Sen. Obama says he's weighing 2008 run

[jefferson_dem]

?x=285&y=345&sig=3vUUYtACasj8hZM3epy13g--

Sen. Obama says he's weighing 2008 run

Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the Nov. 7 elections.

"That was how I was thinking at that time," said Obama, when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about his previous statements.

"Given the response I've been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility" although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. "My focus is on '06. ... After November 7, I'll sit down and consider it."

<SNIP>

"We have a long and vigorous process. Should I decide to run, if I ever decide to, I'll be confident that I'll be run through the paces pretty well," Obama said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061022/ap_on_el_pr/obama2008_1

EDIT : TO CORRECT TYPO, COURTESY OF YAHOO.

[ananda]

1. Sounds like a plan..

.. predicated upon a GOP implosion this 06.

Obama is a bit too beltway for me, and his
voting record is a mite Publite, but he's
probably as good a candidate as Hillary.

[Benhurst]

3. I agree.

And I contributed to his run for the Senate. As a native of the Land of Lincoln, I had expected more from him. He has been a disappointment; but has gotten a bit better as of late.

I still have hopes for him.

But he has been much more of an Establishmentarian than I thought he'd be, and some of his votes have been terrible.

We need an outspoken progressive for 2008, not a wannabe member of the ruling elite.

[Kahuna]

16. I'm thinking our candidate vs. McCain. I think Obama has a

better chance of beating McCain than Hillary. I think Obama is our best bet basis McCain, because all McCain will be is a popularity contest. So we'd do best to pit our most popular politician against theirs.

[gorbal]

25. I think Bill Richardson might do better.

He has extensive experience in foreign policy and as a governor and he has balanced New Mexico's budget up against tremendous odds.

[Kahuna]

79. Bll Richardson has the best resume out there. So did Bob

Graham in 2004. :shrug:

[LetsGoMurphys]

91. and as Tim Russert pointed out on MTP

this country elects governors. The last senator elected was JFK. It was Warren G. Harding before him and Garfield before him. This should be given serious thought.

[Placebo]

62. You're right about that...

since it seems the last couple elections have come down to that "popularity contest" sort of thing.

[SquireJons]

86. At this point I'm not worried about McCain

Why? Because he is calling for a massive infusion of US troops into Iraq. As long as that is his policy, he doesn't stand a donuts chance at a police conference of winning. I could beat him if that is going to be his position. So can Hillary or just about any Democrat.

At this point I'm more worried about Obama. He does seem to have some charisma, but hasn't done anything with it. What are his credentials, exactly? He won his first political office because his opponent resigned in disgrace. He won his second office because he was opposed by a Neanderthal. He has never been tested and he has done nothing. Yet.

There is time for him to become a force, but he must prove himself... at least to me, before I support him for president. Till then, there are lots of better candidates to support.

[fujiyama]

71. Hmmm

I'm really curious how his vote record is "publite". From what I've seen, he's voted against the worst of Bush's agenda.

His record is atleast better than Hillary's and it's not nearly as bad as southern senators like Landriu and others. It's definetely closer to Kerry's, Boxer's, and other more liberal senators.

[nofoil]

105. Agree

And he is not a "beltway" guy, given that he has only been in the beltway a very short time. He was an Illinois state senator and grass roots organizer before that.

He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. For sure not located in the beltway.

Plus, he's nice on the eyes.

[Tellurian]

75. O'Bama looked a little "green" on MTP this morning..

Granted, he is a skilled and charismatic speaker with a vision.
But, He IS not ready for Prime Time..

Tim tested him lightly using the backdrop of his book for positing questions..

The political climate has changed since O'Bama authored his book. Eyes have been
opened, opinions have become unanimously galvanized.

Tim caught Barak up in the "well in your book, you said: blah, blah, blah-"
Is that how you feel today? Just the other day you said: "blah, blah, blah..
that seems like a contradiction of your own words."

I couldn't watch anymore...I shut it down.

Barak is way too green for the presidency. Under the spotlight with skilled
prosecutor like interviewers he comes off as a flip-flopper. O Bama didn't
control the dialog, he let himself get trapped...and Timmy didn't even turn
up the heat in the interview..

nope, not ready for the presidency..BUT..great VP material with on the job training, a plus!

[PaDem]

78. I don't disagree with the spirit of your post, but........

was GWB really ready for the presidency? Think back to the first of GWB's debate with Kerry. GWB might as well have come out in his underwear. Nothing could have said "I'm not capable of holding this office" better than that debate did. As someone upthread said, Obama will stand a good chance of winning a popularity contest, which is what our elections seem to boil down to every four years. People didn't like Reagan's policies, but sure liked voting for the chummy old fella. People were leery about giving Bush a second term, but it turns out everyone wanted to "have a beer" with him. I'm less than excited about the early Democratic field with the exception of Gore, if he runs. I'd welcome Obama at this point.

[Tellurian]

84. Not that I have much to disagree with you here..

For argument's sake. GWB is an anamolie. He came to office with a cabinet full
of his father's cronies, an ARMY who know the WH, and previously worked there for B1.
Most of all they started work with a fully thought out plan, months before Bush took office.

Demos don't have that luxury, especially O'Bama, to have the ability to captain a ship he is unfamiliar with.

Hillary, with Bill by her side, will have enough of a difficult time sorting her priorities
out and God knows what other problems they'll find, if the Demos make it in 08'

O Bama, is a good man. He is a definite future WH contender. Just not in 08'
The position of VP will be an invaluable lesson for him. A seasoning process he must go through
if he expects to be successful and under future consideration for a presidential role.

He made a serious mistake today changing his original thoughts of finishing his term as senator.
He was played the PRIDE Card and he took the bait..In OW he's starting to believe what other people
are telling him. Not good..They will chew him up, spit him out and ruin him forever.

The Pugs would like nothing more than a fight for the WH between him and Hillary..
He's got to stay low profile for a while, cool off, settle down and regroup in a purposeful direction.

[Cocoa]

2. what a turnaround that would be

to go from Bush to Obama. The country could get the bends from an improvement that drastic.

[Hav]

5. .

Everyone would be better than Bush.
I really like Obama and his speech in 2004 was simply fantastic, yet I think that there are better candidates for 2008 with more experience who would be good for the country.

[Demit]

6. It was a terrific speech. It gave me chills.

I said to myself at the time, I am looking at a future president.

But I think he has to go through more real-world experiences than the one of running for president. He said something on Meet the Press about how he'd get vetted through the process of running? Uh-uh. Do some real-world things first.

[PsN2Wind]

92. Just as we all thought

after Mario Cuoumo's speech at the '84 convention. Didn't happen.

[Demit]

96. LOL! I thought of Cuomo immediately after. n/t

[jaxx]

20. He comes across just as well at a small gathering.

Knows the subject, knows the problems and offers solutions. Subject was jobloss, problems were surviving, and solutions were longer unempl, mfg paid tuition, and bringing in jobs that will support families. Downstate is Obama country.

[leesa]

4. Of course. Pre-packaged with the Corporate seal of approval.

[springhill]

34. Yep, you got that exactly right.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

46. exactly..

[elehhhhna]

56. Anyone who called LIEberman a mentor has NOT got my vote.

A record of ACTION in Congress will be an absolute necessity. Period.

I WANT GORE. Feingold, maybe Wes Clarke, perhaps John Edwards --- ABH or some neophyte w/ no verifiable record of results.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

7. Lil typo in yer last paragraph

According to the story Obama said he was confident he would be run through the paces, not the pages, pretty well.

BTW was that your typo or Yahoo's? Did they say pages and change it later?

[jefferson_dem]

10. Great catch. Yahoo's bad. I just did the old copy-paste thing.

Guess they have corrected it now.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

28. Yes, bad Yahoo - very bad

Most people just paste, so I didn't think it was your mistake.

It was just so unlikely that any politician is using that word (outside of the scandal) that I had to check.
Hey, Yahoo: :spank:

[bemildred]

8. I predict a big turnout of Presidential wannabes in 2008.

Especially Democratic ones. You don't get such a fine opportunity that often.

[tridim]

9. He's very good, but I still feel as if I'm being sold a product. n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Run, Barack, run! nt

[goclark]

53. Yes, Run Obama!

He has more brains in his baby toe than any of the current gang now.
He is SMART!
Give me a SMART president, that understands a world view and is a person that can work with people.

Obama is a master in that regard.


Well, let me think about it ~~

Yes, Cheney and Rummy have loooots of "experience."


:crazy:

[warrens]

99. I interviewed him in 2004

Right about the time Keyes announced. I spent four days with him on the road, watched about 30 speeches, and he's the real deal. Even that early, I think he was aware that he could someday be president. And when I talked to people in the crowds that showed up everywhere he went, about a third said they were Republicans. One guy said he was sick of the Republicans and their right-wing politics, but he didn't like the political correctness of most Democrats. And he liked Obama.

He may be to my right on a lot of issues, but he's on my side enough of the time that I would have no problem voting for him enthusiastically. This might be his year, and my guess is he would win by a landslide. As Bill Press put it last night, who have the Repukes got, Mr. Excitement Bill Frist?

[goclark]

108. I would have to pinch myself if I interviewed Obama

There is a lot about him that I admire.
One being that he seems comfortable in his own skin.
He knows who he is and he knows who he is not ~ he walks with a grace that I like.
Not Chimp Like.:)


And, he is SMART and seeks JUSTICE.

I would work like hell to see that he became the President!

[goddess40]

12. Too early in his political career

VP maybe but I don't see him as President - not that I wouldn't be thrilled to see him in the White House I just don't think he's ready yet.

[NoodleyAppendage]

13. Hillary or Obama. DINO or DINO. Thanks for a real choice...

Feingold is still the only Dem candidate with the moral authority and balls to stand up for his beliefs and doesn't "wave his wet finger in the air" for direction.

I HATE BEING FORCEFED DINOS.

J

[Demeter]

26. Amen!

What bills has Obama started, supported, or won passage for? So he talks a good game; wouldn't it be nice to vote for somebody who actually DID something?

[Pastiche423]

51. I agree w/you

about DINOs and Feingold.

[Odin2005]

93. Obama isn't a DINO

not fitting the expectations of ideological purists who expect everyone to have the same political views does not make one a DINO. DINOs are scumbags like Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller, not Obama.

[Megahurtz]

103. That's kind of what I was thinking. n/t

[DemNoir]

14. No thanks Barack!

His vote for the evil bankruptcy bill destroyed any illusions I had about him.

[never cry wolf]

15. *cough* He voted AGAINST the bankrupcy bill

as well as against CAFTA.

[Connie_Corleone]

18. Now there you go, letting FACTS get in the way.

[hedgehog]

61. Thanks for clearing that up.

I don't have time to get all the facts myself and tend to trust what others post here.

[Placebo]

63. How dare you!

Injecting facts into a convo about 2008 on DU!

Shamo, shamo.

[Temporary1]

30. I don't want a DLC shill as President either but

I'd vastly prefer and antiwar shill like Obama who knows how life is in foreign countries to a preened homebred like Hillary.

[ripple]

38. Obama is not DLC

That's a false rumor that just keeps rearing it's ugly head.

Hillary, however is a DLC member.

I think Obama is the best candidate we've got, in terms of electability. I hope he runs.

[acmavm]

17. His speeches are wonderful. His votes show his true political leanings.

And this lunacy thinking that he's American's golden child deserving to be the party's nominee after his first term in elected office on a national level is hilarious.

Surely this is some levity directed at the dems to lift our spirits and take the edge off the coming elections. Otherwise someone needs to tell Barack that he's better climb back in the gondola because his trip to Oz is over.

[BlueManDude]

21. Maybe he should roll up his sleeves and accomplish something

in the US Senate before running for president. I guess I'm just old fashioned. The senate's not good enuf for Rock Star Obama.

[acmavm]

23. And while he's at it, maybe is should be something that helps out the

American people, not corporate America.

[jefferson_dem]

22. Which votes, in particular, do you not agree with?

According to votesmart and the WaPo summary, Obama is in total step with the Dem agenda.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/key-votes/

How might a different voting record, as you recommend, put him in a superior position as a pres candidate in '08 (reference to your OZ comment, as much as i can make sense of it)?

[Daphne08]

29. My (fed-up) Republican husband said he would probably

vote for Obama. He likes him.

Adding: The MCA of 2006 killed McCain for him.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

111. Mine too.

He sees Obama as a possible uniter.

To clarify: my Repub hubby voted for Clinton for the same reasons but ended up hating him. He may have voted for Bush in 2000 -- I don't make him tell me how he voted, but I believe he abstained in 2004, being smart enough to realize that Bush is not playing with a full deck but also really disliking John Kerry.

[acmavm]

36. Ahhh! There you've hit it. He votes in line with the dem agenda

all right. The corporatist DLC wing of the democratic party. He voted to extend the patriot Act, against the amendment to the annual defense appropriations bill would have set a firm deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, DIDN'T vote on the confirmation of John G. Roberts, Jr., to be Chief Justice of the United States, the tax breaks to the oil companies (supposedly to spur 'an effort to spur oil and gas companies to provide innovative wasy to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, conserve resources and reduce pollution' (like that's gonna happen), and screwing the people when it comes to class-action lawsuits (we needed a way to make it better, NOT HARDER.)

In the last case the dems 'official' position was that they were against that legislation. But Barak knows where the money comes from.

[caledesi]

47. Obama for VP with ANY of the following:

Clark
Edwards
Richardson
Kerry
even Hillary

Amy more for President? I will probably support.

[allisonthegreat]

19. oh for thegood old days...

I am impressed with Barack but it is to early...but we will have to see!

[Moloch]

24. I like Obama, and would vote for him if he were the

nominee, but I just don't think he has enough experience to run for president... same thing with John Edwards.

[HockeyMom]

27. Hillary and Obama ticket

This is laying the ground work for that.

[elehhhhna]

58. AKA Citibank and General Electric.

[Carni]

52. I think he's too young

JMO...I have nothing against the guy but he just doesn't seem experienced enough to pull it off.

[electron_blue]

55. He'll be 47 then. What kind of experience would you like to see?

[elehhhhna]

57. Some governing, maybe? A sucessful record, perhaps?

[electron_blue]

60. have you checked his record of 8 years as a state senator?

My mind isn't made up yet, I'm just trying to take a hard look at him. He's very intelligent, has leadership qualities and charisma, which like it or not, makes a huge difference on a national scale.

[elehhhhna]

70. Yes and it's not nearly enough seasoning for a man who must undo all

this damage and restore the Constitution. Sorry. He can wait.

[electron_blue]

87. yes, the next person will have a lot of damage to undo. for sure

Who do you think is up to the job?

[Carni]

77. More campaign experience

The 08 campaign is going to be ugly and I am not sure that Obama can be cut throat enough.

[BlueStater]

31. His age may be a factor

But then again, maybe not. He'll be 47 in 2008 which is older than both Clinton and JFK were when they made their respective runs.

True, he doesn't have much experience. But he's extremely intellegent and talks beautifully. After eight years of this asshole mangaling the English language, I think the country may be ready for that again.

[davidinalameda]

72. Clinton and JFK both had plenty of experience

Obama will do good as VP

not president

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

32. I would love an '08 ticket with Obama as VP

Obama is extremely charismatic, more than any other candidate - (D) or (R) - who is being discussed currently.

The Democrats have to use it or lose it. Use his appeal, or lose in '08.

But not as a presidential candidate. He will do much more for the party if he is the VP nominee. Paired with Clinton, Gore or Clark (or even Kerry, though I do not favor an '08 Kerry run) Obama will generate the kind of excitement and optimism that accompanied JFK in '60, RFK in '68, and Carter in '76.

Placing Obama in the VP seat will help allay concerns over his lack of experience.

It will prepare him for a presidential run in 2016.

And it will help protect him, because a whole buncha Murikans will do anything to prevent an African-American presidency.

Alma Powell knows. That's why she kept Colin from running.

[depakid]

33. The man evinces poor judgment at every turn

along with arrogance.

At the rate he's going, he'll be fortunate to keep his senate seat in 2010, much less gain a spot on the 2008 ticket.

The guy just can't keep his mouth shut- and it's going to come back to haunt him.

[ripple]

39. Do you have any specifics?

What exactly has he said that will one day come back to haunt him?

And I strongly disagree with your characterization of Obama as arrogant. Confident, yes. But arrogant?

[depakid]

42. Sure I do

His castigating Howard Dean re: his statement about Republicans showed poor judgment AND was arrogant.

His criticism about the filibuster- when we were trying to keep and OBVIOUSLY unethical man off of the Supreme Court- a man who'd previously lied to Congress during confirmation hearings was about as foolish and counterproductive thing that anyone could have said.

Of course, he went ahead and voted nay on cloture- but the damage had been done.

Not so with the Bankruptcy Bill. That one he enabled, despite it being one of the sorriest and least justified pieces of economic legislation that many of us had ever seen in our adult lives.

Shall I go on? There's more.

[jefferson_dem]

48. Obama voted against cloture on Alito and opposed the bankruptcy bill.

There was plenty about Dean's comments to criticize. Actually, the real "poor judgement" was displayed in Dean making such a statement in the first place rather than in a fellow Dem setting things straight.

[liberalpragmatist]

49. He voted AGAINST the bankruptcy bill

Where the hell did this canard creep up?

[depakid]

67. Have a look at how the process went down

There's more than just the straight up roll call vote.

[fujiyama]

73. He also voted against cloture on it

If I'm mistaken let me know, but I don't think I am.

And he had a very good point about the Alito fillibuster. It wasn't effective at all. The party did a poor job presenting WHY Alito was a threat to the SC...

[depakid]

81. Have another look

Run through Thomas.

Among other things, you'll find an amendment that would have capped credit-card interest rates at a whopping 30 percent. Guess who voted against it? Curious- and of course there's more.

As to Alito- that was poor judgment, or maybe cowardice- or hedge betting. Not sure- though it's surely not something we ought to expect from an "up and coming" leader.

My thoughts are- you're hoping for something that's proving not to materialize.

Could be I'm wrong. I reckon we shall see.

[liberalpragmatist]

94. He voted against the credit-card interest rate amendment...

... because Illinois has a cap that's LOWER than 30% and this would undercut that. He explained it at the time.

[THUNDER HANDS]

35. Charlie Cook said something important today

he said that Obama is hot right now, and that in 10 years, he might not be the hot, young candidate everyone is looking for.

Ask a certain senator from Virginia about the power of timing in presidential politics.

[rigel434]

37. If you like Obama for VP ...

imo, anyone saying they like Obama, but only for VP should specify what realistic candidate for president should be #1 on the ticket. Hillary? Kerry? Edwards? I think Obama trounces all 3 of these (each of whom voted for the Iraq War) as a candidate. Sure, I wish he had a resume 4 pages long, but the important thing is his judgment, intelligence and leadership ability. All of which he seems at first glance to have in spades.

[ripple]

41. right on!

Also, people tend to forget that Obama has more relevant experience than our current idiot-in-chief had when he took office.

With that said, I wouldn't be at all surprised at a Clinton/Obama ticket. That certainly isn't my preference, but the Clintons have amassed a hell of a lot more money, in addition to a solid circle of support from hardball political players.

[hedgehog]

40. Don't underestimate the power of public speaking.

We've been exposed to so much lack luster or meaningless speech in the last 30 years, I don't think that most Americans under the age of 50 understand how a good speech can set the public agenda and motivate people.

Both Roosevelt and Kennedy campaigned one way but once in office, took the pragmatic route to do what was best for the country. FDR was for a balanced budget but gave us the New Deal and JFK campaigned as the Cold Warrior but ended up signing the first Test Ban Treaty. They were always learning and they took the country into new directions. If Obama can learn, that is the finest qualification to have. Who knows where we will be in 2010 or what the opportunities and problems will be?

[Strelnikov_]

43. "They Were Always Learning" But . . But . . But Isn't That A Flip-Flop?

Isn't a strong leader supposed to make a decision and 'stay the course' no matter what unfolds? Even if only your wife and dog are the only ones left who agree?

[hedgehog]

44. Sometimes flip-flops are the way to go!

For example, if you're on the beach, laced up oxfords just don't do it, as Nixon showed us all.


Seriously, Roosevelt would go with whatever worked. That's why many called him a traitor to his class.

[Haole Girl]

45. Yes!

Good news!!


:bounce: :bounce:

[The Count]

50. Another crass timing gaffe...Cant these people wait a few weeks?

It really demonstrates a warped sense of priorities.

[NNguyenMD]

54. As much as I'd like to see a black president...I need someone with more

national experience. 2 years in the senate, and a few terms in the state senate isn't enough for me.

Clinton was attorney general and governor or Arkansas for four terms before he ran. Thats a lot of executive experience, and he beefened his foreign policy credentials by bringing Al Gore onto the ticket.

[Haole Girl]

64. You mean, like Bill Clinton or George W. Bush had?

[NNguyenMD]

80. Didn't vote for Bush

and I think i explained that Clinton still had more executive experience than Obama. AG and Governor

[Placebo]

59. Send my senator to the White House!

Wait...he has no experience.

Eeeep.

[Haole Girl]

65. Who, exactly, would be your choice for president?

I'm curious.

[Placebo]

66. Honestly, I'd be fine with Obama...

but I'd also be fine with almost any other democrat thinking of running since they all bring something to the table.

My first choice was Warner, but since he's out, now it's Hillary. But who knows how things could change, and it's not like I'll have any say in who the nominee is since I'm in Illinois and we get zero say.

I would hate to lose Obama representing our state, though. I'm not sure who here would run for the senate as a democrat if Obama went to the White House.

[bajamary]

83. I'm from IL and not for Obama for president but Gore

I've watched Obama in my Illinois assembly, seen what he's done and frankly, he is not a stand out for the working folks. And he's always, always been in search of the limelight.

Yes, he's great photo-op material, attractive and he's very good speaker and quite facile on the cameras, etc.

But one of the first things the man did was to praise Connie Rice and supporter her 100%. To me, this was a terrible mistake. Connie was instrumental in faking the WMD etc. so how could he (and why did he) support her 100% ?

And Lieberman is "his mentor". Come on folks, this guy's not "for real".

Give me Al Gore in 2008. He's stood up spoken out against all of the horrors of the BushCo gang. Every single thing.

Perhaps Feingold or Edwards could run as the Veep.

[liberalpragmatist]

95. He was assigned Lieberman as a "mentor"

Freshman senators are assigned "mentors" from their party's senior senators.

[bling bling]

110. How do so many 'political enthusiasts' know so very little about politics?

I don't understand why people who have their facts so wrong even come here. It kind of raises my eyebrows. Are they interested in politics or not? If so, why don't they know anything about politics?

And why do they feel no shame about publically posting BAD INFORMATION about members of their own team?

I personally think we should all start keeping a list of all the people who post bullshit, wrong, yet negative statements about Democrats here on the Democratic Underground. These people don't deserve any credibility if they're going to smear our own, whether it's out of UNFORGIVABLE ignorance, or out of more malicious intentions.

On the other hand, I am happy to see these slanderous posts about Obama being called out and corrected (bankruptcy bill, DLC'er, Lieberman mentor, etc. etc.).

Thank you for helping to keep the facts straight. I don't think it can be overstated how important it is to stop untrue smear campaigns against our own, and especially *from* our own. *Sigh.*

[Brazenly Liberal]

68. He's one to keep an eye on

I voted for him in 2004, but to be honest, I'm still waiting for him to produce. He's a little too close to the center line for my tastes so far, but he's really done so little in Washington yet it's hard to tell where he'll land.

The main thing he's got going for him as far as I can see is he can win.

If you've never seen him in person, you can't imagine what it's like. The man radiates charisma. Everybody LOVES him. I remember seeing him speak and looking around at the crowd. Every person in the room was smiling at him. In this normally overwhelmingly Republican county, criticizing Obama is like kicking a puppy - it's just not done.

I remember in 2004, he had all the little old Republican ladies who are my neighbors (this county is full of them) worked up like groupies! None of them could quite pronounce his name, but they adored him. You'd think they'd gone back to the fifties and he was Frank Sinatra. They'd organize field trips to see him. "Oh, you should come with us! We're all going down to Danville to see that nice Bocker Boomer!"

[jefferson_dem]

69. Great post, brazenlyliberal! It's Kicked and Recommended ;-).

I appreciate the perspective. Your sentiments are echoed down here in ATL where there is tremendous excitement ... curiosity at least for what Obama can offer, especially among those turned off by "the politics as usual."

[moc]

82. "We're all going down to Danville to see that nice Bocker Boomer!"

:rofl:

[Placebo]

85. Veteran activists have been saying...

that they haven't seen a candidate just electrify a room like this since Kennedy. Not even Clinton!

[Brazenly Liberal]

98. Obama, Kennedy, Clinton

Speaking of personal magnetism, the difference between Clinton and Obama is a significant one: Big Dawg has a polarizing effect. You love him or hate him. Obama has his mesmerizing effect on people across much/most of the political spectrum.

I was only middle school age when Kennedy was elected, but as I recall it, he was more Big Dawg than Obama. People loved him or hated him. In the part of Chicago when/where I grew up, there was a major Catholic church in every little sub-neighborhood. My sisters and I were in high school before we personally knew anyone who wasn't a Catholic Democrat. In those parts, Kennedy may as well have been a saint the minute he got the nomination. By the time he was assassinated, every household in the area had that creepy portrait of him with the eyes that follow you around the room. But there were areas where he was hated bitterly and a fairly large number of people still believe he stole that election.

[fujiyama]

74. I have more confidence in him

than many of the other potential candidates talked about. He's more charismatic than anyone else I've seen in politics today - of either party.

I think it might be better to have some more experience though - maybe as a governor, or state attorney general - some sort of executive position where you actually make decisions and lead. From what I've heard he did that in the state senate, but I think I'd like to atleast see it on a statewide level first.

And while I know that he hasn't the firebrand people might have expected, his vote record is NOT like some RW southern DLC member. I can only think of one or two really bad things he voted for.

[Chulanowa]

76. Obama is not for 2008, sorry

And the reason why is as much for him as it is for the country.

First is his lack of experience. The man has passion and drive, sure, but experience does count for a lot. Second is his centrism. I don't want a far-left sort of guy, no, but Obama's just a few notches too far to the right for my taste.

The end result if he gets elected in 2008 is that he would be a "mediocre pause" president, trapped between something great and awful (the Bush administration), and in all liklyhood, a far more noteworthy Democratic president in 2012. Obama could be a great president, but if he gets it in 2008, he will be reduced to a footnote. Nobody here wants to see this great man fill the same place in history books that "Poppy" got.

We have a small army of more experienced candidates that fit the whole of the party a little better. We put one of these guys in in 2008, provide a sharp and noteworthy turn from the abominable * Imperium, and then the stage is set for Obama to take the presidency in '12 or '16, add his own accellerant, and take the hell off :)

I like Obama, I do. Great guy, and yes, he damn sure will be a president of our nation within hte forseeable future. I'm just saying that 2008 isn't going to be the year.

[liberalpragmatist]

97. I don't really get the whole "centrist" thing

The guy's voting record is one of the most liberal in the Senate. Progressive Punch rated him 8th most progressive in the body.

I know a lot of DU'ers and also a lot of posters over at MyDD get all tied up in a knot because of Obama's embrace of religious language. But in my view, that's missing the forest from the trees. Obama speaks very convincingly from a religious perspective and articulates a very progressive agenda that is openly at odds with that of Pat Robertson and the Christian Right.

So he voted "yes" on Condi Rice. Russ Feingold voted to confirm Ashcroft. The only candidate who'll vote the way you like all the time is yourself. (I'm not directing this at you specifically - more at the Obama-critics in general.)

[lupita]

88. Gore / Obama 2008 nt

[aaronbees]

89. He's not my top choice but ...

I'd like to see him run, if only for the discussion he'll bring to the debates and the chance to see him as a VP candidate, where I think he'd fit well. I'm not happy with some of his votes but I think he's a decent, articulate man who adds something to the conversation about where Dems should go. Why not go for it?

[LetsGoMurphys]

90. He gives the aura of hope that I hear people say that JFK gave

people. I think all Americans are looking for such a leader after such a long time of negativity and fear.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

100. He needs to be campaigning for Democratic candidates right now and worry

about 2008 and selling books after this election is over. Ben Cardin could use some help from Obama right now in his Maryland US Senate campaign where the pukes are playing the race card. He needs to help the party now if he wants the party's help him in 2008.

[pkz]

101. you're right

He does need to be campaigning for Democratic candidates right now and worrying
about 2008 and selling books after this election is over.

This may make the other party come out in groves and that is not a good option here.
I think it will not energize the Dems base as much as give the other side some ammo...albeit, mostly rhetoric and maybe some racist sly commentary.

[IronLionZion]

102. Barack Obama on the issues

http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Barack_Obama.htm

I'm getting sick of posting this. I also hope he runs for president/VP sometime in the near future and Hillary does not. It's time for a non-white ethnic minority in the white house.

[dback]

104. It's a bad, bad idea for Obama, Clinton, etc. to "break their promise" & run

All it's going to do is open the door to criticism that they break their promises, don't fulfill their obligations, are power-delusional, etc.

I understand their impatience, but this is not the time.

In 2012, depending on the political landscape, when both Obama AND Clinton have served at least one full Senate term--possibly two for Clinton--then they will be viable candidates.

Until then, we should be concentrating on people like Wes Clark, Evan Bayh, and others.

[ripple]

107. The public is pretty forgiving of that sort of broken promise

I think that's really a non-issue. It certainly wasn't a major issue for Kerry.

Although she isn't my preferred presidential candidate, Hillary will have served a full term by the time the '08 race really starts heating up.

My preference would be for Hillary to stay in the Senate and at some point, become the first female majority leader.

Obama should run while he still has the momentum behind him, and before he's in the Senate long enough to have his voting record completely misconstrued. Look at how much that has already happened on DU, let alone in a national election. When it comes to warding off attacks during campaign season, I think Obama's limited Senate record will help him, rather than hurt him. And since he has more relevant experience than B* had when he took office, I don't think the rethugs will be able to get away with making that a central issue in the race.

[laureloak]

106. What are his accomplishments? n/t

[ripple]

109. About the same as any dem in the repug controlled

Senate. All the dems have really been able to accomplish has been to try to mitigate the damage as much as possible. It hasn't been enough by a long shot, but they also haven't had the majority necessary to accomplish a whole lot more than that.

I definitely think Obama has both the will and the vision to accomplish a great deal, if he has the tools necessary to do so.

[dysfunctional press]

112. I cannot support obama in 08-

and for the same reason that i couldn't support john edwards in 2004- a one-term(even less for obama) senator has no business making a presidential run, imho.

[olshak]

113. I can understand....

...this view, but looking around at some of our current elected officials, I am not so sure that is a bad thing. The guy has a lot of experience here in Illinois and by all accounts hasn't yet sold his soul to the devil... So another perspective would be to take advantage of a situation where someone who is untainted can move an agenda.

I haven't decided whether or not to support him yet, but experience is only one factor of many... and the guys rates pretty well in terms of where he is politically, socially, and in terms of personal integrity. A pretty good combination.

[dysfunctional press]

114. he's too far to the right for my tastes...

but it seems like a lot of people on the left just swoon for an articulate black man.

[SoCalDem]

115. Shee-it.. If he weighs 2008 he better run... a LOT

:)