Obama might run in 2008

darkcrow

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.

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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.....

chopitdown

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.

robbie

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.

Pearl Jam and toast

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.

robbie

the only question is... will the GOP play to their BASE and outright call him the "n" word in their campaign ad's?

Pearl Jam and toast

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.

chopitdown

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.

mca47

Pearl Jam and toast wrote:

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...

binauralsounds

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:(

mca47

binauralsounds wrote:

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...

chopitdown

binauralsounds wrote:

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.

DOSW

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.

prism

Pearl Jam and toast wrote:

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

enharmonic

If he runs, not only will I vote for him, I will likely volunteer for his campaign.

prism

President Obama.....



hot damn, doesn't that sound lovely?

LikeAnOcean

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!

jlew24asu

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

MrBrian

Pearl Jam and toast wrote:

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.

RainDog

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.

RainDog

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 Hawk

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.