Petition for Obama to run

[BL611]

http://ga3.org/campaign/obama?rk=3dxbsO61GzQDW


I don't know if this has already been posted, but if not (or if people just missed it) Dick Durbin is urging Democrats to sign his petition to urge Obama to run for President.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'll pass, thanks.

I like him, but not for President, yet.

[question everything]

12. Second this

How sad that we are so thirsty for "charisma" that we will grab the first hot body that comes along, not knowing the first thing about his executive capability - this is an executive office, after all - not knowing where he stands on so many issues.

[BL611]

18. What issue don't you know where he stands on

It's complete BS that he has not made his positions on just about every major issue clear through his public statements and legislative record. To say his appeal is just based on his charisma is also erroneous.Obama's politics of pragmatic progressivism with an emphasis on solving problems and our common bonds as Americans rather than partisan rancor is appealing on its substance (of course his ability to articulate it effectively does certainly help), and unfortunately quite unique in out times. It's also why he appeals to many moderates who normally would not give the time of day to many others with Obama's liberal disposition. Also the charisma certainly IS important, a large part of the Presidency is having the bully pulpit and having someone who can use it compellingly (along with of course having the intellect and judgment for the job) is imperative. As far as executive experience, it would be redundant at this point to again go through the list of Presidents who have had none and did a pretty damn good job (including of course Lincoln- who even had less legislative experience than Obama currently does), as well as those who have had it and sucked (for example a certain former Governor of Texas...).

[NCarolinawoman]

30. How does he stand on environmental issues?

What foreign leaders does he know?

The world is falling apart. I can hardly stand to watch the news. When a relatively inexperienced JFK came to power, his predecessor was not handing over to him a catastrophic mess.

Good judgment in matters of war and peace are often based on a lifetime of EXPERIENCE combined with intellect.

[Monkeyman]

2. Done all 60,000 Veterans For Progress will sign

From his home state

[skipos]

3. And after you sign that, see my signature for the petition to draft Schweitzer! nt

[WI_DEM]

4. Gore/Obama now that is a powerful ticket for '08

[caledesi]

27. I like it, but unfortunately WE won't have a say. It's Hillary, Hillary,

Hillary. I think they are actually grooming Obama for VP.

We have such great candidates...I will take any w/ Obama as VP. Clarke, Edwards, Gore...

[warrens]

5. Done

I want at least the excitement he will bring to the primaries. Even if he loses, it will be a venue of ideas, not just who has deep pockets and a good publicity machine. That's vital this time around.

And you know if Durbin is promoting him, it's going to happen. They're very tight.

[vote 4 democracy]

7. Obama will run - he has the passion - BUT

. . . we need him as Gore's VP to get some experience under his belt . . . then he can take over for Gore in 2016!!!!!!!!!! (when Americans are ready for an African American prez . . . after getting used to the idea of an African American VP) :-)

[nevergiveup]

6. Done

It is his time.

[Sapphire Blue]

8. Done; K&R

[goclark]

9. Run Obama Run and don't let anyone tell

you to wait until they are ready for you to run.

OBAMA

:yourock:

[Sapphire Blue]

10. ...

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

11. ..

:kick:

[goclark]

13. Yes, yes, kick, kick

[Sapphire Blue]

14. and another kick!

:kick:

[longship]

15. Where is the petition to have him continue to serve in the Senate?

For christ sakes. The man is being promoted like a rock star. News media is even using that same metaphor.

Haven't we all learned something essential during this past six years? That nominating a person based on "rock star" status alone could be a recipe for disaster. Bush was promoted as some likeable guy. "He's nice," they said. "People like him." Well, we see how bad that can be.

I cannot and will not support Barack Obama, or anybody else for President whose sole recommendation is some nebulous popularity criteria. Yes, that means Hillary is out, too. (Way out!!--she has a track record.)

I'm not saying that Obama is Bush. I'm only saying that we don't know *what* he is. And I'm sure as Hell not going to support *anybody* based on unknowns.

Screw Obama. He can stay in the Senate for a term or two. Then, I'll decide. In the meantime, he's outta here.

[Sapphire Blue]

16. Thanks for kicking this thread!

[goclark]

17. I 'am for bringing a frresh, intelligent face to the

Primaries and the face I want to see is Obama.

I am tired, and so is America, of the same old tired faces looking toward the future.

Kicking for the future!

The future is behind most of them and they don't even know it.

This is a world of computers and possibilites and other than Al Gore( who hears a young drummer, and John Edwards, they are all tired.

Wake Up America and seek the future!

[never cry wolf]

21. Unfortunatly, that's the essence of politics

Clinton was promoted as a likable guy as well. How dare you compare Obama to bunnypants. There is a substantial difference. For one, Obama actually has brains and a heart. Graduated cum laude and was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He could have written his ticket to any firm or corporation in the country but instead returned to the neighborhood as a community organizer and then as a civil rights lawyer.

Why do you think his charisma is his only sole recommendation is some nebulous popularity criteria? Why don't you know *what* he is. He's written two best sellers telling you what he is. Here's a coupleof links that will help as well.

http://obama.senate.gov/
http://www.barackobama.com/main.php

Just like the purpose of television is to sell commercials the purpose of politics is to get elected and in this country most people vote with an uninformed gut feeling formed through 20 second sound bites. Being likable and being of substance are not mutually exclusive.

[ripple]

22. The "rock star" label actually originated in the media

and not from DU or the general electorate.

Those of us who support him know where he stands on the issues. The fact that he is extremely articulate and charismatic doesn't mean he's some mindless puppet. If you're opposed to him based on the fact that he appeals to others, rather than for ideological reasons, that seems to be the same shallow approach you are accusing others of taking. I'm not calling you shallow, but you certainly made a lot of assumptions about someone you admit to knowing nothing about, all because the media calls him a rock star.

You might want to read his book, The Audacity Of Hope. That might give you a better idea of who he is politically. Plus, there is plenty of info on the net about his accomplishments, issue stances, voting record, etc.

[BL611]

23. You don't know "what he is"

because you have not bothered finding out. As I stated earlier in the thread his positions can be easily attained with a 2 minute internet search, It's ridiculous when people say they don't know where a candidate stands (certainly not just Obama), when they obviously have not bothered trying to find out.

[longship]

24. Actions, not words.

I don't care what he says. I want to see what he does in the Senate before I form any opinion. A couple of years isn't enough for that, as far as I'm concerned.

I just can't support anybody for the nomination who is such an unknown.

Of course, I'd support him if he somehow got the nomination, but that is a bit of time from now.

[peacebaby3]

19. I've already signed a couple of days ago, but I wanted to kick

your thread!

Run Obama!!!!

[oc2002]

20. Obama Who?

your kidding right?

[VenusRising]

25. I think Obama would make a great president...

just not for 2008. I have to agree with those who have said that he has not been in the Senate long enough. Do we really want some people to vote for him cause "The Oprah" told them they should?

On a side note: IMHO, Obama should not be petitioned to run for President. He should run because it is something that he wants to do for the people of this country and because of the strength of his conviction.

[Zodiak]

26. Yes, unfortunately experience is a factor

The American people do get a little shy of the inexperienced (at least on a national stage). John Edwards was much maligned by the media and the pukes because of his lack of experience (and of course, the laywer thing). I cannot imagine what someone in the presidential slot would attract as far as that kind of criticism.

Obama as a vice-presidential candidate might work, provided we do not itroduce the liability of being perceived as "grooming" him. That didn't work out too well for the pukes with Dan Quayle.

We need to get Obama out there and saying more. He needs to really rise as a prominent figure fast if he would have any chance in 2008 for the Presidency. He also needs to initiate or advocate important legislation in a manner that can be seen.

But he is welcome to try. Maybe that will be the publicity he needs for a 2012 run (if we do not win the Presidency, then it will be 2016).

(btw...VenusRising is Mrs. Zodiak; I'm arguing with my wife). Love the net.

Welcome, darling to DU!!!

[Qutzupalotl]

28. He would be a great president.

I like a guy who THINKS before he runs his mouth. Someone who looks at all sides of an issue. He'd be a great addition to the field.

I'm hoping for a Clark/Obama ticket, myself.

[Hailtothechimp]

29. Done. O'8 can't arrive soon enough for me.

The last time a lawyer from Illinois was elected president, it worked out pretty well.

My home state will always be the Land of Lincoln. But being the Land of Obama is pretty cool too.

[scubadude]

31. I'm gonna pass too. Here's why.

When Obama was first elected I had really high hopes. Then he made a series of votes against issues that matter to many here.

He voted to confirm Condoleezza Rice and John Negroponte. He voted for a bill to limit citizens rights to seek legal redress against abusive corporations. During the bankruptcy debate, he helped vote down a Democratic amendment to cap the abusive interest rates credit card companies could charge. And now, Obama cast a key procedural vote in support of President Bush's right-wing judges.

(see http://www.davidsirota.com/2005/05/whats-happened-to-barack-obama.html, I couldn't remember the exact votes so I found them here.)

It was then that I realised why he doesn't represent me. Over the course of the last 35 years the Republicans have managed to move public opinion way to the right on many issues. They have made liberal a dirty word. The center is now way to the right of where I stand. Obama has tried to surf the middle view, triangulation if you will as noted by Sirota stated. I vote for people who say what they mean, not say what is in their best interest politically.

I stand with Clark and Gore first. I could support Obama, but there has to be more time to judge what he is made of.

Flame away.

Scuba

[Sapphire Blue]

32. Thank you for kicking this thread.

Run, Barack, Run! http://ga3.org/campaign/obama?rk=3dxbsO61GzQDW

RunObama.com: http://www.runobama.com/petition