RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Politics and Current Events Barack Hussein Obama in '08?

Polls in 1992, 1996 and 2000 showed that if Powell wanted to run, he out-polled anyone, Democrat or Republican. That to me was the turning point, where a majority of Americans (polled in three different election years!) would have elected Powell as our first black president, if he wanted the job.

As G-man explained above, Jesse Jackson was far more viable than you give him credit for. At this point, he has still won more primaries than Obama or Hillary. And if not for a back-room deal, he might have obstructed or weakened Dukakis' nomination in 1988. There was a moment during Dukakis' nomination acceptance speech where Dukakis verbally reached out to Jackson at the DNC convention, and the TV cameras preserved a long, intimidating angry stare at Dukakis fro about a minute or so.

I mention Alan Keyes because he's run in at least 4 elections I can recall, and is an impressively intelligent and insightful black American who at least has the freedom to run for the presidency. He participates in debates and widens the discussion in those debates. Which I think earns him considerable recognition, even if he hasn't had wide support.
But I concede, as you say, that he isn't "viable" in the sense that he has a high probability of getting elected. But in being a qualified and well-versed black American who is at least qualified to run (something I never gave Jesse Jackson credit for), I think the mere fact that he runs and is competent to run, is noteworthy.



Ferraro was viable as Vice President. During a good portion of the 1988 election, Dukakis was 20 points ahead, and Ferraro was part of the ticket that polled that high. Ultimately she wasn't elected, but she was arguably electable, if election day was before the tide turned in November 1988.

Elizabeth Dole was qualified and widely liked, but ultimately she chose not to run. But the mere fact that many in the media tossed her up as a possible candidate I think demonstrates that she was a contender.
She wasn't "viable" in the technical sense because she didn't run, but she certainly had the potential.




McCain would be as well, byt the time he was inaugurated.



Ah. But by your own standard, Smith wasn't a viable candidate, whereas Romney has the nationwide campaign organization to actually get elected.