CNN

Only the racist, Bush-loving Republicans will hold Obama to a higher standard because of his race. Even when President Obama cleans Bush's mess and turns the country around, they will not look at the President beyond the color of his skin. That's okay, there's plenty of us that love you Mr. President.

Correction, Yes he will, this country is too PC not to let in happen.

Yes he will, the counties is to PC not too let it happen.

Definitely. Black men have always had to be better to hold a equal position as a white man. If Obama performed the same as George Bush he would be crucified. But according to the right wing Bush was a great president.

Obama will be held to a higher standard. Luckily, he is following a president who had no standards. Bush has the bar set so low that Obama should be able to step over it without breaking stride. By following such an inept president, if Obama is even mediocre, he's going to look like a genius.

no.

he is the most inexperienced, left leaning, empty suit this country has EVER elected.....regardless of color.

his policies are detremental to the US.

I think so...everyone will pay closer attention to everything he does just because he is black and God forbid if he makes any kind of mistake, it will be blown way out of proportion.

Here we go again. Racist comments. The American people see Obama as colorless but leave it to CNN, they will bring up racism whenever they can.

I think this question is unfortunate. Why should Obama be held to a different stand the 43 White men that came before him? I think it is great that America has elected a Black man, but this historic move is separate the potential job that the man-Obama-will be able to perform.

Obama could be a remarkable success or a remarkable failure. I'm hoping for the former and I am praying for him everyday of his first term in office. Because Obama is the first Black person to hold this office, I think that Americans of all backgrounds will implicitly or even explicitly hold him to a different and higher standard.

Again, I think this is wrong, but I must admit and be honest as a Black man myself that I do want Obama to be better than the 43 White men who came before him, and I would feel "let down" if he did not live up to this standard. I mean...I would like to have more racial/ethnic minorities hold the office of President (and minorities in general, i.e. women, gays). If Obama fails, the dream of having more minorities become President may die.

I don't understand why people keep referring to as black, he is mulatto.

mulatto |m(y)oŏˈlätō; -ˈlatō| dated
noun ( pl. -toes or -tos)
a person of mixed white and black ancestry, esp. a person with one white and one black parent.

Why is it so important that be be designated as a particular race or colour, he is human is that not good enough

All presidents are expected to be better than good. Some just fall short. I'm thinking of an recent president that is a good example of falling very short.

President Obama is right..."a Black President better be good"...hasn't that been the mark for ALL Black People...and thanks to God...Blacks have stand the test of time....

You need only observe the political unheavals in Congress to find an answer to your question. The question almost begs one to say; "Shut the hell up with the added drama injected into an already unsettled society!" Be that as it may, I have full confidence in President Obama, that he will not only do a superb job as Commander-In-Chief; he will exceed expectations. Not because he is African-American, but because he is a gifted American, and God's man for these times.

There is an unbelievable amount of pressure on this man. He has brought some of it upon himself during the campaign by trying to be all things to all people. The media has brought more pressure through the often repeated "first African-American" story lines. Then there is the public. We have transferred our hopes and dreams on his shoulders in an almost cult-like fashion. How can he ever deliver?

I suspect it will be Washington politics as usual very soon. If real change is needed, then congress will have to change. Unfortunately, the only way to do that with the current system is to enact term limits. If term limits are good enough for our presidents, then surely they are good enough for our senators and house members.

Thank you CNN for this article.

ABSOLUTELY. President Obama has to pay the highest form of the "Black Tax" than any other african american in this country because he's the president. He will be criticized for most every thing he does from this day forward.

Not every American or non-black American will put the tax on him. Generally speaking, mostly racists are waiting for him to fail . Which in my humble estimation is about 40% of the U.S. population.

Also, blacks tax President Obama also. They think he should focus specifically on the black community when he is the president of all Americans.

And I also believe some republicans and pro-lifers are using their political agenda as a disguise for their bigotry.

I think the public will hold him to the same standard as the rest of the presidents. I do feel the media is holding him to a different standard making him out to be some kind of hero simply because he's black. I for one would like to see the media stop talking about his race. The racial issues facing this country can't go away until people stop comparing people based on race. I do not feel obama is special in any way to me he is just like any other person who has taken the office who has yet to prove himself as president. But with so much celebration of him being black the media has painted as though this is the first time a black man or any minority for that matter, was able to be president but the fact stands a black man could have been president long ago but no one until now that would have a chance has stepped up. I mean Jessie Jackson tried but he's so polarized there was no chance. SO come on let's stop talking about his race and instead discuss what he does right and wrong as we do with all the past presidents.

This is a very stupid question CNN. President Obama is going to be a good President because he's a great American. Obama’s partial black race or partial white race has nothing to do with his great use of people and his mind.

I am going to started to watch Fox News, this looks like something they would do.

That's how America works. You can't be black and only perform average, it will be seen as preforming below average. Although, I would say in some envrionments that is starting to change, but the expectation still remains the same.

The short answer is yes. Blacks can do the same thing as whites and would be judged by a totally different standard. There are stereotypes about every skin color, people need to step outside their ignorance and understand that there are substandard people of every color. YES, the black president will be held to a different standard than the white president. Hate and ignorance knows no color.

No. He will be criticised much harsher. Remember the saying ' a black person has to be twice as good than his white colleague.

It has nothing to do with race!. It has to do of being a "human being" first!. President Obama is that "human being" and let him do his job, I wishing him all well.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Oh my God every black child has heard over and over again from they could understand words, "because you are black your have to work twice has hard, do twice as much as white people". And that wasn't even advise about how to get a head, it was advice on how to get into the game. This has been a burden we have had to carry since the beginning of our time here in America. What a heavy weight for a child to carry. And until you walk in our shoes you will never fully understand how heavy this weight is. But amazingly so many of us have made it, what a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep

Of course he will be. That is the way it has always been for African Americans. They always have to be better to even be considered as knowing what they are doing.

People have less tolerance when African Americans makes mistakes than any other race.

It's sad and pathetic, but true.

People are looking to President Obama for a good solution to the real economic and political problems facing the entire world today and the color of his skin should not differ him from any other person. He is obviously very intelligent and his campaign speeches presented possible solutions to calming the world down so that realism and honesty can prevail. We must all live together on this earth and use the world's resources to help each other to live better lives, not to intinidate and destroy each other.

Absolutely because he is black, he is different, he is new, and so many of us believe he can make that change he has promised. So the answer to the question is yes.

You can bet that many people will hold President Obama to a different standard. Whether because of his skin color or his political leanings he will not be able to do anything right, the same as when President George W. Bush could not do anything wrong.

With all the consant hoopla about being the FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT (rather than the first Bi-Racil) president, he sure as hell had better be, but any moron could be better than BUSH!

I'm not an Obama supporter by any means, tax evader to run the treasury, funding overseas abortions, closing Gitmo without a plan, and it will get worse...

But headline like "Will Obama have to be better because he's black?"
has no place in in this day and time.

However CNN seems to think there is.
Then again, this is CNN.

CNN really needs to stop with the racial agitation.

Of course! After all he had to be several times better than his competitors just to be considered an equal. It's the story of each person that's part of a minority group.

It averages it out. The very fact you ask this question instead of 'Will he get an artificial boost because he's black?' and mainstream America is scared of criticism and allegations of racism, is kind of begging the question. Ask that question. I know it sounds more racist but is really just the opposite side of the same coin. I.e., why aren't you worried about your question being racist? Pandering to racial sensitivity is about as racist as not pandering to it.

He had to be perfect, if he invoked race it looked like he was using it as a crutch, if he would have showed anger during the election he would of been painted an angry black man. When he said I don't look like the guys on the dollar bill, suddenly it was race baiting. The night he won the Democratic nominations he fist bumped his wife and a fox news commentator said and I quote "A terrorist fist bump!!!"

Oh Yeah he'll be held to a higher standard alright...

He has to do a better job because that’s what we need to get back on track. Black, Hispanic, Asian or whatever it doesn’t really matter to those who are suffering. We need jobs and a stable economy again. I believe Mr. Obama has the decision making skills to move this Country forward and I support him for his caricature and vision as most Americans do

As we've seen so far, because he's biracial, he's being treated with kid-gloves.

From events in the primary season and the election season, people have learned that any criticism of Mr. Obama will prompt some (not all) members of the far left to call you a racist.

I don't think so. I think that most of America is giving him a chance to be just the President–Not BLACK, Not WHITE, just President. I voted for Barack Obama because I believe in him to lead this country. Not because he's was born to a white mom and a black dad. That's irrelevant, and anyone with an ounce of sense should look at him as a man. Not at color. President Obama is concerned with ALL of America. Not just the black part, or the white part or the brown, yellow, red or gay part. He is President of all the citizens, and he will do his job. I knew it when I saw him speak at the Democratic National Convention 4 years ago, and I know it now. This is the man who will lead this country with honor, and will restore us to the leaders we once were in this world.

my answer to question :
"....The story is light-hearted, but it touches on a delicate question: Will people hold Obama to a different standard because he is the first African-American president?"

they should not....he is a person first, then he is a president, then he is of certain color ( aren't we all of certain color? be it white, pink, ivory, cinnamon, coffee late, indian color, red, blue green, black, yellow, polka dotted color – ... ). It is time to stop this race divisions and comparing, and all that.
He is a human. It does not matter what color he is, his mind, personality is important. His ability to lead, to care about us, world is important. The color of skin does not make anyone better or worse. this is ridiculous article.

He will do just fine! He is an American first and represents the people a thousand more times than Georgie Boy!!

I have no doubt the when this man is finished his job of being President of the United States, that he will have done a better job than previous presidents, in fact he will set the standard for what it really means to do the job of being President Of The United States and it will be quite high. So take note future candidates.

He is only 12% Black and raised by white people, quit trying to make this about race.

This probably is true, just as Hillary would have been held to a higher standard and closer scrutiny had she won. America may be a melting pot, but the ingredients still have not blended into one. Malia is one smart little girl!

What a stupid, irrelevent question.
The American people do not see our new president as black or white, but a person they support and respect to do what is right for our country. But, the media has to keep the race issue in the forefront and try to keep it stirred up. Give it a break and let our country try to get back on it's feet with as little diversion as possible.

i feel he will be pressured from the left and the right and also this job he has is not and easy one, i hope the people of the united states have patience with him to aloud him to do what he needs to do, to get the job done

You better believe it!

NO !!, But he is a very smart intellectual man. I beleive he will not do any worse then what we have had done to this country in the last eight years. The President started working on his promises before he was sworn in and after he took the oath he dove right in to his postion and has started working on his promises to American like he said he would. Don't knock President Obama!!!!! Give him a chance to correct what has been missed up.

who cares why he has to be better? he better be better. we need him to be.

i voted for Obama not because I am young and he is young, not because I am familiar with facebook and so is he, not because he represents the makeup of the country, because he is black (mulato actually, white mother, black father), a mutt like me, etc.

i voted for him because he was simply the better candidate and the right person at the right time.

I am tired of race. it is so base and simple to think about and discuss race. it only divides, never connects.

I believe people – read conservatives – will hold this president to a higher standard. Conservatives allowed Bush to literally destroy this country without a sound, not a whimper. But they will be screaming and bellyaching continuously while President Obama tries to fix the mess he was left. The Republicans in the congress and senate are already making pests of themselves. I think President Obama will do fine, just fine. He won't be able to fix everything, I believe, but I think he will leave America a better place than it is now.

You know he does, just like if Hillary would have won she would have to do better too, We had 43 old white men before him. Now he has the whole of black America sitting on his shoulders. The only good point is the fact that noone can be a bigger screw up then bush, but Obama has great intelegence on his side so there is nothing to worry about!!!!!!!

Why bring up the race issue? You need to give the racists and haters a chance to comment and then us supporters have to defend him? BRING US TOGETHER,NOT DIVID US!!!

As a Afrian American myself the answer is "NO". He did not run for president by using the race card. . . The people voted for him because he was the most intelligent CHOICE.

P.S. The Man is half white too. So please stop labeling him.

Yes.

For some people, whatever Obama does will not be good enough. You had to really determined NOT to be impressed with the January 20 ceremony. My kleenex box took quite a beating.

I don't believe Americans or the rest of the world for that matter, should hold Obama to a different standard. The fact is Obama is a pretty smart guy and so far everything he touches or does comes out successful. We are getting used to all that success and even one failure will not be acceptable.
I hope we all calm down and give the man a chance to show us his stuff

Obama will have to be better because he's been overhyped, mostly by his own words. Remember that he's the one who said that this would be the moment that global warming would begin to stop, the seas would recede, the environment would begin to heal etc. He's been sold as a messianic figure and now he will be unable to live up to the hype.

He's an average (at best) politician with very little experience and no real new ideas. Hope and change was really hype and bs.

Of Course. Look at CNN now....The First 100 Days!!!

We never worried what Bush did in his first or second 100 days, needless to say, his 8 years!!!!

Just watch Fox news, MSNBC, and of course CNN....The guy will never get a break and I am sure everything will be his fault! Just look at FOX NEWS....he is already to blame for our problems!!!

We as Americans need to wake up and shut down Fox News and all those un patriotic right wing conservative talking heads....Rush L. and Hanity for example! They will continue to destroy America!

race shouldn't matter any more. people need to get off this race thing now. dosen't matter if he's white,black,green, purple, he's a human being period. we need to show this man some respect after all he's our president he has to fix all the problems caused by former president bush. atleast this man is trying to get soemthing done.

I think given the bleakness of the situation on many fronts, the times demand that he be great, even better than Bill Clinton was. I also think it is true that blacks are held to higher and different standards than whites are.

I think this "black talk" is a little out of line. He is human and more importantly our President. Lets all move on, it is time to be hopeful.

Not because he's black but he will because the media and the radical left have built him up to be the "savior" of the world. Even being a conservative I don't see how this man can live up to the hype that has been placed on him.

As an african American I was alwways expected to do better than my white peers, but the pressure ddin't come from the whites it came from those in my own ( black) community, So based on my experience which is only 24 years living, I'd bet he's expected to do well because he raised the bar so high himself, but like most successful people regardless of race I'd bet he's used to it.

This story is a ridiculous notion.....and if it were true wouldn't bother me if he was a good or bad president JUST because he was black

Being an African American Woman I think the fixation of Obama's Presidency is apparent. Unfotunately this fixation comes with a double edge sword. Everything he chooses to do will be under the microscope (Campbell Brown gives a good example of this). I don't know of a President who has come to office (at such trying times in America History) and has immediately gone to work and has tried with every effort to work in a bipartisan manner. However, he is not given much of a chance by some and is already scrutinize by petty silly people. So the answer is yes, he will be held to a higher standard but it would be the same if he was any other race other than caucasian

no, he will simply be better because he's smart. his skin color matters not.

yes, yes, yes

The race card has only been played by the very people who attribute all their own personal failures to the color of their skin or the party that has exploited the "injustices" of those same folks! Now hear this, most Americans are Not under any illusions about the uphill climb President Obama will have to do during his term. If he fails to accomplish all those promises he made during his campaign, then most Americans will attribute it to things like his leadership/management style, competence of his cabinet, or maybe the partisan politics of the Congress. One thing is certain, most Americans WILL NOT ATTRIBUTE HIS FAILURES TO THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN!!!

No he will not have to be Better because he is black. That is just silly . He will have to be better because the stakes are higher now.

What kind of ridiculous question is this? I am so sick and tired of hearing how Obama is Black. Who cares?!!! He is a man who unfortunately in my opinion was voted into the most powerful office in the world. Are you asking this question as a set up so when he fails everyone will say it is because of predujuce and people did not give him his due because he is black? He actually is multi-racial if we want to get right down to it. Lets judge him based on his actions not based on his skin.

No, but he is better because he is brilliant and values wisdom.

Yes, African Americans are not allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. Automatically your deem as not being able to do the job.

NOT AT ALL. HE DID NOT RUN AS A BLACK PRESIDENT ,INSTEAD HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

It has nothing to do with race. He has to be better because he said he would!!

yes...

Obama has to be better because we deserve better.

Unfortunatly, Obama WILL be held to a different standard because he is black. There are millions of racists in this country who voted for McCain because they didn't want a black man to become President.

Now that Obama is President, he is going to have to be more than good. He is going to have to be exceptional. If not, those millions of racists are going to be gloating over EVERY mistake he makes.

I believe Obama understands that if we are to ever have another African-American president, at least in the near future, he is going to have to be an OUTSTANDING President.

#44 is human. Only the media wants him to be better because he's black and they backed him in 2008.

This story is enough to make me puke.

Can you guys just allow him to be President. Do you have to incite race into everything? He has to be better because the country can't afford someone worse than Bush. CNN is making this about race. The American people are making it about renewal.

STOP INCITING RACE.

YES, African Americans wre always told, they have to be twice as good
to be equal.

Unfortunately YES!!! W was elected without how to correctly use the English language. He had to speak with the eloquency of Kennedy to get where he's at.

YEP! It's called the black tax. I am a prime example of this. I have a masters degree and currently writing a dissertation for the completion of my PhD. All my evaluations have been almost identical to my peers, but I am looked over for specific duties and promotions. I am not complaining though, it's just a part of life.

Yes, this country is still racist, and he's still the first black. He will have to a role model whether he likes it or not. He will have to be a role model whether it's fair or not. That's just how it is.

Being black has nothing to do with his policies or his agenda. He is who he is! But his policies and his agenda are doomed to fail him!!

NO, he wil be held to a different standard because he promised the world and will only be able to deliver the superficial fluff that the media and his sheep lap up like dumb kittens.

Barry, you close gitmo with NO PLAN on what to do with the TERRORISTS?

Horrible picks in Holder, Geithner and Richardson. Good job Barry.

Barry, you use my tax money to fund ABORTIONS all over the world, great idea genius.

Barry, we ALL know that we need to act fast on the financial situation, but fast and WRONG are two different things, how dare you want to cut a check for people that DON'T pay taxes, that's not a rebate, it's welfare.

Cut the capital gains tax for two years and get the small businesses hiring again as that is the sector that creates the most jobs.

Handing people checks doesn't work, and only making jobs to union hacks to pave a road, will not help all of us.

You don't have to agree with the Republicans, but cutting the capital gains tax and giving small business loans FOR REGULAR FOLKS IS A GOOD IDEA, no need to be arrogant, just be smart with MY MONEY.

No need to take a poll there genius, that is a fact.

I am glad Bush is gone, but this is the best we could have done?

Uh, uh, uh empty, empty vessel.

Yes he will thankfully.
Because the people in the minority communities who supported him by the widest of margins are going to be more attentive to what he does.

President Obama will be held to higher standards because of the goals and policies he has set for himself and his country. For example Bush wanted to shut down Gitmo but didn't have the guts to do it.

It is unfortunate that the American "news" sources didn't set higher standards for jounalism by basing reports on background research, using experts to give extensive background instead of relying on rumor, anonymous sources and so called pundits like Campbell, Ed Henry and Dobbs who run off at the mouth with absolutely no background knowledge or even the latest facts on the topics they are talking about.

Is this Obama exploiting the children, yet again?

Obama will have to be better not because he's black but because we need him to be.

The difficulties that he has inherited are so large and so numerous that he will have to be, in my opinion, the best president this country has ever had.

Oh! no! , that is totally irrelevant.Pres Obama is very educated man, that is not in dispute.What he has to do is to help this country utilizing logical aproach to the situations at hand.

He IS NOT ! doing that at this point.

At this point it seems that is gathering the WORST elements in his cabinet,... destroying the economy more and more with a flimplsy and vane crilteria.
In addition , making believe that he IS listening and interesting to the view–points of others people with different focusing of the problematic,....AND THAT IS DANGEROUS !,.....AMERICANS CAN TAKE ONLY SO MUCH AND THE LETARGIC CUASI-HYPNOTIC PHASE OF THE OBAMA-MANIA IS GOING TO THE END AT FAST SPEED !

If Obama really wants to be aclaimed as an historical leader with real and undisputed change,.....HE HAS/MUST TO BRAKE WITH HIS VERY OWN ROOTS OF PEOPLE THAT GAVE THIM THE PLATEAU IN THE POLILTICAL SPECTRUM ( which everyone knows is completely corrupted !)

Then, as he does that, turn to the logical ways fundamental in values and the basics CAPITALIST-DEMOCRATIC WITH FREE ENTERPRISE THAT CHARACTERIZE THIS GREAT LAND !.

True, he might look like a conservative /republican down to the basis – just as Sarah Palin did in Alaska – but does NOT ! matters, ...what is important is the TRUE RECUPERATION OF THIS COUNTRY .

But then , again, I wander if this is too much to ask from him,....I wander if he is, after all, for only POWER, CONTROL, SPECTACULAR AND VANE IMAGE – just like american idol silly tv presentation ...??? well, time will tell.

But if this is his true agenda?,.....I do not believe he will make another term as president.

Sincerely,
Daniel Cabrera
Merrillville, Indiana

As a person of color, i have had this on my mind...i think the pressure is there to perform at par as other races have had an unfavorable view of the black race. SOme people i know are already convinced that Obama is going to fail because he is black and he has no idea what he is doing....it hurt to hear that but it was said. His intelligence means nothing to these people but I know Barack will prove these ignorant idiots wrong.

The news media already has and gave him a break on everything. Not to mention trashing Clinton, Palin, and McCain in the process. You should all be fired for your bias.

Black or White, he needs to deliver on his promises that got him elected. America is waiting for his "Miracles."

I think we have ALREADY SEEN just how 'EASY' he will have it.

With the White Supemists, Christian Right, EXTREMISTS like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Ann Coulter, how can he have it 'EASY'?

I have now catagorized them (RL,GB & AC) WITH the Islamic Extremist Terrorists. Yes, THEY ARE American Terrorists.

When someone like Mr. Limbaugh says, and I quote "I want him (Obama) to Fail", he in turn is telling the American People who still listen to him, that he wants AMERICA TO FAIL.

To me, that's an American Terrorist.

Just a little food for thought........You can still think for yourselves, can't you?

Blessed Be to All

For as long as Black people have been in this country, each of us that have been under the spotlight (for good or ill) has been seen as the de facto representative of our whole ethnic group. And because we are fully aware of this, those individuals have had to bear the weight of our expectations. This results in excellence being seen as the only acceptable criteria for that individual. However, I do think that because of the overall political awareness of the American public concerning the economy and foreign policy (and because they don't contribute the country's current state to Pres. Obama), they will have more patience with him.

I do not think so, we want jobs, we need money so we could buy new cars. He maybe the first Black President, I as an American citizen expect from him to not make the same mistakes that Bush/Cheney made in 8 years. Hiding things from us...their excuse it is not in the best interest in the American people...How lame!
Remember he is not Harry Potter waving his magic wand and poof we are automatically rich.

My advice is wait, if he does do what he says he will do, we will be better off. To the ones who did not vote for him, and yelling where is my money, ah guess what you just might have more in your paycheck and you might just be able to go out and buy a green car or a new house or go on vacation.

I like to see him succed and put us back on the right track!

Interesting. I believe governor Palin had similar complaints about her children being exploited and she was told by media that if you are going to have your children in the spotlight, you can't complain when they are used. I guess what goes around comes around... You can't have it both ways first lady!

*Cue the pseudo-conservatives preaching something about "white guilt" and how we all have it.

Not only will he be held to a higher standard (and already has) but now he has a BIG target on his back. He will be held to twice the standards Bush was.

When you're the first anything you are held to a higher standard. Not only do you have to do a good job for yourself but you have the added burden of "representing" the race or gender. If he fails it will be a long time before any minority (Latin, Asian, female etc) is elected to the Presidency. Because the inevitible comparison will be in the back of peoples minds whether conscious or not, we tried with Obama and look what happened. Sad but true.

Man come off this. CNN post something better. This is ridiculous. Who cares if he is black, white, hispanic, or asian. As long as we have a great President that can get this economy out of the hole and more money into our pockets I am fine. People like to come up with ridiculous stories!!

I think people will hold him to the same standard as all the other presidents— but when they do, he will let himself off the hook because he's half Black. His daughters seem to me to be very bold for girls their age, and I am wondering if they are the ones who will be running the oval office. They come off spoiled and loose-lipped. It's time these people learned their place. They are there to serve the American people, not show off or to prove the merits of their racial heritage. Most people do not care what color he is. I see that it may feel as though this is a mark of progress— his skin color, but to me, this is only true of he "frees" all the other Blacks who are oppressed by the current system. Tell him to go to South Central L.A. and preach there about what a mark of progress his election is, and then maybe I'll start buying into the all the ridiculous hooplah.

Of course he does and that is the reason he will work doubly hard to turn this country around. Not only does President Obama have a hard job to do to try and bring this country back, he has the weight of all Black America on his shoulders. For if he doesn't do his best or if he is involved in a scandal the first thing that will be said was he failed because he was Black. America is lucky to have him as President because he knows that what he does will have more of an impact than just improving the economy and ending the wars. With his success comes our success, Americas success
By the way, It would also be the same if a woman had been elected President. She would have had to work doubly hard as well and her failure or success would have had an impact on all women.
Now we will know that all people given the right circumstance are capable of doing great things or not.

Obama was given a free ride by the press because of his race and as a result we have a President with virtually no experience who has never been truly vetted. If the American people were willing to ignore his race and his experience before the election then why would it matter now – when the election is over? The idea of such post election racism is something that I suspect is being floated by the Obama supporters so they have something to trot out when their Idol crashes and burns.

Btw, whites will be a minority by 2050 so when exactly does the press plan to stop jabbering about race?

One just has to read the posts on this blog to understand that question has already been answered. Read the ones that call him the "messiah" or tout him as a celebrity or make light of his minor children being taken advantage of. I even read one that said the stock market has been down three days in a row all because of him. The American public is very partisian and some people are very protective of W or compare the doll issue to Palin's kids/grandkid. It is very personal to many. So, yes, he must be better because he is black. Anything short of a complete recovery in the next week will bring out the worst of the right wing, they have very short memories.

He just needs to be fair. Don't play the race card where it is not needed... that is done enough in other areas.

Of course he will.
All eyes are watching him and the pundits poised and ready to strike.
Course, the republican pundits have skewered him since day one – and Michelle has been the target of lies and innuendo that has shamed our country as a people.
I hope CNN will rise above the political nastyness and be fair to him and his family.

It is just a moral quesion - crazy and funny.

Yes ... yes .... yes!!! Otherwise the white America will fry him!

And, this has been my experience as a non-white in corporate America.

No, he will be held to lower expectations.

If Obama had been a white man (or white woman) with the exact same qualifications, education, and name recognition, how serious would his campaign had been taken by the media back in January 2007? Would he (or she) be president right now? Let's be honest with ourselves. Obama's ethnicity has worked very well for him up to this point. I don't see it changing anytime soon. (The correct answer to the title is "no.")

NO question about it, the higher expectations was evident in his campaign. Campbell Brown is a perfect example of how she hung on every word the President said in his campaign to compare
negatively against the final decision he actually has to make after reviewing all the facts. Thank God there are so many intelligent
folks of all races that resist this type of subconscious racism and
will support President Obama to help this country.

No question. It would have been the same for anyone who is not a white male, and is the first of his or her group to be president. It is always toughest for the one who breaks a barrier first, no matter what the job is.

Right now Obama is still enjoying his messianic rise to glory on the sholders of America's media. In the eyes' of his cult he is the Golden Child and is untouchable.

So pretty anything he says or does is beyond reproach.

But come day 101, watch out. The honeymoon will be over.

I do think he will have to work harder. I believe this because as a black male in corporate America, I feel I must work harder to negate stereotypes that have nothing to do with me. The majority of people actually believe what they see on TV and think that all balck males are only athletes, lazy, hip hop heads or disrespectful towards women. This is further from the truth for the majority of black males in corporate America. After Obama's tenure in the white house I believe the stereotypes will diminish because he will show the world that anyone of color can be successful. Close-minded people need to see this so they don't make generalizations about a certain race or color.

I certainly hope that people DON'T hold a diffrent standard. Why should they? It's wrong to count something (most of the time the negative things because those are the ones people remember) heavier because the person in charge is an African-American. Would it be worser if Obama waged war in Iraq than Bush? No it would be just as worse! I understand and accept that the presidency of Obama is extra special to African-Americans because history. I believe that with Obama as president, we are another step further in a post racism era, and that these kinds of discussions don't help us getting us further but slowing the process down!

Black people have been telling their children for years that they have to be twice as good as others in order to succeed. Why stop now? If Pres. Obama fails, it will be taken out on every future black Presidential candidate. I also think the same can be said for the first female President, which I expect to see in the coming years.

Get over this black and white trash and let us as a people focus on leaving a better nation for the next generation. For crying out loud...

Considering the endless excuses made by whites for black pathologies, with disparate outcomes invariably blamed on white perfidy, it's clear that blacks are generally held to lower standards, not higher ones.

Anyway, it's already written in stone that he'll be judged a success. "History" demands it. Anything less will set back racial "progress." Next stop, Mount Rushmore.

President Obama has all the qualifications to make a great President regards of color. Sandy Boletchek

he has no choice!

Yes, but that is with everything we do.

Maybe? Maybe Not! One thing is for certain, he has an IQ up there with Einstein,and that comforts me,not to mention his empathy commiserated with the less-fortunate,...

President Obama is NOT an African American. If he was, he would not be in the White House. He is a Negro, he is black. His father was African, but since the President was born in Hawaii, he is American.

The usage of the term 'African American' to describe a Negro is, for the most part, unjust and unfair. In fact, I know or have known several African Americans, and only one of them was a Negro. The others were Caucasian. The usage of the term African American only further separates one American ethnic group from the others. In a time when the President wants to bring the country back together, to bring us all back to being Americans, this politically correct B.S. needs to stop. People need to start being what they are....Americans.

I am not Irish American, or Western European American, or Christian American, or whatever other term you wish to hang on a person. I am an American. If you were born here, no matter the color of your skin, the racial ethnicity you belong to, YOU are an American too.

Deal with it!

Race has nothing to do with it. The color of ones skin is a zero as far as I am concerned. He should be held accountable for his actions, not what he looks like.

I have been an American 68 years and I hold Obama to the American Standards shared by my age group .... and Lou Dobbs.....there are no "different standards" ... Obama is not the first African-American president to me... he is the President and will need our support and help to bring this Country back in line with good solid American standards...he is not a God...he is a simple man with average knowledge.....

Yes – but he is going to be, so who cares!

Better than what ? Than his white predecessors?
No, I don't think Americans care if the president is white, black, hispanic or of indian origin. Otherwise he wouldn't have been elected if the majority didn't trust him. Had Hillary won the primary and went on to win the election, would the same type of question come up because she was the first woman president of the U.S?
I think it's quite ridiculous question. It played around on race issue.

Yes, unfortunately he will always have to do better, be smarter, faster etc. Being black is a large part of this but not all of it. His age, his so-called inexperience, because the Democrats have taken over. etc. President Obama will be a good president, a thoughtful president, and will give his 200% everyday. He will not always be right. But he will make a difference.

Ty shows that corporate America will steal any concept it deems profitable regardless of the insult, injury or misappropriation
or inappropriateness of image it blatantly rips off. Ty should be made to pay a generous percentage of their profits from these dolls to charities of the First Daughters' choices. TY doesn't want to admit to this appropriation, because then they would owe the First Family something. That Ty refuses to own up to their inspiration of these dolls is reason to boycott all products made by Ty.
Scumbag thieves are scumbag thieves are scumbag thieves.
Ty, we're supposed to be over this graceless profit grabbing
Bush is gone now...
BOYCOTT TY...

That goes without saying. Every black person is judged on a different standard. For those who think differently you are wrong. All black parents tell there kids to do better than whites to get ahead. Just look at Palin the bumbling idiot. Do you thing a black person could get by like that and then become popular no way.

Thought S--A and M-A names should not be used politically in any way. They are private. I guess only when obama or michelle seem fit to use them. Sasha and Malia are fair game for reporters so get over it.

He's not black. He is part black. Why doesn't anyone understand how racist and derrogatory it is to say that anyone whose white blood is commingled with black blood becomes a black person. Look, he is half white and half black. If we call him white is it wrong? And if it is wrong, how can it then be right to call him black?

He is non-white and now the president of the white majority country. We should know by now that he has already shown he is better than the past or future presidents who had or will have gone through the same path. The question ‘Will Obama have to be better because he's black?’ is not needed. Besides, because he was raised by his maternal relatives he should be able see both black and white. However, it is hopeful that he will not dwell himself on either black or white then he may become the best.

No. He just has to be better than Bush 43. Just like any other president that would have succeeded Bush 43 if he were not the president!!!!

John Blake (author): Why would you ask such a question? Are you that impertinent? I rather think President Obama's Presidency will be measured by his job performance. Don't you?

President Obama has a law degree from Harvard, 12 years in politics, four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and managed of one of the most impressively flawless and forward thinking presidential campaigns ever. What do you think he has to "be better" than?

Oh brother not another race article. Isn't he half white also? Makes no sense to me.

No. He just has to be better than Bush 43. Just like any other president that succeeded Bush 43!!!!

I don't know why he *should* be held to a higher standard because of his race. It doesn't make sense to me. He's obviously an intelligent man, personable, an excellent orator, and the fact that he's African-American is not even something that I notice or care that much about.

It just doesn't matter to me. I realize that it's an historical achievement for the African-American community, and that's something to be proud of, but I have never judged someone on the color of their skin.

White, black, purple with polka-dots... I want him to succeed!

The answer to the question is YES!!!!! President Obama has little to no room for error. In modern time have you ever had it were media comments on every move or decision a US President makes from day to day or in this case minute to minute. It appears to be like an experiment of sorts. I am very confident in his ability. He is a Harvard Graduate for godsake unlike 98% of us who are not. Let the man be POTUS and do his job. The american people elected him and give us less critics. Gary in VA

NO-but he'll have to use his genius to get us out of the Bush degredation of this nation, from a falied economy to stripping the values of America and it's constitution.

No it will help him just as it has in this campaign and now we are already starting to set up a "its because he is black" to deal with any critics of Obama. To compare McCain's relationship with Hagee to Obama's with Wright is quite a stretch indeed. Hagee endorsed McCain while Obama brought his family for 20 years to a church that raged against America and it's "rich white people."
I say Obama is a piece of liberial trash and consider this a complement because I am not going to treat him any different because he is black!!!!! Can't say that about the main stream media crying tears of joy give me a break!!!

why its just another job

After 8 years of Bush, anybody would be better.

Of course they will. That is the reality of how Americans have been socialized. Rush Limbaugh announced on his show that he hopes Obama, "fails." There you have it.

Everyone seems to forget that President Obama is bi-racial, thus half-white, half-black. I think it is unfortunate this rarely seems to be mentioned as he can be an inspiration for bi-racial children, Americans, and people around the world.

Those kids are so cute. Obama won't have to be better because he's black.... or at least not MAINLY because he is black. But he will have to be better because we are in serious trouble and we need a leader that is extremely effective.
He will also have to be better because he set very high expectations while on the campaign trail.

Black or white, both of those things would require an extraordinary ability to lead.

It is a good question, but I don't think the answer can really be discovered under the current circumstances. If we had a normal economy, and he won the election without a lot of very ambitious promises, then I think that would be a better stage to judge the answer to that question.

NO! Obama is President of the US now and he is the leader of all of us. The only thing that Obama has to do is to make sure he upholds the constitution, protect this land, make this country a little better for the people who live here, and make good on his campaign promises. If he does his job, like any other President, he'll be just fine, probably BETTER.

Race should have no relevance to the job of a president. All presidents, of all persuasions, should be expected to do the job well. Many opponents of the Democratic party will find fault with Obama's administration, but it should be based on solid criteria, not his race.

Unfortunately, he already has to be, but the thing is that is the life he grew up with. In order to succeed, he had to be better than great.

Obama is not Black, he is bi- racial ,when is everyone gonna get it?
His mother is white, his father is black, that makes him bi-racial!! Why does everyone believe this lie that he is black?? C'mon America let's accept the truth!! Obama is not the first black president, he is the first bi -racial president!!! Unfortunately, for some, there is no master race that automatically takes over if races are mixed!! If a man were elected president, born in Italy, and his mother was French, his Father Italian, could you just call him Italian, and ignore his French heritage? Thats what has happened with Obama, his white heritage is forgotten!
Please.... let's get real!!!

He's not black, he's half white and half black. So we're only half-way there in seeing a true African American president!

O.k., first of all–Obama is half black, half white.

Secondly, people with a chip on their shoulder can continue to see everything through the prizm of race. What everyone else really cares about is this: can he get it done?

No whining, no excuses. Just do it.

Just Stop Flip Flopping.

In one word : YES

To answer the question – of course.
When has a black person in the US ever broken through racial barriers whe he was just average or maybe even above average? Never. Every black person who broke through, whether intellectually or physically, had to be the very best of all candidates just to get through the blind ignorance of racisim.
And yes, Obama is of that caliber. I thank him for choosing to serve our country. We all know there are sick wackos out there who want to tear him down, or worse, just because the color of his skin.
BTW – I am a white guy the same age as Barrack.
gObama!

Someone told me that Lincoln was the first black president.

As the media repeated (google major media sources) after the inauguration, he will actually have longer to get things done and be given more slack than average.

As gallup polls reported during the campaign, more people voted FOR him based on skin color alone than against him based on skin color alone.

These are both forms of racism, but the facts (news media and polling) seem to indicate the opposite of the headline here. He will held to a different standard but it will be an EASIER one not a harder one.

This is tough to deal with because most the current myth is that racism is the single overriding evil. In fact it is one of many evils we need to come to grips with. But we are a go-to-the-movies-and-see-one-villian society.

There is racism alive and well, sadly, in the world but let's not make it a cartoon world.

To the contrary – because he's black he's untouchable. Good, bad or indifferent, nothing but endless praise will be allowed. Anything but will be decried as racism, so most critics will continue to remain mum.

Why do you in the media constantly bring up race? Who cares what race the Pres is. As a matter of fact his mother is white, so why and he was rasided by her and white grandparents. Or should i call them European Americans?
Just start called him an American President not a black president.

What a dumb question.

Obama is biracial! Michelle is black! So far Barack Obama is totally out of touch with Americans!

Yes and no! He appeals to many people because of his character and he appeals or does not appeal to some because of his color. However, I believe Obama could care less how people see him and is more concerned about the issues. If people are smart they will support this President because the United States is in terrible shape. It will take more than a President to get this country back on track. It will take the full support of all Americans especially if they want their children to have a decent future. Obama is not a miracle worker or a great God. He is a simple man who is bi-racial trying to fix the horrible mess we are in. He has children of his own and no time to worry or care what people think about his color.

Oh yes...He will have to prove himself at a higher level, Look at what happened during the primaries, Hillary attacked in the lowest of ways, but Obama didn't stoop to her level, but had he went on a rampage like Hillary, he would have been labeled too forceful and harsh on Hillary.

I think this question will be answered on an individual basis; because I don't see Obama adding this ridiculous pressure on his self. I don't see Obama wasting his time by identifying with this question.

I think it’s very refreshing that our president has his own "mind" about who he is and what he needs to do. He doesn’t get caught up in such "childish" questions or give it any credence. He’s proven this time and time again. I think this is a question that some people will be asking and answering on their own time, not Obama's.
.

Obama will have to be better,..NOT because he is black, ...NOT because many (myself included) were critical of the previous administration,... NOT because much of the public has either turned against George W. Bush or never even liked him,...but because things are in a mess, and whoever whould have won the election would have thier hands more then full.

Things are going to get worse before they get better,....

THAT is why he will have to be better.

He already has................

ONE WORD ANSWER: – - "YEP"

No.

Obama's title is President Obama and not President African-American Obama. I don't recall seeing Bush's title or any other presidents title President Caucasion Bush. Stop the stupidity, we have an economic crisis.

The old saying was that a black man had to do the job twice as good. But if we compare him to Bush he will need to be 5 times as good because he has left us in bad shape. I hope that we have move on from that and only judge a person by his performance.

No. And I'll add that he doesn't have to do much to be better than what we've had for the past 8 years. He has inherited a mountain of problems but the opportunity for improvement is great.

Let's at least give him 3 months before you try to tar and feather him on the white house lawn! Let's keep the white sheet and cone hat crowd out of the spot light.

We all know that they will criticize and do all in their power to keep Obama from doing anything what so ever. They will criticize him every step of the way. But don't forget... they are the MINORITY of American Citizens... they do NOT speak for most of us!

Don't forget he's half white. I wonder if his daughters realize this?

My understanding is that Abraham Lincoln was the first black president.

We don't know what type of president he will be yet. However, I will be judging him on policies. Not color.

Of course, and he knows that. So he definitely will do everything in his power to be a great president. Not only because he is black, but he's also a perfectionist.

Answer to the question, is yes. Most American's think "A Black Man is NOT QUALIFIED to be President of the United States"

I've got news for them–A Black Man is BETTER QUALIFIED !

Ohhh, now lets see what Michelle has to say about this.
She is upset over a toy company using her daughters as a way to cash in on the Obama children, and she is throwing fits.
BUT, when it suits the cause, by promoting her black husband who is now president, lets see if exploiting the childrens words are a bad thing.
You can not have it both ways Michelle, if your going to take words spoken at a private moment by your daughters, then use them in a PUBLIC format, then you can not sit back and complain because you want your daughters protected and out of the public eye.

Or will it be whenever it serves YOU and Barrack the most you will not mind having your daughters front and center?????????

Enough already! Let's forget what color skin he has and see what kind of job he does just as a president.

The President was held at a different standard when he entered the race for the presidency. President Obama is up to the task and America will see that he will be the one of the greatest if not the greatest president we ever had. Prior to the inauguration, the anticipation was electric not only in this country but throughout the world. There are high expectations with patience because of the inept leadership of Bush/Cheney.

Once things are transacted and voted on, you will see a confidence that hasn't been around since the days of FDR.

The President is the right person at the right time!!

Yes

Should they? No.

Will they? Most likely.

I like the people who are now claiming that President is not black as he is 1/2 white as if that somehow means anything.

It is really a simple question to answer. If Barack was an adult in the 1960's, what washroom would he have been forced to use? 40+ years ago there was no such thing as "half black". All black or half black, in the 1950-60s you had to use the "colored" drinking fountain.

Barack, identifies as black, therefore he is the first black president. You don't have to like it, but you have to accept it.....if you are an American that is.

The real question is: Who cares? Barack is a man who was elected President. That is really all there is to it.

Barack may be held to a different standard, but this new standard has less to do with his colour and more to do with the changing attitudes of the American public. We will hold Barack to a higher standard because we held Bush to a lower standard and we are paying the price for lowering the standards for President.

Y E S.