spoiled...
When will we have a non-christian president?
Probably already have, as Ken pointed out, and certainly we've had any number of Presidents who were Christian in name only. A political fact, regardless of where you start your career, is you hang out in groups from local chambers of congress, churches, PTA's, wherever the voters are.
It will be a LONG time before we have an avowed atheist or agnostic. People largely like the humility that faith implies and, converesly, don't largely like the implied arrogance of a person who states publicly "I am my own God".
Non white president?
If Colin Powell runs, 2008. Vrai is right, whenever it happens it will likely be a Republican. The current darling, Obama, has a lot of resume building to do and must avoid the pitfalls of being a Democrat; IE, building to liberal a record.
Non male president?
One of the larger blunders of the Democrats, and beleive me, it's hard to pick just one, was the desire to stain Condi at the 9/11 hearings. She withstood the heat and made Richard Ben Venista what's his face look like a fumble mouthed ambulance chaser. Her speeches tend to bore but live she is one put together human being. If SHE get's the nod in '08 I can see her winning. There is also part of me that agrees with Vrai, it's just not a womans job. God help you all if she were our President. Nanny state would be replaced by "Mommy states..."
A gay president? Probably already have had one as someone said. New Jersey got a bit of a surprise didn't they? Anyway, overt, "I am gay, vote for me"?
Dunno. No pun but it can't be a shrinking violet. Strong, public lesbians tend to be very confrontational which doesn't sell. If George Bush was exactly as he is but Laura was, oh I dunno, Dick Cheney say, I'd still vote for him. And there's the rub, no pun. The leadership characteristics we seek in a President are not there, in the public mind, when you think of any gay man you know. Boy George? George Micheal? Barney Frank? I don't think so, scooter.
A combination? I'd bet that has happened. But overt, now were really challenging the imagination.
Who do you think will run in 08?
Hillary has quietly built a very moderate Senate record and she ain't doing it for kicks. She's strong. The brightest light does not intimidate her (been there, done that). A humble Bill following her around like a puppy would be an asset. An arrogant "here's what I think" Bill would sink her. I like Clinton in Koffi's job.
Anyone remember her introducing up on that stage the wannabes at that event back when Dean was leading? Kerry, Gep, Dean, Edwards. It was like Ronald Reagan handing out diplomas at a Truck Driving Institute. She has 'star' power.
Gore? Joke. Kerry? Joke. The moron is gonna have to face all the Swift boat stuff once again because he didn't have the stones to put it to rest and when the truth is common knowledge, he's sunk anyway. He fudged his record and he's no hero.
Rudy is everywhere and that ain't for no reason either. He would win so big it wouldn't be funny IF he got the nomination.
(Penn; Kasich ain't gonna happen. He's like Dennis the Menace when the Ritalin runs out. No 'gravitas'.)
Dick Cheney will resign before the mid term elections because the new guy or gal will be running out there campaigning for House and Senate folks and that will be their dry run for '08.
Personally, I like Powell. I'd vote for Rudy. Condi would be the end of the Democratic party. It's one thing to have some idiot writing Condolezza is a Skeeza. It's quite another for the whole party to attack a woman. A black woman. A qualified, made her bones in the GOP, resume'd black woman.
And then there's....
Arnold.