Race, Age and Sex in a Historical Presidential Election

This historical presidential election can be compared to a New York Times, or Amazon.com best selling novel. It could be made into an Oscar award winning movie with riveting characters. The topics of race, sex and age always stir people's blood to a boiling point. It's difficult to maintain civilized conversation whenever these particular themes are brought up, even within your own group of personal associates.

Barack Obama's the first African-American presidential candidate. John McCain's our senior citizen candidate, and Hillary Rodham Clinton's the first female ex-presidential candidate. Together they embody all of these enthralling subjects. John McCain recently selected his running mate, the first female vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. Barack Obama bypassed Hillary Clinton and selected Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. With the present media attention on Sarah Palin, some may wonder if Barack Obama's campaign will be focused on running against Sarah Palin?

This year's election campaign is turning out to be quite spellbinding, an eye popping firework show. A record breaking number of citizens decided to register to vote, with an even greater number of citizens expected to turn out to vote this upcoming November. You can't go anywhere without hearing people adamantly express their personal opinions on the two candidates and their running mates.

Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, has citizens all out cheering for him and his motto of change. On the other hand, some people are also raging against his lack of experience and his campaigning flubs. Either way you view it, people do acknowledge this first African-American presidential candidate as a symbol of how far blacks have progressed in conquering racial barriers. Barack Obama has exhibited this by being someone who had a simple dream and a drive to succeed, and with this you have the opportunity to accomplish anything you desire. What an excellent representation he presents for young people to admire and hold up as a black leader. A hero can be someone other than a sports or music star.

The matter of his lack of experience or the question on whether he has the ability to lead this country may be an issue to many, but the fact is by him just achieving this major forward step, he's managed to forever alter our country's history. His candidacy will affect our country's future and affect how other countries perceive us. Our children will be reading history textbooks and have a possible question on a test asking, "What is the name of the first African-American presidential candidate?" Barack Obama's particular name also stirred up controversy concerning his heritage. Besides being considered the first black man to achieve the position of a Democratic presidential candidate, he also can be considered the first to be biracial, having a black father and white mother. Racism is being discussed in public forums now. Can the fact he's a black man be ignored and can he be seen as a man with just the proper qualifications? Also the election of Barack Obama as a presidential candidate should curtail major reasons for someone to utter, "I can't," blaming it on the color of their skin. Expectations and achievements are possible for everyone, no matter what your upbringing arises from.

John McCain, the Republican candidate, happens to be a senior citizen, age seventy two. His campaign's partly based on justifying the fact you don't need to retire into the background and recline in a rocking chair in a nursing home due to age. He's facing questions of his age suitability with a superb wit and determination. "Age brings wisdom," they say, along with maturity. His military background and the fact he was a prisoner of war are prominent issues he discusses in his campaign ads, along with explanations of his physical disabilities derived from being tortured. Can age and the state of your health determine whether you're fit to be a candidate? Is there a maximum age where laws should infer a candidate is too old to offer our country anything and are no longer capable to lead our country? Supreme Court judges remain in their positions until they decide to retire without an age limitation. With people living longer and in a healthier state, senior citizens can continue to work and fulfill important roles in society. Can a senior citizen's morals and beliefs because of the era they were raised in affect a candidate's chance in winning an election? These are just a few questions being addressed for the first time due to John McCain's senior citizen classification.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's shown the world she's resilient enough to stand up and perform a job primarily considered to be a male dominated field. Politics were intended to be a private gentleman's club at one time. Hillary's a hero for women and young girls alike, for women who still believe we're considered second class citizens. Women who've struggled for years within the workforce attempting to obtain praise, equality, and financial security, all benefits men acquire, can finally believe they're able to obtain any career, and be capable as any man. Any women who have the inclination to do so can now stand in the trenches alongside men as their equals, earning the respect they deserve. This election campaign emphasizes the fact women can hold jobs and also raise their families, even though men are never questioned on balancing family with their service to their country. Men who still believe a woman's emotional condition can hinder them in a role of power can back away from this archaic idea, because being female and a prominent leader is definitely not considered to be a hindrance. These issues have been addressed by Hillary Clinton, even if she missed her mark this time. She still fought a courageous battle against those who didn't believe it was possible for a female to move up to the role of the highest political office in our country.

Now, John McCain's selected Sarah Palin, presently the governor of Alaska, a wife and a mother. He decided she was qualified enough to be the best candidate for his running mate. Even if he's considered to be conservative in his beliefs he still believes a woman can fulfill the role of vice president. There are questions to why he's chosen a woman, thoughts on wondering if he's trying to achieve votes by theoretically replacing Hillary, a strong drawing power with women.

The media is again questioning whether a woman in power can properly care for her family and perform her job duties. This is totally a sexist question because no male candidate has ever been questioned regarding their capabilities to be employed in the highest office in the country and also raise their family. Can men and women work alongside each other in high powered positions even if our thought processes and the manner we handle situations differ at times? Is this specific woman vice-presidential candidate experienced enough to take up the reins and handle it to the best of her ability if something should happen to the presidential candidate if they take office? Some of these questions may have been raised before when women initially stepped outside their homes to join the work force. Now women are gladly moving up into positions of high power in our government and achieving.

We should consider whether our decision to select a presidential candidate will be based on sex, age and race? Can we ignore outside representation and just study a candidate's beliefs and qualifications? Again can citizens vote regardless of a black man, a senior citizen or a woman? For the first time these topics are out there all at once as we deliberate on our personal voting decision this November. No matter what occurs during this campaign or the eventual outcome, this presidential election will definitely be forever considered a historical one.

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