While the prospect of having a President who self-identifies as "African American" is pleasing from the standpoint of social progress, the idea that he became president largely in spite of his lack of actual proven ability or sound policy and indeed, largely because of him being a minority is deeply disturbing. The prospect of him suffering a racist-assasination, and as you point out, the consequent turmoil it could cause is even more disturbing.

There are so many expert, experienced, proven, solid leaders of African American identity--fully African American identity. Why did it have to be this glamorous, controversial, left-wing newcomer? I don't think it will serve anyone's best interest if he wins, but if he does, he'll definitely get my full support and best hopes. It would be nice if he did win, and DID prove to be a brilliant reformer and watershed to a new American Golden Age.

But high-risk investments are exactly that: potentially big payoff, potentially big crash.

Or an oil company.......

I must admit the same fears for Obama, we have progressed some little, but this may still be most premature.  But it is an experiment that must be made if the US is to continue progressing.  We have sacrificed many in the name of change and progression.  As have many other countries.

I'm still voting for Rice.  Her intelligence and experience rise far, far above her skin color.  And that would be a "Dream Ticket", and damned hard to defeat, even in assasination.

Tosks fears are also my own.  And terrorist states every where have much to gain and nothing to loose.

Yes and that percentage has to be substantial.  Perhaps you are right that one day this will work but it's not now.  The problem is so many people have different ideas of what it should be like.