During this past year, when I think of Obama, I can not say that I thought of his skin color when I thought of him. I thought of his words he said, the people he choose to keep in his personal circle. Even when he first came on the stage. It was not even a factor for me.

As the election day got closer, I saw him "as a first black president" only because that was how the media spin turned. McCain was now on the ticket as making history because of the "first woman VP" and Obama, "first black president"

Honestly, without that, it would not have really entered my thinking.

Even Palin, although I saw her as a woman, and definitely different than the usual, I watched how she presented herself, and the things I learned about how she lead her state. So after the initial moment of "woman" I was quickly taken more to the lifestyle and choices and how that fits with my lifestyle and choices. "Woman" too a back seat.

Also, I know this may really seem a foolish comment, but I was a fan of 24 when it first came out. I also loved the character they chose for the president. He was a strong black man. When I first saw the show and him, I immediately thought "wow, they chose a black man for this part" But as the show progressd I liked his character, so his color was not the point any longer. It was what he did. So, in it's media fashion, did it already prepare me to accept a black man in that job? Did it help in taking away the color glasses to view things?

By Kate on Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 11:56 am:

Palin wasn't the first female VP candidate. In 1984 Walter Mondale chose Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. They lost to Reagan and Bush.

By Dana on Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 03:22 pm:

I remember that now. I remember Mondale more than I remember Ferraro.