If The Republicans Nominated a Black Person for President...

[Free Palestine]

How many people would swing towards that candidate, just because he (or she) is black?

[Antonio the Sixth]

It wouldn't change anything. I doubt those who don't like Republicans will change their mind because OMG DEY NOMINATED A BLACK ! Actually, they might lose votes if this candidate is a hardcore conservative like Keyes or a loser like Steele. And if he is a moderate, they will probably lose conservative nutjob votes in the South.

[sentinel]

They had a potential one, Colin Powell...moderates would have come out for him and conservatives liked him enough. Liberals didn't hate him either around when Clinton was running for a second term

[Yelnoc]

Depends.  If they nominate someone like Keyes or Steele it can only hurt them.  If they nominate someone like Colin Powell it might help them, but only in the election from 2000 to and into the future as before nominating a black guy might drive away some voters from the polls.  The other problem is Obama.  If the Democratic candidate is also black then the effect of this candidate, from race alone, will most likely be negligable.