Obama might run in 2008

darkcrowdarkcrow Posts: 1,102
edited October 2006 in A Moving Train
WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

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The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the Nov. 7 elections.

"That was how I was thinking at that time," said Obama, when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about his previous statements.

"Given the response I've been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility" although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. "My focus is on '06. ... After November 7, I'll sit down and consider it."

Obama was largely unknown outside Illinois when he burst onto the national scene with a widely acclaimed address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

In recent weeks, his political stock has been rising as a potentially viable centrist candidate for president in 2008 after former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced earlier this month that he was bowing out of the race.

In a recent issue of Time magazine, Obama's face fills the cover next to the headline, "Why Barack Obama Could Be The Next President." He is currently on a tour promoting his latest book, "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream."

On Sunday, Obama dismissed notions that he might not be ready to run for president because of his limited experience in national politics. He agreed the job requires a "certain soberness and seriousness" and "can't be something you pursue on the basis of vanity and ambition."

"I'm not sure anyone is ready to be president before they're president," Obama said. "I trust the judgment of the American people.

"We have a long and vigorous process. Should I decide to run, if I ever decide to, I'll be confident that I'll be run through the paces pretty well," Obama said.

END

I am wondering... if he did get the presidential nomination, would the majority of the american public vote for a black guy? i ahve seen clips of him giving speechs and he seems charasmatic and actually quite an exciting politician. i dont know if in britain the british public would vote for a non-white prime minister.... there is considerable talk that gordon brown will not be backed by the public becuase he is scottish.....
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Comments

  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    darkcrow wrote:
    I am wondering... if he did get the presidential nomination, would the majority of the american public vote for a black guy? i ahve seen clips of him giving speechs and he seems charasmatic and actually quite an exciting politician. i dont know if in britain the british public would vote for a non-white prime minister.... there is considerable talk that gordon brown will not be backed by the public becuase he is scottish.....

    I think that some people won't vote for him b/c of of his skin color and that is a shame; I think that number of people is a very small minority of the population, but my guess is they'll also be focused on the most if he happens to run. I think Obama could win if he ran and it would be interesting if you had Obama V Giuliani or something like that b/c they are both more moderate in there views.
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • robbierobbie Posts: 883
    this IS good news. hillary cannot win. dems do not like her, republicans hate her. i will feel ALOT better voting for obama than i would have voting for hillary. and given what the republicans have chose to do to this country, i can never imagine myself ever supporting them. mabey one day we will have a real option ther than these 2 parties.
  • As it is, Obama is probably the most trustworthy, honest, refreshing politician in Washington. If he runs I'll vote for him in a heartbeat.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



    Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!

    "Make our day"
  • robbierobbie Posts: 883
    the only question is... will the GOP play to their BASE and outright call him the "n" word in their campaign ad's?
  • robbie wrote:
    the only question is... will the GOP play to their BASE and outright call him the "n" word in their campaign ad's?
    hahhaha..

    nah I think we're passed that..

    They just have to pray that he turns Gay by 08.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



    Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!

    "Make our day"
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    robbie wrote:
    the only question is... will the GOP play to their BASE and outright call him the "n" word in their campaign ad's?

    are you trying to say the base of the GOP is racist? Surely, you're not making that big a claim. While there are racists in the GOP (no one will deny that just as there are racists in the dems) to infer their entire base is racist is a huge leap.
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,290
    As it is, Obama is probably the most trustworthy, honest, refreshing politician in Washington. If he runs I'll vote for him in a heartbeat.

    I agree!

    You also gotta think that the Republicans are working on a strategy and digging up dirt on him already...
  • If obama runs, this mod conserv. will more than likely vote for him. There are NO republicans that I'm interested in. I've liked Obama for awhile. But as we all know, get to washington, and you're like all the others:(
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,290
    If obama runs, this mod conserv. will more than likely vote for him. There are NO republicans that I'm interested in. I've liked Obama for awhile. But as we all know, get to washington, and you're like all the others:(
    Very true.
    There is just something about this guy that I really like.
    He just seems like the kinda guy that doesn't fling the bullshit like so many others.
    He truly seems genuine.


    So far...
    ;)
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    If obama runs, this mod conserv. will more than likely vote for him. There are NO republicans that I'm interested in. I've liked Obama for awhile. But as we all know, get to washington, and you're like all the others:(

    agreed. He brings a lot to the table and i like the fact he hasn't been around washington for a long time.
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    mca47 wrote:
    Very true.
    There is just something about this guy that I really like.
    He just seems like the kinda guy that doesn't fling the bullshit like so many others.
    He truly seems genuine.


    So far...
    ;)

    Definitely. He'd have to really, really screw up to lose my vote.
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    As it is, Obama is probably the most trustworthy, honest, refreshing politician in Washington. If he runs I'll vote for him in a heartbeat.

    ditto :)


    I really want to read his new book
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • enharmonicenharmonic Posts: 1,917
    If he runs, not only will I vote for him, I will likely volunteer for his campaign.
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    President Obama.....



    hot damn, doesn't that sound lovely? :)
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    My sister worked on his campaign a few years back. The guy still sends her christmas cards every year. He is genuenely the real deal. Really nice, smart guy. Quite a refreshment in politics. He's got my vote!
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Obama doesnt want to repeal the tax cuts and urges democrats to stay stong on national security. if it came down to him or guliani, he would be the better choice. lets just hope hillary doesnt win the nomination.

    obama's good but 08 might be too soon
  • MrBrianMrBrian Posts: 2,672
    As it is, Obama is probably the most trustworthy, honest, refreshing politician in Washington. If he runs I'll vote for him in a heartbeat.

    What was his view on the war? I know he supported kerry, which I don't think is a good thing considering the fact that Kerry is pretty bad.

    But I think he has a really good chance of being president, Infact I think that if he runs, he'll win it.
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    Here's where he stands so far:
    http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Barack_Obama.htm

    I don't agree with everything about him, but I agree with enough. I'd vote for him.
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    MrBrian wrote:
    What was his view on the war? I know he supported kerry, which I don't think is a good thing considering the fact that Kerry is pretty bad.

    But I think he has a really good chance of being president, Infact I think that if he runs, he'll win it.
    Of course he supported Kerry. He's a Democrat, and, for better or worse, parties tend to stick together. Also, it was Kerry who asked Obama to speak at the National convention, which was pretty much what first put him in the national spotlight. He was also, in my opinion, the best thing about that campaign.
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    Obama's chance of winning the nomination?

    The far left wing of the Democratic party doesn't like Hillary, but isn't she closer to them than Obama? Who would have the better chance in the primaries? I don't think Obama is a bad candidate at all, and could deal with him being president. But do you think he could win in the primaries? He's not very liberal.
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • I'm watching him now on MSNBC. Repeat of meet the press. I NEVER watch that program, but saw him on and watching.
    I'm liking this guy more and more and more!!!

    GO WATCH!
  • MrBrianMrBrian Posts: 2,672
    RainDog wrote:
    Of course he supported Kerry. He's a Democrat, and, for better or worse, parties tend to stick together. Also, it was Kerry who asked Obama to speak at the National convention, which was pretty much what first put him in the national spotlight. He was also, in my opinion, the best thing about that campaign.

    well that's the thing my friend, how much can you trust,believe, support? a person who just backs another person because of some affiliation? with a group, I mean to throw out what you believe, to throw out what is right and support what is wrong just because of a tag? A person like that, I don't think should be a leader.

    I know he spoke well at the convention, his speech about his father and farms or whatever it was, it was very touching, but that's not enough for me.

    Sure it would be great to see a young non white president, that's just what the country could use, something new, also I would'nt be upset if he won, I don't think he's that bad, but again, is he really the best? is he really that good?
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    icarus wrote:
    i have nothing against obama but i think his biggest obstacle is his lack of experience, not his color. having only served 2 years so far in national politics (four when and if he runs for president) and not having any executive experience will look really weak in many swing voters' eyes. i think that played a big role in john edwards' downfall. if obama runs too early and fails it could destroy his political career.

    that's true, he does have inexperience about he executive branch, but I think that can work to his favor. At a time when the public is split they are looking for someone who's NOT been around DC for a long time b/c of the extreme skepticism of everyone in politics. He may not have the experience but I like his attitude re: the presidency...from meet the press

    "I think there’s a, there’s a certain soberness and seriousness required when you think about that office that is unique. And at some point, the bargain you’re making with the American people is, is that, “You put me in this office and my problems are not relevant. My job is to think about your problems.”

    And so anybody, I think, who’s pursuing it, has to, has to understand the gravity of it, and, and make sure that the reason they want to do it is not simply because they want to see their name in the headlines."
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • I need to head to the library to see if they have his book. I'm very interested in reading it. I like some of the quotes he took from Obamas book. Very insightful and a breath of fresh air.
  • LizardLizard Posts: 12,091
    From what I have seen I like him and would vote for him but don't be fooled that his skin color is NOT an obstacle for him in this country. It is still a very racist country from my experience with people you run into in everyday life. It is sad but if you think the color of a person's skin is not a big deal any more then you are wrong. There are a lot more ignorant people than not in this country, sad to say.
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Everyone likes to talk about his political inexperience.

    Go look up how much experience Lincoln had when he was elected.

    Hell.

    Go look up how much (successful) experience Pres. Bush had!
  • moeaholicmoeaholic Posts: 535
    Lizard wrote:
    From what I have seen I like him and would vote for him but don't be fooled that his skin color is NOT an obstacle for him in this country. It is still a very racist country from my experience with people you run into in everyday life. It is sad but if you think the color of a person's skin is not a big deal any more then you are wrong. There are a lot more ignorant people than not in this country, sad to say.

    yeah, i agree with this. i think he's got a better chance than hillary, but not a big enough chance to win it. i've said it a million times before, i might be dead and buried before this country sees a black or female president.

    myself, i'll just wait until the actual candidates are chosen before i make up my mind who i'm voting for. no sense getting all charged up about something that isn't a sure thing yet.
    "PC Load Letter?! What the fuck does that mean?"
    ~Michael Bolton
  • ledveddermanledvedderman Posts: 7,761
    I worked with Senator Obama in 2004 and I can assure you that he is the real deal. He is as genuine as what you see on TV, if not more so. I have VERY good information that in 2008 it will be Obama running for the Democrats, and Clinton not running at all. The plan for Hillary is, (drumroll please) Democratic Leader of the Senate.

    I think this is a great idea on the part of the Dems. Too many people do not like Hillary and I think she would get hit pretty hard. I don't care where I am working in 2008, I will quit and get on the Obama train. Now, who would be a perfect VP on a ticket headed by Obama? John Edwards, help get some of the southern vote.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    . Now, who would be a perfect VP on a ticket headed by Obama? John Edwards, help get some of the southern vote.


    o man I dont think I can handle his nerdy double thumbs up again.
  • ledveddermanledvedderman Posts: 7,761
    jlew24asu wrote:
    o man I dont think I can handle his nerdy double thumbs up again.

    It's much better than W's stupid chuckle
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