Obama for the U.S. Senate (Chicago Tribune)

[never cry wolf]

A bit surprising for me, not that I thought they would actually endorse Keyes, but I considered it a strong possibility that they could just not endorse. However, their endorsement of Obama was not given grudgingly, but in glowing terms, which is what really surprised me.


In his autobiography, Barack Obama recounts one of his first lessons in Chicago politics, received while getting a haircut in Hyde Park, just days after arriving here to become a community organizer.

"People weren't just proud of Harold," the barber told Obama about the night Harold Washington was elected as Chicago's first black mayor. "They were proud of themselves."

Nearly two decades later, that's how many in the black community, the white community, the suburban community, the Downstate community and even many in the Republican community are talking about Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Barack Obama.

They see not only an African-American politician with great promise. They see a rare example of someone who is able to rise above ethnic and racial divides and political partisanship and find the best in people, find common ground and solve problems. They are proud that such a person hails from Illinois.

So are we. The Tribune today offers a heartfelt endorsement for Barack Obama in the race for the U.S. Senate.

Much more---> http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0410240403oct24,1,1903804.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[UrbScotty]

1. So much for Alan Keyes's Joe-mentum. (nt)

[TahitiNut]

2. Whew! That's about as glowing an endorsement as I've seen.

Obama better stay out of small planes.

[never cry wolf]

The trib is hardcore repug too!

Last week they endorsed dimson again, have endorsed repugs for prez since 1872, this is very unusual but speaks to Obama's nearly universal appeal.

[grace0418]

17. god that scares the shit out of me

I kid you not.

[Lady President]

3. Wonderful endorsement

I also thought the Tribune might stay quiet on this one, but that's a wonderful piece.

I was a delegate to the Dem. Nat'l Convention and hearing Barack speak in person was one of the moving moments I've ever experienced.

[never cry wolf]

5. I am SO jealous!

Hearing him give that speech on TV was one of the most moving moments I've ever experienced. I couldn't imagine what it was like in person!

[demokatgurrl]

8. I'm jealous too- of the people who will have him for a Senator.

We have Sanctorum and Specter. :puke:

[MasonJar]

4. Boy, they really know how to go out on a limb.

[never cry wolf]

6. True, LOL.

But the way they endorsed him is what gets me, even said they would have made the same endorsement if Jack Ryan had been his opponent.

Some unusual circumstances have played on this race. A leading Democratic primary candidate imploded after divorce record disclosures. The Republican primary winner, Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race after embarrassing disclosures from his own divorce files. The leaderless Republicans flailed for weeks before choosing a replacement. And then they chose the bombastic, ultra-conservative Alan Keyes of Maryland, who instantly alienated great swaths of the state with his shrill rhetoric. It is hard now to call this a contest.

If Jack Ryan had remained in the race, though, the outcome of the election and the Tribune's choice would have been the same.

Obama's election to the Senate is a foregone conclusion. The self-described skinny guy with a funny name who says he survived college with two towels in the bathroom and three plates in the kitchen is already being talked about as a candidate one day for president.

That underscores the unique pressures he will face in the Senate, where he likely will be the only African-American. He hasn't left the Illinois Senate, yet he's already in great demand around the country from Democrats who want to be linked to his star.

The expectation here is that Obama won't succumb to the pressures or get caught up in the celebrity. The expectation is that he will be an effective senator because he will listen to Illinoisans, and to the voice that has gotten him this far--his own.

[madrchsod]

7. big deal...

they endorse bush, then endorse obama. of course they`d go with obama ,they may need his senate vote on some corporate interest of theirs. still doesn`t make up for their ass kissing bush endorsement...

[Dickie Flatt]

9. nobody can endorse keyes and maintain any credibility

so of course they'd go for obama

[Pithy Cherub]

10. Love Barack Obama more

because he is a discovery of the people, by the people and for the people. The political establishment and the convention covering media were napping and Obama used his talent and skills for the best effect. Barack is now the People's Politician!

[Julien Sorel]

11. I call BS.

If Jack Ryan had remained in the race, though, the outcome of the election and the Tribune's choice would have been the same.

These people, by their own admission, almost never endorse a Democrat. They endorsed Hoover over FDR, FFS. They endorsed Bush, then defended it with one of the most absurd set of arguments I've ever seen. If anyone credible was running for the Republicans, these partisan hacks would endorse them, like they always do.

A meaningless endorsement from a rubber stamp editorial board, with balls the size of BBs.

[Charlie Brown]

12. Good to hear

Does anyone know if ANY newspaper has endorsed Keyes?

[never cry wolf]

13. Good question

If any did, you'd think he'd have them on his web site. Nothing there so I am guessing not.

[Nexus7]

15. The "Illinois Leader" heh heh

I'm guessing the IL Leader willl endorse him. Then again, they have as much credibility as any other freeper.

[Cocoa]

14. damage control for the Trib

huge uproar over their shameful re-endorsement of the Worst President Ever.

[struggle4progress]

16. Somehow Keyes' call for legalizing machine guns just hasn't ...

... won the hearts of the good people of Chicago.

[truthisfreedom]

18. but it positively SINGS to the heart of American family values! machine

guns for everyone, NOW! </sarcasm>