Barack Obama

[LuckyTheDog]

A couple days ago, I saw Obama on a re-run of the Conan O'Brien show.

Whatever one thinks of any of his positions on the issues, any reasonable person would have to be impressed with his patriotism, the sincerity of his convictions and his love of the American people.

Also: his intellect and keen desire to make America better are extraordinary.

I think we all can agree on that much about Obama.

[mdmc]

1. who?

just kiddin...

However, I must ask this of DU -
Did anyone NOT get a Barack Obama book as a holiday gift this year?

As the known democrat within my friends and family, I ended up getting multiple copies of his books. :)

[The Count]

2. It seems some other fad is on...

Obama is OK in my book - this was a comment on the extent MSM is controlling DU-ers as well (whether they admit it or not)

[mdmc]

3. love your sig

did you get any Barack books for gifts this year?

[beaconess]

13. There were several copies under my family's tree

And the day after Christmas, everyone was reading their Obama books.

[BoneDaddy]

19. I got one as did my brother

hehe...so yes. I got the Audacity of Hope.

[Lawrence]

4. this is starting to get a little old but

http://www.economist.com/debate/democracyinamerica/2006/12/how_to_make_friends_and_influe.cfm


if anyone hasn't seen this link, it's required clicking. Read the article about obama first, then the audio of him calling the station. It's a real grinner.

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Oh, I totally agree with what you said Count and Lucky

Lucky, Sen. Obama is my senator and he is indeed very impressive. I keep hearing from both sides just how gifted and intellegent he is. He has been a good senator and has done tremendous work.

Count, I am glad you pointed this out. I'm tired of people saying the supporters of the senator are just being manipulated. I'm not. I have been a fan of his since before people outside the state ever knew of Barack Obama.
The very people who say he is a media creation, ect., are now keeping track of all the tv schedules to watch thier candidate.

[ripple]

6. Thank you. I rarely watch MSM, but I support Obama wholeheartedly

I've been watching Obama since his speech at the convention. I read his first book, watched and read everything I could about him, met him at a fundraiser for dems here in Ks. (Boyda and Morrison WON- woo-hoo!), and I'm currently reading his new book. I'm a CSPAN junkie and I certainly don't consider myself ill-informed. With that said, Obama has the power to heal this nation like no other candidate out there. In fact, if he chooses not to run, I believe he would be doing all of us a great disservice.

We'll win the presidency in 2008, I don't doubt that one bit. Still, a marginal win isn't enough at this point. Thanks to Bush, our nation is suffering from an almost insurmountable identity crisis. Black is white, up is down, and good is evil(and vice versa).

We are in desperate need of a populist leader to help us regain our focus. Obama has an innate ability to inspire tolerance and to bring out the best in all of us. That can't happen only with words- any effective leader is only as good as their ability to inspire and motivate people. Obama has that ability tenfold. He speaks of progressive ideas in ways that everyone can relate to- and in ways that don't make the ideas (universal healthcare, for example) seem like some sort of crazy liberal notion. He has created a new dialogue for our party and our nation. We would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

[Auntie Bush]

8. I too want to take advantage of him. too he's golden...but in

8 more years. He's young and inexperienced to the world of international affairs and military experience. He should be perfect in 8 more years. Then we can have 16 whole years of Democrats in office. Hall-e-lu-jah!

[ripple]

9. He might be *too* perfect in 8 years

More time in the Senate would probably be a detriment, rather than an asset for him. Most voters have only a rudimentary understanding of the legislative process. As we saw in 2004, that makes it far too easy to misconstrue a Senator's voting record.

Obama has demonstrated a willingness to gather as much information as possible, so that he can make a truly informed decision. I'll take that over an idealogue any day, and I'll bet the voters will agree.

For what Obama has to offer, this seems to be his place and time. Strike while the iron's hot, so to speak.

[Eurobabe]

14. Barack should strike while the iron is hot

Look what happened to Kerry, with all of his votes. 8 years of voting is too much, I think that is when a Senator's USE BY DATE expires.

[TheDonkey]

27. I agree with that too. Now is the time, a long voting record does not help

Obama just has to work on his campaigning and message. I believe he's tinkering with that now before he decides to run.

[blm]

15. Didn't seem to want more information when he wouldn't sign DSM letter of inquiry

and when all of DC knew Iraq was in Civil War in early 2006, but wouldn't admit it while downplaying the withdrawal plans written by Murtha, Kerry and Feingld then BECAUSE Civil War was in full swing.

But, now I believe he's coming around on withdrawal as his plan used some of the same language as Kerry-Feingold, so maybe he'll come around on investigations into Iraq war decisions, too. I imagine a primary run might turn him into a more anti-corruption, open government lawmaker than he has shown to be in the last 2yrs.

[il_lilac]

17. Ah...but 8 years as VP would be perfect

I'm dreaming of a Gore/Obama ticket. Gives Barack all the experience he needs and ensures us the executive branch for the next 16 years.

[Auntie Bush]

24. Gore is NOT going to run! He has made that pretty clear on many

occasions and interviews. Right now he is super Jung ho on global warming and he'd like to stick to that...and I hope he carries that torch as far and as long as possible. If he did run...that would be a great ticket.

However, I was thinking a Clark/Obama ticket would be a sure bet. The American people could have BOTH great candidates. After Clark bends his ear for 8 years on national security, international affairs and the military ...the American people (mainly Southerners) will get a good opportunity to get to know, love and trust Obama's leadership. They will be more likely to vote for him with 8 years of valuable experience under his belt in 2016. Then he will be a little older and "Be All He Can Be" and ready to lead. I do not think he is ready to be Commander-In- Chief now...which we desperately need during these horrific times with Iraq, Iran and China. If he runs now...he could lose due to his lack of much needed military experience, he could become a has-been rather than a fresh face. I HONESTLY think his chances of winning in 2016 would be greater (a sure bet) and best for our country, the Democratic party, and the future of the world if we had a Clark/Obama ticket now.

[NYCGirl]

25. Where did he say he was "not going to run." NT

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. if nominated, I will support him.

But, his rezko issues are not good.

If no other connections come up, he can probably take a pass on it. Still . . . .

[Auntie Bush]

7. Yes, every thing you said is true. n/t

[talk hard]

10. Obama seems very comfortable in a crowd.

good stuff for a politician

[Imagevision]

11. For Obama not even beginning to convey his idea's/ beliefs, the man is astounding

[Imagevision]

12. Obama could restore all the damage to the US.caused by Bush blunders

Having a President that truly is elected by and for the people can only regain the respect this country has lost.

Doubt seriously when Barack Obama visits other countries he's not met by protesters with signs saying; "Obama go home as was the case many time with Bush!

[Morgana LaFey]

18. Yeah, but, you see --

someone who's well-loved and admired but has really bad (damaging) policy positions is DANGEROUS. That's how you get dictators and such.

NOW, let me hasten to say that I frankly don't know too much about Obama, and I also don't imagine for a minute he'd ever allow himself to be a dictator, BUT --

the fact remains that one's policies make a huge difference, and all the more so with people who are dramatically popular for no discernable rhyme nor reason.

What I DO know about Obama's so-called policies is that he's tracked too much to the DLC right for my taste on occasion, and when all the (DLC) Washingtonians were attacking Howard Dean for no good reason, he was right in there joining them (what chutzpah for a junior senator!!) -- and all that makes me very, very nervous -- for all of us.

Too, it would be very difficult for all this attention to NOT go to someone's head, even if only a little. I'll be waiting to see how he handles his newfound stardom. Frankly, deciding to run for Pres. on the strength of his star power doesn't pass my test for that issue.

[mopinko]

20. he has a sense of humor, and

i have had as a litmus test since jesse jackson ran for pres that i have to be able to picture them having a serious conversation with an adult, while a toddler was sitting on their shoulders. so, if i can picture that, or better, if i actually see them do this, they are qualified to be president in my opinion. the obama christmas card that went around struck that chord. his girls weren't sitting on his head, but they were on his lap, not lined up like little soldiers.
i think that what you see is what you get. he is smart, and a healthy human, which so many that run for high office are not.

[beaconess]

22. "Conversation with an adult - toddler on shoulder" PRICELESS!!!

I love it!

[Blue-Jay]

23. That's weird. I have a similar litmus test.

Only it's a parrot instead of a toddler.

Oh, and they have to be wearing an eye patch too.

Yarrr.

[mopinko]

29. if i found out that they kept a parrot, i would so vote for them

a sure sign of intelligence (of a sort, at least) and humanity. if they weren't wearing an eye patch, but the parrot was on their shoulder, i would know that the parrot approved of them, also. and who could argue with that.

[rhombus]

28. Do you have a video link of this?

I'd be glad to see this. thanks.

[bluehighways911]

21. Congratulations

You have hit upon the all time truth. If you really get a look at him, if you actually listen to him, if you get past the whiners that are afraid of him, for whatever reason.

You will see what America needs.

What the fraidy-cats will miss out in their boring smear job is, this is a candidate that gets people to want to get involved. He will get people to vote that may not have wanted to in the recent past.

And I wish the rest a lot of luck, they will need it.

Hillary. Can't even inspire Dems.

Edwards, great suck-up to the blogs with money. But been there, done that, fell asleep.

Clark, great on the war. Anything else. MIA in 04.

Kucinich. Will get his usual 1% of the vote.

So you have nailed the reason it will be Obama. The rest will get it, or they will be left behind. Don't worry, they can cry in their room watching Nader make fools of them.

[FrenchieCat]

26. Clark, great on the war. Anything else. MIA in 04?

Clark's progressive bonafides reviewed.....

Clark's '04 tax proposals; his stance on singlepayer health care; his education benefit proposals for lower and higher education ($6,000 for first two years of college to those of families making under $150,000 and universal pre-school system--not tax credits)proposals; his renewal energy stance and work on Global Warming, his '04 primary endorsement by various gay and minority groups, his public calls for the fairness doctrine to be reinstated; his work on fair and secure election via his podcast programs; his fight for Affirmative Action via written support via Supreme Court case; his Aids program proposal touted by Jesse Jackson; his work on Rwanda, Kosovo and Darfur against Genocide; his stance against going into Iraq starting in 2002; his public claim to the word "Liberal" on national teevee, his televised defense of Michael Moore via the right to Free Speech when no one else would; his public discussions and denouncements of PNAC/Neocons in print and electronic media; his tireless work for Democrats in the 2004 and 2006 elections; his making it known that military budgetary items would be "on the table" for cutting if he were to be elected as President; his announcing we should be working to install a counterprevailing institution to the Military Industrial Complex via a similar organization as Kucinich's Peace Department and that we should resign ourselve to "buying" our oil at the going rate as opposed to attempting to manipulate the world markets; his public calls that we talk to Iran not Bomb them (before anyone else did); his supporting fair trade not free trade; his innovative ideas on Labor Unions and how they can return to the power they once were in our economic system; Publicly criticizing the politization of our science--all actions and words that clearly defines General Clark as more liberal than most-- But yes, Gen. Clark is actually a stealth liberal who is perceived as a moderate based on his 37 years of military service; which makes his progressiveness that much more powerful and effective.
http://www.rapidfire-silverbullets.com/2006/12/clarks_progressive_bonafides_w.html#more
Please Read on, cause there is sooo much more!