BREAKING NEWS! Senator Obama said he is thinking of running for Presiden

[bigdarryl]

He was on Meet The Press and i myself was kind of surprise to hear he's now thinking of running. he didn't beat around the question as other politicians do often. if Obama runs it will open the democratic party wide open.

[stepnw1f]

1. I Don't Know about Obama.... not yet (nt)

[soothsayer]

5. Me, either. He already did something I didn't like, but I can't recall

what it was. Something with * I think.

[Sherman A1]

2. It would be intertesting.

[acmejack]

3. You must have been the only person in the Country who didn't know!

Wow Darryl he's done everything but put a flashing neon sign on his forehead...

edit: but I think he's still dreaming, but he really has a lot of fans, specially as he seems to be setting himself up among the young. That is what I took away from that interview. The "Anti-Boomer".

[madfloridian]

4. Will most likely be Hillary's VP

Think about it.

[soothsayer]

6. The freeps will play up Chris Rock's "one bullet away from the

first black president" routine, where the dude that offs the prez will be a hero in jail, sure to be pardoned by the new prez! (I guarantee it!)

[Sadie5]

9. Someday he might be a prez

but for now I think he needs a bit more experience under his belt.

[jaxx]

11. JFK came directly from the Senate to the WH

[TankLV]

19. I a way, yes - but in reality "No".

his first "run" was a failure.

He was a sitting senator for his second "run".

But then, he did have his power-broker father running things...

Obama is NO Jack Kennedy...

[jaxx]

23. No, he isn't. I was a Kennedy dem.

But the sparkling personality, the idea of new and young, the ability to speak to the people, and be listened to. It's there. This may be too soon for a run, but definitely the idea has merit. I believe he will have his time.

[Timmy5835]

27. Why do you need experience???????

Consider our current President.

[beaconess]

30. What kind of experience? 20 more years in the Senate?

What will that get him? It didn't do Kerry or Dole any good.

As Frank Rich said in today's NY Times column:

"Of course he should run, assuming his family is on the same page. He’s 45, not 30, and his slender résumé in public office (which also includes seven years as a state senator) should be no more of an impediment to him than it was to the White House’s current occupant. As his Illinois colleague Dick Durbin told The Chicago Tribune last week, 'I said to him, ‘Do you really think sticking around the Senate for four more years and casting a thousand more votes will make you more qualified for president?’' Instead, such added experience is more likely to transform an unusually eloquent writer, speaker and public servant into another windbag like Joe Biden."

Until recently, I was in the "he should wait" camp, however, the more I think about it, the more I think he should probably do it now. A long Senate career has never been much of resume builder for a presidential candidate - in fact, the longer he's there and the more votes he casts, the more ammunition he gives to the other side who can twist his votes and his record just about any way they want.

Also, timing is an issue - this may be the last time for decades that he has a clear shot. If he doesn't run in 2008 and the Democratic nominee wins, the incumbent president will likely run again in 2012 - unless they are an absolute disaster, Obama can't challenge them. In 2016, the Democratic VP would be the presumptive nominee - if they win, they'll likely be the nominee again in 2020. Thus, it's possible that, if Obama doesn't run in 2008, the opportunity may not present itself until 2024 at the earliest.

If Obama wants to run, the time may be now.

[jaxx]

7. Also said later, and I can't remember if it was on Russert.....

From one of the staff of ? that Hillary will NOT run, Obama will run.
One of the round table guys said this.

[Pirate Smile]

12. I heard it too. I believe he said it was a close Clinton person who said

she won't run and he (Obama) will.

[bigdarryl]

8. A talking head on Meet The Press said he spoke to a dem...

advisor who predicts Hillary will not run for president but Obama will

[Pirate Smile]

10. He will most likely be whoever wins the Democratic nomination's VP.

[still_one]

13. It is not Obama's fault since they asked him the questions

but the only thing Democrats SHOULD be thinking about, in fact the only thing people who detest what this administration has done to our country should be thinking about is the 2006 election

[Toots]

14. Anyone can run

That is why we have Primaries.

[Impashund Ubique]

31. Exactly.

The wider the field, the tougher the competition, and perhaps, the better the eventual nominee will be. I think the democratic primaries are going to be the most exciting primaries in years - we have a credible woman and a credible African-American who might just wage serious campaigns for the first time in this nation's history. I can't say I'm for either, but they'll bring plenty to the table.

[Ninja Jordan]

15. If Obama runs (and wins), gotta think Rahm gets his Senate seat

Just an observation.

[longship]

16. Too soon, I think.

That's the main reason why I can't support Hillary at this time, either.

These guys have got to stop using a Senate seat merely as a jumping off place for a Presidential run. Regardless of their intelligence and their capabilities, I don't like this kind of thing.

[BlueManDude]

20. Pretty much sums up one of the things wrong with US politics

win one election, make one speech and all of a sudden you are presidential timber. Just a reflection of our instant gratification, instant informtion society. Everything is speeded up.

I stand by my prediction that Obama will be out of elective politics in 5 years. Now that a Senate seat isn't good enuf for the guy. He's allowing what could be a remarkable career to be derailed by fawning "groupie" activists and dipshit journalists like Joe Klein and David Brooks.

[TankLV]

17. Not my cup of tea - there are MANY more qualiafied and with better ideas

and a track record to match that I would consider BEFORE him.

And so far, I DON'T like what he's done or been sayin since his "boffo" speach to the convention.

Every new utterance makes me cringe...

[bigdarryl]

21. He's just as qualified as those TIRED old other politicians

it's time for some NEW BLOOD in the party instead of the Clintons Kerry Edwards the same old boring people that don't appeal to voters

[Connie_Corleone]

18. Despite what other people here say, I think Obama Should run

in 2008. I don't want him to be a senator for too long. I think he's ready. He was really good on Meet the Press.

And I for one am ready for a President that can bring people together and work with both parties to get things done. I think Obama is the one to do it.

[childslibrarian]

22. I agree

He is intelligent, he doesn't get flustered under pressured questioning (and I've seen many potential candidates get flustered with Tim) and he appears to be a sensible and reasonable person. He is so articulate. He has that charisma factor that Americans insist on (for better or worse.) I have other favorites, but he should throw his hat in the ring. I think he will appeal also to younger people. As much as I've liked Gore and Kerry, neither excited the teens in my household, or their friends...

[blue cat]

24. Not my first choice

but I will for sure be behind him 110% if he wins the primaries.

[stevietheman]

25. No, we don't need an unqualified fence-surfer as the Dem nominee. n/t

n/t

[madmusic]

26. Not yet.

Not enough experience domestic or foreign.

[BluegrassDem]

28. Experience is bull

Obama's so smart that what he doesn't know, he'll learn. He's no Bush! I guarantee you that Obama knows more about domestic and foreign policy than Edwards and Hillary.

[madmusic]

29. That could be.

But after BushCo's ignorance of foreign policy it will take a lot of convincing. Voters are bound to be cautious with inexperience. Nothing wrong with that and after some more years in politics he has a good chance.

[madville]

32. Just can't see it

I just can't see America electing a black president with a name that sounds muslim to most people. The guy seems decent enough and smart but I just don't see it happening in the next few years.