Grimis
Scrapple
Level: 122
   
Posts: 4239/4700
EXP: 20303504
For next: 334568
Since: 11.7.02
From: MD
Since last post: 753 days
Last activity: 550 days
|  #1 Posted on 4.11.04 1207.08
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1212.27 | Nips that in the bud...Originally posted by Scott Fornek in the 11/4/04 Chicago Sun-Times
Ridiculing it as "a silly question," Democrat Barack Obama pledged Wednesday he would resist any overtures to run for president or vice president before the end of his six-year term as a U.S. senator.
"I was elected yesterday," Obama said. "I have never set foot in the U.S. Senate. I've never worked in Washington. And the notion that somehow I'm immediately going to start running for higher office just doesn't make sense.
"So look, I can unequivocally say I will not be running for national office in four years, and my entire focus is making sure that I'm the best possible senator on behalf of the people of Illinois."
One day after the state senator from Hyde Park rewrote history by winning the most lopsided U.S. Senate contest ever in Illinois, Obama was doing his best to lower expectations -- about his roles as the nation's only black U.S. senator and a rising Democratic star.
"Look, I'm a state senator who hasn't even been sworn in yet," Obama said." My understanding is that I will be ranked 99th in seniority. ... I'm going to be spending the first several months of my career in the U.S. Senate looking for the washroom and trying to figure out how the phones work."
Good for him to get that out of the way early.
(edited by Grimis on 4.11.04 1308) | Promote this thread! |             | DrOp
Frankfurter
Level: 59
Posts: 717/859
EXP: 1623921
For next: 49217
Since: 2.1.02
Since last post: 1718 days
Last activity: 585 days
| #2 Posted on 4.11.04 1210.36
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1212.27 | | You've gotta love, admire and respect his humility. | A Fan
Liverwurst
Level: 67
Posts: 925/1164
EXP: 2561136
For next: 31750
Since: 3.1.02
Since last post: 3041 days
Last activity: 3041 days
| #3 Posted on 4.11.04 1211.56
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1212.28 | | Good move, he'll serve a term, hopefully get relected and run in 2012. It'll give him some experience and creditablity. I still has the next Dem choices will be fine next to the Elemination Chamber that will be the Republican nomination in 2008. | JoshMann
Andouille
Level: 86
Posts: 1311/2159
EXP: 5914879
For next: 227252
Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL
Since last post: 1775 days
Last activity: 1773 days
| AIM: |  |
| | | Y!: |  |
|
| #4 Posted on 4.11.04 1215.13
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1216.27 | Originally posted by Sen. Obama
I'm going to be spending the first several months of my career in the U.S. Senate looking for the washroom and trying to figure out how the phones work."
You know, had he said that was the plan for his first year of office during the campaign, he may have only won by a 50 point lead and not 53. 
He's got a point, though...Grim, you work in a gov't building, how long did it take you to have a mastery on how the phone in your office worked? In my case, about 7 days or so. | CRZ
Big Brother
Administrator
Since: 9.12.01
From: ミネアポリス
Since last post: 2 days
Last activity: 18 hours
| #5 Posted on 4.11.11 1225.35 | Originally posted by Senator Obama
"So look, I can unequivocally say I will not be running for national office in four years, and my entire focus is making sure that I'm the best possible senator on behalf of the people of Illinois."
Oopsie! | OMEGA
Lap cheong
Level: 80
Posts: 1255/1747
EXP: 4614235
For next: 168754
Since: 18.6.02
From: North Cacalacky
Since last post: 1424 days
Last activity: 1392 days
| #6 Posted on 4.11.04 1235.11
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1240.20 | | While four years is a lifetime in politics, and who knows if he'll stick to this pledge come 2008, I do think it's best that he waits it out a little. Barack would be an EXCELLENT candidate, but his inexperience could hurt him in 2008. After that, though, I'd love to see him run. | Grimis
Scrapple
Level: 122
Posts: 4241/4700
EXP: 20303504
For next: 334568
Since: 11.7.02
From: MD
Since last post: 753 days
Last activity: 550 days
| #7 Posted on 4.11.04 1241.53
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1243.35 | Originally posted by Blanket Jackson
He's got a point, though...Grim, you work in a gov't building, how long did it take you to have a mastery on how the phone in your office worked? In my case, about 7 days or so.
Uh...5, 10 minutes. | JoshMann
Andouille
Level: 86
Posts: 1313/2159
EXP: 5914879
For next: 227252
Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL
Since last post: 1775 days
Last activity: 1773 days
| AIM: | |
| | | Y!: | |
|
| #8 Posted on 4.11.04 1248.01
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1249.31 | Originally posted by Grimis
Originally posted by Blanket Jackson
He's got a point, though...Grim, you work in a gov't building, how long did it take you to have a mastery on how the phone in your office worked? In my case, about 7 days or so.
Uh...5, 10 minutes.
It was all "is it XFER then [extension#] or is it [extension#] then XFER?" during that time and I kept getting it jumbled in my head.
Which is probably why it's a good thing I'm not the receptionist. 
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 4.11.04 1348) | Von Maestro
Boudin rouge
Level: 46
Posts: 253/508
EXP: 670168
For next: 41611
Since: 6.1.04
From: New York
Since last post: 241 days
Last activity: 1 day
| #9 Posted on 4.11.04 1249.35
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1250.03 | Originally posted by OMEGA
While four years is a lifetime in politics, and who knows if he'll stick to this pledge come 2008, I do think it's best that he waits it out a little. Barack would be an EXCELLENT candidate, but his inexperience could hurt him in 2008. After that, though, I'd love to see him run.
Will all do respect for Obama (as I know basically nothing about him), other than the fact that he is a charismatic speaker, what is it exactly that makes the democrats on the board think he would make an amazing candidate?
Everyone seems to know little of what he is about & capable of, but everyone seems to have just jumped on his bandwagon already. Does anyone have any real info on what he is about other than being a very capable public speaker...?
Thanx | JoshMann
Andouille
Level: 86
Posts: 1314/2159
EXP: 5914879
For next: 227252
Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL
Since last post: 1775 days
Last activity: 1773 days
| AIM: | |
| | | Y!: | |
|
| #10 Posted on 4.11.04 1300.43
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1301.22 | Originally posted by Von Maestro
Does anyone have any real info on what he is about other than being a very capable public speaker...?
Thanx
I looked mostly because I was a bit curious about this as well.
There were a few articles I found that were written during the senate campaign that seem to overlay his general stance and a couple of the bills he put on the table in Springfield.
[from the Chicago Tribune]
http://student-voices.org/news/index.php3?NewsID=14484
[from the AP]
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/9639503.htm
[from The Daily Herald]
http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1241540/posts
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 4.11.04 1402) | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Level: 149
Posts: 4284/7528
EXP: 41089229
For next: 246006
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 14 min.
| #11 Posted on 4.11.04 1356.30
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1357.55 | Originally posted by OMEGA
While four years is a lifetime in politics, and who knows if he'll stick to this pledge come 2008, I do think it's best that he waits it out a little. Barack would be an EXCELLENT candidate, but his inexperience could hurt him in 2008. After that, though, I'd love to see him run.
But remember, the 2008 Presidential race isn't 4 years away, at most it is 2 years away. Hell, the Republican 2008 race began this past summer with people visiting Iowa and New Hampshire. '12 would probably be a better opportunity than '16, assuming he is re-elected in '10, he wouldn't have to worry about defending his seat.
Then again, he could also be another Mosely-Braun, who after being elected to the Senate was viewed as a potential future party leader, only to crash in flames within 1 term. Unless a Senator has the built in publicity of a Hillary, it is tough to get much attention once the first term starts until they are around long enough to move up in seniority.
| spf
Scrapple
Level: 130
Posts: 3011/5351
EXP: 25246434
For next: 484212
Since: 2.1.02
From: The Las Vegas of Canada
Since last post: 28 days
Last activity: 7 days
| AIM: |  |
| | |
| #12 Posted on 4.11.04 1523.35
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1529.06 | Originally posted by redsoxnation
Then again, he could also be another Mosely-Braun, who after being elected to the Senate was viewed as a potential future party leader, only to crash in flames within 1 term. Unless a Senator has the built in publicity of a Hillary, it is tough to get much attention once the first term starts until they are around long enough to move up in seniority.
Moseley-Braun was never a popular figure though even in IL. She won a fractured primary over an incumbent Dem senator only because a 3rd candidate poured millions into the race attacking Dixon, and she snuck through on the African-American vote. The IL GOP, assuming no one would be able to beat Dixon didn't put any effort into the race, so a non-entity came up, and even then he almost took the race, as CMB won something like 54-46, solely on the strength of the Clinton victory in IL. Obama got 73% of the vote IIRC in this race, and was winning by large margins over Ryan in polling even before the Jeri Ryan fiasco. Now none of this is to say that Obama might not crash and burn, but he is starting from a far better place and with far more natural gifts than Braun ever had.
I agree though, 08 would be bad. He'll win in '10 if he wants to in IL, and at that point will be well positioned for a '12 run (as I can't see the GOP losing in '08). | OlFuzzyBastard
Knackwurst
Level: 101
Posts: 2282/3013
EXP: 10517913
For next: 199799
Since: 28.4.02
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Since last post: 52 days
Last activity: 4 days
| AIM: |  |
| | |
| #13 Posted on 4.11.04 1610.36
Reposted on: 4.11.11 1613.08 | Originally posted by Von Maestro
Originally posted by OMEGA
While four years is a lifetime in politics, and who knows if he'll stick to this pledge come 2008, I do think it's best that he waits it out a little. Barack would be an EXCELLENT candidate, but his inexperience could hurt him in 2008. After that, though, I'd love to see him run.
Will all do respect for Obama (as I know basically nothing about him), other than the fact that he is a charismatic speaker, what is it exactly that makes the democrats on the board think he would make an amazing candidate?
Everyone seems to know little of what he is about & capable of, but everyone seems to have just jumped on his bandwagon already. Does anyone have any real info on what he is about other than being a very capable public speaker...?
Thanx
No, it's basically due to his staggering amounts of charisma. If you think it takes anything more than that to be sucessful, you haven't been following politics very long. Or wrestling, for that matter. | Teppan-Yaki
Pepperoni
Level: 65
Posts: 841/1083
EXP: 2249463
For next: 86177
Since: 28.6.02
Since last post: 421 days
Last activity: 391 days
| #14 Posted on 4.11.04 2016.48
Reposted on: 4.11.11 2022.01 | I'll still go with my pick for Evan Bayh in '08; he's more of a centrist, which would better resonate with people in this climate.
He also was able to balance Indiana's budget during a recession without a tax hike, so that's not a bad thing, either. Two-term governor, two-term senator -- that's a decent amount of experience at the state and national level. | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Level: 149
Posts: 4288/7528
EXP: 41089229
For next: 246006
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 14 min.
| #15 Posted on 4.11.04 2117.24
Reposted on: 4.11.11 2119.46 | Originally posted by spf
Originally posted by redsoxnation
Then again, he could also be another Mosely-Braun, who after being elected to the Senate was viewed as a potential future party leader, only to crash in flames within 1 term. Unless a Senator has the built in publicity of a Hillary, it is tough to get much attention once the first term starts until they are around long enough to move up in seniority.
Moseley-Braun was never a popular figure though even in IL. She won a fractured primary over an incumbent Dem senator only because a 3rd candidate poured millions into the race attacking Dixon, and she snuck through on the African-American vote. The IL GOP, assuming no one would be able to beat Dixon didn't put any effort into the race, so a non-entity came up, and even then he almost took the race, as CMB won something like 54-46, solely on the strength of the Clinton victory in IL. Obama got 73% of the vote IIRC in this race, and was winning by large margins over Ryan in polling even before the Jeri Ryan fiasco. Now none of this is to say that Obama might not crash and burn, but he is starting from a far better place and with far more natural gifts than Braun ever had.
I agree though, 08 would be bad. He'll win in '10 if he wants to in IL, and at that point will be well positioned for a '12 run (as I can't see the GOP losing in '08).
Only brought up Mosely-Braun because she was a centerpiece in the national media and their Year of the Woman for the '92 election, and then she did a Hindenburg. Of course, was it a bit coincidental that after the Year of the Woman, the Democratic Party lost its stranglehold on Capitol Hill? And, I'm still trying to figure out how several hundred thousand people voted for Alan Keyes. I thought Gilligan on a write-in could out-perform him.
And, I can envision scenarios where the Republicans lose in '08. Most of them center around the party becoming arrogant and nominating a New Yorker like Rudy or Pataki. They do that, they sacrafice their home-court advantage. | Big Bad
Scrapple
Level: 141
Posts: 3405/6495
EXP: 33756249
For next: 363849
Since: 4.1.02
From: Dorchester, Ontario
Since last post: 19 hours
Last activity: 19 hours
|  #16 Posted on 6.11.04 0124.48
Reposted on: 6.11.11 0125.18 | Originally posted by spf
I agree though, 08 would be bad. He'll win in '10 if he wants to in IL, and at that point will be well positioned for a '12 run (as I can't see the GOP losing in '08).
Well, nobody figured that Gore would lose in 2000, or that Bush 41 would lose in the summer of 1991. Gotta love politics!
If I were a betting man, I'd say you could pick from a pool of Bayh, Richardson, Reid and Clinton for Presidential candidate in 2008, despite the fact that I think the Dems would be nuts to run Hillary. For Veep, God only knows....Sharpton? :) | Dahak
Frankfurter
Level: 56
Posts: 534/772
EXP: 1361754
For next: 36431
Since: 12.5.02
From: Junction City OR.
Since last post: 1509 days
Last activity: 1162 days
| #17 Posted on 6.11.04 1253.13
Reposted on: 6.11.11 1253.17 | Obama is probably too fresh to run for Pres and it's not like Senators do very well in the election anyway. What the Democrats should do with his is keep him front and center as proof that the Democrats are good for blacks.
Sure the Kerry won 90% of the black vote this time but how many blacks voted? I am a white republican but I think that the Democrats need something better than,"the republicans are even worse for blacks than we are". Same thing with woman and gays. | PalpatineW
Lap cheong
Level: 76
Posts: 1374/1528
EXP: 3852466
For next: 153613
Since: 2.1.02
From: Getting Rowdy
Since last post: 2313 days
Last activity: 2156 days
| AIM: |  |
| | |
| #18 Posted on 6.11.04 1342.03
Reposted on: 6.11.11 1347.31 | Originally posted by Dahak
Obama is probably too fresh to run for Pres and it's not like Senators do very well in the election anyway. What the Democrats should do with his is keep him front and center as proof that the Democrats are good for blacks.
Sure the Kerry won 90% of the black vote this time but how many blacks voted? I am a white republican but I think that the Democrats need something better than,"the republicans are even worse for blacks than we are". Same thing with woman and gays.
Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell say hello.
This whole thing is for self-conscious white people. Obama may or may not be a terrific guy; I know next to nothing about him. But the Obama love-fest going on among some on the Left is, I believe, because he's black. The Democrats treat him like a prop, thanks to his skin color. Other than his charisma and general blackness, what sets him apart? Nothing. He has no record. I don't mean this as an indictment; he might be a good guy. But I find the rush to embrace him to be patronizing. Granted, I'm a white guy, but the Obama phenomenon seems to be less about Obama, or advancing black people, than it is about advancing white liberals' self-image. | fuelinjected
Banger
Level: 95
Posts: 2513/2679
EXP: 8634894
For next: 33744
Since: 12.10.02
From: Canada
Since last post: 2745 days
Last activity: 2745 days
| #19 Posted on 6.11.04 1405.23
Reposted on: 6.11.11 1406.08 | Tolerating Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson could be considered as the Democrats pandering for the black vote because that is what those two have molded themselves as even if it isn't so.
Barack Obama is young, energetic, and probably the most charismatic speaker the Democrats have. That's what the phenomenon is about. That there was actually somebody who spoke that didn't sound like your average BS'ing politician.
But like you said, you know next to nothing about him and instead you choose to just look at the racial aspect of the situation. Nobody was talking about Barack Obama nationally before he gave his big keynote speech.
But yeah, it must be because of self-conscious white people that this black guy is getting so much attention. | CRZ
Big Brother
Administrator
Level: 205
Posts: 5326/15437
EXP: 124064256
For next: 1404620
Since: 9.12.01
From: ミネアポリス
Since last post: 2 days
Last activity: 18 hours
| #20 Posted on 6.11.04 1500.12
Reposted on: 6.11.11 1501.02 | Originally posted by fuelinjected
Barack Obama is young, energetic, and probably the most charismatic speaker the Democrats have. That's what the phenomenon is about. That there was actually somebody who spoke that didn't sound like your average BS'ing politician.
Geez, but it wasn't that long ago that you could say the a lot of the same things about Alan Keyes. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pages: 1 2 Next