What Will Decide Obama’s National Political Fate?

I seriously doubt that one softball interview at this point will tip the election irrevocably in one direction or the other. Now, if it were an interview with Jon Stewart...as I've said before, I would pay to see that.

I think it's true that race is a factor.

It also seems impossible to talk about it.

It's good to see someone talk about it, because it IS going to be a factor. When Obama makes the observation that some folks will be frightened to vote for him because he doesn't look like traditional presidents, he is accused of playing the race card, which is just more outright Orwellian absurdity. In addition to those white folks in the article who said they could never vote for a black for president, I have a friend who is a truck driver. He said he hears crap every day from other truck drivers who say the same thing and worse. And of course there are the more subtle forms of rascism and code words and phrases that send the message in other ways. So yes, rascism is alive and unwell, and it will be a factor - mostly among older voters - apparently. I have a theory that many folks who are that ignorant might also be too apathetic to actually vote. This is my hope. Tomorrow I get my Obama yard sign..

Obama could overcome anything if he chose a key issue of social woes that affect all and ran with it. The GOP is vulnerable. All he has to do is hit them in their soft spot and the election is his.

When it's all boiled down, I do believe race is the only issue that can defeat Sen. Obama. We'll hear about national security, moose hunting, ageism, sexism, experience, elitism, etc., but oddly enough, that's all ephemeral, if not in some cases outright dog whistling. Race is the singular underlying tension and no, it can't be honestly or accurately weighed, polled or even discussed.

Certainly "racism" will be at the forefront of cried excuses if Obama loses, no matter what the facts are.

Agreed Mike. At least Obama is well ahead in electoral vote projections. After what happened in 2000 I would find a certain entertainment value in hearing fools like Rush and ilk rail against the evils of the electoral college if McCain were to win the popular vote and Obama the electoral vote.

(yes, I realize my 2000 scenario doesn't take into account the actions of the USSC)