The National Post: US elections - Would a white Obama have a chance?

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Would a white Obama have a chance?

"Obama critics can say what they want about his experience in politics or lack thereof, but they cannot deny that he has run a brilliant campaign that has drawn huge numbers of Democrats to the polls and mobilized young voters better than any candidate in recent memory. Those who support Obama are not simply supporting a black man. He has tapped into something deeper in the political psyche of America, and by dismissing this fact, Ms. Ferraro does a disservice to Mr. Obama and fellow Democrats. Obama has gotten where he is throughout his political life by playing the race card in his favour. And he's doing it again. He does it very subtly. He's not a race-baiter like Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson. Indeed, most of the time Obama lets others play the card for him -- or he merely stands back and lets his audience gush about how wonderful it would be to have a black president -- which is how he has been able to use it so successfully; his use of it doesn't confront or offend.

But would a white male who was as much of a platitude-loom -- weaving airy threads into a thin veil -- as the junior senator from Illinois have gotten as far? Doubtful."