Would America elect an African American President?

Yes - because we should just say yes to that question.

But wait. What if more than half the population, or the majority in states with lots of electoral college votes, would not vote for an African American man?

All else being equal - if the only difference in candidates was race - then only the assholes would NOT vote for an African American man. Actually, only the white assholes.

Who else wouldn't vote for an African American man, all else being equal? People who believe that he could never win the election, and who only want to vote for a winner. So perception is important.

Also, people who are very isolated and cannot imagine that an African American man could represent America, because their America is a very limited, specific thing ... and they're convinced that the myth of Black under-acheivement they see on TV is true.

So white assholes, pessimist power mongers, and isolated victims of deception.

Do those three groups comprise more than 50% of voters, or the majority in enough states to gather most electoral college votes?

NO. Because YES - America can elect an African American president.

(thanks to Claire for having this conversation with me this morning.)