Of course, people ask if Obama is too skinny to be president really want to ask if it's okay to have a black president. It's obvious he's not anorexic or consumptive or anything like that, so nobody is actually questioning his health. They're pointing at a physical feature that has no bearing on anything because they want to draw attention to his appearance, which will make people think of his skin color.

Notice we haven't heard about his prominent ears. That would be getting too close, because his large ears and the way they stick out from his head could be a result of his African heritage. So the ears are off limits. Instead, they say he's "skinny," which is not really true.

How subtle.

Why can't people just say what they mean. They're nervous about having a black president because they think he'll expand the welfare roles, let in too many Haitians, or ask George Clinton to play at the inaugural ball.

Yeah, I'm nervous about having a black president. He'll probably appoint some unqualified black people to his government, and that will make everybody forget about all the unqualified white people we have in there now. Every time he makes a mistake, there will be rumbling about reaping the bitter fruit of affirmative action. He'll be expected to perform miracles in the Middle East because he looks like "them" and his name sounds Arabic.

Obama is a black American. That's going to cause him some problems other presidents have not confronted. It's also going to allow him some opportunities other presidents have not had. Things will balance out, if we let them.

People, this is not some pipe-hittin' nigga from the hood. Obama was raised by a white family in the middle of the country. He worked his way through school. He understands, relates to, and gets along with white Americans just fine. He's not an empty suit, which I think is closer to a racial comment than calling him skinny. And he is not, certainly, by any stretch of the imagination, going to exact some kind of revenge on white people for slavery and racism.

The guy is smart and imaginative. I just hope he doesn't have to compromise too many of his views and principles to please his campaign advisers and pollsters.

Yes, I'm voting for him. I'm buying into his schtick about bold leadership and breaking with the failed policies of the past. I know he'll probably fail. I don't care. It's time for us to have a leader who wants to lead us somewhere instead of leading us back to where we never were in the first place.

"Of course, people ask if Obama is too skinny to be president really want to ask if it's okay to have a black president."

Of course?! Of course?!!!!!! Are you a mind reader? Does remarking on McCain's scars or his age imply that one really wants to ask if it's OK to have a white President??? It's absolutely mind-blowing how far some of you will go to look for the racist boogeyman.

I'd be more worried about him bringing in unqualified political appointees because he's from Chicago than because he's black.

There's no shortage of white Presidents in history bringing in unqualified cronies for a great many jobs, so to suggest that the prospect of it happening again is racial is rediculous (of course, that may have been part of your point from the start).

Dude, outside of this article, have you heard anyone, anywhere, at any time EVER say Obama was too skinny to be President?

I didn't think so. Nice rant though.

So Arlington, what description of Obama would not be racist? Let me guess anything positive? Also, Bush was always mocked for his big ears and drawn as a monkey, does that mean that people were actually calling George Bush black? I mean a monkey is a deeply insulting depiction due to past comments about blacks, and according to you big ears have something to do with being black... So according to your theory George Bush must in fact be black, and all those cartoonists and comedians must be racists attacking the Character of George Bush because they hate blacks... Right? I mean nothing can be taken at face value so this must be true... or maybe people just think George Bush has big ears, looks like a monkey, and is an evolutionary throwback, and maybe they really do think Obama is skinny as hell. Because news flash he is skinny, and his past use of drugs that tend to make people skinny makes it a real issue, not a race issue, sorry. Who knows maybe being skinny would be a benefit, I mean, generally it is... Either way, assuming any word is really talking about race is stupid, its like assuming anytime I talk about coconuts, hooters, melons, pumpkins, or really just about any fruit, or animal I am talking about a woman, context matters, people who always jump at the racism conclusion are ignorant.

Doesn't Arlington get a bunch of mentions on "Fraywatch"?

Why is that again?

Arlington, I'm afraid you have failed to convince me that Obama's skinniness has anything to do with the color of his skin.

Good post,Arlington.I understand your post very clearly.

anybody who says anything else about Obama is a subtle racist.

Wacky- What you have done here is to link any criticism of Obama to race. Conveiniently now, based on what you said, anything said about Obama can be considered “subtle racism”. Well, that will be good for him in the debates, “anyone who disagrees with me must be a subtle racist.” Racism has become a modern Salem Witch Trial. Under your rules, any opposition can be stamped out by being called a racist for saying just about anything. Obama’s weight is a non issue, lame yes, racist… absolutely not.

Several people posted to say, "What do you mean, implying racism?" As a matter of fact, I didn't. I carefully avoided the word "racism" because I don't think it's racist to be nervous about having a black president. I don't think it's racist to wonder whether or not Obama's skin color would cause him problems. I just wish people would come right out and admit why they're nervous about Obama, skin color being one factor. Given our history of poor race relations, it's only natural to raise doubts about electing a black president. Just say it, that's all.

I see what you are saying Arlington-

I am not an Obama supporter but it has nothing to do with being nervous about a black president. I have no problem with that, in fact I was very disapointed when Colin Powell didn't run in 2000. I also had a fantasy that we would be having Hillary versus Condi Rice in 2009 (I know it is rediculous, but you have to admit it would be interesting). What makes me nervous about Obama is that he reminds me too much of Carter, not that he is black. That being said, I am excited to see how this Obama presidency is going to go (come on, we all know he is gonna win). Even though I inhabit a different side of the political spectrum, I hope he does well.

I also have to say that I think having a black president would show some progress for the country in terms of race relations but not much progress. It is actually much more likely that the US would except a liberal black male president before an Asian, Hispanic, Female, openly homosexual, conservative black male or even a Jewish president. Why is this? Even if Obama becomes president it will be a long time coming (except maybe white female) before any member of these other groups become president. And then I ask, exactly what progress have we made?