Everytime I want to write him off as a lightweight, an inexperienced media creation... I see him handle a situation, speak through minefields of questions, and think, hmm, he may actually have "the Right Stuff" to lead our nation.

Did anyone see him on Meet the Press...? He gave a new twist to the "I haven't decided yet" and totally handled Russert.

The next president of the United States.... an Obama/Warner ticket.

I guess he needs something to do now that his fund-raising book tour has wound down.

Why on earth anyone would put stock in a public official from Illinois is beyond me. They're all crooked.

I misread this at first as "Osama". Good thing I don't like making parody threads.

Yeah, Lincoln really sucked.

Do you actually have anything negative to say about this guy, or do you just wish that you did?

Many politicians at all levels write books. Is there something wrong with this?

Well, don't mean to scare anyone but Obama is still good news. Imagine if this thread had read: Jeb Bush says "he's thinking about it..."

Well, to go from "I'm not interested in running for President" to "Now I'm thinking about it" reeks of dishonesty and/or lack of conviction (granted a lack of conviction(s) in Illinois is an exception).

Either he was damned well interested in running and lied about his intention, or he is so malleable that whatever he avers in the past doesn't matter to him.

And that one must delve back 150 years to find an "honest" public figure from Illinois is telling indeed.

[quote="Billzebub"]
Well, to go from "I'm not interested in running for President" to "Now I'm thinking about it" reeks of dishonesty and/or lack of conviction (granted a lack of conviction(s) in Illinois is an exception).

Either he was damned well interested in running and lied about his intention, or he is so malleable that whatever he avers in the past doesn't matter to him.

[quote]

Did you see his "dishonesty" this morning or are you just judging him in a prepared paradigm that wants to peg democrats as "flip floppers?" Can anyone actually change his mind? One of the great hopes for him is that he has the persona and skill to mow through this sorta mush-minded canned-attack crap...

Yes. Obama is the first figure in the history of the United States to change his mind about running for president over the course of a 3-year span. You do realize that he was originally quoted upon taking office in 2004 and that it is now 2006? Sometimes political climates change.

Honestly, if this is a major gripe with you that makes him a "liar" or "dishonest", I don't know why you would even bother looking at issues; it's pretty obvious you've already made up your mind about this guy.

There are plenty of corrupt and honest politicians in every state. Illinois gets the rap it does largely because of the 1960 election. Let's not turn this thread into a breeding ground for ridiculous generalizations that have nothing to do with Obama's qualifications for president.

Speaking of someone changing their mind, by the way...

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/22/bus ... he-course/

Something as simple as changing one's mind about running for President does not seem that crucial. There are extenuating factors, there are friends and family sways (either way) that could influence a person's interest. That hardly seem like dishonesty.

i think that he honestly has reconsidered now that Warner has apparently dropped out.

he probably just incorrectly assumed the Dem's could pony up a decent candidate and having realized they can't . . . gasp . . . he changed his mind.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is no slouch you know.

Obama has been unwavering in his belief that women belong in the kitchen.
he's been pretty open about that.

I think he should run. Nothing kills a shot at the presidency better than a long Senate voting record. Plus, I think we need to elect the good ones before Washington grinds them down too much.

I can't say that I'm completely privied to everything politicians are spewing or 'said' to have spewed but come '08 decisions would be made based on a much larger overal impression by thousands.

To discredit the man for saying two years ago that he wouldn't run just creates the climate where politicians say absolutely nothing definitive ever for fear of it coming back to haunt them.

That "flip-flopping" argument was bullshit in 2004 and it's bullshit now.

Emerson said it better:
"Speak what you think now in hard words and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day."

what?

Yes. Apparently the book also gets all the "negative" shit out of the way as well. Pot and coke use and maybe some teenage cursing, too.

I think the guy would like to wait but also realizes that his shot may be coming up sooner than he anticipated. This last week's TIME had a pretty good Joe Klein article on him - even called him out on being vague.

And I dig his religious choices - United Church of Christ, which gets in all the Jesus stuff but also sides with pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-vagina. A religious man (which the country seems to demand) without compromising solid democratic values.

Just saying no matter what his belief is that's not the only thing that's gonna define him or influence Voters' impression.

oh, i thought it was pretty clear i was joking about the women in the kitchen thing.

"Don't sell yourself short, Judge, she's a TREMENDOUS slouch."

We need to figure out a way to get LooGAR working on Obama's campaign.

THEM IN '08!!!

If Obama gets to be prez, can we do an Obama v. Osama Wrestlemania pay per view, settle the whole war on terror for $49.95 per person?