Stereotypes and prejudices still exist in American society, and for the highest office in the land a female or African-American candidate would, at the outset, confront some additional hurdles to show that they were qualified and competent. But what I’ve found is that the American people–once they get to know you–are going to judge you on your individual character. Whatever the flaws in the process, people get a fairly accurate read by the end of the campaign.

BARACK OBAMA, Newsweek, Jan. 1, 2007

“Fortunately, a good Chicago-style political machine is the perfect cure for accurate reads.”