Questions from Iceland to Norway for Obama

[babylonsister]

Questions from Iceland to Norway for Obama

by John McCormick


ALGONA, Iowa – There are almost always questions from voters about health care, immigration and the influence of lobbyists.

But others are less expected. In recent days, for example, presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has been asked about Iceland, Norway and a potential federal Department of Peace.

That last one was asked here a short time ago by a man in his later years who also asked whether Obama would consider, if elected president, a council of ethical and spiritual advisers.

The Illinois Democrat nodded in agreement and said he would surround himself with such advisers, although added that he might not call it the Council of Ethical and Spiritual Advisers.

"There are a lot of smart people, but so much of leadership is, especially presidential leadership, I think, is character. It has to do with, you know, how you stay focused on the reasons that you took this office," he said. "How do you make sure it's not just based on ambition? How do you make sure you're not just trying to protect your office?"

Obama said most of the nation's problems are not "technical" in nature. "They have to do with the fact that we operate on the basis of short-sightedness, or greed, or selfishness, or we're hoping for power," he said.

In terms of a Department of Peace, Obama said he has another department in mind for that job. "I want to create a State Department that works because that's what the State Department is supposed to be," he said.

more...

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/questions_from_iceland_to_norw.html

[oasis]

1. I'll have to agree with Obama about that.

[K Gardner]

2. Quick thinking, good answers, unscripted... nice article :-)

[Renew Deal]

3. His answer about leadership and the reasons you take office is mature.

I like that. I get his answer on the State Department, but I think the peace idea should be implemented somehow.