for over 20 years. I vote the issues, not the party.

I live in the south where race is and always will be a big issue and here's why I think that.

The news media prays on controversy. If you watch any news station in Atl., any night of the week, there will be a race based story. It's what sells, just like scandals in Washington or the Movie Stars.

Most people like to put someone below themselves because they somehow think it makes them look better.

As far as Obama, he goes to a predominately black church and cateres to them to get thier vote. I don't say this in a negative light it's just a fact. Hillary catered to Women, McCain is trying to play the middle, He's not conservative by conservative standards and he's not liberal by liberal standards.

I watch the show on MSNBC every morning Squak Box. Just to see what the financial world is thinking. Most think a liberal president will be bad for the economy.

Bottom line it's not color at all to me, it's protect America and have an economy that allows for us the entrepenuers to be sucessful trying to be independant and create our own jobs and our own security.

Ok I have to quit before the post gets like a Novel.

Jim,

You know it!!! Hope you mother is OK.

Brian,

Thats scary, as mine is still my ex-husbands.

Lenn,

Great point...and his wife (I believe) is also a black woman...not sure of her heritage.

Ah, yes, the good ole Civil War...I know that...I raised my children in Gettysburg, PA...

Sharon,

Both parties will be criticized...it's just part of being a political figure. Goes with the territory.

Mike,

I agree, however, I am a Republican.  I do however, believe that McCain has the experience...I believe I understand that Obama has only been a Senator for 2 years???

McCain is dry...but I would trust him with the USA more than the other choice right now.

Dale,

I understand, please feel free to verbalize here. In the south...it's a different ball game!