By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent | January 16, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois jumped into the 2008 White House race on Tuesday, promising to bring Americans together and "change our politics" with a campaign that could make him the first black president in U.S. history.
Obama, a freshman senator and rising party star, formed a committee to begin raising money and hiring staff to campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to succeed Republican President George W. Bush.
He plans a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Chicago on February 10.
"Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions," Obama said in a video message announcing his bid.
"We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans," he said.
very very enthusiastic...over-ambitious one may say (with having not completed even half of the term as a senator)....but what the heck? "a black president" would be a huge change - one that may bring balance to the otherwise racially biased (if i may say so) race....
i am always up for the underdogs and given that he was/is always against the iraq invasion, i would say GO BARACK! :P...will certainly add lots of spice to the already spiced up race for the presidency...
here's the man himself. his reaction to the bush's proposal to send additonal troop comprising 20k armies to iraq to overcome the secretarian violence :
I hope his candidacy will not unravel, for one reason or the other, because I like what I see in him. And from what I see in him so far, I think he will make a great president.
It's not 'too early' for Barrack. Whoever wins the presidential race in 2008 will most definitely run for a second term. Barrack will be left waiting until 2016! Who knows what will happen in those 8 yrs. Barrack might lose his charm. Things can get ugly for democrats. The best thing to do for him is run for democratic nomination and prove his star power. If Hillary wins, which seems highly likely at the moment, he can run as a vice president just like Edwards did with Kerry. A lady for President and an African-American for Vice-President!! That will be the most exciting episode in US politics and will also provide clues on the extent of gender-bias and racism prevalent in US. His middle name, Hussain, which he has tactfully managed to obscure, surely will cause some hoo-ha but hopefully he will emerge as a visionary leader to tackle the very problems that are crippling US at present.
Man he should wait. dun think the society is ready for a Black Pres yet. He would make an excellent running mate for Hillary. Just hope that if he does run and lose......he he there is no need for another Jesse Jackson or another SHARP AL. he he
Hillary as a president and Obama as VP would be fresh start for curently messy USA ( As far as foreign policy goes). Have you heard a joke in democratic circle? "Don't tell momma, I am for Obama." Ha ha.
How's it going? One quick comment : I personally think Barack Obama is no Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackcon. One measure of that : his victory in the 2004 elections: Republicans were running over each other to vote for this guy.True, America is not Illinois, but I think it would be a mistake to minimize his chances because of his race. His race might actually be an advantage - especially in blue states. Even in the red states, at least some of them, seeing how close Harold Ford Jr came to winning the election in TN last November, I'd say they might be a bit more accepting of a black leader now than they ever have been. Also, he really needs to hold onto the blue states and pick up places like Ohio, FL and perhaps CO,NV, NM. It might be tough but not impossible.
But a word of caution: there is still 22 months left - and even a week is a long time in politics. Remember, it took 5 minutes for the Dean campaign to implode
I like this guy but I still think it is too early for him.. he didn't sound very confident during the interview soon after Bush's recent announcement. I liked his speech during the convnention but none after that.. I think there are other Dem candidates who are far more expereinced than him ....
It will be fun to see who announces next.. :-)) Go Hill Go...
If there's something about Obama that makes you (well, me anyway!) feel that this person is going to be a statesman.
If he wins in 2008, great! If not, then, he'll still be young to run in 2012 or 2016.
This is his momemt, and I am glad that he has seized this.
Meantime, I recommend his book "The Audacity of Hope" to you all.
oohi ashu
*************** From historian Niall Ferguson:
1958 and today's GOP
Voters booted Republicans from Congress during Eisenhower's second term. Could we see a repeat this year?
An extract:
"What's more, as happened in 1958, the combination of foreign policy setbacks and economic disappointments could set the stage not merely for Democratic gains at the midterms but for a Democratic victory in the presidential election two years down the line. Intriguingly, there is already a John F. Kennedy figure on the scene who, he recently admitted, has "thought about the possibility" of a bid for the White House. Youthful, charismatic and the personification of the American dream, Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has been this autumn's media sensation, his face on every talk show, his name in every column, his book rivaling Woodward's in the charts.
You think the U.S. is not ready for a black president? Well, back in 1958 you'd probably have said the same about an Irish Catholic."
Some more chintan-manan on bideshi politicians in today's 24/7 internet-driven global village world!
*********
This is what a former colleague of Obama -- at the U Chicago Law School (where Obama taught for sometime) had to say about him:
An extract:
"He was, and is, widely admired by students and faculty alike -- and entirely across political divisions. How well I remember past elections in which faculty members, who disagreed on a great deal, agreed that Obama would be a magnificent addition to the United States Congress. I think their agreement resulted from Obama's character (he's a genuinely wonderful guy), his evident ability and sheer excellence (for example, he's a terrific teacher, and we tried to convince him to join the faculty full-time on several occasions), and his independence and unpredictability (he toes no party line; he knows how markets work, and how government can make things worse).
good to see you around....is it not a ringt moment for a Sjha veteran like Ashu to present an objective analysis of current politcal scenario in Nepal?- no pun intended!
डीभी परेन भने खुसि हुनु होस् ! अमेरिकामाधेरै का श्रीमती अर्कैसँग पोइला गएका छन् !
What are your first memories of when Nepal Television Began?
Sajha Poll: नेपालका सबैभन्दा आकर्षक महिला को हुन्?
ChatSansar.com Naya Nepal Chat
NRN card pros and cons?
TPS Re-registration case still pending ..
Basnet or Basnyat ??
TPS Re-registration
निगुरो थाहा छ ??
Nas and The Bokas: Coming to a Night Club near you
Toilet paper or water?
Anybody gotten the TPS EAD extension alert notice (i797) thing? online or via post?
अमेरिकामा छोरा हराएको सूचना
ढ्याउ गर्दा दसैँको खसी गनाउच
Sajha Poll: Who is your favorite Nepali actress?
Problems of Nepalese students in US
nrn citizenship
TPS EAD auto extended to June 2025 or just TPS?
अमेरिकामा बस्ने प्राय जस्तो नेपालीहरु सबै मध्यम बर्गीय अथवा माथि (higher than middle class)
Nas and The Bokas: Coming to a Night Club near you
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