Electability, IOW. And poor Edwards is left implying he's "electable" because he's a white male ... not exactly the way to win a Democratic primary.

I'm not *arguing* that race is the problem, but to ignore it as a possibility seems very, very strange.

I wonder if it isn't a wash in a Democratic primary, though? Indeed, I'm not sure that a white Obama would be getting the traction he is.

Not sure *I* follow. If Obama's base is particularly enthusiastic, that will translate into money and throngs. If the rest of the voters are prejudiced (I started to write "uneasy with a black candidate," and then thought "what am I saying???"), then the base's enthusiasm will carry him only so far.

I'm not *arguing* that race is the problem, but to ignore it as a possibility seems very, very strange. Americans outside the South sometimes seem to think that racial prejudice doesn't exist north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Because he's black?

Not sure I follow. Presumably, to the extent that being black is harmful to one's ability to garner support in the polls it would also be difficult to raise money and throngs at rallies?

Because he's black?