Why Do Many White People Really Vote for Obama?

On a featured blog linked to the Chicago tribune, an un-named blogger had the following questions and concerns:

"Call me crazy, but shouldn't "Saturday Night Live's" fictional Sen. Barack Obama be played by an African-American?
On Saturday night, cast member (and former Chicagoan) Fred Armisen [of Hispanic and Asian heritage] played Obama in "Saturday Night Live's" opening sketch, which was a purported CNN debate between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton (who was played by Amy Poehler).
The producers of "SNL" have had months to think about and plan for the dozens of Obama sketches we'll no doubt be seeing this year. They couldn't find an African-American performer who was funny enough to play the junior senator from Illinois? They couldn't find one in New York? Not anywhere in the country? Really?"

On his site, the blogger had a poll with the following question: Should "SNL's" Obama be played by an African-American? One could answer as follows: Yes, No, or It doesn't matter if a black or white man portrayed Obama. As of 11:00pm last night, more than 70% of the 10,000 votes cast indicated that, for most people, “It doesn’t matter if a black or a white man portrayed Obama”

What do you think? Is it because many white people don’t really see Obama as a Black man?

Actually, I have to admit that I am one of those who voted along with the 70%…To me, he is like Oprah who, for the most part, transcends race…Oprah is recognized as Oprah FIRST…To most of White America, she just happens to be Black…

Here’s a clip of the SNL skit:

Well, to me, what’s more important is that it was not even a good impression of Obama.

This is so much contradictory talk going on regarding Obama and his ethnicity. People say that his race doesn’t matter. But then, during every election night, the media breaks down the vote by race and gender.

If something is irrelevant (like many people claim his race to be), then people don't mention it. Race matters (at least in America)!

Here’s the reality, America is a highly "race conscious" country. And when someone black is running against someone white in local or national elections, for the most part, people tend to vote along color lines.

What makes Obama different? (Put frankly, why are many white and non-black people voting for him?) (Honestly, he has most of the black votes by default!)

Speculations about why many White people may vote for Obama:

Maybe because he actually stands for something…
Maybe he represents the physical manifestation of unity amongst the races in the “yet to be United” States of America…
Maybe because of his platform and persona…
Maybe because he is attractive…
Maybe because many white people never heard a black man speak so articulately on a consistent basis without playing the “race card”…
Maybe many white people want to prove that they can’t be racist if they elect a black man as President…
Maybe because he has a white mother and was raised in a white community, white people don’t see him as being black…
Or, maybe most people (white, black, and other) just don’t like or trust Hillary Clinton…

What do you think?