As most of the world knows, Senator Barack Obama announced today that he is forming an exploratory committee -- the first formal step in declaring his candidacy for President in 2008. I have been loosely following the Senator since his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. He is a fascinating phenomenon at the very least. There has been an enormous amount of commentary about him, especially in the last year as it became apparent that he was considering a run for president, with people trying to figure out who he is and what he stands for....I think we are about to find out.
The reason I enjoy listening to the Senator speak about anything is that he makes me feel good, about Americans and our country, about the future. There are a lot of people trying to compartmentalize him and categorize him and I don't think it's going to be that easy. He is obviously very intelligent, an excellent public speaker and charismatic. With the horrible, hateful state of politics in this country -- after six years of divisive, wedge-issue politics -- I think this man speaks to the best in all of us and that will be a very difficult effect to counter.
He says it's the "smallness of our politics that most bothers him...our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common-sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan and gummed up by money and influence that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions, and that's what we have to change."
Check out his announcement video at www.barackobama.com. Feel good for today.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. I think people are a little to niave to jump on a bandwagon, and say you would vote for Obama this early in the game. He really doesnt have very much experience yet. Pay attention to the other candidates and what they have to say.
Kate at 6:29PM on Jan 16th 2007
17. I am so glad he has finally made the decision to run. This man is exactly what this country needs at this time...hope, values, and the belief that we are all linked together by our humanity. I think it makes little difference that he does not have a long politcal resume, in fact it may serve him well. What he has is common sense, and isn't that the criteria by which most Americans judge politicians?
Toni at 6:15PM on Jan 16th 2007
18. We need a good speaker as president,and obama is it!!really that is all the president does.That with a lot of common sense can go a long way..our president now has no thoughts running thru his head but he can read what his speach writer gives him..thats why he doesnt meet with foriegn leaders!!GO OBAMA WE NEED YOU!!
mike at 6:13PM on Jan 16th 2007
19. How can such an inexperienced person be given the most powerful position in the world. I like him and many of his views but be realistic. No record means no experience and no experience means trial and mostly errors if he gets the job.
Jay Smith at 6:18PM on Jan 16th 2007
20. It is going to take far more than a " great speaker " to turn the country around.
Ryan at 6:36PM on Jan 16th 2007
21. Obama was born to a muslim father and raised by a muslim step father. As a child he spent several years in Indonesia attending a muslim school. Are we, as a nation, ready to elect a black muslim president?
lynda at 7:48PM on Jan 16th 2007
22. Good for Senator Obama. He's taking the first step toward a run for President. As a fellow Illinoisan, I wish him great success. Win or lose, I believe he has an important message for America, and he gives it with a non-partisan, we're all in this together, attitude.
I am really looking forward to the ideas which will be explored and the debate which will take place in the campaign. I intend to be involved as best I can.
Steve B at 8:06PM on Jan 16th 2007
23. Obama was a State Senator for 8 years and will have been a U.S. Senator for 4 should he win the election. Edwards has 1 term as U.S. Senator. Bush had 2 terms as Gov. Hillary has 1 term as a U.S. Senator. Guiliani was a 2 term Mayor. Those are all the people with limited experience. Then we have the experts....Dick Cheney served in 2 Presidential Administrations. Donald Rumsfield served in 2 Presidential Administrations. Experience...give me a guy with a brain, who can think on his feet. With common sence and a little mother wit and I'm good to go!
Ed at 8:28PM on Jan 16th 2007
24. His middle name is Osama.
Todd at 11:04PM on Jan 16th 2007
25. I'm glad he finally made some announcement about it. I think it took too long. His speech was good and I look forward to watching and participating in his campaign.
Tim at 3:08AM on Jan 17th 2007
26. To scorrect my last it is Hussien not Osama, that was Teddy's slip.
Todd at 11:07PM on Jan 16th 2007
27. He is being pushed on America by the liberal white/Jewish establishment because they think they can control him. Not even MLK was overrated and propped up like this guy. So what he is half white, went to Harvard and can speak well. A lot of people fit the bill. There are too many more deserving men and women. As a black man, I think there are plenty of white men better qualified than Obama. In the end this is going to be sad. Most blacks think he is illegitimate. He will need 100% of the black vote and at least 51 % of the white vote. He doesn't have it. If he runs he is going to get a painful lesson in real life, but at least he will build up a big "war chest." Neither he nor Clinton can win. It doesn't matter how much the liberals and the White/Jewish media push them, the leftist are going to lose this one. They are too stupid to see that all of this hoopla is already having a negative effect. This will probably lead to the Republicans winning.
Mi at 7:42AM on Jan 17th 2007
28. WOW! If nothing else he sparks conversation! No one has done that in a while. Obama has got us talking, maybe he won't be the prez but he sure has made us look. He has not even become offical and the debates have started. I love it! In speaking with other cultures there big gripe with us (americans) is, WE follow the leader! Right or wrong no conversation (aloud) and no questions (asked aloud). So I am proud to be an Obama follower. If he is not the man for the job PROVE it to me BEFORE he gets into office. Don't let it be like so many times before that we don't know we have a SCREW UP until it is TOO LATE (GWB)! It is so wird that we worry more about what one does with his sex life and weather they eat healthy more than weather they will bring work back to the US. I did not care that Bill got his Knob Bobbed, and I don't care that Oboma smokes. I do want to know what he will do to keep jobs here. I want to know what changes he will make to the war on drugs (?) so our son's won't go to jail for life while the import kings get off with a slap on the hand. As long as he is not smoking crack or rapeing kids his private time is his. The country we live in is going to hell in a hand-basket and I'm looking for the person who can and WILL lead us to a better place. Right now OBAMA looks good!
Gina at 1:52PM on Jan 17th 2007
29. What a gift to the American government. He is the truest breath of fresh air we could ever dream and hope for. I support him in every direction he chooses to carve a path through and would vote for him today, if the opportunity arose. Barack is truly about the American people as a whole, and we need this in our time of detriment.
Amy at 3:11PM on Jan 17th 2007
30. Sen Obama will make a great President.. one day. I think that he is being tricked to peak too soon and to waste his opportunity seeking the Presidency in 2008. He is a relatively young man. He needs more exposure on the international stage and he needs to show more in the Senate. I say, complete the exploration phase, sell more books, and then go back to the Senate and do some good. After he has paid some dues and created a legacy of effectiveness, he should look to run and win big in 2016.
pdeacon at 1:53AM on Jan 18th 2007