KIEFER SUTHERLAND - KIEFER SUTHERLAND: AMERICA NEEDS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT

24 star KIEFER SUTHERLAND is delighted the President in his hit show is an African-American - as he hopes it illustrates that race is no barrier to power.

Sutherland plays undercover agent JACK BAUER in the TV thriller, which boasts black actor DENNIS HAYSBERT as PRESIDENT DAVID PALMER - and the 36-year-old thinks his co-star's portrayal is important to show society that race should not be an issue in politics.

The rugged star explains, "I think if you show on television that a black President exists, then people will just accept that that's a possibility. And that is a huge step forward.

"I'm tired of hearing people make a joke that if JESSE JACKSON were to throw his hat in the ring it would only be to slight another candidate.

"I would much rather see it happen because an African-American deserves the right to run for President, and most importantly, is pulled from one of the largest voting pools in this country."