Obama's '08 Decision Coming Soon

Illinois Democrat Says He's Still Considering A Presidential Run

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Barack Obama is almost ready to make an announcement about his potential presidential campaign, he said Sunday on Face The Nation.

"I will have something to say about that fairly soon," Obama told Bob Schieffer. "Obviously, there's been a lot of talk. It's something that I've been considering. I've said I've been considering it. And we'll be making an announcement fairly soon."

When pressed for a more specific timetable, Obama only smiled and said, "It will be pretty soon."

Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton have both hired senior aides while courting potential supporters in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key states.

Iowa's caucuses will kick off the nominating campaign in January 2008, to be followed by caucuses in Nevada and primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Clinton, who is on a weekend trip to Iraq, also has hired staff, met with activists and tried to settle on a Washington-area location for her campaign headquarters.

The moves by the two come as Democratic Senator Chris Dodd launched his campaign this week and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson prepared to make an announcement before the end of the month.

Obama and Clinton would clearly be the Democratic field's heavyweights — one vying to be the nation's first black president, the other the country's first female chief executive.

[randalds]

Run Obama RUN! Ya got my vote!

[processor2]

It will be interesting to see how the Clinton(s) politically destroy Barack Obama while simultaneously proclaiming to "feel the pain" of black people.

...........

[randalds]

If he decides to run I don't see anyone, even Hilliary, who can stop him in the primaries and certainly no republican would stand a chance against him in the general. If he's the democratic nominee, it'll be a huge landslide in their favor in Nov 08.

[bildooreilly]

He better run for something else because he sure won't get reselected here in IL... the only reason he won before was because his opponent was Alan Keyes, even I could beat Alan Keyes... now this rich kid who has never done anything for anyone but talk a bunch of talk thinks he's presidential material... he's the same thing as george bush, another corrupt silver spooner... first thing he did after getting elected in IL was right a book then it's off to africa to be mr african ambassador, then time to write another book and run for president, my question is when is this elitist puppet going to do the job he was elected for which is to represent the people of IL and reign in the bush crime family... that'll be the day... If you vote for this guy you're as stupid as the bush voters....

[m_kotyk]

I hope he runs. I've read both his books and heard his speeches. His legislation record speaks for him pretty clearly. We need someone with a dream for this country; not more rhetoric we've heard before from the Clinton's, Bush's or even McCain's.

[battlground]

The Hillary-Obama championship match for 2008 will be better than professional wrestling.

Obama should change his name though. It sounds too much like Ossama.

Possibly Barack Hussein. Yeah, that sounds better.

BG

[dksachdev]

What happened to the lighting at Chicago during today's Face the Nation? You made a handsome guy look sickly. Also, the camera was obviously too close making his hands look artificially too large....

[dksachdev]

What happened to the lighting at Chicago during today's Face the Nation? You made a handsome guy look sickly. Also, the camera was obviously too close making his hands look artificially too large....

[heartlight3]

I don't know where bildooreilly got his information, but it is incorrect. In fact the level of invective in this post and his others sound like a personal issue which has more to do with bildoorelly's perspective on life than with Barack Obama. Do you have a positive view on anything? Is anyone okay with you?

[doctordonut-2009]

EAR he comes:

http://www.theweeklydonut.org/index.php/2006/12/14/ear-comes-the-other-party/

[bildooreilly]

dksachdev, I live in IL, he's a piece of *** politician just like the rest of them. He hasn't done anything for this state, he should go take another tour of africa before he runs for president... Tell me where I'm wrong, you want to make this about me instead of your phony candidate who you look up to like a moron... maybe I don't have anything positive to say about him because there isn't anything positive to say....

[louin0]

Obama is the one I will vote for.

[cmayes2]

What is this about a silver spoon in his mouth. I don't think that fits a man who decided to live on the south side of chicago to help people. You shouldn't have to be poor to be a good and caring person. He's a breath of fresh air; because he will care for the peoples interest. I pray he runs, and believe he was born for such a time as this.

[tibu987]

Obama is not quite as pure as people may believe.
Here in Chicago he is close to many corrupt acquaintences and political families. Using them is precisely why he is where he is. I would hope that many people who would like to believe tha5t Obama is the right one, to first look into his background more closely.

[cmayes2]

Now!!you have to be pure to run for office,please find one person that has been. But, if you're black you have to have a Ph.d to be a secretary. I guess we've forgotten about Bush and all his drunking rounds, and lying about Iraq.

[tibu987]

Sorry, cut this off before I finished.
Look at Obamas relationship with indicted possible felon Antoine "Tony" Rezko, the corrupt Stroger family in Chicago politics, His endorsement of Alexis Giannoulias for Treasuruer of Illinois, whose family bank has allegedly had ties to Mafia members. Obama's relationship with Governor Rod "not business as usual", Blagojevich of Illinois who leaves a lot to be desired.
Granted, Obama is eloquent and says all the things we want to hear. I too wanted him to succeed.
Now, I am afraid that he may have to make some political concessions to old corrupt allies that helped him get where he is. Obama may be or may not be the person we would like to think he is.
Just give it some thought and check it out.

[tibu987]

Sorry, I am not looking at Obama as black or white, just a pol who has used some pretty corrupt people to get where he is. Should we not consider this? I think not. Unless we make every effort to get the best, we will always have to live with the lesser of two corrupt evils.

[pakaal]

tibu987 wrote "Obamas relationship with indicted possible felon Antoine "Tony" Rezko... His endorsement of Alexis Giannoulias for Treasuruer of Illinois, whose family bank has allegedly had ties to Mafia members... Blagojevich of Illinois who leaves a lot to be desired."

I'm not yet sure enough about Obama to say I'd vote for him or not, but if knowing a "possible felon" and endorsement of someone whose family "allegedly had ties to mafia members" is the worst we can come up with, Obama sounds great! Just to compare, George Bush has not only associated with convicted felons (not just an indicted individual), but has appointed them to government office (e.g. John Poindexter, Elliot Abrams and Oliver North).

If guilt by association were the criteria for election, then the halls of Congress would now be pretty empty, as would the Executive office!

[tibu987]

cmayes.....
All I am saying is that people outside of Illinois may not be aware of the corrupt people that helped put Obama where he is.
It is our duty as voters to be more objective or we may get more of the same. I did not vote for Bush and cannot stand him and his cohorts.
No, perhaps no one is perfectly clean, but it is up to us, the voters to look at each candidate very carefully.
Don't simply be for Obama because he is black and eloquent. Be objective. Perhaps he is the one, by comparison. I do my homework.

[tibu987]

paakal.....
Wow, so it is okay to have felons for friends and perhaps owe your political life to people who may have sway over us?
Wow! Where do we draw the line. So if so and so also had felons for friends it is okay to seek the highest most prestigious position in the world.
Sorry, but I am a lot more discerning than that.
Whew!

[rusty50-2009]

Obama is a typical left wing liberal democrat - he wants to pull out of Iraq with no real plan, kiss the Arab extremists' ***** and cross his fingers hoping they don't attack again in our lifetime. A real solution.

Bush dared the libs to come up with another solution besides a troop surge, and all they did was their usual form of politics - bluster, point fingers at republicans, stick to their worn-out rhetoric and show that they haven't changed a bit since Cigar Bill was impeached. They sure don't want anyone to remember how Monica was servicing Bill on his watch while he let Osama bin Laden get away.

Selah

[skyk-2009]

I don't care who the Democrats put up I will vote for them. The Republican Party has lost my vote from this point forward. Any Party that maintains that the American People can NOT stop a Mad Man and his War's, using our kids to die, they do NOT deserve my vote nor for that matter NO American's vote. Regardless if you agree with the fact that Bush and Cheney are absolutely Insane and can't tell us the truth about anything. They are drunk with power and thing this nations is Theirs to rule over. It's an absolute NECESSITY that American's be able to stop such things as this if we choose regardless of your feelings about them. These two are getting Scary people....VERY SCARY!!

[skyk-2009]

Rusty50, let me guess. YOU still believe Cheney and the fact that the Insurgency is on it's last legs don't you? Now maybe you think our nation isn't as important as your stupid party but the American People spoke up LOUD and CLEAR about this War in Iraq. They want it stopped which is in direct conflict with your views. It's time to remove Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney since THEY no longer think the PEOPLE matter. What I can't understand is why you are still using the same tired old fascist line... you know the "lib's did it"? Didn't you get the latest memo from the Reich? That's not effective anymore and you poor sheep are supposed to use OTHER talking points. LOL

[catt42701]

Obama has many things that call me to say yes. I think he needs to be balanced by an experienced person though. Not alone either president or vice president. Perhaps partnered with Biden or Clinton. That would get my vote for sure. He has intelligence, and more than that I think he may have wisdom. For someone his age that's saying a lot and that's what we need right now.

[grazinggoat]

'I would hope that many people who would like to believe tha5t Obama is the right one, to first look into his background more closely.'
Posted by tibu987

tibu987,
what background are you suggesting to scrutinize?
Actually CNN have already started this dirty job of 'scrutiny'. They discovered that his background were a village in Kenya, Africa, from where his father immigrated to USA and work like every immigrant to raise a family and create a comfortable situation. Now they found the father was a muslim. If that is what you're pointing at, well it's good to know that 80-90% of BLACK slaves who crossed the No-Return Door in Elmina, Ghana, crammed on slavery boat heading to the Americas were muslims, and many are still. So what big deal?

If you are referring to the guy's name is Barrak Obama, well of course you would have wished deep in your soul that his name could be Josh or Moishe, or John, Benedict, Bill or even George ... You know it's not the case and it'd be unwishful this guys proceeds to changing his name in order to comply with the electorate level of comfort. If a change had taken place, THEN I'd scrutinze deeper, way deeper. Obama is presenting quite a great program, and I'd let the democratic process go through.

[rusty50-2009]

TO ALL THE WHINING LIB DEMOCRATS CRYING ABOUT BUSH - Exactly what is the democratic platform on Iraq, or is there even a platfrom, other than bleating the same ol' "bring the boys home" BS? I have heard nothing from any high level democrats or even the naive sheep and liberal political scientists writing into this obviously left wing website.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PLAN TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN IRAQ AND THE MIDDLE EAST?

No real answer is expected, keep whining the party line.

Selah

[grazinggoat]

Rusty50
Whatever Democrats decide, it's not gonna affect the Iraq war outcome. All decisions are still in the hands of Walking-Liar (though, obviously, he's NOT deciding as per many's view here).

It's up to the clown in white house to get us out of Iraq the same way he got us in, not only that but he's pushing us in another one with Iran.

[t_barr]

Obama, Hillary, McCain, whatever. You can have them all. They are all just NWO shrills. I'm voting for the person who shares my views about how the Federal Government should abide by the Constitution and be run as the Constitutional Republic it's supposed to be. How dare the sitting President refer to the Constitution as just a GD piece of paper! He should have been Impeached the next day! Not to mention his North American Union Treason... Whatever...

I'm voting for a real American, Ron Paul. The only real choice I've seen in too long a time.
Ron Paul for '08

[hillaryin08]

I wonder is Senator Obama really knows that Hillary is going to be the Democrat Candidate in 08? The Clintons have the Power, Money and Connections to make this happen. Their qualifications are exactly the same except for the First Lady bit if you can count that as a qualification. The only way that any of these guys has a chance is that Hillary doesent run. I'm sure he will be getting a phone call this week.

[tibu987]

grazinggoat................
You are off on a tangent. Look at my previous three comments.
I am not looking at anything you are suggesting.
Not Africa, not Muslim, not his name, not his being black or white.
What I did say is that he has a brief record in the Illinois Senate and has been promoted and advised by someds pretty sleazy types in Chicago and Illinois.
I was actually for him when I found out that for all his eloquence and his saying all the things we want to hear, he has some political baggage that is pretty low class.
Check it out for yourself. I am doing my homework and I wish that everyone would do theirs before they vote.

[bildooreilly]

I'll be voting with you T_barr...

[bluestardad]

Obama; Go hard or go Home!

[plowhandle]

There are still idiots that want to throw their vote away and make it possible for another Republishit candidate to win by splitting up Democratic votes by supporting INDEPENDENT or libertarian (with a small 'l') candidates ? What kind of fools are you people ?

John Anderson sounded like a nice guy way back when - but he's in history's dustbin now...just where he belongs.

It's a 2-party system, folks...you'd think you would get used to it by now. Not going to change anytime soon.

Obama's NOT READY, pure and simple. If he runs, he blows his wad and will be relegated, along with Henry Hyde and the rest of Illinois' lackluster pols, to history's crapheap.

[skyhawk761]

Rusty50, and just what was the Republican plan for Iraq? There was none and that is why we are in the situation we are in now. So what is the Chimps answer to this, throw more fuel on the fire. Just keep on spewing the same old Repub talking points.

As far as 08 I could definitely vote for a Obama Clinton ticket, that would be William Jefferson Clinton for VP not Hillary.

[t_barr]

It's a 2-party system, folks...

Yep, it's a two party system where according to an on going CNN poll 90% of the American people say it's broken. And I mean broken badly. What choice did it give us the last time? Basically we had Cousins running against each other. Some choice. Both NWO elitist shrills. And I refuse to vote for some NWO witch, who made it her career for eight years, to try to abolish the Second Amendment. No Way.

We the People have awoken. And we're mad as hell. Just wait and see how we vote.

Ron Paul '08

[skyhawk761]

FARTKNOCKER2, again please tell us all just what WAS the Republican plan. That's right, they were going to be throwing flowers at our feet. This goes along the same line as the press doesn't show the progress we have made over there. Tell us what progress has been made. Don't say we have been building hospitals, schools etc. we are the ones who blew them up in the first place. Come on, give me an answer but please don't throw out the same old *** that Hannity and Limpbaugh tell you daily. Think for yourself and quit being a sheeple.

[processor2]

It will be interesting to see how the Clinton(s) politically destroy Barack Obama while simultaneously proclaiming to "feel the pain" of black people.

...........

[notblue]

Who? Borat Obama? I keep hearing he is some kind of rock star, I guess the left wants someone with zero experience running the last of the worlds superpowers. Can't wait for the 08 election! I think him and Hillary will be great entertainment, a few laughs and a few songs.

[edjohn66]

Barak Obama and Wesley Clark, 2008!!!

[jsilver2th]

Edwards & Obama? - lookin good
or
Clinton & Gore? - it worked before

[mdmx66]

Obama/Oprah '08. The O team

[toosweet_org]

Oh Come on Barack Obama, thats crasy...you dont think you can win in the primarys against Hillary Clinton do you??? Howabout the Clinton/Obama 2008 ticket...SOUNDS GOOD!
www.clintonobama.com

[toosweet_org]

NO just changed my mind...
www.clintonedwards.com
and OBAMA as ATTORNEY GENERAL!

[longyang-2009]

01/19/98 Newsweek, Page 62

January 6, 1964, was a long day for Martin Luther King Jr. He spent the morning seated in the reserved section of the Supreme Court, listening as lawyers argued New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, a landmark case rising out of King's crusade against segregation in Alabama. The minister was something of an honored guest: Justice Arthur Goldberg quietly sent down a copy of Kings account of the Montgomery bus boycott, "Stride Toward Freedom," asking for an autograph. That night King retired to his room at the Willard Hotel. There FBI bugs reportedly picked up 14 hours of party chatter, the clinking of glasses and the sounds of illicit ***--including King's cries of "I'm f--ing for God" and "I'm not a Negro tonight!"

[randalds]

As of this morning he announced he is definitely in and I finally have re-discovered my enthusiasm for democratic politics again! Give 'em Hall Barack! You have my vote already!

[randalds]

Give 'em Hall? (sigh) Got to proof read!