Posted on 01/20/2007 1:05:14 PM PST by RWR8189
From 1997 to 2005, Barack Obama was the state senator for one of the most liberal places in the United States - the Southside Chicago neighborhood of Hyde Park.
Home to the University of Chicago, Hyde Park, like many Chicago neighborhoods, has enjoyed a renaissance in the last 15 years. While it is by no means "hip" - the U of C is, after all, where "fun comes to die" - this beautiful neighborhood has become a destination for those looking for what magazine writers these days call "urban living." It is also one of the most racially diverse neighborhoods in the country. It largely consists of University of Chicago students, relatively well-to-do African-Americans, and relatively well-to-do urban whites.
Politically, this means that its representatives in the state legislature can travel as far to the left as they desire, substantively and temperamentally. When your constituency consists of the most strongly partisan types of Democrats you can find in America, you need not worry about compromising with Republicans, or even being nice to them.
Yet, Obama built for himself a reputation for consensus-building in the state senate. He worked with Republicans on many issues, and was well liked. This is obviously a sign of several political qualities that will come in handy for the presidential campaign of the junior senator from Illinois. Not only is he amiable, but - quite unlike strong partisans on both sides of the aisle - he does not seem to suffer from the narrow-minded presumption that those who disagree must be either stupid or acting in bad faith. These are not the only qualities that recommend Obama. His personality is captivating. And, furthermore, the man is obviously intelligent. All in all, he seems to be a smart, politically astute, charismatic, and thoroughly decent fellow.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Hmm. Clinton/Richardson...she picks up the Hispanic vote, the blacks already in her pocket. Sounds plausible.
I took that he was from the context of his article.
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