Obama '08: Time to believe
T.A. Barnhart
Four years ago this month, I heard somebody named Howard Dean speak boldly against the upcoming war in Iraq on NPR's "Morning Edition". I knew Dean was one of those hopeless no-names who are always around at the beginning of a campaign; I knew nothing else about him. But the report on of his address to the California Democratic Convention, and the rousing reception he garnered for his denunciation of Bush, intrigued me enough that I attended my first Dean Meetup. That Meetup was at the Old World Deli in Corvallis, March 5, 2003, and it changed my life.
For me and Deaniacs nation-wide, supporting Dean evolved from seeking to win a campaign to changing America. "You have the power!" was his rousing conclusion at every event, and it was a message millions of Americans were waiting to hear. Today, as DNC Chair, Dean's leadership continues to change the country. He helped take back Congress last year, and the example his campaign set of using the Internet is still being followed. Most importantly, however, Howard Dean's message of hope continues to resound; "You have the power" is at the heart of contemporary progressivism. Dean may have been a no-hope candidate from some tiny state above New York, but his words and actions have made one of the most profound differences in American politics in decades.
Last night I watched Barack Obama on "60 Minutes." I've heard him speak before, I've read his words, but with the intimacy of television, the essence of the candidate came through. He is honest in a way I don't think we've seen from a candidate before. He's genuine, from his passion for using politics to help all Americans to his observation that when he's trying to get a cab, there's no doubt if he's black enough. He has a sense of humor, too, and that never hurts.. But the way he refuses to apologize for using drugs as a kid, not distancing himself from his own history the way Bill Clinton did (I did not inhale), tells me this is a person I think I can trust.
He certainly seems to be a candidate I can support.
I really wanted to support Hillary. The idea of supporting a woman for President is one I find hugely exciting, but the Hillary I loved from "It Takes a Village" has disappeared in mealy-mouthed excuses about her vote for the war in Iraq, in flag-burning amendments, and in the simple fact that she really does not have anything new to say. The Hillary I had hoped to see run, and win, has been replaced by a calculated campaign to win the nomination and presidency.
If she gets the nomination, I will get (regain) religion, I promise. But there is a better option, and just like I did in 2003, I think it's time to throw in with my guy. At that first Dean Meetup, someone mentioned Dennis Kucinich as someone they were also looking at; I had not heard of him, and after reading his website that night, I wondered if I had made a mistake. I hadn't. Kucinich's progressive ideas were terrific, but Dean was the right candidate. He's the one who has proven to have the vision and the voice for the national stage. I worked my ass off for Kerry, but I gave my heart, so to speak, to Dean.
That's how it will be with Hillary. I'll work for her if it comes to that, but right now, I feel the passion for Barack Obama. I don't care that he's got only two years in the Senate; his life has been one of service, experience and the kind of humanity I can respect. He knew the war was wrong and wasn't suckered by Colin Powell; that alone proves to me he's smarter than Clinton or Edwards. The excitement I'm feeling for Obama is not his experience or potential; it's the words he speaks and the way he speaks them. These are not poll-driven marketing ploys; these are real words coming from his heart and mind. I was only 3-years-old when John Kennedy stood on the steps of the United States Capitol and asked us to consider what we could do for our country; I see the images, photographic and televised, of those days of "Camelot" and wish I could have experienced them. I read how excited people were by this young man and his attractive family, and how his election represented a bright new promise for the country. I don't care about JFK's failures; I care about the promise — and long for its return.
Today, almost half-a-century later, I believe that in Barack Obama's candidacy, the possibility for hope of that kind has returned. I look ahead to January 2009, and I think about him standing on the steps of the Capitol taking the oath of office, and I feel as if this country might actually deliver, at last, on the promises of the Founders: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — for all of us.
Obama '08. America is ready, and so am I. Let's go.
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9:39 p.m.
Feb 12, '07
I'm in too.Hopeful,inspired, scared to have my heart broken . Previous to Obama's speech at the DNC in the summer , the last time I desperately wanted someone to run for the presidency was Mario Cuomo.
10:31 p.m.
Feb 12, '07
Promise and vision are what so few seem able to offer, that you have to grab them and hope right along with them. For liberals and many moderates it was Kennedy; for conservatives and many moderates it was (or was also) Reagan. To a certain extent Clinton (Bill) displayed it too, but I think most people knew they were getting charmed much of the time. Clinton was perhaps the only President where you knew he was BSing you, but you just loved the way he did it so authentically.
Anyhow, Obama has the vision and the promise. You can see it in his manner, I agree. For many people who vote for President (and only President) with a visceral instinct, Obama has the indefinable quality that hits right at that instinct.
IMO.
Feb 12, '07
I have been watching Obama from his Senatorial campaign with interest. He has the charisma and the ability to answer difficult questions - so far. I look forward to learning more as things get more difficult. He may be the right person.
Feb 12, '07
I went to the site
http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/
in search of "vision," and moreover some sense of how Obama proposes to get there. As has been pointed out previously on BO, it's a pretty weak brew.
I'll admit that the personality does show some promise, but I am not yet enthused and I'm wary of his inexperience. Not that Edwards has much more ...
12:44 a.m.
Feb 13, '07
I am also pretty excited that Obama is in the race. For me at least in the primary I'll support both Obama and Edwards financially and in terms of volunteering (when I return home later this year).
Hillary really scares the living crap out of me. I hope Obama is up to the task of not just being an alternative to Hillary, but also rolling out some viable solutions for the future of our country. It's going to be a very difficult task for him.
The right wing nutcases are already shaking in their booties over Obama running. Hearing Aussie PM Howard attack him on his stance on Iraq proves it. Bush doesn't want to beat up on anyone because his approval ratings are already in the toilet so he sends his buddies to do it.
And you wonder why they want Hillary to win the D nomination, because she's going to be weaker in the general election.
Feb 13, '07
Obama is an exciting candidate in his wisdom and ideas.
Unfortunately, he reminds me of Adlai Stevenson --- you love him as an intellectual, but will the rest of America?
-tk
Feb 13, '07
The fact that Obama is subject to criticism from both the Burt's and Tom's of the world seems to indicate that he's doing something right.
I think Obama can win for the sole fact that he's already won the Oprah primary.
Feb 13, '07
I'd like to hear more about who Obama--and all the other potential candidates--have chosen as expert advisers on a host of topics.
I think the reason so many people on this blog dislike Senator Clinton is that she has seemingly surrounded herself with people whose advice seems to start with "form a focus group and take an opinion poll". (She also "suffers" from needing to prove that she is mas macho to a depressingly large part of the population.)
So--if there's anyone who can point towards the sort of information I'm looking for, I'm be grateful.
Feb 13, '07
listening to obama and reading through his website, i'm not impressed. what is his stand on issues such as poverty, homelessness? what about nafta and the nightmare that has been for so many workers in this country? what about the fact that incomes have fallen or leveled off and haven't come close to keeping up with housing and health care?
why does he include "clean coal" (a deplorable bush idea) but not hemp in his energy plan?
what about the failed war on drugs and the resulting wasted resources? what about the massive resource consumption most americans undertake in their daily lives?
while i love the idea of seeing a woman or a non-caucasian/minority in the white house, i wonder if a lot of this hoopla over him is because of his ethnicity. honestly, his ideas are simply not far-reaching enough. i'm still backing dennis kucinich.
Feb 13, '07
You people are being hoodwinked. You should be extremely suspicious when the mainstream media labels this guy a "rock star". He is being funded by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. His campaign manager is a Mossad Israeli operative. He is totally unelectable no matter how charismatic he is. He is a ringer so that the republicans beat the democrats yet again. Seek a better alternative, and Hilary is not the answer either.
Feb 13, '07
Aaron Bradley: [Obama] is being funded by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. His campaign manager is a Mossad Israeli operative.
Fascinating assertions, but kindly provide some sources that do not include, for example, Portland IndyMedia. I just spent some time on the internet searching for information to corroborate your claims, and there was nothing.
I also note that your return address is kucinich.us. If you want to promote Kucinich, that's fine, just don't pretend otherwise or do so by absurd slams about "Mossad operatives".
Feb 13, '07
Hillary's got my vote. Sorry.
Feb 13, '07
I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon yet, though I do find Obama an intriging possiblity. Right now I'm with Edwards, and still hoping that Al Gore will join the race. Hillary is way down the list with me, hard to get enthused about her, though she will get my vote if she get's the nomination.
5:36 p.m.
Feb 13, '07
The most important thing in 2008 is getting a Democrat in the White House. I don't give a damn what their gender or ethnic background is, and I sure don't expect the US of A to elect a candidate who I feel particularly warm and fuzzy about because it isn't going to happen: my warm and fuzzy feelings are reserved for the sort of people who don't make the White House a goal in life.
It may well be that this country is ready to elect a woman president, but I have real doubts about that. If she's strong and definite, she's a shrill bitch. If she's confident, she's a pushy bitch. And if she's conciliatory, she's a weak bitch and a pushover.
I'd like to believe the country is ready to have a President that isn't white but I doubt that, as well. The underlying currents of racism are too great. Colin Powell might have done it, if only because he was a successful military man and apparently likeable, but he blew his own credibility forever leading up to the Iraq invasion. Obama is smart, he's charming and he obviously thinks well on his feet. He may not be Black enough so some African-Americans but he's already way too Black for a whole lot of white people and his name? Laugh all you want at the absurdity of that, but a lot of Americans vote for the guy who looks or sounds presidential, not for the person who could actually get the job done. I mean, seriously, look at our track record.
Feb 13, '07
his name? Laugh all you want at the absurdity of that
Well, the buzz on the web now is that he's going to change his name to "John Fitzgerald Kennedy".
Feb 13, '07
I've seen bits of Obama on news clips, interviews and feature stories. I haven't yet seen that something that suggests that he is confident and quick thinking enough to deal with the fray he'll face as president, but this may yet happen.
It's not wise to rely entirely on the look or sound of a candidate as an indication of their suitability for office, but these factors do count as important indicators in the overall process of determining suitability.
I was impressed when I heard how Obama responded last night to the question of whether he had smoked pot..."yes" to whether he had and whether he had inhaled. Just that admission and the way he handled it tells me he's learned something about what's going on and suggests he may be getting some sea legs.
Some time back, a person recounted having heard him quote a Lincoln comment to make a point regarding his idea about relations between members of congress. I went something like..."we can disagree without being disagreeable". This also impressed me.
Feb 14, '07
Time to beleive? I beleive that any northern big city liberal Democrat can't win the WHite House unless there is a depression. I like Obama, but don't think he could win the general, nor could Hillary. Maybe Edwards.
10:45 a.m.
Feb 14, '07
"Time to beleive? I beleive that any northern big city liberal Democrat can't win the WHite House unless there is a depression."
...or the GOP is at their lowest political popularity in the last 30 years.
Unless something turns around in Iraq, whoever the Democratic nominee will be, will walk over the Republican nominee. Look at their candidates, for heaven's sake! McCain is dropping like a stone as his big dice roll on Iraq comes up craps, Guiliani is too liberal and has too much scummy personal baggage (and everyone literally has his campaign playbook), Romney is amazingly both too liberal and too Mormon to carry the evangelical vote. Newt? HAHAHAH!
Feb 14, '07
Jeff Frane:
I'd like to believe the country is ready to have a President that isn't white....
Bob T:
B-b-b-but I thought Bill Clinton was the first non-white (president, remember?
Bob Tiernan
Feb 14, '07
Jeff Frane:
The most important thing in 2008 is getting a Democrat in the White House. I don't give a damn what their gender or ethnic background is
Bob T:
How 'bout the corruption factor? How far will you go before you reach a point where the Dem doesn't get your vote?
Bob Tiernan
Feb 14, '07
Anyone but Hillary. Has anyone noticed her position on attacking Iran (while addressing AIPAC)? She no doubt is more "liberal" than Bush when talking about domestic issues, but on foreign policy she is a fascist. I would vote for a non-Democrat if Hillary gets the nomination.
4:43 p.m.
Feb 14, '07
Bob Tiernan: After the corruption show that's been running the last six years in DC, things would have to be pretty stinky on the Democrat side before they could slip below that standard. And the Republicans are certainly not going to get my vote by running up weasels like McCain or power-mad creeps like Rudy. "America's mayor" my ass.
Feb 15, '07
Jeff Frane:
[To:]Bob Tiernan: After the corruption show that's been running the last six years in DC, things would have to be pretty stinky on the Democrat side before they could slip below that standard.
Bob T:
Forget the six years -- they stank for most of the past 12 years and managed to do in 12 years what the Dems took 40 to accomplish.
Anayway, you didn't answer the question. Is there a point or a level of corruption that would even make you not vote for a Dem and even choose a Repub with a good rep instead? If not, then you're part of the problem.
Jeff Frane:
And the Republicans are certainly not going to get my vote by running up weasels like McCain or power-mad creeps like Rudy. "America's mayor" my ass.
Bob T:
I'll agree about McCain. Why this pro-life, militaristic idiot was popular with a number of progressives (so-called) is beyond me (oh, I know, all he had to do was say something similar to what Teddy R said and people drooled without thinking - TR was overrated anyway regarding so-called progressive issues). As for Rudy, we'll see. You seem to fear him as a candidate. That's when the name-calling comes out, i.e. he might give your best candidate a tough race.
Bob Tiernan
Feb 16, '07
"the intimacy of television"???? give me a break...
The comparison between Barack and Dean is a great one, and a great reason why Barack can't win...Like Dean, he gets a bunch of Dems to drink the Kool-Aid, then collapses in the stretch run. What exactly have any of the Deaniacs changed about America? Dean just became part of the machine. Good job.
Feb 20, '07
I'm with Obama, already signed up on his site and given him money. Maybe I am drinking the kool-aid, but I think he has some balanced, intelligent ideas on some of this country's biggest issues. I'd love to see Gore run, but it doesn't appear that's going to happen. If Obama drops out, then I'll go to Edwards. Hillary is my last choice. If she wins the nomination, I'll work for her some (she is a Dem, technically), but I'll probably focus most of my energies on helping defeat Gordon Smith. If Obama wins the nomination, I'll work every waking hour I can to help him get into the office. Obama CAN beat McCain or Guiliani---I don't think Hillary can. As a side note, I wish politics wasn't so money-driven, cause I think Bill Richardson would be great, but he doesn't have a prayer of getting the money he needs to make a real run at it.
That's my two-cents worth...
Feb 23, '07
Visit cloakanddagger.de for the dirt on Obama regarding his Mossad campaign manager and being funded by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. is recent interview with the jerusalem post in which he pretty much applauds a war with Iran speaks volumes as to his hypocrisy regarding ending war in the Middle East.
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