Blog The Vote-Americans are ready for an African American President?

While Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are sizing up each other’s White House prospects, a new poll suggests the country is a bit readier to make an African-American president than a woman.

A Newsweek poll finds 86 percent of registered voters say they would back a qualified woman nominated by their party. For a black person, 93 percent say they would be willing to back the candidate.

The survey also found Americans think their fellow citizens still are a bit reluctant to elect either. Only 55 percent say the U.S. is ready to elect a woman; 56 percent say they can see the country selecting an African-American.