Obama dips toe in 2008 waters

[Herman Munster]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0610180130oct18,1,3559589.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

WASHINGTON -- While Sen. Barack Obama launches the most public of book tours, with appearances on "Oprah Winfrey," the "Today" show, "Larry King Live" and "Meet the Press," he also is more intensively examining whether to run for president in 2008, reaching out to Democratic operatives and trying to reconcile the demands of a national campaign on his family. Obama (D-Ill.) has been having quiet conversations with colleagues and friends about a prospective White House run, but a key concern is whether his wife, Michelle, would support it and whether he could manage the time away from their two young daughters.

"He has gotten the presidential bug bite," said Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Al Gore in 2000. "Barack is constantly calling, he's constantly talking to people. He's not calling me to check on the weather. I'm not saying he's in, but he's checking the water. He's having lots of conversations." Brazile said she is scheduled to talk politics with Obama shortly after Election Day.

Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois' senior Democratic senator and a strong proponent of an Obama presidential bid, said his colleague has learned more about international affairs and the workings of the federal government in his brief Senate career than most governors who run for president. Staying in the Senate, Durbin said, will only provide opponents with more targets as Obama continues to cast votes.

"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?'" Durbin said. "The critical element that remains that he has to face is whether he is willing to be separated from his family for longer periods of time and I think he is staring that right in the face."

[blue cat]

1. I'm watching him on Ophra

He may just be our ticket. Obama/Clark....delightful thought.

[earth mom]

2. Obama? NO THANKS! eom

And NO Wes Clark either! :puke:

[bigwillq]

3. How about Edwards/Obama

then Obama can run in 2016

[sarcasmo]

4. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. &

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[AlCzervik]

5. i can't past the mid-terms right now, after the lection i'm taking a break

for a t least a week and then i'll think about 08'.

[Rockstone]

6. Too young

to woo the voters