January 16, 2007

Obama announces...  

...or at least, he announces that he's formed an exploratory committee. I'm all for him entering the race; I believe a window is opening in American politics, and that there's the possibility now, with a leader of sufficient proportion, that we'll see a transformation of the American political landscape. I don't know if Obama is that leader, but there's only one way for us (and him) to find out.

Recently a friend of mine, a staunch Obama supporter who claims to be well connected in Washington, intimated that Obama has lost his way a little bit as a result of all the Washington whisperers, claiming that he just doesn't have the experience to be making a run now. At this point I'm not sure Obama's own ambitions are even relevant, given the extent to which the media has hyped his expected candidacy and the resulting risk that Obama could look silly if he didn't run. But regardless of what his own ambitions or experience say to political handlers, it's the politcal opportunities -- and in particular whether he has something powerful to offer -- that should govern his decision.

UPDATE: More here.

Comments
barrett  {January 17, 2007}

If he ever wants to be president, he has to run now. I doubt he'll be the candidate for the Dems, but he will end up with an office of some sort (VP, Secretary of Something) and have a solid chance at building credibility for a more credible run in 2012 or 2016.

I could be wrong of course, and this might be the election he gets in, but there's a lot of Hillary money out there to overcome.

paul  {January 17, 2007}

remember, there's a lot of animosity toward hillary too. i think he could beat her, depending on the way things come out... it's incredible to think that someone who was in the illinois state senate two years ago has the same poll numbers as hillary today, and if you project that success into the future, who knows where he'll be in two years.

i think the real question about barack is whether he's for real. he's been hyped so much, and the hype is not without basis -- the man is a great conciliator and incredibly intelligent -- but whether he's the kind of person who can really hold the public's imagination is another thing entirely.

Darius  {January 17, 2007}

Interesting post...but hey, I'm with your other comments. If he wants to win or be highly considered...I think now's the time. He's getting a lot of pub that folks would normally pay tons of money for.


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