US Senator Barack Obama, a rising political star who generates extensive media coverage, seen here in August 2006, is reportedly leaving the door open to a 2008 presidential run.(AFP/POOL/File)
Posted on 10/15/2006 8:52:00 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Senator Barack Obama, a rising political star who generates extensive media coverage, is reportedly leaving the door open to a 2008 presidential run.
The Democratic lawmaker appears on Time magazine's cover, coinciding with the release of his latest book, "The Audacity of Hope," which sets out his political views.
Asked if he will enter the race for the White House once November's midterm legislative elections are out of the way, Obama, 45, avoids offering a definitive answer, but appears to be more seriously weighing the idea.
"When the election is over and my book tour is done, I will think about how I can be most useful to the country and how I can reconcile that with being a good dad and a good husband," he is quoted as saying by Time.
"I haven't completely decided or unraveled that puzzle yet," said Obama, the only African-American currently serving in the US Senate.
Obama generates strong enthusiasm among Democratic party activists but some pundits have warned that a presidential run in 2008 might be too much too soon for the young and inexperienced senator. Others believe that the United States may not be quite ready for a black president.
In an excerpt from his new book, Obama argued that progressives should not shy away from referring to religion and faith in political discussions.
"Over the long haul, I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people, and so avoid joining a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern, pluralistic democracy," Obama writes in the passage of his book carried in Time.
Such an approach is "bad politics" and cedes ground to partisans on the right, he said.
"When we abandon the field of religious discourse -- when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew; when we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced ... others will fill the vacuum," he said.
US Senator Barack Obama, a rising political star who generates extensive media coverage, seen here in August 2006, is reportedly leaving the door open to a 2008 presidential run.(AFP/POOL/File)
Enough already with the Obama love! He is a friggin junior senator for cripes sake!
Too young to be president, but they might run him for VP
The Lamestream Media is building him up to be the next John F. Kennedy.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis, center, his running mate, former state Sen. Daryl Jones, left,; and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., acknowledge supporters during a campaign rally Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo.Alan Diaz)
These one-term Senators have ego problems. They think after one term, they are presidential material.
What is with the press and their love for Obama? I just don't get it. What has he accomplished that makes his capable of being President of this great country?
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse, left and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, center, D-R.I., applaud Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, following his speech at a fundraiser for Whitehouse, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
No need to worry, this clown would get his lunch eaten in a Presidential run.
I hear ya. Beats me..
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks to supporters supporters during a campaign rally for Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis and running mate, former state Sen. Daryl Jones, in Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
I don't understand the appeal.
All I can figure is this is something dreamed up by lefty journalists, the man isn't even handsome.... and it has nothing to do with being black, there is a lot of very handsome black men, he doesn't happen to be one. If he was drop-dead gorgeous then maybe there would at least be some explanation for the love affair with the man, but in lieu of having that going for him, and having heard him talk, I'm less than impressed with the man. He's down the scale in John Kerry land (IMO).
he's not dirty , he's not a Clinton and he's black.
the MSM and dbm will print his job daily.
He will read it.
1) hes not white 2) hes not a republican
What do you mean he's not dirty. As I recall the campaign to get him elected to the Senate was one of the dirtiest in Illinois history, there was no level his election team wouldn't stoop to get him elected.
Can you imagine him in a debate with a VP Cheney like candidate in 08? (not that we will have one....sigh)
He's young. He's articulate. He's a father and apparently faithful husband.
If you're a black, female voter...he has appeal.
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