Re-worded!Does The Color Of Obama Dark Vs Light Skin Matter?

This illustrates the problem with generalizations. Dark skin being frightening to white people?  Really?  It just hasn't been my personal experience that this is true.  

As far as "forgetting" someone's appearance ot not noticing it, is that possible to do?  Do I "forget" that Hillary is a woman when I look at her?  No.  Do I compare my complexion with Hillary and see if she and I would align politically? Definitely not. Do I look at a black person and "forget" their hair is black or eyes are brown, or that their complexion is different from mine?--not anymore than I look at a man and notice he looks different from me. Do I get out a color chart to determine if we are politically aligned?  Definitely not.  Why would I and why would I wish to "forget "  or try not to notice someone's appearance?  Even if it were possible not to note another person's appearance, it simply is a non-matter, beyond characteristics of appearance.

You know who scares me?  People like GWB who are inept leaders.  And leaders who fail to honor their commitment to represent the constituency who put them in office.

Does appearance matter to me in deciding yay/nay for a political candidate? No.  Does platform, belief systems, record, integrity, leadership, political ideology?  Absolutely.  When I go to the polls, I don't look for a picture of the candidate on my ballot; I do my homework and do my utmost to vote for the person who I believe is most fit for the job based on their political record, platform, and integrity.  When I vote for our court judges or for county clerks, I most often have not seen a picture of these candidates.  When I vote by proxy for board members and other leaders, I generally have not seen their photos. But you can bet I have studied their rulings, their public voting patterns, their representation of citizens, and their ideology. And when I encounter a person in life, I don't take out a mental color card and compare their complexion to see if we can speak to each other or work together or become friends.

I really pity anyone, regardless of their race or appearance , who is so shallow that they would miss an opportunity to make the best decision possible because the candidate's appearance is different than their own.  Unfortunately, shallow people come in all shades of the "mental color card" and such stupidity and ignorance is still present in the world.   I'm certainly not interested in claiming that kind of stupidity for my own.

I understand your question and do partially agree with the "shade" of dark-dark skinned black men (or women) being an issue of acceptance in society.  I have noticed over the last few years that it does appear as though society is more readily to accept an African-American man or woman if their skin is a lighter shade of black.  Maybe that is their way of saying they are now "less-prejudiced"...Unfortunately, there will always people who are so shallow to form opinions about a person's character by the color (shade) of their skin, or their general appearance, whether black, white, brown, red, or yellow skinned.  As Amore has indicated, we should ALL do our homework before we vote at the polls and make our decisions based on how we believe the candidate will serve our nation, their integrity, their values, their beliefs, and if they are respected by the people.   Respect is not an automatic characteristic one gets for free, it comes by hard work and diligence, and  has to be earned by the individual.

I don't believe, at least not in my generation, that the black man has "scared" White America.   In my generation, White America doesn't even exist.  I realize what you're saying, but America is made up of a hodge podge of races, nationalities, colors, religions, etc.  I don't believe America even was on a quest for forgiveness of their past mistakes.  Speaking literally, one can't forget that Obama is black.  I still believe it's qualities and experience that makes the better candidate and hopefully the best next president.

I don't think it matters because look at the diverse group of people when he does rallies and speaches.

I need to ask a question about your question. What does skin color have to do with it or even what sex you are. We should vote for the best candidate for what their values are and how those values line up with our own.

What is important to you in a president?