[ElProximo]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Under the rules of segregation in America in the fifties and apartheid in South Africa they used to put up signs saying 'Whites' and 'non-whites'. There were no other distinctions and certainly non for mixed race people .

Very few places in the USA had signs saying 'Whites' and 'Non-Whites'.

Under those rules the only thing that mattered was if you were fully white. It may well be racist to downplay Obama white background but that how it used to be. Back in the day no one cared how non-white he was they just cared that he was not white.

That is definitely not the case if you listen to Americans (black or white) who are old enough to remember there were tremendous distinctions made between 'light-skinned blacks' and then dark-skinned blacks. In some parts of the USA there were serious cultural divides. You can even read of the 'paper bag' tests at various clubs and bars where one had to be no darker than a paper bag.

Regarding his popularity, I thought his approval rating had shot up after he had Bin Laden killed? I think he is quite popular across the board particularly when compared to all the Republican jokers who are likely to run againt him next year.

He had a boost with Bin Laden but then again people (rightly or wrongly) also seem to associate the original mission and even the military men as a 'Bush' cause. Not that it hurt Obama either.

But he is not popular across the board. He has low approval ratings and I'm not sure why you are saying 'compared to the Republican jokers' because they may not have a 'Messiah' prepared and preordained like Obama was by Democrats,
but,
they have strong players like Herman Cain and Santorum though Christie could be a real big (no pun intended) big deal IF he did run.

I'd say this.. IF (and we have to see how they develop yet) but IF you got a Cain-Christie run against Obama?
Are you REALLY sure Obama would be safe? I'd suggest Cain sends Obama home like a Principal expelling a bad student.