Obama inches closer to annoucing

[Alhena]

Not much doubt that he will announce he's running this week after reading this.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-070115obama-story,1,3495526.story?coll=chi-news-hed

January 15, 2007, 2:33 PM CST

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama took a tiny step closer to revealing his intentions about running for president today, adding a "very" to the "soon" in his assessment about when an announcement would come.

"We will have an announcement very soon," Obama (D-Ill.) told reporters outside St. Mark Cathedral in Harvey after delivering an emotional keynote speech to celebrate Martin Luther King's birth.

Prefacing his address in the church, Obama turned to an array of media crews and declared that he was "not making news today" about a potential run for the Oval Office.

In recent weeks, Obama has been seeking advice from a widening circle of political advisers and hiring new staff in key primary states, leading political analysts to surmise that he is about to formally launch a presidential bid.

Even if many blacks view Obama as the premier political leader of a new generation of African-Americans, Obama said that the day of celebration for King would have been the wrong moment to declare whether he will seek the presidency in 2008.

"I didn't want to use this day to indicate my plans because I am humbled by what Dr. King accomplished," Obama said. "I don't think that whatever my political plans are, (they) are comparable to the heroic struggles that he went through, and I don't want to draw false parallels."

Obama said that he is weighing issues such as his personal safety and loss of privacy, but then hinted that those matters would not affect his final decision.

"Everybody in public life, at this point, has some concerns (about personal safety). The fact that my profile is higher at this point than certainly it was a couple of years ago raises those concerns," he said.

"Finding out that there was a photographer lurking in the bushes when I was playing on the beach with my kids is a source of concern. But that's not going to stop me from doing what I think is best for the country and how I can best serve."

Obama electrified the largely African-American audience with an address that focused on King's quest for racial and social justice.

King looked beyond his own personal needs and safety, Obama said, for a larger meaning and a larger purpose. He then challenged the congregation to do the same.

"We can be all be Kings in this country if we are willing to serve, if we are willing to believe that we have a stake in one another, if we believe that your pain is my pain, and your hopes are my hopes, and your children's future is my children's future, too," Obama declared, his voice soaring.

Earlier in the morning, Obama's star power overshadowed Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and an assortment of other political leaders and civil rights activists at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's annual King scholarship breakfast at McCormick Place.

"A new president… He's in the house," Jackson said to thunderous applause from the crowd of an estimated crowd of 1,600.

Jackson introduced Obama as the junior senator from Illinois "who is on the verge of making a decision to further the dream."

Obama received a standing ovation when Jackson introduced him and drew that parallel from King's civil rights crusade to Obama's political ascent.

[w4rma]

1. He had better not resign that Senate seat. (nt)

[Connie_Corleone]

2. His seat isn't up for reelection until 2010.

If he happens to win the nomination and lose the presidency, he can return to the senate. I don't think anyone in their right mind would give a senate seat up, unless they thought they were going to lose reelection.

[2Design]

3. needs to wait for 2012 or 2016 n/t

[Miss Chybil]

4. No. He needs to run now. nt.

[Ignacio Upton]

5. Why?

He's only been in the Senate for two years. I know that he has State Senate experience, but State Legislators don't work as extensively as members of Congress (hard to believe, but true.) Obama would be a good candidate for 2012 or 2016.

[harun]

26. He needs to run before the Senate ruins him (n/t)

[Miss Chybil]

28. Maybe you listen to the talking heads too much.

The "he needs more experience" is their line. The time is now.

[bigwillq]

6. I agree

I think now is his time.

[goclark]

7. Whenever he decides it is his time

that is the time I will set my clock by ~~

Go OBAMA

[citygal]

29. Agreed - know when its your time to run and go.

Obama definitely needs to run now.

[Heidi]

8. Kick.

:kick:

[Alhena]

9. Staffers: Obama Will File Presedential Papers

This is from a Chicago TV station's webpage.

http://www.nbc5.com/news/10754532/detail.html

[illinoisprogressive]

10. He is still upset about being stalked by the paparazzi.

He was really off last week when he was shown his pic in People. Said it was embarassing. I don't think he is use to this. Nor was he planning on running in 08 several months ago.
But, I am personally thrilled he is and that he is filing the papers!

[marshall]

37. He will have to steel himself

The media is a double--his name gets out there but it must be a hassle to be stalked all the time. I read that the papparazzi are now stalking him hoping to get a good photo of him smoking a cigarette. He does have a record of opening up to the public in his books, but he will have to get used to some elements being beyond his control in today's media.

[journalist3072]

11. I'm definitely not getting caught up in the Obama craze

He still has some explaining to do on why he supported sending Condi's nomination as SOS to the full Senate for a vote.

[athena]

23. Frankly, if you are going to let such a great candidate go

just because he voted with the rest of his party as the most junior member of the Senate, you don't deserve him. I am strongly against the candidacy of centrists like Clinton or lightweights like Edwards, but Obama is not one of them. Read his first book (Dreams from My Father) before you go around claiming he's not a true progressive. He wrote that book long before he got into politics.

Obama is a progressive, but he's also politically astute. If he made too much noise as a junior Senator, he would have been branded as an extremist and would have lost his chances to ever increase his power. A letter-to-the-editor in The Nation (not by me) explained this especially well (http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060918/letter):

It doesn't matter how much charisma or intelligence or promise any legislative minority freshman has; s/he's still a freshman in the minority. To earn the respect and trust needed to exert principled influence on policy-making over the long run, a freshman simply must show some deference to veteran colleagues and avoid the temptation to grandstand.

Case in point: Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston African-American, was one of only thirteen Democratic freshmen elected to the House in 1994, the year Newt Gingrich engineered the end of her party's nearly four-decade control of that body. Lee, a graduate of Yale Law School who won the seat of the late House giant Barbara Jordan, was seen as a rising star, like Barack Obama. But the voluble Lee sought the media spotlight for every left-wing cause. <...> Lee developed a reputation as an egomaniacal prima donna and has since squandered much of her credibility with the media and colleagues. And though she could remain in Congress for decades--indefinitely winning re-election in her gerrymandered district--no one in Washington expects her ever to exert serious influence on policy-making.

Obama's been in office only twenty months. If ... impatient progressives want to see him go down in history as an effective leader, they should climb off his back and be thankful he understands that real progress takes time.

[journalist3072]

31. First of all, I said nothing about Obama not being a progressive

I said I was disappointed in him, as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, voting to send Condi Rice's nomination to the full Senate. I said nothing about whether or not I think he is a progressive.

I was simply making the point that for me, it is still a huge deal that Obama voted to send Condi's nomination to the full Senate. I don't think she was qualified for the position, and I don't think her nomination should have left the Foreign Relations Committee.

I really don't think there is a right or wrong here. In my view, no political candidate is perfect. So for me, it's just a matter of deciding who is the candidate that more represents my interests and values, and what flaws in that candidate I can live with and cannot live with.

For example, when I weigh the candidacy of John Edwards, I'm still struggling with the fact that during the 2004 presidential primary, he was one of the 5 Democrats who asked to have their name removed from the ballot here in DC, because we broke tradition and had a non-binding primary before New Hampshire and Iowa (to bring attention to the fact that we do not have representation in the Congress). D.C. voting rights is a huge deal for me, so if Edwards does not understand that issue, I'm not sure I can support him.

Bottom line, I have no idea who I am supporting yet.

[athena]

34. OK, I misunderstood.

The Obama phenomenon is more than a craze, though. I was also disappointed by some of Obama's comments and votes earlier in the year, but I've since decided that it's in his best interest to vote with the Republicans sometimes. Not only would Obama, as a junior senator, run the risk of being perceived as a prima donna if he spoke out too much, but being black and a member of the Democratic party, he is particularly prone to being attacked as a left-wing extremist. I think that with some of his votes and comments, Obama was making the point that he is able to vote and sympathize with the Republicans. He is now perceived as the only candidate who can unite the country.

If you read "Dreams from my Father", you will see that Obama cares deeply about civil rights and poverty. If any candidate can be depended on not to compromise on those (aside from Kucinich, that is), I think it's Obama.

[jaxx]

12. Good news.

:applause:

[brentspeak]

13. Why would I want for President someone with just two years as a U.S. Senator?

Of course, I would vote Obama over a Republican (unless the Republican was someone like Lowell Weicker); but this nation is going to need real leadership after having a wrecking-ball taken to it by eight years of Bush. Obama hasn't exactly yet demonstrated why he's more qualifed to be President than everyone else.

[nevergiveup]

15. If his anti-war speech

on Oct 26th 2002 are any indication of his vision and potential leadership then I am certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Those that support Hillary always raise the "experience" meme

Hillary's "experience" consists of votes for war (IWR), suppression of civil liberties (PATRIOT), and her continued opposition to full marriage rights for gays and lesbians (she is "evolving" according to her), and endless pandering to the Israel Lobby (the same guys that called Jimmy Carter an anti-Semite).

Hillary's "experience" is proof that she lacks the core values and the spine necessary to turn this country around, end the war, restore freedoms and Constitutional rule.

[athena]

21. Having read his first book, I am convinced he would make a great leader.

Obama's popularity is not just a passing craze. We may be witnessing the emergence of one of the greatest leaders this country has ever had. I believe we are extremely lucky at this point in time to have a progressive candidate who is not only incredibly smart, well-read and thoughtful but is also charismatic, popular and a great orator. The fact that he is charismatic does not make him a lightweight or undo his other qualities. Read his books, and you will see what I mean.

[harun]

27. His podcasts are good too, changed my opinion on him (n/t)

[citygal]

14. Obama is the type of candidate

that could really unite this nation with hope. I agree two years in the Senate is not convincing, but, in my opinion, he is an exceptionally bright person who truly cares about this country. Plus, I have been reading this book "The Way to Win, Taking the White House in 2008" and one of its central themes is to run when you (as a candidate) are hot. It discussed how Bill Clinton wanted to run in 1988, but waited until 1992 and it worked.

[Connie_Corleone]

16. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[never cry wolf]

17. nevermind

I thought you were referencing Obama's book.. I misread and are a idiot... welcome to DU


The audacity of Hope is his newest book, Dreams of my Father is his 1st book...

[citygal]

19. Sorry not to be clearer, I am reading a non-Obama authored book.

It explains strategies for how Democrats can win the White House in 2008. Thanks for the warm welcome.:hi:

[never cry wolf]

20. You were clear, I was muddled

seems to be my state of mind these days...

[TheDonkey]

35. Exactly, stike while the iron is hot

people might be saying Obama is "flavor of the month" more like the past 2 years but regardless this is his best chance so he's entitled to see if it'll work.

[knight_of_the_star]

22. His message is nice, aside from that

What has he actually done in a substantive fashion as far as bills that actually became laws? Where is he making the bold stands he should be making against escalation and Bush assaults on civil liberties? He talks a good line, but it seems to me that's ALL he can do.

[athena]

24. You clearly haven't done your homework.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barack_Obama
http://obama.senate.gov/issues/

As for the war and other issues:

Text of Obama's 2002 speech against the Iraq war:
http://www.areavoices.com/commonsense/?blog=4840

More recently:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x9509
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RDSpuh9K28&mode=related&search=

On the Senate floor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc6I3jnTRe0&mode=related&search=

With John Stewart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-qLDWQQmmo

On the Today Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2HVck0TV_g&mode=related&search=

BTW, it's easy to criticize Obama when you're not in his place. Let's see you get bills passed as a freshman senator in the minority party.

[Odin2005]

25. I'm sick of the 'He's not experienced enough" meme.

IMO charisma, innate leadership abillity, and vision is more important then experience when it come to being a good president.

There also seems to be something FDRish about him I cant quite explain.

[citygal]

30. I agree.

John Kerry and Al Gore both had tons of Senate experience (for Kerry his voting record ended up hurting him tremendously). You can be in the Senate too long and have a long voting record to be scrutinized. I agree that charisma is one of the most important factors in running for president - it's all about perception.

[goclark]

32. Don't forget that he is Brilliant ~ like Clinton

He has the ability to talk to the common man/woman and not brag about how smart he is--he is so comfortable in his own skin.

He reminds me of Clinton in that way.


Dimson has demonstrated how important a Brain is to the position.

[Imagevision]

33. I think Obama is the most real out of the bunch - let's see where he's at a year from now?!!

[techno-nubian]

36. If Obama accept some libertarian views,

I would look closer to him even more.......

[Nihil]

38. "Inchworm, inchworm ..."

If you've got the self-belief then declare and let people choose.
If not, quit with the "inching towards making a decision" publicity-hunt.

"Piss or get off the pot"