Who would you vote for?

According to a recent Gallup survey, Americans claim they will be willing to vote for a woman (read: Hillary Clinton) or a black (read: Barack Obama) for president next year. But they still raise questions about voting for a well-qualified Mormon (Mitt Romney) or 72-year-old (John McCain) or someone who has been divorced twice (Rudy Giuliani).

Surprisingly, nearly as many say they would vote for a homosexual (55%) as say they would vote for a 72-year-old (57%). Most censored: atheists.

"While Americans overwhelmingly say they would vote for a black, woman, Catholic, or Hispanic president, they are less likely to say they would support a Mormon candidate, one who is 72 years old, or one who has been married three times," Gallup reported.

Asked if they'd be willing to vote for a "generally well-qualified" candidate with the following characteristics, here's how the tally went in the Feb. 9- 11 poll:

Black 94%


Jewish 92%


A woman 88%


Hispanic 87%


Mormon 72%


Married for third time 67%


72 years of age 57%


A homosexual 55%


An atheist 45%

Conservatives expressed more misgivings about candidates from all of the above categories except the age question, where they are more disapproving of voting for someone 72 or over.

Hat tip: Editor & Publisher