Is This Election as Black and White as it Seems?

I'm a 24 year old white female from Pennsylvania. Throughout this election I have felt like I would be in hot water if I said how I felt about the race for the presidency because I am white. As much as I hoped race would not become the central issue in the campaign for the White House, I realize now that race plays a key role in this election. While I was reading the news this morning on the campaign, I was bothered by the prevailing thought that Obama could lose based on his race. The polls say the candidates are neck and neck, but many potential voters might be lying about who they will vote for because of underlying racism.

I wish I were color blind. I wish this country was color blind. But we aren't. African Americans want Obama because they want a voice where they feel they have never had one. They are as tired of seeing old white men run the White House as I am. I was routing for Hillary in the beginning and was upset when she lost. But in light of the recent economic crisis, largely caused by Wall Street's dominant Republican white men, I'm considering voting for Obama for the first time in this election. The Republican mantra of "trickle down economics" is a complete failure. In theory, it sounds great. Tax breaks for big companies so that they can pass on the wealth to their employees. In practice, it is compromised by greed and power. If John McCain wins this election, that won't change. He is liberal enough for me to consider voting for but not liberal enough to trust to change the system. If Barrack Obama wins this election, he might be just another politician who will do nothing. But I hope that isn't true. I hope that he really means what he says, that he really does want change in the White House and will work to do it.

McCain made a smart move when he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. He was clearly looking to swing votes over his way from disgruntled Clinton supporters who weren't behind Obama. And it has probably worked. Two months ago people were almost positive Obama had this election in the bag. Now people are worried that this creative and unexpected move by McCain will undermine his chance.

Who will win this election? I can't even begin to predict that answer. Five months ago I thought Giuliani and Clinton would be the nominees. Giuliani was gone before we knew it and the landslide win expected for Clinton never happened.

Race and gender are more important in this election than in any election in our country's history. In the end, I hope people will remember that the man they vote into the White House will be there for at least four years and his skin color will quickly become irrelevant to his performance as our country's leader.