Obama takes first step in U.S. presidential bid

Barack Obama, one of the most talked about figures in U.S politics, says he has filed paperwork that will allow him to raise funds for a presidential campaign in 2008.

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So what? The bet is he'll get smoked if he's for real and will fail anyway if he's not.

The leadership of both parties, need new "fresh" faces, people with lotsof energy and a vision for the future of their country.

He is such a man, and it is definitely the right time for him to make a run, and
I wish him the best, and will watch with must interest.

The way must be blocked for any people who in any way resemble "bush" or anyone like him.

John Edwards also is a "new" energetic, bright, guy who is obviously wanting to
run for the right reasons.

And, both of these men will be very "diplomatic" and won't be throwing their young men into harms way for no reason, like bush did. What a shame.

Even General Wesley Clark, although he is very experienced in military situations, is a very diplomatic person, and also would be a good president.

Don't know what to think of the republican side yet, guess they will have to
find someone who the religious right wing will "accept", which will be the first
problem of their new run for president.

I think McCain would be a good President. He gets along with people on both sides of the aisle.

Hillary as president with Barak Obama as VP.on the Republican side Guliani with Mcain.

I actually hope he gets somewhere with this. Its about time we get a president that isnt a born again......THAT morality's gotten us far lately hasnt it? Maybe a fresh face would get us somewhere other than a religious war.

I like this guy - he's half white and half black. But I cannot get past his middle
name. Why in the world didn't he change it if he wanted to go into politics? Obama is uncomfortably close to Osama. Maybe he can get away with that name, but not with his middle name.

Uncle

if a person is half white and half black, why are they called black?

or, Tiger Woods for example, is half black and his mom was born in thialand

so why is he called "black", could somone explain?

I'm with you on McCain. He has that leadership quality. The ability to see that his side of things isn't always what's best for the country as a whole. That's tough to find in a leader.

hey Beaver.

welcome back.

I see you've brought along Mr. Orwell, a personal hero of mine.

That must mean you are going to spend more time agreeing with me.

The '08 Presidential elections are going to be fun!

I'd love to see Obama wait one more eight year term before he gets his feet wet - he's probably up as much as he ever will be on domestic issues but not on international issues..... he needs some "seasonin".... given that - I'd probably vote for him... oh wait...I don't have a vote..... hmmmmmm .

As to his ancestry - which like so many of mixed race - are immediately adopted as African descendents by the Black community as they love heros and role models.... I dug around and this
author gives a pretty complete background on the up-and coming "peoples' choice"....

(Keep in mind the article is on the still ever present "dark side" of racial prejudice)...

And before you start lobbing muffins at me..... race does not necessarily make anyone better or worse.... too many other factors in play.... it's who's behind the scenes making the public sing or sigh). As many Americans of African descent can testify - electing a Black representative does not always "represent" their wishes - and that folks is the same in any color, white, yellow, red or purple.

January 02, 2007
White Guilt, Obamania, And The Reality Of Race

By --
Race is -- in American politics that it has even propelled a -- less than two years removed from the -- Illinois state senate into the limelight of the upcoming Presidential race.
Yet we still aren't supposed to engage in -- about it.
VDARE.COM is not in the business of endorsing candidates. So let me note that -- (D-IL) strikes me as no less (and no more) credible a candidate for President than the -- of the --
Still, VDARE.COM can play a useful educational role by mentioning some of the unmentionable reasons behind Obamania.
Obama is -- to -- But he differs in two ways. First, his list of accomplishments in his chosen profession is a lot shorter than the --. And, second, Woods rejected Nike's suggestion that he identify himself as solely black to maximize his marketability in America because he did not want to -- his mother and more distant non-black ancestors. Woods declared himself "--," his childhood term for his Caucasian, black, American Indian, and Asian ancestry.
In contrast, like ---winner --, Obama identifies as black although that requires symbolically disowning his white mother and maternal grandparents—despite the fact that they did far more for him than the Kenyan father who abandoned him when he was two.
Obama --: "I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
That sounds quite self-sacrificial…but, oddly enough, it sure hasn't hurt his popularity with whites.
The brutal truth: Obama is a "--". He's a remarkably exotic variety of the faux African-American, but a wigger nonetheless. He has no ancestors who were --. Moreover, his upbringing by his white mother -- and by his white grandparents in --, where mixed-race children are -- was almost wholly divorced from -- … except for what he could see and aspire to on TV.
Even genetically, Obama, whose -- is apparent in his --, has only a distant relationship to the -- who are the ancestors of almost all African-Americans. (Here are photos of Obama with Jesse Jackson and with the rapper --, both of whom have conventional West African features.)
But details like these just seem to make this nominal African-American that much more attractive to whites.
So why are so many whites, especially in the media, -- for President in 2008?
The Barack Attack phenomenon is similar to the -- of 1995. Of course, General Powell had better qualifications. He'd been intimately involved in managing a successful national enterprise, the --. And he had articulated a thoughtful, cautious policy for when and how to conduct military operations, the --, the wisdom of which subsequent events have --.
Supporting Obama for President, like supporting Powell a decade ago, is seen by many whites as the ultimate in White Guilt Repellent.
It's important to understand, however, that White Guilt is very different from, say, --, which consists of -- of personal moral failure.
In comparison, I don't recall ever meeting any white person who personally felt guilty for the troubles of African-Americans. But I've known -- who want to -- other whites for --
Some whites at least heap guilt upon --, but -- who publicly proclaim the reality of White Guilt aren't averse to noting that their own forefathers arrived at -- long after slavery was over.
In other words, White Guilt is just another ploy in the --. Minorities are merely props for asserting moral superiority over other whites.
Finding and punishing Guilty Whites has become a national obsession. One notorious current example: the -- of the -- by -- (with the enthusiastic assistance of the --) in the endless hunt for what -- called --
So, many whites want to be able to say, "I'm not one of them, those bad whites, like -- on Seinfeld. Hey, I voted for a black guy for President!"
Plus, I suspect there's an even more hidden reason many whites wish Obama is elected President: They hope that when a black finally moves into the White House, it will prove to African-Americans, once and for all, that white animus isn't the --. All blacks have to do is to act like President Obama—and their problems will be over!
It's a seductive vision. And it plays right into our national dream that --, that it's all in our heads, that the solution for all racial conflict is simply --, etc. etc.
Of course, electing Obama President won't actually have that effect on black behavior—any more than electing -- for five terms in a row from 1973-1993 prevented -- from burning down much of the city's commercial districts in 1992.
The unfortunate reality: there is no panacea for race. The roots of racial differences in America stretch far back into the history and -- of --. Symbolic gestures won't make them go away.

[quote=Curiosity;769116]I'd love to see Obama wait one more eight year term before he gets his feet wet - he's probably up as much as he ever will be on domestic issues but not on international issues..... he needs some "seasonin".... given that - I'd probably vote for him... oh wait...I don't have a vote..... hmmmmmm .

As to his ancestry - which like so many of mixed race - are immediately adopted as African descendents by the Black community as they love heros and role models.... I dug around and this
author gives a pretty complete background on the up-and coming "peoples' choice"....

(Keep in mind the article is on the still ever present "dark side" of racial prejudice)...

And before you start lobbing muffins at me..... race does not necessarily make anyone better or worse.... too many other factors in play.... it's who's behind the scenes making the public sing or sigh). As many Americans of African descent can testify - electing a Black representative does not always "represent" their wishes - and that folks is the same in any color, white, yellow, red or purple.

January 02, 2007
White Guilt, Obamania, And The Reality Of Race

By --
Race is -- in American politics that it has even propelled a -- less than two years removed from the -- Illinois state senate into the limelight of the upcoming Presidential race.
Yet we still aren't supposed to engage in -- about it.
VDARE.COM is not in the business of endorsing candidates. So let me note that -- (D-IL) strikes me as no less (and no more) credible a candidate for President than the -- of the --
Still, VDARE.COM can play a useful educational role by mentioning some of the unmentionable reasons behind Obamania.
Obama is -- to -- But he differs in two ways. First, his list of accomplishments in his chosen profession is a lot shorter than the --. And, second, Woods rejected Nike's suggestion that he identify himself as solely black to maximize his marketability in America because he did not want to -- his mother and more distant non-black ancestors. Woods declared himself "--," his childhood term for his Caucasian, black, American Indian, and Asian ancestry.
In contrast, like ---winner --, Obama identifies as black although that requires symbolically disowning his white mother and maternal grandparents—despite the fact that they did far more for him than the Kenyan father who abandoned him when he was two.
Obama --: "I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
That sounds quite self-sacrificial…but, oddly enough, it sure hasn't hurt his popularity with whites.
The brutal truth: Obama is a "--". He's a remarkably exotic variety of the faux African-American, but a wigger nonetheless. He has no ancestors who were --. Moreover, his upbringing by his white mother -- and by his white grandparents in --, where mixed-race children are -- was almost wholly divorced from -- … except for what he could see and aspire to on TV.
Even genetically, Obama, whose -- is apparent in his --, has only a distant relationship to the -- who are the ancestors of almost all African-Americans. (Here are photos of Obama with Jesse Jackson and with the rapper --, both of whom have conventional West African features.)
But details like these just seem to make this nominal African-American that much more attractive to whites.
So why are so many whites, especially in the media, -- for President in 2008?
The Barack Attack phenomenon is similar to the -- of 1995. Of course, General Powell had better qualifications. He'd been intimately involved in managing a successful national enterprise, the --. And he had articulated a thoughtful, cautious policy for when and how to conduct military operations, the --, the wisdom of which subsequent events have --.
Supporting Obama for President, like supporting Powell a decade ago, is seen by many whites as the ultimate in White Guilt Repellent.
It's important to understand, however, that White Guilt is very different from, say, --, which consists of -- of personal moral failure.
In comparison, I don't recall ever meeting any white person who personally felt guilty for the troubles of African-Americans. But I've known -- who want to -- other whites for --
Some whites at least heap guilt upon --, but -- who publicly proclaim the reality of White Guilt aren't averse to noting that their own forefathers arrived at -- long after slavery was over.
In other words, White Guilt is just another ploy in the --. Minorities are merely props for asserting moral superiority over other whites.
Finding and punishing Guilty Whites has become a national obsession. One notorious current example: the -- of the -- by -- (with the enthusiastic assistance of the --) in the endless hunt for what -- called --
So, many whites want to be able to say, "I'm not one of them, those bad whites, like -- on Seinfeld. Hey, I voted for a black guy for President!"
Plus, I suspect there's an even more hidden reason many whites wish Obama is elected President: They hope that when a black finally moves into the White House, it will prove to African-Americans, once and for all, that white animus isn't the --. All blacks have to do is to act like President Obama—and their problems will be over!
It's a seductive vision. And it plays right into our national dream that --, that it's all in our heads, that the solution for all racial conflict is simply --, etc. etc.
Of course, electing Obama President won't actually have that effect on black behavior—any more than electing -- for five terms in a row from 1973-1993 prevented -- from burning down much of the city's commercial districts in 1992.
The unfortunate reality: there is no panacea for race. The roots of racial differences in America stretch far back into the history and -- of --. Symbolic gestures won't make them go away

After the complete failure of Bush, I would wish for the american people to see Obama, as the
"person" he is, like we could, here in Canada, well, maybe not, as there is many races here that
we wouldn't embrace, unless, of course, they looked almost white. I don't think that is unusual,
it is just "natural", as it is, what we are, and we are comfortable with what is "familiar", but after
that is said, I think Obama is "just" what the doctor ordered for the U.S., they should be hungry
for someone like him. Bush new nothing about foreign affairs, and anything outside of the U.S.,
I understand the "zillion" things that the u.s. will bring into the Obama "thing", and it is too bad,
as it will cloud the "simple" fact that, they "need" him.

Taloola

As one of my very best friends - my African American buddy and I have discussed this issue until her kids get up and leave the room when we dissect it yet another time.....trying to make sure we are at
the same place in our hearts and minds...

Our conclusion: When you are with a person of another race - and you get beyond the race - actually forgetting the race of the other - and proceed into real life and real sharing and real friendship......
Then you have conquered the "race issue" - granted on a very small scale... but if two very opinionated and strong women can do it.... why not most of us begin to see "beyond" race....

Sometimes when I see her entering a restaurant where we are meeting for lunch I am shocked to see her - when for a quick minute I realise she is Black.... and then I have to laugh and tell her when she
gets closer.....my god girl - you are Black! She responds - Girl - you're just washed out! And then: "You buyin? "

But back to Obama - I think he is a valuable commodity and hope his advisors would allow him to tread cautiously so that when the timing is right ... he will have an impact on so many of us ... a pure and fresh approach to our pain.... What I don't want is a premature failure of what could be a colossal
triumph for the people of the U.S. A man of great integrity and humanity and brilliance.

[quote=Curiosity;769276]Taloola

As one of my very best friends - my African American buddy and I have discussed this issue until her kids get up and leave the room when we dissect it yet another time.....trying to make sure we are at
the same place in our hearts and minds...

Our conclusion: When you are with a person of another race - and you get beyond the race - actually forgetting the race of the other - and proceed into real life and real sharing and real friendship......
Then you have conquered the "race issue" - granted on a very small scale... but if two very opinionated and strong women can do it.... why not most of us begin to see "beyond" race....

Sometimes when I see her entering a restaurant where we are meeting for lunch I am shocked to see her - when for a quick minute I realise she is Black.... and then I have to laugh and tell her when she
gets closer.....my god girl - you are Black! She responds - Girl - you're just washed out! And then: "You buyin? "

But back to Obama - I think he is a valuable commodity and hope his advisors would allow him to tread cautiously so that when the timing is right ... he will have an impact on so many of us ... a pure and fresh approach to our pain.... What I don't want is a premature failure of what could be a colossal
triumph for the people of theU.S. A man of great integrity and humanity and brilliance

I sure feel the same, and I am "even" quite nervous about his journey ahead of him, as I hope
for his success. But politics is so "fake" in itself, as people forget about what's best for the
people and country, and start thinking in a narrow/selfish/and a fake manner, and begin to do
anything to bring about a "win", but in reality, as with the election of Bush, in the long run it is
a "loss", even though he became president, as he has "hurt" his country in so many ways.

Talloola..

It's not the person who is elected to any political office, it is the machine behind the man/woman.... and they are the power players - the incumbent is only carrying out the up front work and responsibility for errors made.... it's like a football team and the quarterback takes all the hits and gets the praise when a touchdown is made.... but the strength/weakness is the team behind the politician. We (the public) rarely get to know about the grooming and polishing that goes on in the
back rooms...and if the machine is producing crap? We all lose...

[quote=Curiosity;769388]Talloola..

It's not the person who is elected to any political office, it is the machine behind the man/woman.... and they are the power players - the incumbent is only carrying out the up front work and responsibility for errors made.... it's like a football team and the quarterback takes all the hits and gets the praise when a touchdown is made.... but the strength/weakness is the team behind the politician. We (the public) rarely get to know about the grooming and polishing that goes on in the
back rooms...and if the machine is producing crap? We all lose

You are right, and I know that, but the "buck" stops with the president, and he is so stupid
that, I think that is why they wanted him in there, (his team that is), so they could pull his
strings, and he would do whatever they decided. It was apparant right from the getgo that
he was a "dunce". But he is also responsible, once he is the president, so when the sh--
hits the fan, it flys in his face, and at the moment his face is very dirty.
If Obama is successful, the country will have a chance for a fresh start, something they need,
and it will take some time to smooth out the problems that republican party has produced.
There is enough people "elected" right now, who are just as sick of the situation as we are,
and even though politics is a "sneaky" business, everyonce in a while, a good group comes
along, and I think the time is "now". But Hillary is also there, who will have the "good ole
boys" working with/for her, so if she gets in, it will be "business as usual". At least that's
how I see it.