Virginia, home of the nation’s first elected black governor, is intimately familiar with the juncture of race, politics and history.

In two days, Virginia’s presidential primary could help Barack Obama take another step toward becoming the nation’s first black president.

Obama Bio Read a summary of Barack Obama's background, education and public record.

In polls and interviews, many voters see the Illinois senator as a bright, inspiring and potentially unifying figure. Some say he could transcend race and change perceptions of the United States around the world.

But voters also raise questions about the Democrat’s message beyond "hope" and "change" — about his ability to steer the economy and his sureness on foreign policy.

Obama supporters say their hopes mix with fear that even now many Americans will not see beyond color on Election Day.

Some voters wonder whether Obama is ready to be president. Above all, they wonder whether America is ready for a President Obama.

The Times-Dispatch recently gathered a diverse group of 13 people — from the Richmond area and beyond, to discuss their views on Obama.

Click on the links below to read and hear what they told us.

Thomas W. Bishop, 43 branch manager, financial Richmond	L. Robert Bolling, 49 nonprofit director Henrico	Nazira Z. Cabrera, 34 translator, bail bond worker Richmond	Leo Caldas, 28 designer Richmond
Imad Damaj, 47 VCU professor Richmond	Dorothy Erlanger, 57 business owner, consultant Goochland	Virginia Felipe-Morales, 25 tutor, student Henrico	Bill Grogan, 61 attorney Richmond
Julia Knox, 21 works in legal education Albemarle County	Bollin M. Millner Jr., 53 clergy Richmond	Rebekah Pierce, 35 educator Chesterfield	Thomas Scott, 35 college instructor Richmond
Jimmy Squire, 48 barber Richmond