Democrats eyeing Obama for 2008

[Warpy]

Obama, a first-term Democratic senator from Illinois, seems to be hitting the right notes these days. During Senate recesses, he has been touring the country at breakneck pace, basking in the sudden fame of a politician turned pop star. Along the way, he has been drawing crowds and campaign cash from Democrats starved for a fresh face and ready to cheer what Obama touts as "a politics of hope instead of a politics of fear."

"I think he is unique," said Illinois's senior senator, Richard J. Durbin (D). "I don't believe there is another candidate I've seen, or an elected official, who really has the appeal that he does." As for the 2008 presidential race, "I said to him, 'Why don't you just kind of move around Iowa and watch what happens?' I know what's going to happen. And I think it's going to rewrite the game plans in a lot of presidential candidates if he makes that decision."

Little baggage
Obama deflects such talk, while not ruling out a presidential candidacy. The speculation is as much a commentary on the state of the party as it is on Obama. The Democrats' most prominent likely contenders -- such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and John F. Kerry (Mass.) -- are figures who have been in the public eye for many years and wear scars from earlier controversies.

At age 44, the former Harvard Law School standout has little baggage. But he also has a scant legislative record in the Senate, where some members privately say they view him as drawn to news conferences and speeches more than to the hard details of lawmaking.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13389274/

View his "scant legilative record" at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13389274/

I found it better than I expected of Lieberman's protege.

[rodeodance]

1. smart guy--can't really tell where he stands on imp. issues.

.......He has yet to carve out a distinctive profile on the policy and ideological debates that are central to how Democrats will position themselves in a post-Bush era.

In his stump speech, he offers a standard Democratic criticism of President Bush's tax cuts as favoring the rich, and promotes energy independence with only modest detail about how to achieve it. Nor does he dwell on the Iraq war, assailing the administration's handling of the conflict but not addressing such questions as a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Instead, it is almost entirely Obama's biography, along with his gift for engaging people in large audiences and one-on-one encounters, that is driving interest.

"It's very exciting for him to come here," said Iqua Colson, a public schools administrator who appeared at the event here. Most of the students are African American, as is Colson, and she said they see the Senate's only black member as an appealing role model: "He represents hope, promise, excellence."
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[Warpy]

2. That's why I included the link to his voting record

because he does have stands on the issues, and they're good ones.

He voted against one minimum wage increase bill because it would have had people wait 18 months for a pay hike. He voted for another one with a much shorter lag time. Neither passed, of course. Pubbies hate to see people have enough to eat.

[Tom Joad]

4. Obama is a proud supporter of Sen. Joe the War Monger. His stance is

clear enough for me.

[BluegrassDem]

7. Maybe him and Joe are friends?

Is that too bad? Just cause we all want Joe to lose his job, we shouldn't expect senators working and going to lunch with him everyday to feel the same. If you do, then you're not being realistic.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. So is Barbara Boxer

As much as I want to see Lamont win, it is crucial to understand that the senate is an institution and its members rely on each other to get things done. Senate dems are supporting Lieberman because he has helped them get important legislation passed that they needed.

[Tom Joad]

23. Boxer supports Lieberman. she does not care about issues.

It's not just about working together to get things done. Sometimes kennedy works with Mccain to pass a particular bill, and there is nothing wrong with that, in itself (depending on the bill).

But we would rightly be shocked to see ted kennedy support J. Mccain's reeelection.

Same here. A vote for joe (vs Lamont) is a vote for the status quo. For hunger for power over principle.

[Hippo_Tron]

41. Lieberman (for the time being) is a Democrat

Ted Kennedy isnt' expected to support McCain for re-election because McCain is a Republican. Boxer is expected to support Lieberman because he is a Democrat.

[The Magistrate]

45. What Good, Mr. Joad, Is Principle Without Any Power To Put It Into Effect?

Clearly the acquisition of power must take precedence, and hunger for it is a necessary element of the enterprise.

[nickinSTL]

49. Boxer doesn't care about the issues?

:eyes:

[Radical Activist]

28. Name me a Senator who doesn't support Joe.

Its long standing tradition for US Senators of the same party to support each other. To expect Obama to do otherwise is unreasonable and out of touch with political realities.

[Tom Joad]

3. Issues? Issues??!! democrats don't need no stand on no stinkin'

issues! That's the old way. :sarcasm:


I go to countless dem candidates websites and can't even find mention of "Iraq".

[kentuck]

5. Logically speaking, why woud they want to talk about Iraq...?

when our Party is divided on the issue? What is the advantage?

[Tom Joad]

6. Exactly! That would just be injecting politics into a campaign for

office!!!

It's all about style, baby!

[Radical Activist]

32. You will find Iraq mentioned on Obama's site.

The reason I voted for Obama in the Illinois Democratic primary is that he was the only one of three Democrats running for the seat who came out early against the war in Iraq. Obama came out against the war VERY early, when most Democrats were still in favor.

Yeah, how DLC of him. :eyes: You have a funny way of sticking by your friends who agree with you on the issues.

[BluegrassDem]

8. Style over substance wins any day in politics

It's not what you say, but how you say it. Voters like people they're comfortable with. Politicians that talk to them and 'feel their pain' like Bill Clinton always end up winning. Obama has that same knack. I think he could be a winner.

[Tom Joad]

24. He could be a winner. America would be the loser.

[Radical Activist]

29. Obama has style and substance.

One reason Obama is so popular is that people see in him someone who stands for progressive ideals in a way that appeals to a majority of voters, even moderates. That doesn't make him all style and no substance. It makes him a progressives dream come true.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Olieberbama.

:thumbsup:

[ChipsAhoy]

10. lol Rummy n/t

[long_green]

12. When he shows a little spine

and takes on the ruling junta, I'll work up a little enthusiasm for him. Now? he's DLC as far as I am concerned.

[AndreaCG]

13. Couldn't agree more.

[The Magistrate]

14. Sen. Obama, Sir, Is Quite Popular Here In Illinois

He certainly has the makings of an excellent candidate for even higher office iin the future.

[madfloridian]

16. It's not about Obama, it is about the media pushing him right now.

We need to be careful, as they tear someone down as quickly as they build them up.

[The Magistrate]

17. My Cincern, Ma'am, Is Somewhat Different

It is the immediate appearance disparagements and smears directed against a Democrat of national stature and promising prospect at the mention of praise directed towards him.

[madfloridian]

19. Yeh, my friend, been there done that.

Candidate smearing is painful and hurts all of us.

But it just seems that the media is going out of their way to manipulate our party, and we should be on the alert.

[The Magistrate]

21. That Is Certainly True, Ma'am

But they must write about something, after all; there are all those pages to be filled, and all that time to be talked through. On balance, it is probably better to have complimentary pieces appearing than to have defamation or dilence.

[Tom Joad]

26. My concern is stopping this illegal, immoral, stupid war. Not

supporting someone who sides with the most outspoken war supporter in Congress.

[Radical Activist]

33. You sound very clueless. Like you have tunnel vision.

You are too obsessed with Lieberman, when the fact is that EVERY US Senator will support their colleagues in the same party, even if they disagree with them on issues.

Obama came out against the war in Iraq very early, when most Democrats still supported it, and he hasn't changed. That's one reason he won the primary for US Senate. Get a clue, man. Obama is on your side. Show him some support for it.

[Tom Joad]

36. *I'm* too obsessed by Lieberman? I didn't travel hundreds of miles

to sing praises to Lieberman.

Whatever good obama may bring to congress, people like lieberman,mccain, hilary, will work to undo.

[Radical Activist]

38. Then blame Lieberman,

McCain, Hillary and their like for their own actions. Obama hasn't acted like them.

[long_green]

18. Thank you, SIR. I would definitely prefer him to one of my senators

but I do decline to get caught up in a personality cult over a telegenic centrist who seeks out Joe Lieberman as a mentor.
In my first post I mentioned that when he starts sounding like a real Democrat, I'll be only too happy to revise my lukewarm opinion of him.

[The Magistrate]

20. What Is A 'Real' Democrat, Sir?

It is a common, and striking formulation, often employed by persons who spend a good deal of effort and time attacking Democratic politicians of national stature and enjoying great popularity among rank and file Democratic voters. Its meaning is unclear to me, except that it may perhaps embody the claim that only those who agree on all particulars with the person employing it are "real" Democrats....

[Radical Activist]

31. Yes, And he was picked in the primary over a moderate Democrat.

I guess most people don't realize that Obama was the liberal alternative in the primary to a bland Democrat who wouldn't take a stand against the war, or a stand on most any other issue.

[The Magistrate]

44. He Was Picked In The Primary, Sir

Over a political non-entity, a fellow of so little substance his name escapes immediate recollection two years on. Then St. Sen. Obama was the clear favorite of the state's Party organization, and a person of inspirational character and great personal appeal. People, Sir, do not really vote much on the sort of line you are urging here: they vote for people they like....

[Radical Activist]

48. I don't remember it that way.

Obama had two opponents. Blair Hull, a millionaire who self-financed his campaign but never caught on. His bigger opponent was Dan Hynes, who is still state Comptroller. Hynes already held statewide office, had the backing of his ward boss father, far more name recognition, the backing of most of the moderate party establishment, and more money. Obama was a little known state Senator. It was most certainly an upset. Most expected Hynes to win, but Hynes ended up running a poor campaign. A big difference is that Obama talked about issues and Hynes didn't.

[The Magistrate]

50. Hull Had Escaped My Mind Completely, Sir

Mr. Hynes was a colorless cipher, and not too popular even among the patronage people in the city. He had no statewide credibility, and never struck me as having a serious chance at winning.

[Radical Activist]

30. You obviously don't know Obama.

He has been showing spine his entire career. If you think Obama is DLC then you don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

[long_green]

34. I said as far as I am concerned, he's DLC

That is not the same as my saying that he is a member of the DLC. I am sorry you are so defensive on the subject. I have heard him speak, I have seen some of his votes, and no, I do not regard him as the Great Progressive Hope. There are other Democratic Senators I like less than him, and there are a few I like more.
I have two wishes for Senator Obama. One, that he moves a bit more to the left and two, that he attracts a better class of advocate than yourself.

[Radical Activist]

35. And yet you have given zero evidence for that view.

I've watched Obama over the years and I know you're mistaken. I know some people don't like his vote for some appointments, but Feingold has voted for some bad appointments too, like Ashcroft. Does that make Russ DLC?

Are you mad that Obama uses language that appeals to moderates? Isn't that what a progressive SHOULD do? Isn't that how one gets elected in our system of government?

Snide remarks toward me don't mask your lack of any facts to back up your accusations against Obama.

[long_green]

39. You have the benefit of watching him over the years

How long has he been in public life? As for myself, I have been aware of him only since 2004...we have our own politicians to pay attention to down here. I can say one thing in his favor that I can't say about the Democratic Senator from my state: he voted against the Bankruptcy Bill. I can also say that he is loads better than the rich guy he beat in the party primary in 2004.
As for votes on certain appointments, I don't hold a vote for Ashcroft against Feingold; incoming presidents usually get their first cabinet appointees in with no trouble. Besides, Obama doesn't have any embarrassing votes on Roberts or Alito.
We've got a rotten, corrupt administration, a rotten, corrupt Congress and Obama, with his gifts of oratory and his seemingly secure political base in a very blue state, hasn't made any big splashes. If something happens to make me as enthusiastic about him as you are, no one will be better pleased than I. Don't get angry with me or anyone else on here just because it hasn't happened yet.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

15. Another one that the wingnut media is trying push on us

(see full spread this am on msnbc) that doesn't stand a chance.

Don't misunderstand; I like Obama. I saw him speak at the state convention, and I think has wonderful potential. After he has had some experience under his belt.

This is just a way to divert us from the candidates we should be endorsing. My guess is that Al Gore, with his experience and wisdom, scares the bejebus out of the msm.

[Cascadian]

22. Guys. It is too damned soon!

Obama has not even served a full term as a U.S. Senate. Are people in the Democratic that desparate to bring on a challenger for 2008? Frankly, I want the party to bring in somebody that is not a Beltway outsider who will not fall to the whim of the DLC and not be afraid to stand up the Neocons. I do not want a Neocon enabler.

I am sure he is a good man, but Obama would make a better Senator if he would show more backbone in the Senate.


John

[AtomicKitten]

25. Obama isn't ready for prime time yet.

But he'll be a damed fine contender if he doesn't turn into Velveeta in the Senate first.

I don't understand why some are poo-poo'ing an obvious star in the party. They are few and far between, and something that should be celebrated.

I do think he'd be a brilliant VP choice. Gore/Obama has a nice ring to it.

[Radical Activist]

27. Obama has a very long record.

For years in the Illinois State Senate he was one of the most reliable progressives on a host of issues, all across the board. Environment, civil rights, unions, women's rights, you name it. I don't understand why people are so eager to make Obama out to be some kind of conservative, but they aren't in touch with the real Obama.

I'm sure Obama doesn't have a long record in the Senate. Its the nature of the US Senate that freshmen don't have much influence or power to do a lot. That has a lot to do with how the Senate operates and nothing to do with Obama being some kind of supposed sell-out.

[Radical Activist]

37. Obama addressed his Senate record here:

Its a result of how the Senate works.

"A lot of what I think is interpreted as caution is just a function of my institutional role as a freshman in the minority party and the limits that places on me in terms of being able to move legislation out of committee." -Barack Obama

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/12/opinion/main1702339.shtml

This paragraph is also in the article, which makes for a good read:

By almost all measures, Obama has been a solid liberal, both in his early career as a community organizer and then as a local politician. In the Illinois State Senate, he supported increased funding for health care and education and wrote bills to publicly finance judicial campaigns and create a state earned-income tax credit. His charisma, intellect and ability to build bipartisan coalitions were evident early in his career, fueling progressives' high hopes for him. In the U.S. Senate, for the most part he has stuck with his party on key votes when so-called moderates didn't. For example, Obama voted against the corporate-written Central American Free Trade Agreement. And he was particularly outspoken after Hurricane Katrina, leading the charge among lawmakers demanding answers about the government's failure to protect New Orleans.

[HB1]

40. Regardless of how this plays out...

...seems that Obama is a great asset for the Democratic Party.

[Clarkie1]

42. I think he would make an excellent VP choice for any candidate.

My preference at the top of the ticket is, of course, Clark. That's a ticket that would truly change America and the face of the Democratic Party.

[Catchawave]

43. This doesn't surprise me....

John Edwards was even a much more junior Senator when he was considered as a VP on Al Gore's short list in 2000. Obama's this year's rising star, but not as a Dem Prez nom in '08. VP is very a very attainable slot for him, at least on that year's short list :hi:

[WyoBlueDog]

46. Lieberman's Protege?!? That's rich!

Well, if he's pissed off you ultra-liberals, Barack is ready to lead America!

OBAMA '08!!!

[Name removed]

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