I think voting against someone on account of race or gender, while certainly allowed, is pretty gross. Neither race nor gender has any bearing on how someone would do in the job. I think age could cut either way -- one could be too young to be ready for the job (though I think the 35 year old requirement takes care of that) or too old as there is the real possibility of diminished mental health or dying in office. I do not believe either of things ought to be a concern with McCain, btw. I don't think he's really lost a step and I don't expect him to. And I don't think we have any reason to fear for his mortality. I think it makes sense to vote for someone based on advanced age as well, as it can be argued that age could provide for increased wisdom and/or experience. I also think it makes sense to vote for someone due to race or gender in our current climate as I think it's time to move past questions like Is America ready for a woman or black president, but only in a situation where the woman or black candidate is in every other way a good candidate. So the option I'd vote for isn't included in this poll. My vote would by none except for against on grounds of race or gender.
White guilt defined You shouldn't vote for somebody due to their race, period. Even MLK would agree with that
You can call it white guilt if you want, texxx. Why not throw in male guilt while you're at it? I call it we've had 43 white male presidents in this melting pot of a country and every child should in this country believing he or she could grow up to be president regardless of race or gender. That situation does not currently exist (or didn't before this year) and it's a shame. On a side note: I'm not sure how accurate this poll will be since the thread title and the poll question are the opposites of themselves.
they are all valid. there's nothing in the constitution that limits the right of a voter to vote whichever way s/he pleases based on any of those.
Race is unacceptable, as it does not permit or hinder somebody from doing a job. Age, on the other hand, has to be considered because once you're dead, that may just prevent you from doing your work.
The title of your thread and the title of your poll ask the complete opposite question. Which one is it?