I think Obama’s candidacy looks to me like a third party candidate within the system. He’s strongest among those that would be open to a third party, independents, the young, and some cross over republicans. The exception of course would be African Americans which are a traditional democratic block. If he makes it to the General…after hearing his pastors vile comments those chances are now slimmer IMHO….it would be interesting to see how he would position himself. All we have seen is the Democratic Primary race which has to lean left to shore up the vote. Paul Volcker whom many on this board respect as an actual Fed chairman came out in support of Obama. Volcker is not exactly an orthodox liberal in fact you could say he is the antithesis of that. So what is gong there? Regarding the first black president, in my mind that should have been Colin Powell. Just my two cents.