[hinckley buzzard]

If Obama and McCain had essentially the same politics, then what exactly was the election about then, just personality?

The election was about race. Clinton would have wiped out a White Obama in the primaries, all else being equal.

[garbanzo]

But here’s the thing, if Obama had run as a Republican centrist, he would have been creamed in the election as well. So it seems as if Democrats have to look like leftists, but assure the powers-that-be they are centrists to win - if they’re black. If they’re Republicans who run as centrists, they lose regardless of race.