As the Presidential elections gather steam and the race for the White House intensifies, Americans are being excited by the various promises made by the candidates. As difficult as it is to learn their real positions on topics such as immigration, welfare reform, taxes and the war in Iraq, it appears that the current field of candidates has managed to create some interest and as a result has motivated voters to turn out in record numbers in Iowa and New Hampshire.

It is encouraging that Caribbean-Americans are as enthralled and are paying close attention to the process. Many are now learning how the process works, the difference between a caucus and a primary; how party delegates are chosen for the national convention and more than ever, the importance of voting in this selective process.

The first week in January, the beginning of a new year and the end of the old is a time when most people reflect on the past year and make some evaluation on accomplishments or failures as a gauge to achieving their goals. It is also a time when new goals, popularly called New Year's Resolutions, are set. Somehow the slate is cleaned and a new set of goals are established for the New Year.

Topping the list is the resolution to lose weight, maybe guilt from all the overeating during the period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year is the cause for this. Those that make a living from selling diets, gym membership and other weight loss paraphernalia jump on the bandwagon and seize this opportunity to promote their services or products and make a bundle. Most research reveal that very few adhere to this resolution and so by mid-February they are back to their old habits of eating poorly and not exercising, so we continue to be a nation with a very high rate of obesity and all the other diseases caused by being overweight.

You hear it repeated often. "America is not ready for a black president." Other times you hear that he is not "black" enough. If one were to draw a conclusion from the talk of doubters, it would be that since Barack Obama is not black and America is not ready for a black President, then Obama has a good chance of being elected President of the United States in November 2008.

If not now, then when? When will America be ready for a black President? As black presidential candidates go, Barack Obama is the most qualified, highly educated and respected African-American to have made a run for the white house. Senator Joe Biden tried to make that point a few months ago, but unfortunately ended up with a bad case of the "foot in mouth" disease. The fact is Obama has a very good chance of winning the Democratic Party's nomination not because he is black, but because of his message of change, his impressive credentials and his charismatic cross-over appeal. Being black would only make his victory so much sweeter and secure his spot in history as the first African-American President.

No offence to Reverend Jessie Jackson or Reverend Al Sharpton, whose symbolic attempts at the White House a few years ago served as inspiration to many but realistically never had a chance from the get go. Their efforts were not in vain, but served as a source of motivation to youngsters, including Senator Obama, to seriously consider the possibility of an African-American one day holding the office of President of the United States.

Former Secretary of State, Colin Powell had an opportunity to do what Senator Obama is doing now - be the first African-American to make a serious credible run for the White House. In 1995 the retired General was leading every candidate in every poll and by every indication would have easily captured his party's nomination had he decided to run.