Obama Annouces His Run For President

[Cheebs]

He made it official this morning.

As many of you know, over the last few months I have been thinking hard about my plans for 2008. Running for the presidency is a profound decision - a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone - and so before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country.

I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago. But as I've spoken to many of you in my travels across the states these past months; as I've read your emails and read your letters; I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics.

So I've spent some time thinking about how I could best advance the cause of change and progress that we so desperately need.

The decisions that have been made in Washington these past six years, and the problems that have been ignored, have put our country in a precarious place. Our economy is changing rapidly, and that means profound changes for working people. Many of you have shared with me your stories about skyrocketing health care bills, the pensions you've lost and your struggles to pay for college for your kids. Our continued dependence on oil has put our security and our very planet at risk. And we're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged.

But challenging as they are, it's not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most. It's the smallness of our politics. America's faced big problems before. But today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions.

And that's what we have to change first.

We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans.

This won't happen by itself. A change in our politics can only come from you; from people across our country who believe there's a better way and are willing to work for it.

Years ago, as a community organizer in Chicago, I learned that meaningful change always begins at the grassroots, and that engaged citizens working together can accomplish extraordinary things.

So even in the midst of the enormous challenges we face today, I have great faith and hope about the future - because I believe in you.

And that's why I wanted to tell you first that I'll be filing papers today to create a presidential exploratory committee. For the next several weeks, I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together. And on February 10th, at the end of these decisions and in my home state of Illinois, I'll share my plans with my friends, neighbors and fellow Americans.

In the meantime, I want to thank all of you for your time, your suggestions, your encouragement and your prayers. And I look forward to continuing our conversation in the weeks and months to come.

Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Barack Obama

Video: http://www.barackobama.com/video/

[Wobedraggled]

Too soon.

[Cheebs]

Too soon.

Tell that to Jack Kennedy.

Also running and not getting nominated didn't hurt Ronald Reagan or Al Gore.

[The Fake Shemp]

Cheebs, it's too soon.  Don't even make comparisons to Kennedy.  He's going to be eaten alive.  The baby boomers still have political control in this country and the youth vote is still too small to challenge its authority.

It's not going to happen.  Obama and Clinton will hurt the Democrats chances of putting a jackass in the White House.

[Cheebs]

I don't mean kennedy in terms of winning or popularity. But in experience.

[Lonestar]

The more candidates the better.  Anyone but Clinton...

[Himu]

The more candidates the better.  Anyone but Clinton...

Wise words and I support them 100%

[TVC15]

The Democrats are going to either support this guy or Clinton, thus blowing their chances of a decisive, easy win at the elections.

[Cheebs]

The Democrats are going to either support this guy or Clinton, thus blowing their chances of a decisive, easy win at the elections.

Democratic "insiders" seem to feel this is a shoe-in election making it their best chance to go big and take chances.

[Lonestar]

The Democrats are going to either support this guy or Clinton, thus blowing their chances of a decisive, easy win at the elections.

If the war gets worse or at least remains the same they could win possibily against anyone with any candidate.

Never underestimate the capability of the Democrats tounge-tying themselves and tripping over republican laid land mines...

[Cheebs]

The Democrats are going to either support this guy or Clinton, thus blowing their chances of a decisive, easy win at the elections.

If the war gets worse or at least remains the same they could win possibily against anyone with any candidate.

Never underestimate the capability of the Democrats tounge-tying themselves and tripping over republican laid land mines...

2006 elections. Not a single democrat lost in ANY election across the country, bigger democratic gain in congress than was in the republican revolution...etc

[TVC15]

The Democrats are going to either support this guy or Clinton, thus blowing their chances of a decisive, easy win at the elections.

If the war gets worse or at least remains the same they could win possibily against anyone with any candidate.

Never underestimate the capability of the Democrats tounge-tying themselves and tripping over republican laid land mines...

2006 elections. Not a single democrat lost in ANY election across the country, bigger democratic gain in congress than was in the republican revolution...etc

Obama's too green, and he will be taken to task on that.  Clinton has, well, dirt in her past, and Republicans love batting a Clinton around.  Combined with those valid points of attack, the Republicans just need to get a candidate with a "Good Ol' Boy" personality and they have it in the bag.

[Bacon]

Looks like another repub win.

[GilloD]

This would be GREAT news in 2011, it's terrible news now. Obama's great, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't have a track record. All he needs is one fuck up and that's it. The Republicans just need to run someone even mildly trustworthy and it's over. Not to mention that Clinton is a deeply polarizing person.

I like this ticket, I do, but not in '08.

[Cheebs]

Looks like another repub win.

Like in 2006.

[GilloD]

Also, guys, note that he formed a comittee and did NOT announce his candidacy.

[Cheebs]

Also, guys, note that he formed a comittee and did NOT announce his candidacy.

As I stated at gaf forming a committee means he will announce fully. The chances of him saying MY COMMITTEE SAID NO LOL is 0% Watch the cable news outlets, they are saying this as him announcing his run.

It's not 100% legally official and all that yet, but the time for "considering" Obama as a "potential" nominee are over.

[brawndolicious]

I'll vote for him.

He has A LOT of minorities that want to see what a black guy would do for them.

[etiolate]

It's about time that Jesse Jackson got a sequel.

[Diablos]

It's like this discussion is a month before the primaries. So many things could happen. Obama's chances probably aren't that hot when you sit back and think about it, and dare I say, Hillary just might not get the nomination. I honestly DO NOT think she will. Only 3% (yes, 3%) want to know more about Hillary.

[Cheebs]

It's about time that Jesse Jackson got a sequel.

He is no Jesse Jackson, Jesse Jackson had no chance and he knew it. He is a civil rights activist who never was involved in politics outside running for president. Jackson's whole campaign was civil rights. I don't think I have ever heard Obama even talk about civil rights ever.

[Phoenix Dark]

Looks like another repub win.

[Diablos]

 

[Mupepe]

I'd vote for Obama if he got the nomination.  I doubt he will though

[Cheebs]

I find the people down on this race already rather odd. Feeling democrats will drop the ball again when this election seems handed to them.

Hmm...I remember liberal/democratic-leaning gaf members CONSTANTLY even mere days before the election predicting democrats would somehow drop the ball with the house when it was all but assured and that there was no chance they'd get the senate.
Hmm....

[Phoenix Dark]

And I remember people being pretty confident Kerry was going to kick Bush's ass in late October

[Cheebs]

Only one time since Calvin Coolidge has a party held the white house for more than two terms at a time. Americans grow fatigued almost always. The only time was with Bush Sr. and he was the VP of the unstoppable and beloved Ronald Reagan. Bush really isn't in the same place in keeping the Republican party as well relevant as Reagan was I think.

[Mupepe]

?

I'm pretty confident Democrats will own the Whitehouse in '08.  But I'm not fool enough to think they'll own it with Obama.

[Cheebs]

?

I'm pretty confident Democrats will own the Whitehouse in '08.  But I'm not fool enough to think they'll own it with Obama.

Agreed. People forget Democrats tend to shun the front runners at the last minute and go with someone unexpected. Kerry, Clinton, Carter all come to mind.

Dean was a shoe-in a mere month before the primaries. And Clinton was doing distant 3rd and 4th in polls up until the last minute in '92. And no the scream wasn't the reason. He was crushed in the all important Iowa shockingly by the previously deemed dead Kerry before the scream took place.

[Phoenix Dark]

?

I'm pretty confident Democrats will own the Whitehouse in '08.  But I'm not fool enough to think they'll own it with Obama.

Agreed. People forget Democrats tend to shun the front runners at the last minute and go with someone unexpected. Kerry, Clinton, Carter all come to mind.

I don't see any electable Democrats.

Hillary? She'll never be president

Obama? Like I said, he's running 4 years too early, if not more

Edwards? I'm sorry, but he's a loser and once he loses this race he's done for good (he's hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt too)

Who else is there? Hell, even my favorite Democrat (Clark) has no chance, although I think he'd be the perfect VP for Hillary, Obama, or Edwards assuming any of those three get the nom.

[Cheebs]

Republicans running are just as un-electable outside McCain. And McCain's recent conversion to Bushism isn't known very well outside those who are obsessive over politics.

Bush is considered the political mark of death now, Democrats won A LOT of seemingly impossible house races by making their opponent seem to side with Bush.


With McCain being the most open Bush supporter and war supporter in the senate it wont be hard to change his public image to the people making him unelectable.

You can't win a national campaign in America and say you think Bush is doing a good job and agree with most of his actions. It is impossible.

[Phoenix Dark]

We shall see

[Cheebs]

We shall see

You agree with the fact McCain is Bush's biggest supporter on capital hill no? You don't think that might hurt him just a bit once that is pounded into the publics face in a general election?

McCain will give the Democrats the thing they want most of all in 2008. Something Romney nor Rudy can't provide.

The ability to turn the election about Bush again.

Bashing Bush is what got the Democrats record breaking wins in 2006, if the war doesn't improve McCain will open that door once more.

[Phoenix Dark]

We shall see

You agree with the fact McCain is Bush's biggest supporter on capital hill no? You don't think that might hurt him just a bit once that is pounded into the publics face in a general election?

McCain will give the Democrats the thing they want most of all in 2008. Something Romney nor Rudy can't provide.

The ability to turn the election about Bush again.

Bashing Bush is what got the Democrats record breaking wins in 2006, if the war doesn't improve McCain will open that door once more.

You fail to realize that Hillary, Edwards, or Obama will win the dem nom.

McCain will beat Hillary
He'll trounce Edwards in a landslide
And he'll drag Obaba from the back of his political train

He's a lock, assuming he beats out Romney (who IS political suicide). Personally Rudy looks like a good candidate to me. He might not get the religious crowd, but it's not like they'd vote democrat anyway. He could bring in moderates, young people, and he'd get every conservative's vote in the country if Hillary runs

[Cheebs]

The public still sees McCain as 2000 McCain, they don't follow pre-primary politics. I really think you should wait on predicting how they will see McCain when political junkies on both sides agree McCain has shifted very much into the pro-Bush camp in the last few years.

[Phoenix Dark]

Was Obama on Oprah today, or is it scheduled for tomorrow?

[futami]

Mitt Romney will be the next president.

[Diablos]

Mitt Romney will be the next president.

What

[futami]

Mitt Romney will be the next president.

What

it certainly won't be a democrat.

romney has just enough mainstream, moderate appeal to win.

not to mention he's an attractive white male.

you're delusional if you think a democrat will take the white house in 2008.

[Lonestar]

I find the people down on this race already rather odd. Feeling democrats will drop the ball again when this election seems handed to them.

Hmm...I remember liberal/democratic-leaning gaf members CONSTANTLY even mere days before the election predicting democrats would somehow drop the ball with the house when it was all but assured and that there was no chance they'd get the senate.
Hmm....

Senate and House elections are a different breed than presidential politics.  And I was predicting that the Democrats would regain both the House and Senate back in June of 2006, only to be laffed off the GAF forum.   

[Lonestar]

Expanding on Futami's point, I think that if Romney is somehow the GOP nominee, he would be a formidable, formidable candidate in the general election. 

[Phoenix Dark]

A liberal republican who just so happens to be mormon? Oh hell no. Kennedy barely got elected (his election is even a point of contention for some people). How is a mormon going to play through? They may have some very basic Christian values, but I can think of one of their "values" that won't go down with the vast majority of this country

[Cheebs]

A liberal republican who just so happens to be mormon? Oh hell no. Kennedy barely got elected (his election is even a point of contention for some people). How is a mormon going to play through? They may have some very basic Christian values, but I can think of one of their "values" that won't go down with the vast majority of this country

Former liberal. He is running to the right much like McCain is. It's Rudy who is running to the left of the GOP party. That is something I like about Rudy I gotta say. McCain and Romney have totally abandoned their maverick/liberal viewpoints to win. Rudy? Isn't changing them a bit.

[Diablos]

Mitt Romney will be the next president.

What

you're delusional if you think a democrat will take the white house in 2008.

Right. You saying this probably implies the opposite.

Expanding on Futami's point, I think that if Romney is somehow the GOP nominee, he would be a formidable, formidable candidate in the general election. 

No fucking way.

If the future of the US Presidency lies within these "I'm moderate until The Party is on the line" tools, that really sucks.

[Flannel Boy]

Mormon? Why don't you elect a Scientologist while you're at it.

The funny part is that either a Mormon or a Scientologist would have a better chance then an open atheist.

[Cheebs]

A million of these from an opponent (not moveon obviously) in the general election is why McCain can't win as I stated before:


2006 shows Democrats just plain can't lose by running against Bush, and McCain gives Democrats the chance to use this winning strategy again. Romeny and Rudy do not.

The American population was split on Bush in 2004 (48-49ish approval rating) but as of 2006 his approval is stuck at 30ish%. He is not only disapproved of by Americans, but average everyday American HATES him, at a scale not seen since Watergate era Nixon.

You can't win if you are seen as a Bush ally in a general election, America hates Bush far too much. And that is just one online ad. Just wait for the general election.

McCain can't avoid the Bush association in a general, mainly because he is currently embracing it.

[Phoenix Dark]

Obama plutoed

He DID support the war lulz Cheebs lying all along














 

[Cheebs]

  that video is scary
I found this other video by him and its freaky:


Also say bye bye to Hillary's lead: and this pre-obama announcement:

Clinton 22 (34)
Obama 21 (17)
Edwards 15 (9)
Gore 7 (9)
Kerry 4 (3)
Biden 4 (3)

[Phoenix Dark]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article

The press didn't really pay attention to this because Obama wasn't that huge at the time, but once he makes his candidacy official this will come back up. If this was some republican trust me we'd all be giving him shit for it

[Cheebs]

Stop being racists against black people. 

You work for James Carville and the rest of the Hillary people, just admit it.

[Phoenix Dark]

Stop being racists against black people. 

You work for James Carville and the rest of the Hillary people, just admit it.

I hope you realize if Carville is indeed working with Hillary Obama is even more fucked. I know you watch Hardball so you're familiar with the story that a couple months ago Hillary's people began searching for any dirt on Obama. At the time it wasn't known (publically) who was heading the group and I remember Chris trying to get one of Hillary's buddies to tell him

The republicans will just be able to sit back and wait for the right time. If Obama wins, they'll be able to further use (and embellish) the dirt Hillary's people already found. And if Hllary wins they of course have around 10 years of napalm just waiting for her

[Lonestar]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article

The press didn't really pay attention to this because Obama wasn't that huge at the time, but once he makes his candidacy official this will come back up. If this was some republican trust me we'd all be giving him shit for it

No we wouldn't.  And there are far more egregious violations of land deals and business partners happening every day in the Senate and House that don't involve a Senator simply wanting a bigger back yard.  See: Former House Speaker Denny Hastert. 

[Cheebs]

PD's goal is to tear down anyone in Hillary's way, just ignore his nonsense. Disgusting. 

[Lonestar]

Stop being racists against black people. 

You work for James Carville and the rest of the Hillary people, just admit it.

I hope you realize if Carville is indeed working with Hillary Obama is even more fucked. I know you watch Hardball so you're familiar with the story that a couple months ago Hillary's people began searching for any dirt on Obama. At the time it wasn't known (publically) who was heading the group and I remember Chris trying to get one of Hillary's buddies to tell him

The republicans will just be able to sit back and wait for the right time. If Obama wins, they'll be able to further use (and embellish) the dirt Hillary's people already found. And if Hllary wins they of course have around 10 years of napalm just waiting for her

Carville, Belaga and the rest of those Clintonites can go fuck themselves.  These guys ran a campaign against a president with lower approval ratings than Junior and somehow believe they're the smartest strategists in the business. 

[Phoenix Dark]

Even the smartest strategists can't work with a complete dumbass candidate who stood for nothing, which is what the Democrats had in 2004

[Lonestar]

Even the smartest strategists can't work with a complete dumbass candidate who stood for nothing, which is what the Democrats had in 2004

This has what to do with anything? 

[Cheebs]

Carville had no faith in the Kerry campaign and informed his wife that it was all over(who then told Cheney  )

Carville didn't even join the Kerry campaign till mere weeks before election day.
That is one reason I can kind of see Hillary winning, well other than GOP hatred. She has the '92 and '96 Bill Clinton team locked up.

[Bloodwake]

I will vote for Obama in the presidential primary. I hate Hillary with a fucking passion.

I will especially be eyeing that California primary, for obvious reasons.

[Cheebs]

PD, since MI has open primaries will you be voting in the Dem' primaries here on Feb 5th(I believe thats when we are, I know we are part of the all important super tuesday) next year?

[Phoenix Dark]

Of course. By then we'll have a better idea of the candidates' stances. As of stands right now, I'd probably either vote for Clark in the primaries. Obama and Edwards have to earn my votes with something other than emotional pandering and idealistic JKF cliff note talk

Basically I want 40,000 more troops in Iraq, all illegal immigrants deported, and minimum wage lowered to $3:15