Poll: Obama most likely to become president of U.S.

[sabra]

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051125/NEWS0107/111250014

Poll: Obama most likely to become president of U.S.
National Journal reported the Illinois Senator was picked by 45 percent of Democrats who responded.


WASHINGTON — Sen. Barack Obama, already portrayed by the Washington media as the Senate equivalent of a rock star, has wowed his Democratic colleagues as well.

National Journal, a respected Washington weekly magazine covering politics and government, asked 101 members of Congress and 137 lobbyists, former government officials and other political insiders which politician has the greatest potential to become president in 20 years.

The answer: the 44-year-old freshman senator from Illinois.

Of the 89 Democrats who responded, 45 percent picked Obama, the Senate’s only black member, National Journal reported in its Nov. 11 edition. The second choice was “don’t know,” at 13 percent.

[RandomKoolzip]

1. Hell, I'd vote for him!

I really don't care what the more ideologically "pure" members of DU have to say about Obama, I think he's a natural leader and an imposing orator....he could EASILY be the first black president, and I'd give a good part of my income ensuring he gets there.

[hippiechick]

2. Al Gore is an imposing orator and natural leader ...

... look what the BFEE did to him. :(

[wake.up.america]

3. Obama - Seems like a smart, sensible, caring individual - Why Not?

[Neocondriac]

4. because...

he's a smart, sensible, caring individual. Wake up yourself!

[wake.up.america]

8. Ok, I am sure you know much more about him than I do.

[Neocondriac]

16. Noooo.

he really is all that he appears to be.But the forces of nature just can't allow him being President.

[JanusAscending]

70. It's NOT "the forces of nature " my dear fellow member,

It's the shallow, bigeted, stupid, American voters that "think" that he can't be elected!!:evilfrown:

[hippiechick]

11. I didn't say 'Not Obama' ....

I just drew a parallel from the previous poster's comment.

Sheesh.

[wake.up.america]

13. I meant "why not" in a positive sense, Forgive me for my English.

[RandomKoolzip]

19. Ah, you're right....let's just give up.

Fuck it...where's my beer?

[hippiechick]

20. Jebus DU'ers are defensive lately !

:eyes: Crikey !

[RandomKoolzip]

21. Not defensive, just disappointed.

[morningglory]

31. I think he would be a great president. The bfee can go pee up a rope.

I think the country is on to them.

[CatWoman]

34. at this point, I'd vote for a ham sandwich

over Bush.

[johnaries]

47. can I have mine with cheese? and mayo?

it would definitely be smarter than Bush - and a lot easier to swallow!

MMMMmmmm, ham.

edit; make that spicy mustard instead of mayo.

[marions ghost]

5. I don't think Obama

is the one to inherit the Bushco mess. But I could certainly see him being a presidential contender after that.

The fact that these Dems are supporting Obama now shows how desperately they want 'change.'

[skipos]

18. I agree. It is a bummer

that he comes from a seriously blue state. We would have the same problem that we had with Kerry: he comes from a state we already easily win, so his candidacy doesn't immediately raise the possibility of flipping a red state. So we are back to the northeast, great lakes, west coast, and hoping to flip a swing state.

The other unfortunate thing is that 90% of blacks already vote for dems, so we won't pick up much votes there. And we all know that racism is alive in well in America, and I am sure he would lose votes from that.

Technical analysis aside, he is a great orator, with great presence, likeable, easy to understand etc.

[halobeam]

53. So true, but I feel I must add a side note.

A member of my family is very much a republican.. but a "true" republican, you know the kind who is not being represented in this administration. Well, he really thinks Obama is seriously impressive. Moderates may very well be interested in Obama, especially if the republicans offer more of the same (no representation of the "true" republican).

[JanusAscending]

57. Re-read the post!!!

20 YEARS PEOPLE!!! He'd be 64 if he waited that long. All of you "naysayers" are one of the things that have gone wrong with the Dem. Party. We can't get united behind Jesus Christ HIMSELF!!

[marions ghost]

65. how do you figure

that he'd have to wait 5 presidential terms (ie. 20 years)? Eight years from 2008, he'd only be in his early 50's. Obama needs to establish more of a reputation in the Senate. He'd be deemed "too green" in 08, like John Edwards was, after only one term. It's not good to rush these things. If Obama is meant to get an opportunity to run, it will come and he will have support. It's not like we don't have enough reasonable Dem candidates in the meantime. We need someone with a lot of experience to tackle the devastation left by King George and his entourage.

This Obama speculation is not a matter of Dems "getting united." When the time comes, the Democrats will be united, you can bet on that. We don't need to be looking for a saviour (saviours tend to get crucified). We just need an honest and competent leader (say, more or less the opposite of Dubya and his cronies). The Republicans are gonna have a hard time coming up with a contender from their sleazy ranks. Their stock is tanking. Unless they can count on enough help from Santa's elves, like in 2004...they can't win legitimately.

There's no point in looking for one person to save us, because it's going to take a village to fix this screwed-up country.

[JanusAscending]

69. I agree with you, on most everything except ..............

If you read the "origional post" it says "within the next 20 years" does it not? I wasn't counting in regards to Presidential terms. He is 44 now, and in 20 years he'll be 64, correct? I wrote my post to point out that a large percentage of the other posters were ignoring the 20yr. issue, and replying as though the origional poster meant that he (Obama)should run for the next election in '08 !!! This puts the whole message out of context, and who knows, maybe in 3 or4 yrs., he could be our best option???? When every Democrat who belongs to DU can have a dicussion on this site in regards to their favorite Presidential Candidate, without getting "FLAMED" by those who disagree with them, then maybe we can say we are a united party. I guess you just didn't get my "drift"! In my opinion, we've "split" into too many factions. Is it the purpose for Democrats to "vote for anything but bush" and give the neocons more ammunition in '08 to "prove to America" that our party doesn't stand "for something" but only "against something" ?? I hope that this clears up my stance on the matter.

[JanusAscending]

71. And how "DESPERATE" is that "marions ghost ???

I'm reading between your lines, I know. That's why my DU name is what it is. Are you saying that Democrats would have to be desperate to elect a Black man to the Office of President? I don't want to put words in your mouth, but this is what it sounds like to me!! Folks need to be careful how they say things!!! I am referring to your statement, "The fact that these Dems are supporting Obama now shows how desperately they want 'change'."

[marions ghost]

75. You are putting words in my mouth...

I intend no reference to the fact that Obama is black. The problem I see with him is that he's too green. The fact that Dems are supporting Obama indicates that they want a change --a change from DLC Democrats. They see Obama's potential as a strong progressive candidate (a real uniter perhaps) and are desperate to capitalize on it. But '08 is too soon in my opinion. The mess left by the Bushies will need someone with more experience at national level, at least initially. But Obama could play a strong supporting role as he works his way to the top perhaps. I don't think Democrats have any problem with a black candidate. His ethnicity is not much of a factor in my thinking. Obama is more or less on a par with John Edwards as far as acceptance as a Dem candidate IMO.

Is that clear enough for you?

[MercutioATC]

6. Now if we restrict the Presidential race to those 238 people.....

"Obama most likely to become president of U.S." based on THAT sampling??? Talk about a sensationalistic headline!

[mzmolly]

7. I think he'd be a great VP, but I don't think he'd win the Presidency

as we need someone with a so called "National Security" backround.

[Auntie Bush]

54. Like Wesley Clark. And he can "Flip" his own state of Arkansas.

"we need someone with a so called "National Security" background."


"

[mzmolly]

55. Exactly.

Someone like Clark. He's more politically seasoned/savvy then he was in 2004. ;)

[jaxx]

9. I like Obama.

He has good ideas and represents the people who put him into the senate.
A friend at work has a son who is in alternative education due to former drug/school problems. He has been to rehab and spent a year in the alt ed school. The school system now wants him back in regular ed.....with the same problems that he couldn't handle before. His mom wants him to stay where he's doing well for his last year......been to local school board, and then to state. They say he can't stay.....rules ya know. She wrote to Obama who gave her some direction.........and followed up with her to see how it had gone. Rules can be broken. Success.....the safety and progress of the student came first.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. After his vote for the war? I think not.

[Pithy Cherub]

14. Senator Obama is adamantly OPPOSED to the Iraq occupation.

He was inducted into the Senate January 6, 2005. The Senators voted on October 10, 2002 for the IWR. Obama was a member of the Illionis state legislative body at the time. No way, no how did he participate in the unmitigated travesty and immoral decision to occupy Iraq. Senator Obama has also refused memebership in the DLC.;)

[Connie_Corleone]

22. What the heck are you talking about??

He did NOT vote for the war. He wasn't even in the Senate.

[1932]

51. That's the second post in this thread with a false statement about Obama.

He didnt' vote for the war and he voted agains the bankruptcy bill.

At least the people who don't like him don't like him for reasons that aren't even true.

I guess that's the silver lining.

[mntleo2]

12. Obama Is Smart, Savvy And Amazing

At this time, I would vote for this man for president in a NY minute! Once I learned he had practiced law for a non-profit law firm defending low income people as well as his work with the Columbia group (not just anybody with a law degree gets that gig) I knew we had one smart and compassionate person on our side and we are lucky to have him.

I disagree that he would not have a chance to win. I am rather cynical since I have often met with my own legislators and while they are good people and all, they are first and foremost politicians with the wide grin, the hearty handshake, the right words, but the rest of them can be empty. While I have been disappointed with his votes sometimes, I will give him what I give few politicians: I actually trust his judgment.

He let Negroponte and Gonzales pass, this was awful, but I wonder what he knows that I do not ~ besides the fact he is a junior senator and does not have enough power ~ yet. I rarely trust these people's judgment because their agendas are often out of touch with We The People's needs. But with Obama, I get the sense he is so intelligent and hip to what is going on that he wise enough to see the chess moves into the future and he just knows things the rest of us do not.

So for once, I actually trust him, and this is amazing to me. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far, I am somewhat impressed and hopeful for his (and our) future.

[Radio_Lady]

15. Frankly, folks -- I'll vote for anyone who has a (D) after his/her name.

Oh, and that person has to be breathing. Those are my qualifications.

We're in a state where the primary means nothing (Oregon). What happened to Howard Dean was a pity. He's still high on my list.

PS. I really don't know if a black man will get enough votes to be president yet. Or a woman, for that matter.

[MrBenchley]

24. I like what somebody said on DU a couple years ago....

If the Democrats nominated a pile of aquarium gravel, I'd have a sign saying "vote for aquarium gravel" on my front lawn. And the gravel would be a huge improvement over whoever the GOP put up....

[Radio_Lady]

33. Well, I'll take that a step further. If the Democrats nominate a pile of

"animal excrement" -- I'll get my sign up saying "Vote for Animal Excrement" on my front lawn.

Hey, the lawn will look a lot nicer whether we win or lose!

[MrBenchley]

41. And it will be more decent, intelligent and honest than the Republican!

[Withywindle]

30. He voted 'no' on Gonzales, BTW

Both my Senators did.

Pet peeve. He's got such a short Senate voting record, I have no idea why it's so common that people get it wrong so often. Somebody's spreading misinformation somewhere.

[mntleo2]

59. Point Well Taken :o) n/t

[never cry wolf]

37. It's not just that he practiced law for a non-profit group

He graduated Harvard Law Cum Laude and was the 1st black president of the Harvard Law review. Can you imagine the offers he turned down? Not only clerkships from federal judges but every high powered frim in the nations would have been recruiting him. He went with his heart instead.

[Nimrod2005]

17. He gets my vote!!!

[quiet.american]

23. A glimpse of the sour look on Hillary's face during Obama's speech --

-- was worth a thousand words. He will be a future presidential contender, and I'd wager, the first Black president of the United States, no doubt.

[MrBenchley]

25. Where and when was this?

[quiet.american]

39. 2004 DNC Convention --

-- Evan Bayh was another one in the audience who had the expression of seeing his presidential ambitions flash before his eyes during Obama's amazing speech.

[MrBenchley]

40. Funny, I don't remember any such thing...

and I watched Obama's speech...

[quiet.american]

50. That could well be -- they were little moments, not "on the program." n/t

[MrBenchley]

61. That exist only in some people's imagination

[quiet.american]

64. Lol -- if you insist. n/t

[entanglement]

29. Hahaha, poor Hillary

:evilgrin:

[leesa]

26. It's too bad Americans fall for manufactured image so easily. He really

has not shown much substance thus far. Not that he can't, just that he has pretty much followed the corporate DLC script.

[Pastiche423]

35. I whole heartedly agree w/you, leesa

To those in this thread that believe he has what it takes to be president, please list his accomplishments that would make him so.

Lest you forget, he voted FOR the bankruptcy bill.

[1932]

46. Obama voted against the final version of S.256

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0312-03.htm

He might have voted for an ammendment, but he voted against the final version of the bill.

[1932]

45. He was probably only Dem to VOCALLY criticize DLC in 2004.

What's your evidence that he has reversed himself on this issue?

Did he vote for CAFTA? Has he supported any neoliberal project that the DLC backs?

Are you confusing DNC with DLC?

[1932]

48. Obama's criticism of DLC:

Going Nowhere
The DLC Sputters to a Halt
by Ari Berman

I n May 2003 the centrist Democratic Leadership Council published its yearly list of "100 New Democrats to Watch." The DLC frequently puts out these lists as a way to publicly solidify its identification with the New Democratic movement within the Democratic Party. The 2003 list, however, contained a number of questionable additions, including then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama. As a state senator, Obama had continually passed progressive legislation--a record that he vowed to add to when he began his run for the US Senate on a platform of clear opposition to the Patriot Act, the Iraq War and NAFTA, all positions anathema to the DLC. The puzzling addition caused The Black Commentator magazine to wonder, a month after the DLC list came out, whether Obama had been "corrupted" by the centrist group. Obama's reply to the Commentator was indicative of how the DLC plays the "New Democrat" card.

"Neither my staff nor I have had any direct contact with anybody at the DLC since I began this campaign a year ago," Obama wrote. "I don't know who nominated me for the DLC list of 100 rising stars, nor did I expend any effort to be included on the list.... I certainly did not view such inclusion as an endorsement on my part of the DLC platform." After realizing that his name appeared in the DLC's database, Obama asked to have it removed. The message was clear: The DLC needed Obama a lot more than Obama needed the DLC.

Today, the same is true for many politicians. After dominating the party in the 1990s, the DLC is struggling to maintain its identity and influence in a party beset by losses and determined to oppose George W. Bush. Prominent New Democrats no longer refer to themselves as such. The New Democratic movement of pro-free market moderates, which helped catapult Bill Clinton into the White House in 1992, has splintered, transformed by a reinvigoration of grassroots energy. A host of new donors, groups and tactics has forged a new direction for Democrats inside and outside the party, bringing together vital parts of the old centrist establishment and the traditional Democratic base. The ideological independence of the DLC, which pushed the party to the right, has come to be viewed as a threat rather than a virtue, forcing the DLC to adapt accordingly. Corporate fundraisers and DC connections--the lifeblood of the DLC--matter less and less: Witness the ascent of MoveOn.org and Howard Dean's election as chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). "It's not that the DLC changed," says Kenneth Baer, who wrote a history of the organization. "It's that the world changed around the DLC."

http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2005/03/fuck-al-from-its-time-to-fight-and-win.html

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. He'd DEFINITELY get my vote. I would be sorry to lose him as my Senator

though. :cry: We are SOOOOOOOOO lucky to have Obama and Durbin in Illinois.:loveya:

[entanglement]

28. Obama's advantage: he's 'fresh', not too much of a past

Major disadvantage: Too obvious

[methinks2]

32. I would definitely vote for him,

I've watched him speak on more than one show, I'm always impressed by his thoughtfulness. He also smart. He has the guts to speak his mind, very rare in politics.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :patriot:

[Hyernel]

36. Obama would be the "Black JFK"

Which would cause the Reich Wing to start casing book depositories....With no shortage of klansnuts to play the role of patsy.

I'd bet that a President Clark (Spaghetti Monster willing) would make Obama Attorney General

[funflower]

60. The Reichfolk are going to be doing that if any democrat wins.

However, I'd be happy with Clark or Obama.

I could even live with Hillary as compared with a republican.

Now, Biden v McCain or Giuliani.... That would be a tough one (fortunately, Joe will get about 10 votes and a lot of campaign money to throw around).

[Dunvegan]

38. Okay...Gore/Obama in 2008

That's the ticket.

[marions ghost]

66. that might work

Obama could possibly be a veep candidate pared with a seasoned veteran like Gore. That's the only way I could see Obama in '08. Obama does have more experience in the state legislature than Edwards did, but he is still a newbie.

[RagingInMiami]

42. He needs to develop more of a track record as a senator

Or else they'll tear him apart for not having enough experience.

[Aimah]

43. At this point if Bush can be President then almost anyone...

in a fair world should have a chance.

[Chicago Democrat]

44. I really don't like him... But he's better than Hillary or Biden..

2008 is too early. He's too young. GO FEINGOLD.

[JanusAscending]

56. If only......

You and some others on this thread would read the origional post again, you'd see that you're getting it all wrong!! No one said that he would win in '08 !! Why don't ya go back and try again! I agree, that Obama has the Charisma to be a "black JFK" but while he's earning his wings and paying his dues (experience) he would do very well to be a member of someones Cabinet for at least 4 yrs. while they clean up Bushes mess. Believe me, Obama will KNOW when the timing is right, and so will we all!! Nuff said ?? P.S. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't John Kennedy 44 yrs. old when he was elelcted?

[johnaries]

49. He was great on Jon Stewart.

"The only person more hyped than me is you, Jon!"
Had Jon rolling.

Maybe he hasn't been in Washington long enough to become too jaded. That's a plus.

[PATRICK]

52. Two comments

The poll was not exactly of kingmakers but it was a group who consider themselves insiders and handicappers.

The fact that Obama is a freshman and these guys, with their current track record and Foggy Bottom insights, need to be judged more than their fave candidate.

Number two, regardless of any poll, any primary, anything at all, there is ONE thing and one thing alone, in a strictly campaign sense, that a candidate needs besides some type of unblemished purity or other.

The knowledge of whom they are dealing with and what needs to be done to counter the crime, counter the propaganda machine(the machine, not just the "ideas"). Edwards(alas the "impurity of the Iraq war vote") had all the good credentials that make insiders salivate. Other candidates had a lot of traditional advantages and great character and talent.

And they were all had in a conspiracy of silence and deafness. Had to the
max with no comeback, a loss of America, lives and rights and economy lost, crime rampant in the toleration and supporting of the ultimate FRAUD. For fairyland evil schemes that cannot endure but sure can ruin. And in tolerating or being powerless or blind to the obvious(obvious to the people frozen out of their own country). Inasmuch as a candidate must surrender to that cancer, they fall with that just as much as robbed voters, abused troops, foreign victims, terrorist victims, corporate victims, etc. And most likely they will fall in the rigged vote so they will not embarrass the just any further with impotence once the soiled office is carpeted over and a new cycle of decline begins.

Somebody has to get it, it being something more akin to the truth and real action than the conventional fairy tales and convenient brutality
of a fat, dangerously out of touch bunch of bureaucratic failures and theorists. Theorists who drop debt and war on top of the citizens with the same jocular detachment of high altitude bombers and have no idea that renegades rule their roost with insane impunity and total incompetence.

So I ask all these great Dems, new and old, are they ready to fight today's battles or settle for vacant and vacated myths as if Bush never happened and the rise and fall of many didn't either. If there was such a "messiah" not anointed by the failed generation, that person might not likely get the approval of these 89 experts. More likely fear, dismissal, or harsh criticism.

But we should not rely on a messiah. One messiah, one bullet, but one man, one ballot. A candidate should not oppress or hinder his own defense or the grass roots or progressives. At least do no harm. At most lead and enable effective and direct confrontation against brazen crime.

[lovelaureng]

58. There is no way that Obama would get elected to the

Presidency. If he did, I don't see him lasting for too long. Our country is not at the point where we would elect an African American president, but you probably know this already. Middle America is still not ready. There are too many bigoted jackasses who would be itching to take the first shot and many who would. I like him though, but I don't trust him.
He fits in too well. He already plays the games a little too good for my taste. One more thing, I thought that naturalized citizens could not be the president.

[1932]

63. Where do you think he was born?

[lovelaureng]

68. I misunderstood this point about him.

I just found out that he was born in Hawaii. Thanks.

[fujiyama]

62. He's a good guy overall

Made a vote or two I disagreed with but hey no one is perfect...

I thought he was great on the Daily Show a few weeks ago. Very funny. Laid back.

He'll have his time on a national ticket eventually. I think '08 might be a bit soon, but I think we should give him time. He's only been in the senate one year...

[depakid]

67. delete

[JanusAscending]

72. Uh.........Sabra.......

Where did you go? You can jump in here anytime ya know!!

[Abelman]

73. I likes me that Barack Obama

I think he would have an excellent chance of being president within the next twenty years, heck, the next ten.

I think he needs more time in the Senate to establish a voting record and allow more people to see his vision. But if he decided to run in '08 and got the nomination, I would certainly be very happy with it.

I'm a Clark supporter, though, so I'd be only a little saddened.

But my personal vision would be a Clark presidency in '08 lasting until '12, when Obama would run and win the presidency and be President until '20, when I myself would be elected President.

I dunno. But I do know we need to start finding and electing more people like Obama to all positions.

[upi402]

74. I'm sold, but USA is racist and easily mislead

...in a reasonable world (not even asking for perfect here) it would be a no-brainer.

[Silverhair]

76. Good Grief!! He has not been a senator for even a year yet !!

Give him some real time to get some experience at the national level.

And remember that it is very difficult for a senator to win a POTUS election. Look at the track record of sitting senators that have tried - and failed.

[upi402]

77. I know, but he's witty as hell, smile that booms, well spoken,

unlike the wetspot on the bed that occupies the WH now...

[tcookie5]

78. I'd vote

for him.

[tcookie5]

79. I'd vote for him