Obama eyes Presidential bid

[Michael Z]

Obama Takes First Steps in N.H.

[...]

To the question everyone wanted answered -- Is he going to run? -- Obama was noncommittal. "I haven't made that determination. I'm still running things through the traps," he said. He added, "I want to take my time on it, not only to make sure the politics makes sense but that I feel I have something unique to offer that would help move the country forward."

But he closed his speech here early Sunday night with words that seemed to signal growing interest in a campaign. "America is ready to turn the page," he said. "America is ready for a new set of challenges. This is our time. A new generation is prepared to lead."

Aides said a final decision will come in January, while in the meantime the Obama team continues to prepare the machinery for a campaign if the senator concludes that the time is right. Pronouncing himself "suspicious of hype," Obama said he would not be driven into the race "simply because of the opportunity but because I think I will serve the country well by that."

[...]

Source.


It's fairly clear to me he's going to run - and I hope he'll run.

[Padfoot]

I have mixed feelings about Obama.  I think he is definately a likeable enough person but he hasn't established himself very well yet.  He has been in politics for such a short time that most people have no idea where he stands on the major issues.  Sometimes I wonder if he even has formed an opinion.  His lack of experience also kinda scares me.  I'd be much more comfortable with him if he had served in an executive position before.

However, people flock to see him, hear him, and most importantly (I think) touch him.  People are literally reaching out to him nearly everywhere he goes.  I don't see any people lined up like that just to get a feel of Hillary's sleeve.  His youth is also an assest in the sense that it could inspire more young (under 35) people to vote.  This ability to get people energized and excited would be a major asset.

In the end though I think he is much better suited as someone's running mate.  After 8 years as VP I think he'd be unstoppable.

[Rob]

In the end though I think he is much better suited as someone's running mate.

He'd overshadow the top of the ticket...

[afleitch]

I'll say something that strikes me about Obama - he talks about faith and religion in away I find comfortable...and I tend to find candidates talking about religion uncomfortable and unnecessary. He talks about what it means for 'him', not what it should mean for 'you' which is what i've been used to hearing.

[Padfoot]

In the end though I think he is much better suited as someone's running mate.

He'd overshadow the top of the ticket...

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

[skybridge]

He has been in politics for such a short time that most people have no idea where he stands on the major issues.  Sometimes I wonder if he even has formed an opinion.

It's not like nobody has read his book.

[Harry]

2016.  That's when we need Obama.  2008 is too early.

[Rob]

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

2016.  That's when we need Obama.  2008 is too early.

2016 is too late, and no one wants your hero Hillary.

I'm pretty sure that 2008 will be a "change" election rather than an "experience" election. Obama's relative inexperience can be spun into a positive, given the current political climate.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

In the end though I think he is much better suited as someone's running mate.

He'd overshadow the top of the ticket...

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yeah. Hillary puts people to sleep when she opens her mouth.

I'm pretty damn close to jumping on the Obama bandwagon (especially considering that Russ Feingold and Mark Warner will not be running).

[Reaganfan]

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

2016.  That's when we need Obama.  2008 is too early.

2016 is too late, and no one wants your hero Hillary.

I'm pretty sure that 2008 will be a "change" election rather than an "experience" election. Obama's relative inexperience can be spun into a positive, given the current political climate.

I disagree. With the state of war, we have to have a strong leader and a hawk on defense. McCain has experience. What the hell did Obama do? I know one thing he did...lie about serving his full six year term.

[Keystone Phil]

Hillary is going to slap him back down to planet Earth. I'm going to love watching that primary.

[skybridge]

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

It's a poor strategy to run some established bore backed by someone likeable. Didn't work in 2004. Running someone charismatic backed by somone experienced is surer to win.

[Reaganfan]

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

It's a poor strategy to run some established bore backed by someone likeable. Didn't work in 2004. Running someone charismatic backed by somone experienced is surer to win.

Kinda like Reagan-Bush or Bush-Cheney.

[True Democrat]

Question to Obama supporters:

What exactly does Obama stand for in terms of ideology and not rhetoric?

[Sibboleth]

Question to Obama supporters:

What exactly does Obama stand for in terms of ideology and not rhetoric?

(Just to make this clear; I'm neutral at the moment)

You could ask exactly the same question of both Clinton and Bush.

[© Tweed the Younger]

Question to Obama supporters:

What exactly does Obama stand for in terms of ideology and not rhetoric?

(Just to make this clear; I'm neutral at the moment)

You could ask exactly the same question of both Clinton and Bush.

And basically every other candidate.  McCain doesn't stand for anything.

[skybridge]

Question to Obama supporters:

What exactly does Obama stand for in terms of ideology and not rhetoric?

(Just to make this clear; I'm neutral at the moment)

You could ask exactly the same question of both Clinton and Bush.

And basically every other candidate.  McCain doesn't stand for anything.

Obama is for investing more money in education, especially in technical fields, for the death penalty, against gun control (I think), a phased troop withdrawal in Iraq, more internationalism, separation of church and state for the church as well as the state's benefit, alleviating poverty but for welfare reform, etc.

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

It's a poor strategy to run some established bore backed by someone likeable. Didn't work in 2004. Running someone charismatic backed by somone experienced is surer to win.

Kinda like Reagan-Bush or Bush-Cheney.

Yup.

[Harry]

Obama is for investing more money in education, especially in technical fields, for the death penalty, against gun control (I think), a phased troop withdrawal in Iraq, more internationalism, separation of church and state for the church as well as the state's benefit, alleviating poverty but for welfare reform, etc.

I'm pretty sure Obama is pro gun control and anti-death penalty.

[skybridge]

Obama is for investing more money in education, especially in technical fields, for the death penalty, against gun control (I think), a phased troop withdrawal in Iraq, more internationalism, separation of church and state for the church as well as the state's benefit, alleviating poverty but for welfare reform, etc.

I'm pretty sure Obama is pro gun control and anti-death penalty.

You haven't read his book, then.

"I believe there are some crimes--mass murder, the rape and murder of a child--so heinous, so beyond pale, that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment" (58).

I take back the anti-gun control statement, though. "I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities, and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun manufacturers' lobby" (215). He does say leftists should acknolwedge how important guns are to some Americans too.

[Gustaf]

Edwards was thought to be too inexperienced when he had 6 years in the senate. Obama running with 4 years behind him? Nah...I don't think the climate is right for change anyway, people need some experience to reassure them. Who is the least experienced president of modern times?

[Big DaddyTX]

Obama and Hillary better watch out. Everyones favorite candidate, Dennis Kucinich, has announced he's gonna run.

 Can't wait to see this primary.

[TheresNoMoney]

None of the candidates in either party have come out with specific proposals yet.  People should quit  asking what Obama "stands for" unless they want to ask the same thing about McCain, Romney, Brownback, Thompson, etc.

[Keystone Phil]

None of the candidates in either party have come out with specific proposals yet.  People should quit  asking what Obama "stands for" unless they want to ask the same thing about McCain, Romney, Brownback, Thompson, etc.

Except those people have actually been involved in certain areas. Barack Obama goes to Kenya and it is the biggest deal in the world. You bet people should ask him what he stands for because all we have seen was him going on trips, campaigning and hearing him say stuff like, "America can hope! Audacity of Hope - buy it online or stop in your local Barnes and Noble..."

[Soaring Eagle]

Even if he ran with Hillary or Gore?

Yes.

In any case, there's really no reason to run Obama as veep.

2016.  That's when we need Obama.  2008 is too early.

2016 is too late, and no one wants your hero Hillary.

I'm pretty sure that 2008 will be a "change" election rather than an "experience" election. Obama's relative inexperience can be spun into a positive, given the current political climate.

I disagree. With the state of war, we have to have a strong leader and a hawk on defense. McCain has experience. What the hell did Obama do? I know one thing he did...lie about serving his full six year term.

McCain lied that he would kill himself once Democrats took back the Senate. He cannot be trusted to run America. A vote for John McCain is a vote for more Republican lies and unreliable leaders.

I'm Soaring Eagle and I approve this message.

[TheresNoMoney]

[quote author=TheresNoMoney You bet people should ask him what he stands for because all we have seen was him going on trips, campaigning and hearing him say stuff like, "America can hope! Audacity of Hope - buy it online or stop in your local Barnes and Noble..."

Or you could go to your local library and get it for free. There are long chapters in there about many of the major issues facing our country today.

My guess, you'll just continue to whine......