A few weeks ago I wrote that, even though I'm not impressed with Obama, I personally feel compelled to vote for him because he is a black man. I got flamed for it but I think the impact of such a history making presidency on American culture and psyche would be profound, and that is not something to "pretend is not important" in making the decision on who to vote for. It is deeply important symbolically.

I came upon this interesting article on 10 ways Palin helps McCain, and I found the last of the ten points the most interesting.

...Palin allows many voters the opportunity to avoid “standing in the way of history.” It is clear that many Americas celebrate and are intrigued by the history-making Obama president. Not surprisingly, they think it would be a wonderful sign of progress for an African-American to break this barrier. The Obama campaign has implicitly seized on this, inviting and encouraging voters to make history. Well, now the McCain camp has the same appeal and can provide solace to voters who might otherwise feel, well guilty, for blocking an African American’s path to the White House...

I think an African American president would break the barriers for everyone, while a woman vice president would also break many barriers, but not for everyone. But putting her on the ticket was indeed a perceptive psychological move by McCain.