Being dazzle with power is there for every canditate, it is human nature. I just wonder how is going to work the name per se in the minds of the voters.  More than being new to the high ground of politics and being black is the name what will hurt him the most.

Hurray for that senator from Oregon on his frankness regarding the Iraq war. Glad someone in our government has the guts to say it.We casnt solve the political problems in Iraq. Get our people home.

Greetings from the left coast,

Could it be that people (and the media) are not exactly inspired by our current leaders, or presidential possibles in particular?  Our elections cycles today do not exactly reward our best and brightest, nor reflect profiles in courage.  There are days that make me wonder whether we were better off with the smoke filled rooms of old where the political king-makers generally put forth able responsible men.    Which was less representative, then or now?  

With todays politicians having to spend most of their time raising campaign money, speaking only from scripts and keeping up a bland appearance to keep themselves out of trouble, it is no wonder Americans are looking for something with a pulse.  Remember the infatuation with Howard Dean most recently?  

Obama is indeed an interesting person with seemingly much potential.  His cultural background certainly gives him a awareness of the world outside of the US, something we need desperately currently.

Would color be a factor in the election?  From the "green" perspective, absolutely.  Obama would definitely be able to raise money.  But more importantly it will not hide the fact that he is very very "green" himself -- few distinguishing accomplishments in either the public and private sectors. Many new to high visibility politics have a substantial business career (etc) to use as a benchmark, not so Barack.

The biggest question in my head for '08 is this:  After our current experiment with a president with zero experience outside the US prior to inauguration, does the American public really have our priorities so out of whack to do it again?  This next presidential election seems more to be a time for proven leadership, foreign policy experience and intellect than at any time since the cold war.  This is crunch time in the big leagues, no time for a bright looking rookie.

The “controlling issue of our time” is simply the growing divide between the culture and religions of the “West” and the “Nation of Islam.” The current Bush led reaction of the US to 9/11 and the spreading worldwide al-Qaeda led radical islamic movement has in five short years transformed the US from the beacon of liberty admired and envied by most of the world to the fallen disgrace of what appears to be the single most source of hate in the world. This is what is distressing most Americans—even more than than the total debacle of Iraq and the Bush foreign policy.

Obama's greatest appeal as a Presidential Candidate will be found to be his universal appeal to the world...the third world...and even the radical Islamic world. As we found in his visits last month to Kenya, South Africa, Djibouti and Chad, no American has been greeted on the world stage Obama since Muhammad Ali—and Americans love it. But more importantly, with that kind of cross culture charisma Barack Hussein Obama has the potential to begin to communicate with, and finally meaningfully address the rift between the two cultures and religions.  

We can never “win” the war on terror—we can only begin to recognize the sources and try to diffuse the root causes with a goal of ultimately achieving the Status quo ante.  What people see in Barack Obama is the ability to  do that.

This is a true "new way forward," that in normal times would be the first line of defense for the pragmatic America that most of the world has looked up to for leadership since the end of WWII.

Barack Obama is so uniquely qualified to lead us in what has become the long twilight struggle of this century to defuse the threat of Islamic radicalism.  Barack Obama’s intelligent and respectful pragmatism, and his potential for affinity and empathy with those now professing to be our enemies, singularly positions him to become our most effective voice for communicating with the Islamic world.

Chris and Ed Rodgers should realize that Barack Obama's middle name might become the singular most significant issue that will define the ’08 political debate

Add to this the general assessment that Barack Obama's diverse background, education, experiences and extraordinary intellect allow him to always see and respect both sides of most issues---and the good sense to adjudicate between them.  This alone is a "new way forward."

 Must it be Mrs Clinton? Notice i didn't say Hilery, the Democratic Party which up until this last election ignored middle America and its ideas feelings and hopes about life-politics and the Bill of Rights-got a victopry not because they have anything anybody really thinks is Super-but because the "other guys" have nothing! Shoe on the other foot maybe? But Mrs. Clinton? Think about this-can the media which will come all unglued to support her really mold the minds of enough American voters to make her anythingbut a target? So, who is the candidate of choice and vision-perhaps the man nobody really knows save for reading his very good book-it worked for JFK!!

I guess you wouldn't get Obama. To hear an educated smart Senator speak as all Americans can understand and he tells the truth too. Well we're not getting that from other elected officials. Look don't worry America is still racist ask Chris Matthews. Blacks are only to be used to serve the military when needed then put back in their place. Obama knows the interest in him is like people saying Wow he is black and his better educated then the President and speaks intelligent Wow. But it'll be back to the racist ads like the GOP did with Harold Ford and the racist comments like told by Allan, Romney and the White House. Black Americans can serve America and win medals for America but never will there be a Black man or woman to lead this country. Racism and Racist will never let that happen. Americans will say anything but when it comes down to it a Black person is still not as valued as an animal as was done in the past. Blacks built the White House and how long did it take for them to be able to visit. Don't worry American Blacks know when their looked at as the show as it will end and racism will be safe. Could you imagine Chris Matthews face if a woman or a black was President. He would most likely lead the protest. And Tucker Carlson would say God didn't wont that to happen only a White man could lead America but blacks can give their lives in the military to save America from it's enemies.

Like other self-absorbed, political power figures, Barack Obama is enjoying his day in the sun as the Dem's new "golden boy." However, Craig Crawford's remarks are warning signs that should be heeded more closely.

Personally, I believe all Americans should be screaming at the top of their lungs, demanding "conflict-of-interest" legislation without loopholes in order to redefine the meaning of "civil servant." Congress must impose strict ethics reform on themselves.It is incumbant on us, American citizens to supervise our elected officials by questioning their motives and actions. When members of Congress cater to special interests and engage in subversive and devisive acts of corruption, we have to protest in a decibel level that reverberates around the world (think DPW).

Complacency and intellectual apathy coupled with the Bush administration's ineptness and marketing of counterfeit policy will be the demise of this country.

madrid

house

euro

skyscaper

nothing

hotel

money

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):