Posted on 10/22/2006 8:00:05 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.
The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the Nov. 7 elections.
"That was how I was thinking at that time," said Obama, when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about his previous statements.
"Given the response I've been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility" although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. "My focus is on '06. ... After November 7, I'll sit down and consider it."
Obama was largely unknown outside Illinois when he burst onto the national scene with a widely acclaimed address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
In recent weeks, his political stock has been rising as a potentially viable centrist candidate for president in 2008 after former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced earlier this month that he was bowing out of the race.
In a recent issue of Time magazine, Obama's face fills the cover next to the headline, "Why Barack Obama Could Be The Next President." He is currently on a tour promoting his latest book, "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream."
On Sunday, Obama dismissed notions that he might not be ready to run for president because of his limited experience in national politics. He agreed the job requires a "certain soberness and seriousness" and "can't be something you pursue on the basis of vanity and ambition."
"I'm not sure anyone is ready to be president before they're president," Obama said. "I trust the judgment of the American people.
"We have a long and vigorous process. Should I decide to run, if I ever decide to, I'll be confident that I'll be run through the paces pretty well," Obama said.
Ford can't even handle the current campaign...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h5MZMpXgWI&mode=related&search=
"...his political stock has been rising as a potentially viable centrist candidate for president in 2008..."
Centrist????? Give me a fu_____ break. This guy is as lib-left as they come.
He was a no-name Illinois state Senator until he decided to run for the open seat in 2004.
A little MSM magic, some Rat support, and Voila! Now he's suddenly presidential material.
He has even less experience than John Edwards.
However, the prospect of a Hillary/Kerry/Gore/Obama bloodfight may allow the nomination of a leftie head case like Dennis Kucinich.
Can you imagine a President Obama? I can't, no way
I think he would be a worse candidate than Hillary. While he is more articulate and inspiring, he has several faults.
1) His lack of foreign policy experience 2) His last name is too similar to Osama 3) He only has been in the Senate for 2 years.
I think that McCain or Guiliani would trounce him in both the debates and the polls. Run Obama Run!
Clinton-Obama....so they can shore up the New York and Illinois voters.
That's a GREAT commercial
he does not scare me in the least. Another first term senators like Edwards with absolutely no experience to claim the role of executive in chief of the nation.
Look especially at his voting record on the excutive branch
Liberal Democrats may like what Barack Obama has to offer. Conservatives see him for what he really is. A socialist! And an empty suit to boot. LOL
I wouldn't have any problem with a black president. I have a problem with a president who's last name is to close to Osama
This is a common backhanded complement of black athletes that rankles sportswriters.
Thank you. Pubs can have it for free!!
LLS
All of you are not taking Obama seriously and that is worrisome. Oprah had him on her show last week and she humanized him. People were standing in the aisles cheering for him. He came off as the nicest guy in the world. who are you all kidding? People don't care about issues. They don't even know what the issues are. 42% of voters have never heard of Nancy Pelosi and they will be handed ballots in a couple of weeks. JFK had the same rock star appeal. Obama has momentum behind him. It has nothing to do with issues. Your average American voter cares less about issues and Oprah knows it. Obama is extremely smart. He knows that a lot of Republicans are not taking him seriously. This guy has what it takes and the support behind him to go to the top of the ticket (if Hillary doesn't have him taken out). I was ready to vote for him 10 times(I can I live in Chicago) after watching him on Oprah. She was smart. She just showed what a great funny guy he was without mentioning one issue.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.
2003 On the votes that the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council considered to be the most important in 2003, Senator Obama voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.
Government Reform
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Citizens Against Government Waste 13 percent in 2005.
Gun Issues
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005.
Immigration
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005.
The Democrat Media strikes again.
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