Junior Illinois Senator Barack Obama recently backtracked on previous remarks to the effect that he would not seek the office of president. On NBC's Meet the Press, Obama confessed that he would consider running for president in 2008.
"I would say I am still at the point where I have not made a decision to pursue higher office, but it is true that I have thought about it over the last several months," said Obama.
Considering the astonishing level of attention he's been receiving over the past couple years, Obama's change of heart is not all that surprising. To the point however, I've never understood what everybody sees in this guy. He is presented by the media as the embodiment of mainstream America and the definition of moderation. But Obama is anything but mainstream or moderate. He's an unabashed, arch-liberal. He conceals his radical tendencies behind his next-door neighbor personality, smooth rhetorical tricks and wide grin. Washington insiders admit that he's done nothing of significance, outside of his presidential-like tour of Kenya which served only to further inflate his ego, and he has also been known to shirk the tedium of day-to-day congressional duties, preferring instead to bask in the lights of cameras and converse with coquettish reporters. The expression ¨style over substance¨ has rarely found a more appropriate home than with this ambitious political celebrity. Someone needs to bring this guy down to earth, quickly.
At first blush, the thought of an Obama presidential campaign seems far-fetched, however, I think it is entirely possible to see his name on the ballot as a vice presidential candidate. Due to the Democratic party's lack of leadership & direction it is not unreasonable to think that they would look to the charismatic Obama as its future.
ReplyDeleteEver since he spoke at the DNC you could see that he was being primed for a high profile position, and with the Republicans falling apart Obama could become a thorn in the Conservative's side.
A silver tongue will take one a long way these days notwithstanding a lack of substance.
You've described it well. He's very well-spoken and has a upstanding image which would win copious support from an image-saturated citizenry; yet, nonetheless, he is Clintonesque in both cast and mold, a politician lacking nothing but truth.
ReplyDeleteThere's a great quote in the latest National Review.
ReplyDelete¨Lest you doubt that Hillary is running in ’08, she’s now wearing a cross. What’s she going to do next, bake cookies?
Does anyone see an unholy alliance on the horizon that would place Clinton and Obama on the same ticket in '08? That prospect is indeed worrisome. There's no doubt that, at least at present, the Clintons still pull the strings within their party. Hillary would not stand for a lowly VP spot, certainly not under the Johnny-come-lately Sen. Obama. I've always doubted that Hillary could win the presidency; she's simply too controversial and carries too much baggage. What could more forcefully summon conservatives to turn out en mass than the prospect of a President Hillary Clinton? But I am concerned that the amiable Obama might dilute the liberalism marking Clinton. When the chips are down, even liberal Dems will admit that Obama is too young and inexperienced to shoot right to the top spot. But at the same time he's far too popular to simply leave off the ticket altogether. A VP spot for him would be the perfect remedy. Republicans need to choose their candidates wisely. As I see it, a Clinton Presidency would be a political doomsday scenario of epic proportions. Obama is just as radical as she and his election to succeed her would be virtually assured. A mediocre selection on our part would, without question, torpedo our chances. First of all, Republicans should do whatever necessary to convince Condi Rice to run for the VP slot. Honestly, she's the only person capable of beating both Clinton and Obama. Perhaps Sen. Martinez (a conservative Cuban from Florida) could be nudged to run as the presidential candidate. This would probably ensure that the entire Southern bloc would go Republican. These are just thoughts. Any comments would be welcome.
YES.
ReplyDeleteI have thought, with varying degrees of conviction, that this was in the works ever since Obama broke onto the political scene. They would be a formidable combination, but I also think that it would backfire on Liberals by causing an enormous number of Conservatives to head to the ballot box.
Do you think Rice will run? She has consistently said "No," and I get the sense that she will be true to her word.
I am also not a supporter of a national search for a Conservative that happens to be a minority. The election process needs to focus on a battle of ideas, not a battle of the minorities.
Here's proof that I have the most bizarre imagination:
ReplyDeleteScenario: Scalia resigns from the US Supreme Court to run for presidency leaving his replacement an appointee by Bush. Scalia runs on the platform of restoring the U.S. Constitution and exposes Mrs. Clinton as a judicial activist, a label that doesn't sit well with liberals or conservatives. TADA! End of election.
Jason, you are right and I have my doubts that she will run, unfortunately. I still maintain that she would make an excellent candidate. That she is black is an added bonus, but her brilliance is the primary reason I would endorse her. Like you, Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice, I reject outright the idea of a race-based selection process, but the greater evil in my view would be another Clinton presidency.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the shrills from Liberal quarters if Scalia were to run for office? It's a beautiful thought, but probably not too likely. Besides, it could probably be argued that, given the Olympian status of the Supreme Court in American political and social life, Scalia is more powerful where he is, on the bench.
I found this interesting article on Obama by Stanley Crouch. Take a look when you have some free time:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/467300p-393261c.html