It still borders on racism. I'm not sure why it is important to "open the door to other black politicians" in this way.

Either someone is qualified or they are not. Would you take your children to a black doctor if you knew he got into, and graduated from, medical school because someone "opened a door" for him instead of demanding that his skill and ability were up to standards? No. He dilutes the accomplishments and cast suspicions upon other black doctors who are categorized by their skin color (not necessarily ignorantly so, in this case).

Anyone who voted for Obama based on his skin color rather than policies they feel are beneficial, runs the risk of closing the door to black politicians if his disagreeable policies fail.

As for Jesse Jackson, too true. I'd vote for James Earl Ray if it would make Jesse Jackson stop his perpetual campaign of stirring racism for profit.

If Obama can pull America out of the the holes it has currently dug itself into, he can go down in history as a great president. Let's hope he does it for the sake of all Americans, not just hyphenated ones.

He is the guy who told me he didn't really support much of Obama's policies but was going to vote for him anyway because he felt that by America having its first black President it will open the door for other black politicians seeking higher office as well. The analogy he used was when Art Shell in 1989 became the first black head coach of the modern NFL era. Back then it was a big deal, but now the NFL has a number of black NFL head coaches and is no longer an uncommon thing to see. I see nothing racist about this at all.

He also felt the election of Obama is also a sign to the black community that America is not as racist as often portrayed which dillutes the influence of people like Jesse Jackson which this guy cannot stand.

He had plenty more to say, but this is the jist of his argument which I think is in no way racist.

OMG, GI, I can't believe you said that.

You have found it to be "understandable" that people don't agree with a politician's position yet support him simply based on his skin color?

Would it then be "understandable" to not agree with lynching but still support the KKK because they are white? Nazis? Jane Fonda?

You would think all that EO training would highlight that racism is never "understandable" or acceptable and should be pointed out and criticized whenever noticed; and not "understood".

Or is some racism more acceptable than others?

Obama's talk of the F-22 reductions is a horrible idea, as is his refusal to militarize space, which will set us back years against China. They're not a threat yet, but someday they may be.

Breaking down the wall between the Pentagon and NASA would be a good start, on the other hand.

Hopefully he keeps trending back toward the center with his appointments. Whatever happens, the military will not vote 50%+1 for this man in 2012. We have real conservatives who understand the foreign policy challenges of today ready to go.