Colonel West is a black man who happens to be more righteous than 99.8% of whites.
Why does race matter? I don't care how many whites vs. blacks are righteous (maybe you do which is perfectly OK).... All I care is that he is an exceptional American. I would prefer him as opposed to Romney but I will take what I can get, anyone other than Obama.
Religion does matter to me, I would never support a Muslim, Scientology follower, or Wiccan for president or any other public office. However, I can't think of any other religion I would oppose.
BTW, please don't take offense to my opening remarks. I feel that on matters such as this, different opinions are good. We need differing opinions, it makes us think.