Is Barack Obama the man so many of us hope to make history in 2008? I believe he can and that he does embody much of the nations aspirations and desire for a new direction. He has exemplified to me much of what I find admirable and best about the USA.
I have seen people who have criticized his lack of national experience or the fact that at the moment the media seems to love him. I have heard so many people comment or say he believes this or that but no one has stated exactly giving the facts. I can’t give any information on what I do not know but I can explain what I DO know and why I have so much hope in this man if he so chooses to run.
Barack Obama is a young Senator born in Hawaii of a Kenyan father and a mother from Kansas. He is only 45 years old. He was the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review and then graduated from Harvard Law School. Ok I hope you get the picture I am painting of the man I see; his life story is very inspiring and I will try to summarize it for you now. He grew up in Hawaii after his father moved back to Kenya and he was not born to privilege like so many past Presidents. He moved to New York City and did his undergraduate work at Columbia University graduating in1983. He moved to Chicago in 1985 and worked with a church based group to improve poor living conditions in poor areas of Chicago. He went to Harvard Law graduating in 1991 before moving back to Chicago. He was a civil rights lawyer and taught constitutional law in Chicago before serving 7 years in the Illinois State Senate before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
I can tell you what he has done as of today in the U.S. Senate now. Barack Obama with Senator Lugar authored legislation (s. 2566) included in provisions bill H.R. 6060 which passed last weekend. This legislation expands US cooperation to destroy conventional weapons and expands the State Department’s ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. "The United States should do more to eliminate conventional weapons stockpiles and assist other nations in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass destruction. We believe that these functions are underfunded, fragmented and in need of high-level support," said Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Barack Obama has called for the redeployment of US forces in Iraq and been consistent in his position on the Iraq war. Obama introduced legislation in October to help the veterans returning to the nation. It was called the Lane Evans Healthcare Benefits Act. The ACLU says his voting record is 100% for civil rights. He may be one of the only men in the beltway to still stand by his convictions today. He has not strayed away from calling for an independent ethics commission for Congress in wake of all the scandals, inappropriate behavior, and corruption.
I hope this gives you a very good overview of why I believe Barack Obama must run for President and why I have so much faith in this man. I will leave you with this op-ed piece link to the Washington Post from today.
Run Now, Obama
By George F. Will
New Hampshire was recently brightened by the presence of Barack Obama, 45, who, calling the fuss about him "baffling," made his first trip in 45 years to that state, and not under duress. Because he is young, is just two years distant from a brief career as a state legislator and has negligible national security experience, an Obama presidential candidacy could have a porcelain brittleness. But if he wants to be president -- it will not be a moral failing if he decides that he does not, at least not now -- this is the time for him to reach for the brass ring. There are four reasons why....
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Comments: 42
Either way, the Post reported that he repeatedly promised his constitutents who elected him and made him the "star" that he is now that he would serve his full 6 year term. That may seem like a small thing, but it really is not when people are counting on you. That is why Hillary dodged the question when she was asked during her reelection campaign.
I would not vote for O'bama in this election, probably not in the future either, but that's because i'm not that liberal.
I hope he lives up to the promise he shows. If he does he is likely to gain support among all groups except the diehard racists.
To Oscar H. What makes you think Obama is a liberal?
Obama like I stated in the article has a superb voting record on civil rights and other humanitarian issues, not to mention other problems we are having in the nation today. If you are curious about what he votes and stands for look him up and dig up the information.
As far as promising to serve his full 6 year term well things happen and change and he can certainly help his constituants out as President. It would not be him abandoning them but that is for each individual to deicde. The fact that they want to keep him around makes him a more attractive presidental hopeful to me.
History records most of Carter's policies and ideas as being unpopular, what history doesn't show is if they would have been successful if Carter had presented them to the nation in a less "direct" fashion. The American public likes to at least think they have some say in the way political policies are formed.
Even today, most of Bush's problems stem from the fact that his policies are force-fed to the American public, and , to a large degree, are resisted simply because of the way in which they are delivered to the public.
If Obama retains his "virgin appeal" he may very well be electable, but if he's not prepared for the fickle-finger of the American public once he is in office, his success will be short lived.
http://www.tomvilsack08.com/
As for Obama being compared to Carter i am too young to remember ny of that so we will see but I have also heard from people that he seems to remind them more of the hope Bobby Kennedy inspired, this is the first time I have heard him compared to Carter.
I do not think his compromising is on a national level is going to be as big of an issue. he already has more national experience than the current occupant had. By 2008 he will have 4 years and as Barry so adeptly points out Bush now has 6 yrs experience nationally and well look at the state of the nation nationally not exactly a great reference...
And by the way, liberal is not a dirty word. It describes people who care about others and are not just out for themselves.
I am sorry you do not believe that a self made man,like Obama, who manages to go to Harvard on his own merit and not because he is from a powerful family like the Bushs, is not something to be of note. The fact remains that he did accomplish all of that and if you do not like him that is ok but many of us do.
I believe that the racism that occurs is regional but well spread out amongst the regions. There are still many people who won't vote for an African American. There are many good African Americans who by the nature of where they live cannot get elected into even the most simple of positions such as Fire Commissioner and others. I live in a rather liberal area but the outskirts of my city are quite racist in nature. It's the secret that no one talks about. Obama is well qualified and would make an excellent president. He brings more to the table than GWB could even hope to bring. But, our society is what it is. So, I believe we have to face the facts.
I know you are right in many aspects but maybe a change is finally in order it is always the ones who step out front and try that end up being the history makers. I hope such a man is Obama....
Or think of it this way: I'm a lawn gnome. If I ran a campaign for President in '08, would I have a chance? No! There hasn't ever been a lawn gnome in office (nor one crazy as me), so it is part of my character I would have to overcome. If Obama wins, he wins my respect for beating tradition.
Obama is alright to me, as long as he doesn't play attacks upon himself as all racist in nature. as soon as he plays the whiner card, he loses my support.
-john c
+ you can contribute to Calvignome '08, '12, or '16 by commenting on any of his articles listed on Gather.
I hope so, Joe. But I am going to remind you that you said this if/when he does- even though it'll be his publicists' fault, eh?
-john c
-john c
In that case you should like Obama. He is a straight shooter. His experience here in Illinois proves that.
[COMMENT REPOSTED TO REMOVE BLOOPERS]
when is Gather gonna provide Comment Preview???
Candidates who campaign to put the "United" back in United States will catch my eye -- regardless of party affiliation.
Those who can convince me they will walk that walk --- not just talk about it:...will get my vote.
Candidates whose campaigns employ divisive tactics -- especially over issues of little relevance to political office -- will not. Period.
This is why I have never voted a straight ticket. Neither of the present-day major parties has a monopoly on good ideas -- or good people.
I have nothing against Obama per se, but he should have a bigger voting record to walk the talk, as well as experience. I read a large article in Time some weeks ago, that he has yet to cement his opinions on many issues. Much of that by design, as he earns his keep in Congress and forms solid support in Washington politics, as well as financial support for the future. He is learning the "game" as it were on the hill first. I'd be willing to bet that he is smart enough to let '08 pass, and make a serious effort later within the party.
John S.
He's smart, savvy, charismatic and yes, he's still "learning the game" and seems to be a quick study, but is he tough enough. Time will tell if he chooses to run in '08. I agree, he's probably smart enough to wait. That also gives him experience to offset the stereotype of Dems being "soft" on defense because who wins will have to clean up Bush's mess. The one area I have a problem with Obama is his authenticity--not sure he really cares as much about people and principles as much as he does about politics and the power game.
Racism: If Obama were Collin Powell; i.e., had military background and Powell's heft, he would probably win in '08. Powell couldn't win when they wanted him to run and he knew it. I also think he wife put her foot down.