This is Barak at the 2004 Democratic Convention. Even then he was eyeing the very real possiblity of bring the Democratic Party back to prominence as the leadership to restore America's promise. I am a little tired of hearing the word 'promise' and I do believe he is as well.
Barak on opposition to the war in Iraq that dates back to well before it even started on March 19, 2003:
War Critics Question Obama's Fervor (click here)
Some Say Actions Don't Match Talk
By Perry Bacon Jr.Washington Post Staff WriterSaturday, September 15, 2007; Page A01
Some Say Actions Don't Match Talk
By Perry Bacon Jr.Washington Post Staff WriterSaturday, September 15, 2007; Page A01
..."I don't oppose all wars," Obama, then a state senator, said on Oct. 2, 2002. ". . . What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne."...
For any serious anti-war voter, that statement realizing it was in 2002, has to give one pause to realize Barak wasn't meerly opposed to the invasion into Iraq but had already assessed the Bush White House as incompetent regarding government policy and the use of the USA military.
For any voter seeking a candidate which has consistently brought an anti-war agenda forward to a campaign for President of the USA one has to consider seriously this man with many years in government but always painted into the background of any Democratic Party agenda.
That tends may be true of the minorities of the party and it is their obligation to speak about it. They are there, they are represented, they are fostered in the capacity they are found, but, are they vilified somewhat to prevent any dynamic participation? If one is serious about equity, about finding 'the candidate' to restore the USA to global leadership bringing all countries to our side as allies again, while nurturing domestic power to revitalize America's infrastructure it is the obligation of those with a conscience regarding the future to search their soul for that answer.
Is there a minimalist oppression that lends advantage to any other candidate which disaffects Senator Obama's campaign? I can't help believe a recent statement by his spouse resounds in that latent reality. I think the statement went something like this, "My wife said this is the only time I'll be running as a candidate for President of the USA." It is a galvanizing statement and I couldn't help believe there was a barrier she was reacting to as if 'hope' for a Black Candidate doesn't yet exist in the face of social preferences still resounding within the electorate. It's a 'framework' of reality to study and any responsible voter has to ask themselves that one last time before casting the vote to reclaim the nation from the impoverishment of the Bush years.
Barak Obama has international reach and recognition, he has been surrounded by prestige within the Democratic Party and celebrities have come forward to help the voice of this candidate be heard. He is serious, insightful but has a character trait that is both intriguing and worrisome at the same time. In his campaign there is a profound effort to understand the voter of 2008 and bring them to the reality that their government can reach into the heart of an their issues.
He rarely presents his public image in perfection, but, is able to survive the day simply because of his sincerity and personal openness which causes him some embarassment in appearing to stumble over issues rather than address them. Barak seeks not to be 'the correct candidate' so much as a powerful candidate agile enough to cross any boundary that hampers issues yet to be addressed in openness. He doesn't allow people their skepticism of their government. He is in a quagmire in this race for President and the quagmire is caused by a man already in the White House. The people of the USA are injured, they are weakened in their resolve to solve their problems in a way that lends truth and willingness to policy and it would seem Barak Obama has his finger on that pulse and is more than willing to address it no matter how awkward and contentious the moment.
I indeed appreciated his active participation in the AIDS campaign in Africa. He was very visible and very open about the personal concern and personal responsiblity for a pandemic sweeping Africa. No other candidate even came close to making that statement on a continent where AIDS is epidemic causing instability in governments and casting vast number of children into orphanages. It was bold, it was completely blind to American opinion. He reached into the heart of the issue in Africa and challenged Africans to be tested and receive treatment. It was a desperate act to bring on board the people of Africa to reclaim their own future no different than he challenges those in the USA to recapture this country's future. He's a blastedly good candidate for President.
He is a treasured leader which the American people cannot afford to lose. I like him. I like him a lot and if there was ever a candidate that would consider 'the will of the people' over and above any policy he would sign; it is this one. He believes in people, reaches out to them and seeks their support in making their will known. He includes 'the objection' of those that surround him into the reality of America and brings cause to 'deal with it.' It is an excellant approach to policy and needs to be considered as a model to Democratic forums at all levels of government. Deal with the objections and don't shy away from it while placing it either within policy or bringing the reality of 'wrongness' to it. It is not dissimilar than the venue of the Supreme Court which has a majority and minority opinion when administering the powers of that court. Barak Obama is not just a candidate, he is inclusive of any and all objections to his position and will his opinions aren't 'spit polished' at the onset, they are certainly developed in the reality of a nation divided.
I have yet realized a lie to this man's campaign, an untruth or any trend in that direction. If there is a hint of dishonesty regarding Barak, his policies and campaign it should be brought forward now and not sometime when a Presidential Candidate could be marked for elimination due to covert tactics. If that covert nature by the opposition either Democrat, Independant or Republican exists, 'The October Surprise' if you will, then it needs to be dismissed as strategic, latent and dishonest in estimation in finding an honest and forthright President much needed in White House.
Basically, now is the time to aire any candidate's dirty laundry so there are respectable choices in November 2008 and not sabotaged candidates that demoralize the electorate at the last minute. In predicting the outcome of November 2008, it is my estimation the Democratic nominee will have too much momentum to ever be undermined enough to be defeated, however, there is current polling that would find any Democratic candidate challenged enough to have perhaps only a margin rather than a significant lead to insure that victory. With Barak, there is little chance there are skeletons in his closet and to that end he needs to be seriously assessed and esteemed.
The voice heard round the world and a very different one from his earliest statements regarding Iran.
Obama Warns Bush Against New War (click here)
CLINTON, Iowa, Sept 14--Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama warned the Bush administration against expanding the war in Iraq to neighboring Iran which he said is a force to be reckoned with in the Middle East.Obama speaking at an Iowa audience said that he hears "eerie echoes" of the rhetoric that led up to the invasion of Iraq.He said: "George Bush and Dick Cheney must hear loud and clear from the American people and the Congress: You do not have our support, and you do not have our authorization, to launch another war."Obama's comments came during a speech on the future of the 4-year-old war in Iraq, which he said has only bolstered Iranian influence....
Already working to shore up America's economy in local economies. It has been the local economies that will be the backbone to reclaiming the labor force's chances of regrowth. It would seem Barak isn't waiting to be president to establish his intentions for America's Middle Class.
(Crain’s) — Sens. Richard J. Durbin and Barack Obama are seeking a meeting with Bank of America Corp. CEO Kenneth Lewis to discuss the impact of B of A’s pending acquisition of LaSalle Bank Corp. — a move that signals a shift in what until now has been a largely mute response from Chicago’s political leaders to the prospect of thousands of lost jobs here.
In a letter sent Friday, the Democratic senators asked to meet with Mr. Lewis and other senior executives “at your earliest opportunity.”
The senators want to talk about the likelihood of retaining local jobs, the impact on local banking competition and the possible reduction of civic participation and community lending, the letter says....
In a letter sent Friday, the Democratic senators asked to meet with Mr. Lewis and other senior executives “at your earliest opportunity.”
The senators want to talk about the likelihood of retaining local jobs, the impact on local banking competition and the possible reduction of civic participation and community lending, the letter says....
Barak Obama is a reactionary. But. That is his style and not his habit. It is not his habit because he is also a 'closer' without loose ends to trip over.
Obama’s in the Eye of the Beholder (click here)
Can the junior senator from Illinois be both a stalwart progressive and a post-ideological unifier?
By David Moberg (Tama, Iowa)
Can the junior senator from Illinois be both a stalwart progressive and a post-ideological unifier?
By David Moberg (Tama, Iowa)
Every August for 46 years, until she retired two years ago, Duffy Lyon carved the butter cow sculpture that has occupied a place of honor at the Iowa State Fair. But newly inspired, this summer she crafted 17 pounds of butter into the campaign logo of Democratic presidential aspirant Barack Obama, proudly displaying her creation at an Obama forum on rural issues here.
“He’s the kind of person who will represent us the best, better than Hillary,” she says. “He’s for people who haven’t got things.” Prominent dairy farmer Joe Lyon, like his wife an active 78-year-old independent who Bush turned into an ardent Democrat, adds, “We’ve got to have a change in Washington. I think it’s been a calamity—war, giveaways to the well-connected. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it in history. And we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg. I don’t know how long it will take to straighten out....
“He’s the kind of person who will represent us the best, better than Hillary,” she says. “He’s for people who haven’t got things.” Prominent dairy farmer Joe Lyon, like his wife an active 78-year-old independent who Bush turned into an ardent Democrat, adds, “We’ve got to have a change in Washington. I think it’s been a calamity—war, giveaways to the well-connected. I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it in history. And we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg. I don’t know how long it will take to straighten out....
