"Yes, I think a black person can be elected president," Rice said in an Associated Press interview Thursday.

She said the first successful black candidate will be "judged by all the things that Americans ultimately end up making their decision on: Do I agree with this person? Do I share this person's basic values? Am I comfortable that this person is going to make decisions when I'm not in the room that are very consequential?"

At the same time, she said, "we should not be naive. Race is still an issue in America. When a person walks into a room, race is evident. It's something that I think is going to be with us for a very, very long time."

Most of the criticism I've received for even giving the main reasons why I believe Obama 's time has come has been largely centered on the idea of race. Literally hundreds of e-mail ruling him out on that what one condition.

Look, it may be a factor - at least initially. But if the GOP persists in demoralizing its base with a Guiliani, McCain, or Romney nominee - that will in many ways stall the enthusiasm needed to carry them across the finish line. Obama's triangulation, putting himself above both parties and pointing the finger saying he can get them to work together, in many people's minds will look attractive.

With the confusion on the moral issues that GOP leaders will be demonstrating (with perhaps the exception of Romney) the core primary voter the GOP will be a bit deflated, and that's not what the Republicans can allow to happen if they expect to win.

Dr. Rice is right, the election in 2008 will be based on what the individual voter thinks about the perceived value system of the candidate, and smooth talk goes a long way to entice ill-informed moderates... advantage Obama.

I hate having to point these things out - but I have to - for the hope that someone in GOP land will wake up and give us better options than the ones currently being touted...

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!