In the grand scheme of things, why do race, gender or age even matter when it comes to choosing a candidate for President?

Voting for or against a candidate because he/she shares/does not share some trait, characteristic or immutably inherent fact of existence is not only wrong its silly; the single, guiding consideration should be simply "can this candidate lead effectively and morally"? If the answer is "yes", then please support that candidate; if not, find another candidate for whom to work.

Sexism, racism, ageism or any other ism be damned. We need the best PERSON as President...period.

With the extended Democratic contest, I've discovered that:

1) Barack Obama's church and pastor are anti-white and anti-American. If he disagreed with Rev. Wright's polemics and positions, why didn't he either speak up or get up and leave? Obviously, he must agree with the Rev Wright.

2) Barack Obama disses small town Americans as "clinging to" religion, guns and an antipathy toward anyone different and "bitter". How demeaning, simplistic and divisive can one get? And, just how big a stick with which to beat Democrats has he just handed the NRA and Religious Right with that verbal diarrhea?

3) Barack Obama publicly disses Hillary Clinton for having a shot and a beer with the working-class voters of Pennsylvania. Just last month, Senator Obama hoisted a beer or two with the same kind of white, working-class guys in Pennsylvania. Can he possibly be any more hypocritical?

4) Barack Obama claims to be a "new kind of Democrat". His financial relationship with disgraced money-man Tony Rezko makes one wonder exactly what kind of quid-pro-quo is afoot in the Chicago burbs between the two.

5) He constantly whines that Hillary plays dirty with the facts while his campaign honcho...Mr. Plouffe...follows the Rove playbook chapter and verse.

That 44% of Clinton supporters who will not support Barack Obama under any circumstances grows exponentially daily. And, who is to blame for that? Barack Obama and his minions.

Chew on that, Obamatons.

You've simply reinforced what I...and, a bunch of others...have been saying for months: neither Hillary or Barack will have enough delegates come convention-time to put it away. Therefore, the back-and-fourth of "Hillary-is-a-biotch" or "Barack-is-a-conniver" simply plays into the hands of the Republican attack machine manipulators for the fall elections. I do, however, have an opinion on why I support one candidate over the other:

I support Hillary Clinton because I believe that she is the better of the two candidates and the one who can win in November; conversely, I do NOT think that Barack Obama is the better candidate to go up against John McCain in the general election.

Do I think that Barack Obama is evil, duplicitous or a naif? No, I think that...of the two candidates...he is the least-experienced at life and politics. To me, those carry enormous weight. He would make an excellent Vice-President, though, where he could grow, mature and be ready to run for President in 2016...at which point, I could support him enthusiastically.

As for the issues of his pastor, the Rev. Wright, his comments regarding "small-town Pennsylvania", his "typical white person" commentary, et al, those simply tell me that he didn't consider the result of all those remarks. He needs "seasoning", imho.

As for Hillary Clinton's mis-statements about "sniper-fire in Bosnia", "NAFTA opposition", et al, yeah...I cringe when I hear some of those things, as well. She should know better.

However, when I weigh my choices...Hillary or Barack...I choose to support Hillary...based on the total package that she brings to the table. As for the 44% of Hillary backers who...reportedly...will not support Barack in any event, there are nearly as many Barack supporters who will not support Hillary in any event, should she be the Democratic nominee.

Could much of this have been avoided? Yes! The DNC could have been leading on (1) a shorter primary season of a few months, at most, (2) a winner-take-all style of primary with no proportional delegates being awarded, (3) primaries instead of caucuses so every voter has his/her vote recorded and (4) DROPPING THOSE EGREGIOUS SUPER-DELEGATES!

Thanks for responding; good to read your posts.

Having read every single post above this one, I find many Barack Obama supporters to be vehemently, vociferously and violently anti-Hillary Clinton. The commentary goes way beyond not liking her policies or politics; it strays into looney-land with ad hominem attacks non-stop that have precious little to do with her position on issues or her voting record.

I have just one question to ask of the Barack Obama supporters: should Barack Obama be the Democratic nominee, how do you plan to win the general election against John McCain alone? Given the nastiness, you certainly don't think that the 1/2 of Democrats who support Hillary Clinton are going to come running to your camp ready to fight for your candidate, do you?

Cue the chickens; time for them to come home to roost.