<p>I’m surprised no one has started a thread yet on Obama. He has been all over the place of late and even I am wondering if this is crafty Democrats at work or just serendipidous timing. David Brooks had an op-ed on him yesterday in the NYTimes and again was talking about it on News Hour along with Mark Shields. And the lovely Maureen Dowd has written a witty little piece in the NYTimes today. </p>
<p>Mark Shields made a great point last night about experience, something everyone, two years ago, was saying Barack needed more of. Shields pointed out that staying in the Senate hasn’t done any presidential political candidate any good lately. </p>
<p>I was surprised by David Brooks. Here is the most critical points he makes ( that’s for all you Bush supporters). </p>
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<p>Oh yeah, about the smoking. I think I’ll forgive that, but it was disappointing. I suppose it makes him more human.</p>
<p>I like David Brooks, though I frequently disagree with him. I worry for Obama, he’s still very young, I’d like to see him have time to grow up before being thrust into the big time.</p>
<p>Obama spoke at my daughters high school last spring- some people were disappointed( and apparently naive), becauseit turned out to be political positioning by Washington state senator Cantwell, who is still unapologetic about her vote to fight in Iraq.</p>
<p>I know very little yet about Obama’s positions on issues, but from what I have seen so far in various interviews and his speech at the DNC, I would agree with Brooks’ assessment. The Dems could do far worse than nominate him.</p>
<p>I hope he runs for president! I’ll vote for him!</p>
<p>OK, I don’t know yet where he stands on all the issues. But he sure does seem sincere…and has a fire, a drive…he is inspiring…he seems to have integrity…</p>
<p>all these things sorely lacking in our current ‘president.’</p>
<p>I’ll forgive the smoking. I agree it just makes him human.</p>
<p>He is awfully young for all the hype. I remember reading that he was the guest speaker at the National Press Club (I think that’s what it’s called). He said something like: “Thanks for the attention. I’ll let you know if I actually do anything.” </p>
<p>I saw him on “Charlie Rose” the other night, and he is so appealing. I think he is what this country needs; he searches for agreement, and doesn’t settle for easy answers. He knows that to govern, one must move toward the center.</p>
<p>I almost started an Obama thread after reading the TIME magazine Cover story on him a couple of days ago. I found the article very intriguing, as I’ll sheepishly admit to having very little prior knowledge of him. I didn’t catch his much-talked-about DNC Keynote address, because I just didn’t have the stomach to tune in to either party’s convention that year. But, I did see him on Oprah last week. His new book, The Audacity of Hope (I like that title), is in book stores now. I have never read a book written by a politician, because—well, a politician wrote it, but I just may have to read this one. Obama does seem like a new kind of politician (hopefully, that’s a good thing). He’s not yet hardened into the mold of a typical Washington politician, probably owing to the fact that he’s not been in Washington very long. Of course, critics will say that’s one of his greatest liabilities, “inexperience”.</p>
<p>I plan on looking a lot more closely at this young man. Though none of these people has yet agreed to run for President, at this point, I’d be far more inclined to vote for Obama, than for either Hilary or Condi.</p>
<p>Just saw him interviewed on Meet the Press. He said he has given thought to running for President, and it’s not out of the question. Talk about opening a door !</p>
<p>I read his biography “Dreams of My Father” a couple of years ago (very interesting background and story) and saw his DNC speech, which I have to admit, gave me chills.</p>
<p>I’m confused… I didn’t see anywhere in your quote that he smokes. Where’s the evidence for this? (not saying it isn’t true – I’d just like to see the source)</p>
<p>While I don’t smoke- and I don’t like it- I also don’t see it as an ethical failing, anymore than I think taking medication for an illness or syndrome is.
Being rude about it would be, but that would probably bleed over into being generally rude.
Smoking isn’t a *great *decision, any more than driving too fast or telling inappropriate jokes to a classroom of high school students or any one of a number of things that we have all done at one time or another, it wouldn’t be a reason to vote against him anyway</p>
<p>So what do you guys like about Obama the most. I mean what piece of legislation that he introduced or what policy of his do you really like the most</p>