From the perspective of August, it seems surprising that anyone could seriously ask whether a woman or a person of color could become president. But last January, as the primaries were getting underway, political observers were asking those questions.
Now the questions seem to be settled. Barack Obama has the nomination of the Democratic Party and had a few things gone differently, it could have been Hillary Clinton.
As historic as this event is, America is late coming to the party. Women have been leading other countries for decades. People of various ethnicities have led other countries as voters accepted candidates that came from different backgrounds.
Americans should celebrate this milestone, but not be too quick to congratulate themselves on their open-mindedness. Even after November, people will still ask if a Jew, a lesbian or a person of Hispanic descent can hold the country's highest office.
America will only become a true example of a democracy when we judge a candidate based only on his or her vision for the country and not on superficial issues.
The next few weeks will tell whether Americans spend more time contrasting the political views of Barack Obama and John McCain or comparing the color of their skin.
-- Jim Grinstead
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