Everyone's a-twitter
Because Barack Obama said yesterday that he is considering running for president in 2008.
Well, he is definitely the rock star of the democratic party. And by announcing that he is thinking about it, he distracts the Hillary-haters.
But is it really a good idea? To run in 2008, that is...?
I don't think so. Here's why.
Obama doesn't have enough national political elected experience. Having won only one state-wide election, he has no track record of electibility, despite his affable and appealing persona and resume. That means, no matter how smart he is, he hasn't been around the block yet. Can you say "green" or "inexperienced"? What does he know about foreign policy or national security? It may be a great deal because he's a smart guy, but his resume doesn't indicate that he has the exposure or experience to speak to those issues with authority. We saw what happened with John Edwards in 2004. Remember Edwards? He was THE "Mr. Charisma" before Obama got elected. He was the rock star, sorta. Well, look where he is now... in North Carolina. That isn't to say that his political career has been snuffed, but right now, it's definitely in a holding pattern.
Also, I think that Obama owes it to his constituents to fulfill his promise to serve the full term to which he was elected. It's his first term in the Senate. In addition to being too green in national politics (see above about Edwards), Obama risks being labelled as too much of an opportunist and a promise-breaker if he runs in 2008. I think that Hillary gained a measure of respect by keeping her promise and being circumspect in the Senate (despite personal and political differences, Hillary is hugely respected by other Senators because of her deferential attitude, coming in and acting like a junior senator rather than a former First Lady). It showed that she was serious about being a senator and didn't see it as just a stepping stone back to the White House. Reasonable minds will differ on whether or not she views the Senate as the path to the White House, but not running in 04 demonstrated that she is more than an opportunist; she's at the very least a strategist. Obama should learn from that. He's got plenty of time to run; he should use that time to his advantage and gain the experience necessary to buttress the inevitable accusations of being "green". A little patience now could reap future benefits.
So, I hope Obama doesn't run in 2008. That's not because I want to see Hillary become the dem nominee. I have my doubts about her electibility. The lady has very serious baggage.
But if not Hillary or Obama, then who??? Any thoughts?
Well, he is definitely the rock star of the democratic party. And by announcing that he is thinking about it, he distracts the Hillary-haters.
But is it really a good idea? To run in 2008, that is...?
I don't think so. Here's why.
Obama doesn't have enough national political elected experience. Having won only one state-wide election, he has no track record of electibility, despite his affable and appealing persona and resume. That means, no matter how smart he is, he hasn't been around the block yet. Can you say "green" or "inexperienced"? What does he know about foreign policy or national security? It may be a great deal because he's a smart guy, but his resume doesn't indicate that he has the exposure or experience to speak to those issues with authority. We saw what happened with John Edwards in 2004. Remember Edwards? He was THE "Mr. Charisma" before Obama got elected. He was the rock star, sorta. Well, look where he is now... in North Carolina. That isn't to say that his political career has been snuffed, but right now, it's definitely in a holding pattern.
Also, I think that Obama owes it to his constituents to fulfill his promise to serve the full term to which he was elected. It's his first term in the Senate. In addition to being too green in national politics (see above about Edwards), Obama risks being labelled as too much of an opportunist and a promise-breaker if he runs in 2008. I think that Hillary gained a measure of respect by keeping her promise and being circumspect in the Senate (despite personal and political differences, Hillary is hugely respected by other Senators because of her deferential attitude, coming in and acting like a junior senator rather than a former First Lady). It showed that she was serious about being a senator and didn't see it as just a stepping stone back to the White House. Reasonable minds will differ on whether or not she views the Senate as the path to the White House, but not running in 04 demonstrated that she is more than an opportunist; she's at the very least a strategist. Obama should learn from that. He's got plenty of time to run; he should use that time to his advantage and gain the experience necessary to buttress the inevitable accusations of being "green". A little patience now could reap future benefits.
So, I hope Obama doesn't run in 2008. That's not because I want to see Hillary become the dem nominee. I have my doubts about her electibility. The lady has very serious baggage.
But if not Hillary or Obama, then who??? Any thoughts?
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