by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Oct. 22, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

aining on Hillary's parade, 45-year-old Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) openly admitted Sunday on NBC's “Meet the Press” that he was considering a 2008 White House run. Eclipsing years of speculation about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential plans, Obama, who's been in the senate only two short years, told Tim Russert his plans have changed, since assuring voters he would finish out a complete six-year term. Appearing on the cover of Nov.'s “Time Magazine” under the subtitle, “The Next President?” Barack commands rock star-like charisma, missing the many negatives that dog Hillary. When an informal America Online poll asked voters their preference between Hillary and Barack, he won by a whopping 70%-30%. With preliminary numbers like these, it's no wonder the junior senator from Illinois has seriously considered a White House bid.

      Obama couldn't have better timing. Democrats are looking for a fresh face, not part of the old establishment associated with failure, since Democrats lost the House and Senate in 1994, with Newt Gingrich's 1994 Republican revolution. With taste of bitter defeat still fresh in 2000 with former Vice President Al Gore and 2004 with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Democrats crave new leadership, especially charismatic leaders capable to energizing an apathetic base. Neither Gore nor Kerry created the kind of buzz needed to overcome the GOP's institutional advantage, where Republicans generally vote in higher numbers than Democrats. Since dazzling the 2004 Democratic National Convention with his keynote speech, Barack has enjoyed unparalleled attention. Now on a nationwide tour for his new book “The Audacity of Hope,” he draws huge crowds wherever he goes.

      Obama's politics involve refreshing bipartisanship at a time of unprecedented divisions. Speaking to the '04 Democratic convention, Barak attacked the idea of red-state/blue-state, bringing the audience to its feet about unifying the nation. Since Obama joined the senate, there's be a steady deterioration in GOP popularity, dragged down by the Iraq war and Republican miscues, including House Majority Leader Tom Delay's (R-Tx.) unexpected fall from grace. Craving a change on Nov. 7, Democrats see Obama as the kind of new face that can energize the Party heading into '08. Supporting bipartisan legislation in the senate, the GOP will be hard-pressed tagging Barack as a typical tax-and-spend liberal. He speaks for what is best for America, supporting causes and candidates important to hard-working families—a powerful constituency looking for new leadership in '08.

      Barack faces criticism for not sticking to his promise to complete his full senate term. "I have no plans of running for president,” Barack told voters before the '04 election. “That was how I was thinking at the time,” he told Russert on “Meet The Press.” “Given the responses that I've have been getting over the last several months, I have thought about the possibility,” admitting that he's been encouraged to run by Democrats all over the country. No matter where Barak goes, he's encouraged to run for president, leaving him no other choice than following constituents' needs. Making the cover of “Time” also reinforces growing momentum to Obama's candidacy. Experience has less to do with running for president than excitement and raw energy. Obama's “Q”-factor or charisma far surpasses any possible presidential candidates, especially Hillary who comes with heavy baggage.

      Appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and CNN's “Larry King Live,” Barack talked about his African tour, visiting his father's Kenyan homeland. Oprah, whose show airs from Chicago, expressed her support of Obama for president. “I am very much an Illinoisian,” said Oprah on “Larry King Live.” “And my choice and I would hope that he would run for president,” leaving no doubt who she'd endorse next year. While Barack hasn't formally announced, there's too much buzz not to take his candidacy seriously. Other possible presidential hopefuls, including, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, John Edwards don't know how to react to an Obama candidacy. Obama's African tour garnered extraordinary media attention, showcasing the kind of statesmanship expected from a world leader. Obama's trip previewed the kind of press expected in a presidential run.

      Stealing the headlines, Sen. Barack Obama lights up the field of otherwise lackluster Democratic hopefuls heading into next year's beauty contest. Obama fills Democratic yearnings for a charismatic candidate capable of competing with the GOP. Responding to concerns about his experience, Barack told Russert that the president requires a “certain soberness and seriousness,” something the former first black editor of Harvard Law Review possesses in bundles. If anything, Obama is too much a straight arrow, needing to develop a more playful side. “I'm not sure anyone is ready to be president before they're president,” said Barack, answering questions about his credentials. “I trust the judgment of the American people,” who, so far, have pushed him to run. Barack's announcement sent chills through expected presidential candidates, especially Hillary.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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