Why is Obama being touted as "the first black president" when he is half black and half white?

I honestly can't figure this one out, (except for saying that he's the first "black" president sounds so much more "groundbreaking") but I do wish to THANK YOU for re-assuring me that I am not the ONLY one who has been wondering the same thing!

i agree, he is as much white as he is black. but the whiteness is not what people are interested in, because white presidents have been being elected for years!

even if he was only a quarter black but still looked black, he would still be seen as 'black' rather than white. it's kind of the white majority 'us and them' mentality.

Because it's the closest that to black that people have seen. Even though its only have it beats 100% white.

If the ONLY reason Americans are rejoicing is because of the color of his skin then the one's rejoicing are the racists. Can you imagine Americans rejoicing because a WHITE President is elected?

Well, all during the campaign, it was a tactics used by the republicans to scare whites into voting for McCain. Now that Obama has won, it's time to play it down, right.

You are right, both black and white can claim it is their side which gives him his talent.

I am happy with Obama, he will weaken the neocon lobby, all I ask is that his presence in the White House is not used as an excuse to pack the UK with Africans and other immigrants .

because the other half has been in power for nearly 230 years.

yeah, i know.. he's half white and half black.. his mothe is a white woman and his father is a black man.. i don't think race should come into this....

all i know is that obama is a human being :)

He said he's ashamed of his white heritage. No matter what anyone says he is our first half white President Elect.