Good points, though I can't help but view voters getting stirred up along racial lines as anything but bad news for the Dems in states like NC.

I was lucky enough to hear Obama speak in NH a few weeks ago. He is fantastically talented and insprirational. He's comfortable with people and with himself. The hype surrounding this man is incredible, although it is a concern that he'll peak too early.

I think that the experience issue is not a huge problem. By 2008, Americans are going to want a fresh and new president. If that's Obama's only problem, then he's in fantastic shape.

The Dems. would be incredibly stupid to nominate Clinton. She is a divisive character and is not well liked. Very few people are genuinely repelled by Obama.

If anything Obama could help the Dems. win states with heavily black populations such as North Carolina or Virginia. He would most definitely activate the black population. I also find it encouraging that young people are particularly motivated and inspired by Obama. This was not the case for Kerry or Gore.

I like Obama a great deal, but he'll be challenged for not having enough experience in government. A lot of people are saying it would be wiser for him to wait until a later date to run (2012 or 2016). I'm not sure how I feel about that...all I know is, if he's on the ballot in 2008, I'll definitely be voting for him! As for him being black, I'd like to think that's a non-issue, but the truth is it isn't. It'll cost him some votes in the South. But heck, a Democrat wouldn't carry the South anyway, so I don't think it would be a big electoral loss.

Hillary...I like her less than him, but unless she was running against an extremely moderate Republican, I would still consider the vote for her a no-brainer.

I'm not terribly excited about the prospect of a black or female president. I think at this point, most Americans genuinely believe the best person for the job should get it (unless, God forbid, they're gay or an Atheist ), and I really think emphasizing how great it is that the new president might be a woman or minority will just make people affirmative-action-style squeamish.