I don't even think about President Elect Obama being black, and I'm shocked that people factor it in to his message of hope, as if that's partly what it's about

I don't even think about President Elect Obama being black, and I'm shocked that people factor it in to his message of hope, as if that's partly what it's about: that a black man can be president. It's nothing of the sort. Each person sees and hears what he wants, I suppose. Whether you think about it or not, Obama's skin color is of great importance to many Americans, particularly black Americans. It isn't important to me, but I don't see any reason to deny it or minimize it either.