Obama exploring Presidential run?

[vniow]

Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat who rose to prominence with his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and has become one of the party's most sought-after speakers, said he's exploring a presidential bid.

``Running for the presidency is a profound decision -- a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone -- and so before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country.'' Obama said in a statement on his Web site.



http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=ax7pLgm4kL_k&refer=home

[leekohler]

Does this answer your question?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-070116obama,1,1946725.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[Veritas&Equitas]

This country desparately needs Barack Obama. Not only for us, and our children, but our children's children. Granted, the only reason I'd support Hilary is because I admire Bill for his political abilities (not private life), and I'm sure he'd have quite a bit of sway if she were elected President. Yet, I think Barack is an incredible man who has more intelligence, charisma, and a true understanding of people in his pinky toe than GW could ever imagine having.

I hope him being black doesn't present any problems, or his middle name being Hussein, but knowing our country, I'm sure they both will be major issues, especially for Southern voters. Those that say racism is no longer prevalent in our society are vastly mistaken.

The fact is that he graduated top of his class from Columbia, top of his class at Harvard Law School, and dedicated years of his life to pro bono work and helping those who truly need it in inner city Chicago. He is a great man; and I for one, will be doing my damndest to try to get him elected. Every time I watch his speech from the DNC I get chills up my spine; he's a born leader that commands your attention whenever you see or hear him.

P.S. In addition, he was one of the very few people that voted against the war in Iraq from the very beginning. Keep in mind, when running for Senate in Illinois, out of the 6 major candidates, he was the only one who stood on that side of the fence regarding the war. Also, he had 1/10 the funds that the front-runner did during that election, and managed to beat every candidate in a landslide victory. I would NOT underestimate this man.

[mactastic]

Hmm... someone most Democrats could vote for without holding their nose. That would be a vast improvement over previous cycles.

[Swarmlord]

I'm all for having some new faces in the presidential race, that's for sure. I thought it was a bit premature when people were preparing for the coronation of Hillary before the campaign even began. It's been a while since the presidential race was wide open like this with no incombants. I'm looking forward to the debate.;)

[Queso]

Although I would love Obama to become US President, I feel that the establishment over there would do whatever it takes to prevent it.

And most of you probably get what I'm referring to, horrific as the thought is.

[obeygiant]

Although I would love Obama to become US President, I feel that the establishment over there would do whatever it takes to prevent it.

And most of you probably get what I'm referring to, horrific as the thought is.

On the contrary, I think Obama has 25% chance to be the next president. Maybe more.

[leekohler]

On the contrary, I think Obama has 25% chance to be the next president. Maybe more.

I love it. You conservatives are scared as hell of this guy. Take that! :) And I think he could get elected quite easily.

[obeygiant]

I love it. You conservatives are scared as hell of this guy. Take that! :) And I think he could get elected quite easily.

How am I a conservative and why am I scared?

[leekohler]

How am I a conservative and why am I scared?

I always thought you were. :) Am I wrong? And it seems to me that most conservatives are freaked out by Obama, judging by their dismissiveness of him. They know damn well he can win.

[it5five]

Of all the Democrats likely to try to run, I hope Obama makes it.

And about the southern votes that Veritas&Equitas talked about: The people that wouldn't vote for somebody because of their name wouldn't be likely to vote Democrat anyways. He won't be losing any votes in the south. In fact, he'd probably be gaining votes in the south since he would pretty much be gauranteed the black southern vote. There was a good article about this in Newsweek at the beginning of the year.

[Mav451]

It's probably that excellent shot of Al Gore that's giving it away :)
I guess also, in another thread, you put liberal + propaganda in the same sentence (Children of Men thread). "Liberal Propaganda" is commonly used by conservatives online and in media (e.g. Fox News).

[zimv20]

of all the "possibly running" crowd, i like sen obama the most.

but i wonder if all this hype is going to eventually hurt him. the first little bit of dirt that surfaces (alleged affair? undocumented maid?) is going to deflate all those high expectations.

right now he is without flaw. the first one is going to be costly.

[obeygiant]

I always thought you were. :) Am I wrong? And it seems to me that most conservatives are freaked out by Obama, judging by their dismissiveness of him. They know damn well he can win.

i tend to think of myself as more independent, but i think 25% is pretty good odds of winning considering Sen. Clinton will most likely run as well.

Also everyone should consider that anyone who is running for president has to raise around 100 million dollars to come close to winning. Not that Obama cant raise that, which I think he can, but that means he's in a lot of peoples pockets.

[obeygiant]

I guess also, in another thread, you put liberal + propaganda in the same sentence (Children of Men thread). "Liberal Propaganda" is commonly used by conservatives online and in media (e.g. Fox News).

true, but the trick is being able to recognize liberal/conservative propaganda when it comes at you. One doesnt have to be conservative to recognize lefty propaganda.

[Thanatoast]

I don't like Obama. I think the only reason he's popular is because he's somehow the "anti-Hillary" and he's to have caught the attention of the media. Apparently even he himself has fallen for the hype.

He'll run a good campaign, sure, and it'll be super-covered by the media but I don't think he'll be nominated, or win.

Personally, I'd vote for Kucinich given the chance, and I've heard Feingold might be good as well.

The biggest article I've seen about Obama talked about what a great Christian he is, (Newsweek or somesuch) and turned me off of him. What's his political philosophy? I'm obviously super-liberal but he doesn't strike me as such.

[leekohler]

i tend to think of myself as more independent, but i think 25% is pretty good odds of winning considering Sen. Clinton will most likely run as well.

Also everyone should consider that anyone who is running for president has to raise around 100 million dollars to come close to winning. Not that Obama cant raise that, which I think he can, but that means he's in a lot of peoples pockets.

Conservatives would love it if Hillary got the nomination. Even I wouldn't vote for her. I'm afraid she'd be just like Bush, except to the other extreme. No one needs that. I think she would go down in flames.

[zimv20]

I'm afraid she'd be just like Bush, except to the other extreme.
meaning smart? :-)

she's garnered a lot of negativity, even from dems, from what i've seen. but i bet that after some speeches and debates, your opinion of her would improve.

[leekohler]

meaning smart? :-)

No- partisan left. She'd be just as divisive.

she's garnered a lot of negativity, even from dems, from what i've seen. but i bet that after some speeches and debates, your opinion of her would improve.

She'd have to do a LOT of convincing. I don't know anyone outside of these forums who'd vote for her.

[Swarmlord]

Conservatives would love it if Hillary got the nomination. Even I wouldn't vote for her. I'm afraid she'd be just like Bush, except to the other extreme. No one needs that. I think she would go down in flames.

OMG! We agree? :cool:

Actually a Smeagle/Lurch - er, I mean Kucinich/Kerry ticket- would be my preference, but a Hillary/McKinney ticket would be my second choice.

[yg17]

Of all the Democrats likely to try to run, I hope Obama makes it.

And about the southern votes that Veritas&Equitas talked about: The people that wouldn't vote for somebody because of their name wouldn't be likely to vote Democrat anyways. He won't be losing any votes in the south. In fact, he'd probably be gaining votes in the south since he would pretty much be gauranteed the black southern vote. There was a good article about this in Newsweek at the beginning of the year.


Not name, but race. Take my grandparents for example. Sadly, they're racist...very racist. Unless you're a white Jew, they don't like you. Even though they've always voted Democrat, my grandma said (and my grandpa would agree) "I'm not voting for Obama, he's just going to give this country to the n**gers" Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean, I dunno, but there are Democrats out there who are racist and would refuse to vote for him.

Crap like this makes me glad I'm not close to my grandparents at all, and more importantly, I'm glad my dad or myself are not like them one bit.

[Lyle]

“Are some voters not going to vote for me because I’m African-American? Those are the same voters who probably wouldn’t vote for me because of my politics,” Obama said.Link (http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS01/212110365/-1/NEWS08)

When I heard this it really soured me on Obama, but I have to admit it's a shrewd political trick. Playing to white liberals' guilt might prove to be a powerful tool for siphoning votes away from Hillary.

[leekohler]

Link (http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS01/212110365/-1/NEWS08)

When I heard this it really soured me on Obama, but I have to admit it's a shrewd political trick. Playing to white liberals' guilt might prove to be a powerful tool for siphoning votes away from Hillary.

I'm confused as to why this turned you off. Isn't he referring to the presidential election, not the primary?

[IJ Reilly]

of all the "possibly running" crowd, i like sen obama the most.

but i wonder if all this hype is going to eventually hurt him. the first little bit of dirt that surfaces (alleged affair? undocumented maid?) is going to deflate all those high expectations.

right now he is without flaw. the first one is going to be costly.

The danger is in peaking too soon. This happens to candidates with little more than a superficial appeal. By all rights it should have happened to George W. It's up to Obama to prove that he's got the depth to get past that first hurdle. Myself, I get that second coming of RFK feeling about him. I hope it sticks.

[takao]

why hillary clinton is considers so bad still amazes me from time to time

that said i think from what i heard about Obama (which isn't all that much) he might be quite a good candidate ... he isn't a "me too" republican light candidate like Kerry and thus might generate more votes

how many african american senators are there actually ?

[IJ Reilly]

why hillary clinton is considers so bad still amazes me from time to time

that said i think from what i heard about Obama (which isn't all that much) he might be quite a good candidate ... he isn't a "me too" republican light candidate like Kerry and thus might generate more votes

how many african american senators are there actually ?

Exactly one, if you include Mr. Obama, who is actually mixed-race.

Hillary Clinton's problem is that she appears to have no political center. I think she's got some major sincerity issues. She also has a problem with her stand on the war -- very close to Kerry's "I was against it before I was for it." Finally, her candidacy would be a huge gift to the Republicans, who would just love the opportunity to run against Bill again.

[Thanatoast]

How can Hillary be too Left? If anything she's too far Right. Remember, Bubba was the new kind of Democtrat, the one willing and able to compromise with the Republicans in the 90's. Hillary does the same thing except with less charisma and even farther to the Right as the center has shifted.

I don't want someone in office who's willing to "compromise" on my civil liberties or the war with the Right-wing nutjobs.

[Veritas&Equitas]

I don't like Obama. I think the only reason he's popular is because he's somehow the "anti-Hillary" and he's to have caught the attention of the media. Apparently even he himself has fallen for the hype.
You really think the only reason he's popular is because he is "anti-Hilary?" What planet have you been living on the past few years? And please, tell me why you don't like him?

The biggest article I've seen about Obama talked about what a great Christian he is, (Newsweek or somesuch) and turned me off of him. What's his political philosophy? I'm obviously super-liberal but he doesn't strike me as such.
Keep in mind, especially with the re-juventation of the so-called Southern Democrats winning in a landslide this past election, religion still plays a HUGE role in the average, voting American's mind. Having said that, I'm pretty much an atheist. Yet, I think his take on life and religion (Christianity in particular) is what will REALLY propel him over any other Democrat and probably convert some Republicans to vote for him as well, especially with the appalling moral issues the Republicans have had to deal with the over the past year (Foley, Ney, Abramoff, etc.).

One of the biggest knocks on the Democrats in the past few years has been the conservatives calling them the "Godless Party." Karl Rove recognized how important the religious groups were for the past 2 elections; the evangelicals and religious groups were the one's that got Bush elected in 2000 and 2004.

I think the Democratic Obama showing how important religion is to him breathes a new fire into the Democratic party that will eventually lead many more voters from both sides to vote for him. Even if for some reason his beliefs regarding his religion aren't completely real, I think it's a great political and PR move.

** But for the record, and based on his religious past & upbringing, I'd say his words and actions are true regarding his faith, and do match up with his character. He isn't all of sudden saying how important God is to him, he's been noted for being a religious man since his early days of college.**

[zimv20]

How can Hillary be too Left?
not sure of her stance on it now, but she was the architect of the national healthcare plan during the early clinton years.

and as we all know, anytime the gov't takes money from you at gunpoint and gives it to someone needy, that's socialism.

[Lyle]

I'm confused as to why this turned you off. Isn't he referring to the presidential election, not the primary?Yes, I think in that particular case he was referring to the general (presidential) election -- but it demonstrates to me that he's willing to go there (i.e. equating a vote against him as a racist vote). Before I heard him say that I was extremely impressed with him (and he's admittedly still my favorite Democratic contender for the office), but his response to the question just really disappointed me.

[trebblekicked]

Yes, I think in that particular case he was referring to the general (presidential) election -- but it demonstrates to me that he's willing to go there (i.e. equating a vote against him as a racist vote). Before I heard him say that I was extremely impressed with him (and he's admittedly still my favorite Democratic contender for the office), but his response to the question just really disappointed me.


do you mean this quote:

“Are some voters not going to vote for me because I’m African-American? Those are the same voters who probably wouldn’t vote for me because of my politics,” he said.

is that what disappoints you? if so, i'm not sure i get it. could you explain?

[Lyle]

do you mean this quote:

“Are some voters not going to vote for me because I’m African-American? Those are the same voters who probably wouldn’t vote for me because of my politics,” he said.

is that what disappoints you? if so, i'm not sure i get it. could you explain?I already did, chief. Try to keep up.

[Thanatoast]

You really think the only reason he's popular is because he is "anti-Hilary?" What planet have you been living on the past few years? And please, tell me why you don't like him?Like I said, he's not shown me anything I can identify with (alá Kucinich) and what I have heard is that he's religious. I don't like religious people. How can I trust somebody to make rational decisions about how to run the country when they're busy talking to an imaginary bearded guy and basing their decisions off a five thousand year old code of conduct written by nomadic goat herders.

Keep in mind, especially with the re-juventation of the so-called Southern Democrats winning in a landslide this past election, religion still plays a HUGE role in the average, voting American's mind. Having said that, I'm pretty much an atheist. Yet, I think his take on life and religion (Christianity in particular) is what will REALLY propel him over any other Democrat and probably convert some Republicans to vote for him as well, especially with the appalling moral issues the Republicans have had to deal with the over the past year (Foley, Ney, Abramoff, etc.).

One of the biggest knocks on the Democrats in the past few years has been the conservatives calling them the "Godless Party." Karl Rove recognized how important the religious groups were for the past 2 elections; the evangelicals and religious groups were the one's that got Bush elected in 2000 and 2004.It's true that religious people make up a large part of the electorate. But no matter how many votes it might win I can't in good conscience pander to them. I'm not going to tell them that God is on our side, that stem cell research is murder and that gay people should have no rights. Throwing bones to the bigots in the country is not the way an election should be won. It works, but it's wrong. I'd rather lose and keep my principles.

I realize that I'm lumping all religious people together here, but which particular religious groups have been the deciding factors recently? The numb-headed *******s, that's who.

I think the Democratic Obama showing how important religion is to him breathes a new fire into the Democratic party that will eventually lead many more voters from both sides to vote for him. Even if for some reason his beliefs regarding his religion aren't completely real, I think it's a great political and PR move.

** But for the record, and based on his religious past & upbringing, I'd say his words and actions are true regarding his faith, and do match up with his character. He isn't all of sudden saying how important God is to him, he's been noted for being a religious man since his early days of college.**So he was indoctrinated when he was young? That's not a ringing endorsement in my book. He may be a good person. He may make the right decisions. I haven't heard any of his positions on anything I care about, (the war, the environment, the Constitution...)
but I have heard that he's religious, and that bothers me. The only thing I've gotten from the media is that he's a good, solid Christian and that shouldn't matter. Of course, to my discredit, after the five page article I saw about his Christianity, I stopped reading about him. They managed to turn me against him.

So like I said, what's his take on some of the issues I mentioned above? Is he loony left like Kucinich? A running towards the right-leaning-center-triangulator like Hillary? His own man? I don't know.
not sure of her stance on it now, but she was the architect of the national healthcare plan during the early clinton years.And if it polled badly today? She'd drop it in a New York second.

[it5five]

Thanatoast,

Just so you know Obama's position on the war: He was always against the war. He has been voting against it from the start.

[leekohler]

Like I said, he's not shown me anything I can identify with (alá Kucinich) and what I have heard is that he's religious. I don't like religious people. How can I trust somebody to make rational decisions about how to run the country when they're busy talking to an imaginary bearded guy and basing their decisions off a five thousand year old code of conduct written by nomadic goat herders.

It's true that religious people make up a large part of the electorate. But no matter how many votes it might win I can't in good conscience pander to them. I'm not going to tell them that God is on our side, that stem cell research is murder and that gay people should have no rights. Throwing bones to the bigots in the country is not the way an election should be won. It works, but it's wrong. I'd rather lose and keep my principles.

I realize that I'm lumping all religious people together here, but which particular religious groups have been the deciding factors recently? The numb-headed *******s, that's who.

So he was indoctrinated when he was young? That's not a ringing endorsement in my book. He may be a good person. He may make the right decisions. I haven't heard any of his positions on anything I care about, (the war, the environment, the Constitution...)
but I have heard that he's religious, and that bothers me. The only thing I've gotten from the media is that he's a good, solid Christian and that shouldn't matter. Of course, to my discredit, after the five page article I saw about his Christianity, I stopped reading about him. They managed to turn me against him.

So like I said, what's his take on some of the issues I mentioned above? Is he loony left like Kucinich? A running towards the right-leaning-center-triangulator like Hillary? His own man? I don't know.
And if it polled badly today? She'd drop it in a New York second.

Umm- go to his website. It should answer your questions. ;) Why didn't you just go there in the first place? :)

http://obama.senate.gov/

[pseudobrit]

Yes, I think in that particular case he was referring to the general (presidential) election -- but it demonstrates to me that he's willing to go there (i.e. equating a vote against him as a racist vote).

But he didn't say that.

He said that anyone who didn't vote for him because of racial bias wouldn't have voted for him anyway.

He's not at all implying the inverse and I fail to see how in good faith you're making such a leap.

[solvs]

Ok, unlike most here I actually do know some his positions, but I can see where you might be confused, as no one really seems to want to talk about any of it. They do seem to be holding him up just to knock him down. Which is actually kind of too bad. I don't agree with him on everything, but he isn't your average fundie. He doesn't just hide behind Christianity to justify some hatred or gain political power. He does actually believe in the basic tenets of what Jesus taught like taking care of the sick, the elderly, the poor, and children (even after they're born). As well as a general pro-environment attitude. Most of which your average tree hugger can get behind. Though he is more centerist on some things, unlike Hillary (or Kerry) who will just bend to whatever is popular (most people don't even know why they hate her, but there really are some pretty valid reasons) he seems to be pretty consistent.

That being said, he doesn't have a chance. Even if he gets beyond the primaries unscathed, there's no way he will win. Maybe as VP if the Republican running is either completely repugnant to the middle and/or not too popular with the fundies, but even then. If it's bad enough that racism is alive and well in this country in this day and age, there are also a lot of people who won't vote for him because other people are racist and know he won't win. No matter how hypocritical and far right they'll lean, McCain, Liberman, and Guliani will still be seen as moderates, which might help them win the pres, especially against a "far lefty" like Barrack (sounds like Iraq) Hussein (like the dead guy) Obama (sounds like Osama). Especially since he's black (ish). They won't admit to it, but it's there. And it will only get worse when people start calling everyone racist if they don't like him. Thankfully those "moderates" will also be hurt in the primaries by being "moderates", while destroying their credibility with indies, so they probably won't be an issue.

[CorvusCamenarum]

Apparently, he's a smoker as well. (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/points/stories/DN-obamasmokes_05edi.ART.State.Edition1.3e8ee63.html#)

He seems like a stand-up guy and I could probably be persuaded to vote for him based on that alone, provided he sticks to his guns after the election.

[trebblekicked]

I already did, chief. Try to keep up.

gee. thanks, chief. appreciate it.

for my money, he's just pointing out that there ain't too many racist liberal democrats, and i'd be hard pressed to disagree.

seems to me like most white people would just as soon obama not bring up his race; it makes people uncomfortable. well it's going to be an issue, it's going to be brought up, he may as well come out and deal with it.

personally, i think you're reading way, way too much into that quote if you think he's equating a vote against him as a racist gesture. or that it's a shrewd political maneuver of any sort. but that's just me, and clearly i'm a little slow on the uptake.

[Fiveos22]

Ok, his hat's in the ring...let fly the satire!

http://barackobamasellseverything.ytmnd.com/

[Swarmlord]

<snip>Hillary Clinton's problem is that she appears to have no political center. <snip>

I have a feeling that all the front runner candidates are going to be rushing towards the center this time around. The election will be between two moderates - one with an R after his or her name and the other with a D.

[IJ Reilly]

I have a feeling that all the front runner candidates are going to be rushing towards the center this time around. The election will be between two moderates - one with an R after his or her name and the other with a D.

I certainly have no problem with moderates. My point was that Clinton doesn't appear to know what she believes in.

[obeygiant]

could someone creat a poll so we could all vote for Obama or Clinton.
I think the results would be interesting.

[leekohler]

could someone creat a poll so we could all vote for Obama or Clinton.
I think the results would be interesting.

You could start it. ;)

[IJ Reilly]

You could start it. ;)

Hasn't he started enough?

[leekohler]

Hasn't he started enough?

Heehee! Well... :)

[Swarmlord]

I certainly have no problem with moderates. My point was that Clinton doesn't appear to know what she believes in.

She believes in what you want her to believe in. :p

[IJ Reilly]

She believes in what you want her to believe in. :p

Maybe that's what she thinks.

[obeygiant]

Hasn't he started enough?

ha, not nearly.

[xsedrinam]

I certainly have no problem with moderates. My point was that Clinton doesn't appear to know what she believes in.
Looks like Kentucky has her number.

[IJ Reilly]

Looks like Kentucky has her number.

KFC -- isn't that "Kentuckians for Clinton?"