President Obama?
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin recently advised fellow Senator Barack Obama that he should consider running for President of the United States.
"He draws a larger crowd than any politician, and that's a testament to the fact that he has a message that resonates with people," Durbin said during a news conference at his Springfield home Sunday afternoon.What do you think of an Obama candidacy for president? Should he go for it now, or wait until a later date? How would he do if he ran?
"I think he really has the capacity to bring a lot of red and blue states together for a change so that we start seeing common goals in this country. Younger people are in particular inspired by his message, and people like Barack don't come along very often."
Durbin said he told his colleague to give a possible presidential run serious consideration and determine if it's the right time, even though it's early in Obama's political career. Obama, 44, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
"As far as I'm concerned, he should seriously consider it, I think he could bring a great deal to the national race for the presidency," Durbin said.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 5/31/2006
7 comments
7 Comments:
i would LOVE to see an Obama presidency. I don't think now is the right time. It's too soon. Maybe in 2012 (if a republican gets elected in 2008) or 2016 (if a democrat does).
I haven't heard all that much from him, but what I have heard, I liked. He's young, charismatic, and very elect-able.
Crowded field. Who knows?
I like Feingold, but I am concerned that RF's approval is only 50% in Wisconsin.
Most of the rest of the field are buffoons.
I must be coming down with something b/c I'm actually warming to Gore being the nominee.
Oh GOD, it's it horrible, the warming up to Gore thing???
I saw him give a speech on TV earlier in the year. He was passioniate, engaging, almost, dare I say it, Clinton-esque in his delivery. And I was impressed. I couldn't help but wonder where this guy was 6 years ago!
But if he can be like that and run again..........
Hey, Nixon did it in the 60's right?
Nico,
I think you showed your arse when you condemned Obama for believing in core liberal values. It's clear that that alone is enough to make you not support someone.
Judicial activism? You mean like the Supreme Court annointing Bush president while saying it was a one time only offer and shouldn't be considered precident?
Judicial activism is an issue which is clearly in the eye of the beholder. The right engages in just as much judicial activism as anyone on the left.
Look at the bozo who thought he could plop a two ton monument to the ten commandments in the middle of a courthouse. Is that not "activism"?
That whole red herrring is essentially as meaningless and false as "liberal bias" or "defense of marriage" or "death tax reform" "Patriot Act" or "Healthy Forest Act" or any of the numerous fictitious problembs trotted out to justify measures which the public would soundly reject if they realized what they actually were.
Just totally misleading schemes blatantly misrepresented, promoted, and enacted by the Republican right.
But I digress.
Your larger point that perhaps there's not enough substance to Obama to justify his incredible popularity may be arguable.
But in this day and age, attractiveness, ability to generate "buzz" and excitement, thus manpower and lots of the mother's milk of politics, ready cash, isn't something to sneeze at.
There's certainly superficial reasons for Obama's appeal.
Yes, his youth, his handsome looks, and his deep voice are surely major reasons for his appeal.
But then again, about the only thing people say got Bush in office (aside from not counting votes and a crooked supreme court) was that he was a guy people would "like to have a beer with".
If that's good enough for Bush, surely Obama's got a hell of a lot more than THAT going for him.
I think Obama should consider a run for President, but he's got a few months to decide. The party needs a good strong primary to help define its future in America. And I think Obama would help that happen.
We're faced with two probable candidates in Senator Clinton and "movie mogul" Al Gore. I don't think either of them are electable, even from within the primary system. Maybe I'm wrong.
The debate is stale. Sen Clinton's positions are mobile and convenient to her desires. Gore's views were strong and he debated well, but the bitterness of his defeat overshadows the content of his views.
There's still plenty of speculation that Senator Mark Warner of Virginia will run. Warner did very well as Governor in Virginia before becoming Senator and he would make an excellent candidate.
I think Obama would add a lot to a presidential primary race, even if it's just to fuel a good debate about the direction of the Democratic party. If he doesn't win, I don't think he'll lose support of Illinois voters and it could make him a stronger Senator if he keeps a positive tone. If he doesn't run now, he may have to wait 8 years to try again. Will a 56 year old Obama still inspire and motivate?
If he's a good candidate, he should run. And I think he's good.
I love Herseth, but she's only 35 right now. I can't see her party playing that card so early. As someone else said, it's easier to be elected POTUS from the governor's office - I think if she has POTUS ambitions she'll follow her grandfather's footsteps and run for governor after she's spent some time in the house.
It would be foolish to play Obama's card this early as well. He'll be 54 in 2016 - the same age Dubya was when he took office. I think Hillary will get her one shot this time around. I don't necessarily think Hillary would be the best candidate but think about this - what can be used against her that hasn't been used already? I think it would force the GOP to nominate a moderate this time around (like McCain) so either way we're better off than we are now.
A year and a half since this post went up and the question of a President Obama was raised. In that year and a half he has gone from a somewhat unknown freshman senator to raise millions of dollars, inspire millions of people and has won primary and caucus battles across the country. He has knocked out of the race Biden, Dodd, Richards, Gravel, Edwards and it looks like Hillary will be gone soon.
Now it looks like this man may indeed be the next President of the United States!
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