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Will gender, race, or religion influence your 2008 vote?

If Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama were to become president, they each would represent a first on religion, gender, or race. How will these factors affect their presidential prospects? How will they affect your own voting decision?
Read what others are saying.
YOUR VIEWS
(Updated 02/21/07)
"... gender, race, or religion of the candidates are not influential factors. My greatest concerns are the war in Iraq, economic injustice through tax breaks for the wealthy, global warming, and raising the standard of living for people in poverty ..."
Rich Cooper, Dingmans Ferry, Penn., USA
"Race, gender and religion will always be the most important issue with at least 90 percent of the voting American public as it always has been. Preferably they would like to see a male, white, Christian media star as their president."
Jacob Robinson, Rio Pal Holdings, Victoria, B.C., Canada
"I will continue to vote for candidates who represent my values regardless of their race, gender, and religion."
Claire Prideaux, Marcia Ogden, Guatemala City, Guatemala
"... it is quite clear that Obama and Clinton are very much in the tradition of our recent white male presidents: there is nothing new about them except their womanhood and blackness."
Clark Williams, Chattanooga, Tenn., USA
Readers Vote
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Mitt Romney spoke to supporters at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday. Earlier in the day, he launched his presidential bid in Michigan, where he was born and raised.
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP
February 21, 2007
Identity politics has been replaced by a politics of style and personality that's just as treacherous. [  Read more  ]
February 16, 2007
Candidates' race, gender, age, and religion are among the factors that could shape the election. [  Read more  ]
February 15, 2007
Hurdles include his Mormon faith and convincing voters of his views on social issues. [  Read more  ]
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
News and commentary from the Monitor on the upcoming 2008 US presidential election.
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