Barack Obama is one of the most intelligent and respected senators in our nation today, but why shouldn't he run for president? I honestly think that Obama would be an excellent president, but I don't think that the majority of the nation is ready to have a black president. It is sad, but true. Obama is a relatively "green" politician, being the senator from Illinois has been his one claim to political fame, but already he has the personaity, drive and ability to govern. However, I think that is Obama runs, he will be stopped, by whatever means necessary, even perhaps assasination. There are people who are still so racist in this country that they would kill a presidential candidate to prevent any person of color to ever enter into the white house. It saddens me to think that, but I dont think that this is the year Obama should run. But he's young, maybe not this election, maybe not the next, but when our children begin to vote, perhaps it will be in a world where everyone is REALLY equal, and where a black man from Illinois can run the country.
exitus
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I am not as impressed with Obama as you are. I think he is overrated and comes off as arrogant and snide. Like many Obama fans, you claim that he is a good senator. Without looking anywhere else, could you please name one piece of legislation he has authored or sponsored or one committee that he serves on ? He has some potential but just because he is youg, black and can string a sentence together doesn't make him presidential material. The presidential buzz is a calculated ploy to drive up the sales of his book.
I don't know too much about Mr. Obama, but isn't he a little inexperienced in politics? I know he's making a big splash, but unless I'm mistaken, isn't he just in his first term? Plus, I think a lot of people have an issue that he's of mixed-ethnicity. I wish America would be a bit more open-minded about ethnic background, but there are some people who still make it an issue. There are also people who firmly believe he's a potential embodiment of the Anti-Christ, and although they don't seem to be in the majority, there are some fundies who already getting all wound up. In any case, he seems like an alright guy, but I think he needs to put in his dues politically and get some more experience before anyone should consider voting for him.
I had said Obama is young, and I know that he doesn't have much experience, I cited that in my original statement. Though he doesn't have much political expertise, he has demonstrated presidential qualities in his life as a lawyer, he is very intelligent, I believe he was president of the Harvard law school or something or other (don't quote me on that). But his lack of experience and the current political atmosphere all contribute to my opinion that he should not run in the next election.
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Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I see where you are coming from by saying that he could be setting himself up assisination (which to me is disgusting) but I certainly do hope he gets it, hes got my vote.
I like Obama, and I disagree about what you said about Americans not being ready for a black president. In fact, I listened to an interesting radio show the other day in which the speaker said that, while Americans are deeply racist, they feel guilty enough about their racism that they'd vote for a black guy anyway, whereas sexist Americans don't feel as guilty about their sexism and, as a result, wouldn't vote for a woman.
For a long time I thought of Barack "Barry" Obama as a significant and worthy of noting candidate, but as of recent, I have lost most of any respect I had for him. I may be taking it harder than many others, but the fact that an African-American politician thinks it is appropriate to attend a church where the pastor makes claims that the government invented AIDS to eradicate that African American community (a disease that many gays in the past had claimed the same thing). Obama came into this race with the appearance of what talk radio would refer to as a negotiator. His recent speech in response to Reverend Wright's statements has put the Illinois Senator in a real mess. He has really lost virtually all support of white males. I am sorry, but anybody who is willing to listen to the filth that white people are just always out to get black people is out of their mind.
My favorite thing to add to this is when African-American persons have approached me and made claims that my ancestors enslaved their people. Not only is this false (my family came to the U.S. after slavery was banned in 1889 from Russia), but of the current African Americans in the U.S. today, fewer than 40% are descended from slaves. What does this tell you about racism?
Ross Kressel
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/rosskressel
Barck Obama is going to be a good president. He is smart man. He know how to run this government. If any of yall seen his speeches you will be amazed the way he talks
What of Obama's policies do you like the best that make you want to vote for him? Name some of his main policy goals. Tell me what makes Obama a better choice. Don't look it up, just tell me from what you already know about Barack Obama as an educated voter is your reason to vote for Senator Obama and I may consider you to be a reasonable person, but my fear is that you are one of many who is undereducated on politics and have heard him speak about change and very little about what he actually intends to do.
Ross Kressel
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/rosskressel