[Aaron-D]

I think all the hype is because he's the first non-Christian to run for that office. People sometimes get a lot of attention when they are 'first' at something.

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Name : Aaron-D, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 40, City : Houston, State : TX Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, 

[Priscilla30300]

Why would there be a problem, even if he were an extravagant transvestite? That's his personal choice.

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Name : Priscilla30300, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 23, City : Sydney, State : NA Country : Australia, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Nelson A.]

I live in Caracas, Venezuela. Today I saw the cover of Time and Newsweek when I went to get the paper. I noticed there is a big issue on Gore running mate Joseph Leiberman's religion. I know this is normal in American society because Leiberman's religion is 'minority,' but aren't other aspects of his personality or credentials more important? It's not like he's a terrorist, extravagant transvestite or heroin addict. It's a religion, not a mental handicap (or is it?). Why all the fuss because the guy is Jewish?

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Name : Nelson A., Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 30, City : Caracas, State : NA Country : Venezuela, Occupation : Lawyer/Business, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Dan27177]

Because it's the first time it's ever happened. This is the first time that both people on the presidential ticket were not Northern European derived and of Protestant background, except for JFK. When John F. Kennedy ran for President, it was highly controversial because he was Catholic, yet he was Irish American (which may have been a hindrance at the time). When Geraldine Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale against Ronald Reagan, it made waves because she was the first female vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket. The only two black women I can think of on a presidential ticket I can think of throughout history are Ezola Foater (Reform) and Angela Davis (Communist) and both parties have never stood a chance. Politics in America are overwhelmingly dominated by men of Northern European extraction who are almost entirely Protestant or of Protestant background. It has been this way for over 200 years and is just now starting to change very slowly but surely. That a Jewish man of presumably Eastern European and Semetic origins would be the Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic Party Ticket, running alongside the vice president of the current administration, is enough to make waves here.

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Name : Dan27177, Gender : M, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 21, City : L.A. area, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Joshua-O]

People in general are dumb animals. Religion is far greater understanding of life. It is actually inconsequential whether people do or don't believe in religion, as far as a political platform is concerned.

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Name : Joshua-O, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 28, City : Portland, State : OR Country : United States, Occupation : unemployed, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower class, 

[N.J. Smith]

Although the United States is a land of free speech and democracy, the people in power have typically been white Christian men. When someone who doesn't fit that mold ascends (or attempts to ascend) to a position of power, it's newsworthy. There are those who would deny Leiberman this opportunity because of his religion, and there are those who would celebrate his success as a minority member. You are right - it boils down to his qualifications, but there is so much bigotry still here in the United States. Hopefully, there will be a time when being part of a minority will not be an issue.

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Name : N.J. Smith, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 45, City : Butler, State : PA Country : United States, Occupation : Laborer, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Carlton-B19254]

The fuss is because a lot of people in America hate Jews, and it is significant that someone would choose a running mate from an ethnic group that many people hate. Depending on who you are, it is a sign of courage, cynically playing to constituency, or just plain political suicide. Personally I feel that it will be interesting to see if his character can triumph over the hate. I think many people feel like I do.

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Name : Carlton-B19254, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, City : Atlanta, State : GA Country : United States, Occupation : Computer specialist, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[Gary]

We Americans are a strange lot. There are Native Americans and then, there are the rest of us. Not one originated here in this country. Well, yes, we have been born here. My point is that all of our ancestors came from other countries. Yet, we dislike people from other countries when they come to live here. We tend to be very afraid of that which we do not understand. It is difficult for us to accept something different much less learn more about it. The prospect of having a Jewish vice president scares some people. A new trend in our society is the 'born again' Christian. These people seem to be so afraid of people who do not believe in God and Christ exactly the way they believe. They are very concerned that Jew in office would cause some sort of moral decay throughout the land. Of course, remember that you saw this being addressed in the periodicals at the newsstand. This makes good copy and sells magazines. So, no matter what the reason, money will rule out with this controversy. One final note. The really big event in the 60s was when my parent's generation voted in John Kennedy. A Catholic in the White House was quite a shock and it may have helped to lead to his demise. Pretty darn sad state of affairs.

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Name : Gary, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : I believe in a God, Age : 52, City : Alton, State : IL Country : United States, Occupation : Technical Instructor, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Andrea K.]

When John Kennedy was running for President, there were people who wondered very openly if a Catholic would be too influenced by the Vatican. Now there are people wondering openly if a Jew would be biased toward Israel. Of course, there are still many people in the United States who have never met a Jew and to whom they are a bit of a mystery.

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Name : Andrea K., Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 40, City : Farmington, State : ME Country : United States, Occupation : teacher/musician, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[S-Roman]

In this country, there's a stereotype that Jewish people have a disproportionate level of power, but ususually 'behind the scenes' (such as Hollywood producers). I think many people are afraid that if an Orthodox Jew were holding such a high, prominent office, the entire US would be subservient to 'Jewish' interests. I've heard as much from people I know, most of whom have never even had a conversation with a Jewish person. I can only imagine what things are like in other parts of the US!

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Name : S-Roman, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 24, City : New York, State : NY Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

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