Democratic self-appreciation exercise # 3: What do you admire the most about Barack Obama?

[Colobo]

We have done two of these self-appreciation exercises in the last weeks and both have been pretty succesful. It has helped to remind all of us, at least for a moment, that out candidates ARE NOT OUR ENEMIES; they are our representatives and the only hope America has after almost 8 years of Bushism.

Now, in our third thread, I wanna ask you: What do you admire the most about Barack Obama? Again, if you have nothing constructive or positive to say about Sen. Obama, please refrain from posting in this thread.

My response to the question: I admire what he represents and promises to bring to Washington- national reconciliation, hope and prosperity. It would be wrong for me not to support him in his quest for the presidency.

Next week: Dennis Kucinich.

[peacebird]

1. Intelligent, articulate, and a positive attitude.

[Olney Blue]

2. He's brainy and a consensus builder.

[rurallib]

3. His intelligence and charisma.

Mr. Obama can digest and understand a problem about as well as anyone I have seen in public life.

[billyoc]

4. Brains and speaking ability. The fact that he called Harold Ford to tell him

NOT to put his name on the DLC list. Ford had to be made to remove Obama's name TWICE. :grr:

[Grandrose]

5. Intelligent, motivated, positive and forward thinking!

:thumbsup: :)

[Colorado Progressive]

6. I actually think he tells the truth

I honestly think if he doesnt make it this time he will at some point in his life.:wow:

[madrchsod]

7. young and has a vision of what the future should be

i believe he is the only person who, if his policies match his vision , can restore the our faith in our country and to the world.

[femmocrat]

8. A complex thinker, a consensus-seeker, and a thoughtful leader.

I love that he isn't brash and arrogant. I just finished his book, "Audacity of Hope", and was impressed by his ability to see and consider all sides of issues, and to find a sensible solution. I think we have had enough of single-minded "leaders" who tend to think in bumper-sticker slogans. Obama is a man who would very seriously seek the best advice and would not rush into simplistic solutions to the overwhelming problems facing the nation.

[onewholaughsatfools]

9. he is a uniter

I truly believe he can unite this country with the facts of what is needed in all areas to fix what's wrong with America today.......

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

10. It seems to me that

he believes we as a country can fix our problems from the bottom up - education and helping the less privileged. He seems genuine in his care for country over politics.

[Colobo]

11. Thanks! Keep participating!

[Colobo]

12. Kickin'!

[seasat]

13. He has a rare ability to communicate ideas in a way the appeals to all.

Obama can take a liberal idea and word it in such a way that even conservatives agree with it. If he is our nominee, his ability to present our ideas will go a long way towards winning over the general public and silencing the right wingnuts.

Even though he has a solid liberal record, he has an appeal that crosses over party lines. I know several Repugs that would vote for him over their current group of knuckle draggers.

[nevergiveup]

14. The guy is so damn intelligent

and at the same time grounded. He seems just as empathic talking to a group of farmers as he does to a black church congregation. He connects with people and I believe he will someday be president.

[TwilightGardener]

15. Pragmatic, sound judgment, open-minded.

[saltpoint]

16. His command of language.

The address in Boston rates very, very high among my favorite political speeches ever.

And what a tonic Obama can be after 6-8 years of stumble-bumble from Bush.

[angee_is_mad]

17. Intelligence, thoughtfulness, symbolism

Obama is an intelligent man who is thoughtful enough not to send us to war without just cause.

He will be the symbol of all the things that makes America great. That is diversity and bringing people from opposite sides together for a common cause.He will be the one to stop the hate or at the least the disdain that the world currently feels toward us.

[Colobo]

18. Up!

[Colobo]

19. Many people participated in the Edwards one last week

Why aren't more people participating in this one?

[spooky3]

21. hi, K, I think it's the time of day--many people can't post from work.

[spooky3]

20. He's smart; cares enough about us to do the right things.

[flpoljunkie]

22. Obama is the ONE who has the potential to unite both our party and the country for real change

[Dawgs]

23. I admire him for his position on the Iraq war.

Not just because he was against it, but because he understood what would happen in the aftermath (civil war); long before anyone else was even started talking about it.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid901176778/bclid900482168/bctid659820802

[politicasista]

24. His love for his family and being bilingual n/t

[sandnsea]

25. Honesty, integrity, clarity

An ability to take on the worst of the right wing trash, and still build concensus around shared values. I think he's the one to put an end to these talk radio haters because he won't pretend they have a legitimate point of view.

[harun]

26. Honesty, backbone (n/t)

[jenmito]

27. His judgement and his intelligence and his ability to unite the country and

the way he speaks and the way he hits back when attacked and his voice and his smile and...oops, what was the question again? :D Seriously, he's what this country needs.

[elizm]

28. I trust his judgement. nt

[Forkboy]

29. I think I like what he represents more than I like him.

On a personal level he honestly hasn't moved me at all.In many respects he seems a very generic politician,and differs little from Hillary.But like her,there's the aspect of being a first (in his case the first black president,in her's the first woman).That in itself is a cool thing.He's not the first to run obviously,but he is the first who seems to have a genuine shot at winning.I think it's a step that's long overdue for this country,and in that regard I'd be proud to have either him or Hillary as president.

I could give you the intelligent and well spoken line,but all of our candidates are. (Maybe not Gravel.He's intelligent but not so well spoken.He reminds me of the angry old guy telling the kids to get off his driveway.)

[spooky3]

30. k&r

[rucky]

31. He really believes he can unite Americans again.

I'm not really interested in the prospect, but it's the same kind of vision and ambition that Kucinich has in the interest of peace. I admire that quality.

[slick8790]

32. Extremely charasmatic and well spoken.

I've found most people find him likeable no matter what their party affiliation is.

[Colobo]

33. Kick!

[ripple]

34. His nuanced approach to complex issues, his vision, his ability to connect with a variety of people

there's much, much more, but those are some of the top reasons. Thanks for asking! :hi:

[trashcanistanista]

35. I think due to his extreme intelligence, his lack of

experience will be overcome by his ability to select a crack shot cabinet that he can rely on to put forth his vision. I like that he is young and seems to have targeted in on what people want in this country.

[MasonJar]

36. I have heard him speak twice in person; he is a great orator. He

speaks without notes and is ver charismatic.

[ShortnFiery]

37. He's his own person and able to make informed decisions.

Unlike Dear Leader, Obama can apply the constructs of Critical Thinking in order to arrive at "The Best Case Scenario" decisions on COMPLEX topics.

I don't think that a President Obama will spew "Good versus Evil" memes in an effort to keep the populace afraid and supportive of perpetual occupations of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

I believe that a President Obama and a Vice President Clark ;) would help The United States of America gain a more "positive reputation" for fairness and impartiality within the Foreign Relations arena. We need the foregoing badly and it will help ease hostilities that will LESSEN terroristic threats to both the US and it's allies. :thumbsup:

[applegrove]

38. Hope.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

39. From a purely pragmatic side...

he's polling THIRD among Iowa REPUBLICANS.

I think he could move a huge number of GOP leaning independents and moderate Republicans over to our side of the fence.

Mind you, a lot of those people would become members of the (D.U. hated) DLC or Blue Dog wings of the Democratic party, but they'd provide powerful incentive to remaining Republican officeholders not to block common-sense Democratic initiatives.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[jillan]

40. He's articulate and clean.

Sorry - I couldn't help it:eyes:

[bamacrat]

41. I have noticed many people have said articualte or well spoken.

And while I agree he is those things, and seems to have some good ideas, I wonder if he were white would the way he pronounces his words be mentioned?

[JANdad]

46. Uhhh...yea

just had to piss on a good thread huh?

[Ethelk2044]

42. Obama has proven he is for the middle and low income people

He worked as a community organizer because he cares about people. He could have went to several law firms when he graduated from College. However, he chose to take a job which pays $12,000. It shows he is not in it for the money. He is in it because he cares about the people.

[illinoisprogressive]

43. his intellect and his committment to public service to help people not himself.

[Nimrod2005]

44. Truly a breath of fresh air, a sense of having the ability to overcome many things to make life

better for fellow humans...

[LittleClarkie]

45. He's a lovely shade of cocoa brown

I keed! I keed!

I admired his website. Very, very detailed positions. Tons of info. Kudos to him for that.

[blm]

47. He's further away from BushInc's corruption than a number of other Democrats.

And that is how I will judge ANY and EVERY lawmaker until the Bushes and the BFEE are held accountable at long last.

Obama has no experience covering up for the Bushes and THAT is how I prefer my Democratic lawmakers.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

48. Obama is passionate, idealistic and enthusiastic

And, although I would prefer him as VP in '08', I think he'll make an excellent President in the future