Why would a black president be good for the country? Showing “how far we’ve come” – well, sure, but my reason would be the opposite: at least a black president would have some realistic understanding of how far we still have to go, which is, in my view, very far.

I’m not of the opinion that it would, by default, “settle racial conflict.” I’m more inclined to think it will serve simultaneously as a mirror for how much conflict still exists, and to introduce a more nuanced, mature and helpful conversation about race into political discourse.

I don’t, of course, mean that it would be good for any black man to be president. It has to be someone like Obama who is, although far left of my own positions, not a terribly divisive person, unless you happen to be the Clintons.

This is a personal opinion, and anyone is free to disagree and prove why I’m wrong: But I think it’s a measure of how out of touch Republicans AND Democrats are with the reality of racism in America that resolving the lingering issue of racism is way, way down on the list of political issues for most people (or even a non-issue). I’m not a big fan of Democrat policies concerning race, nor am I a fan of Republican policies (which are, basically, ignore it and it will go away if blacks start working harder and stop doing drugs). But we could do worse than putting into office a uniting “One America” figure who understands racism and simultaneously refuses to play the political race games.

As far as Romney goes – I think he’s going to ride this wave to the nomination. Florida’s polls show that trend. You’re right – Fred dropping out would seal the deal. I just wish Fred had tried harder, because I’m much more inclined toward Fred than Romney.

But then, once again, Perot endorsed Romney, so …

The only argument I can imagine anyone making to support that statement is – it would help settle racial conflict in our country, and be an example of “how far we’ve come.”

Not to be the resident Mitt-apologist, but I think the big issue that Romney has “flipped” on is abortion. And if anyone has a legitimate reason to flip on an issue, it’s Romney. He has said before that when he first looked at the issue of abortion, he was pro-life. Then, a family-friend died as a result of a “back-alley” abortion, and he decided that there ought to be a safe alternative. I personally think it’s a terrible reason to go pro-choice, but it’s also the most forgivable and understandable. Then, as governor, he was touring an embryo-farm at (I think) Harvard and realized what he was looking at, and how our culture has devalued human life, and that was the instant when he changed back to pro-life.

If nothing else, I give him credit for having genuine reasons to switch on that issue – unlike McCain on immigration.

FWIW – Rassmusen poll coming out today shows Romney leading McCain in Florida 25-20. And if Fred has the good sense to drop out beforehand and support Romney, I think it puts Mitt over the top. I just don’t see how Fred drops out and supports anyone else while maintaining his conservative-credibility. Although he is good friends with McCain…