Obama: The Best Solution!

Looking at the political landscape -- and the geopolitical landscape as well -- we Dems are faced with several problems not easily solved. The GOP has mastered lies and distortion, and we have mastered ineffectively countering them. We've picked candidates -- no offense at all -- that feed right into the plans of those on the other side that make their living slamming Democrats. As good as Kerry was, they knew his shortcomings and that his enemies were frothing at the mouth for this. On top of all of it, they have turned their persona into one of **gulp** moral righteousness and virtue.

There are (and will be) countless articles declaring what we need to do now to win back America. I don't mean winning elections -- I mean, how do we put Liberal Politics back in the hearts and minds of America? How do we show the Reds that not only do we share many of their 'values' (over-hyped term that I'm already so sick of), but we just might be closer to what Jesus had in mind. And, how do we do it in that coveted 'Christian Way', which ideally praises the opponent but does them one or more better?

One way.

Barack Obama for President.

There are lots of arguments against this concept, and we should be open to them all. However, I think we have more than something to work with here, and the advantages are many and varied:

1) You want 'Values'? We got values.
- If you haven't read his bio, or better yet, his autobiography, you're in for a treat. The man has seen and done so much, and through it all, he has maintained his faith and moral clarity. There is a glow around him that you can almost see, and it's palpable. I really don't see anyone on the other side that can match him on these issues. They might try to trot out haters like Santorum, but he wouldn't even carry his own state.

2) You want leadership? We got leadership.
- Again, look at what he's done with his life. Accomplished student. First African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. And when he had his choice of any law position in the country, he chose to go back to the neighborhoods of Chicago to work in non-profit. His record in the Illinois State Senate is fantastic; his issues are wholesome. He truly is a natural born leader.

3) You want charisma? We got charisma.
- If you didn't see him at the DNC, watch it. Today. 'Nuff said.

4) Broad racial appeal
- I never imagined in my lifetime we'd see a black man as President, mainly because I've seen so much racism growing up near Detroit (and now a citizen of). I believe, however, that this is a man that rises above such mundane cynicism; his heart shines through with every word, and every deed. If he can get to America's heart, the color of his skin will become, possibly, a great asset. America loves what it perceives to be the underdog, and as unfair a characterization that is, I can tell you first hand (as many of you can too) that this is not uncommon for white folks. You would hope that race would never play into it at all, but you know, we're still searching for the first female President, too -- and think of how many GREAT women should have made it further up that ladder (of course, bigger subject for another time, but nothing pisses me off more). Barack can cut through these barriers; put a charge into the AA crowd, as well as the evangelical crowd, because he speaks directly from his soul to yours.

This diary is not meant to disparage other candidates; I love John Edwards and Howard Dean, too. I just think they've been scarred by the process. As for Hilary, as much as I like her, there isn't a person I know that would get excited about her. She's as polarizing a figure as has existed in politics in a very long time. She might be wonderful for the job, but I don't think she's electable at all.

This diary is also not meant to hide the drawbacks of an Obama candidacy: experience, issues and color could all work against him in different ways. He is, in no way, a perfect candidate. But, I can tell you this: I've been watching politics for a very long time, and never before last July had I ever stood teary eyed and applauded a television set. He spoke to my soul, and that counts for a lot in my book. There wasn't a single person I spoke with -- from hard left to near-batshit-insane right -- that didn't think that was a future President of the US speaking that night.

What are your thoughts?

•  Do you want to win?

  Support Evan Bayh

  by NS on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:04:23 PM PDT

  •  I like Evan

    I used to live in Indianapolis, and he was our governor at the time. Well-loved Democrat in a very red state. He's also charismatic, charming and handsome. He is quite centered, but that might be a good thing.

    The reason I like Obama so much in this instance is that he has the ability to sell the actual LIBERAL agenda to America in a package that they will find not only appealing, but natural.

    by bobbycodemonkey on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:10:17 PM PDT

    •  Change your title

      I tend not to always read diaries with cryptic titles but I like this type of discussion as we need to seriously think if we can support someone who would play in Dixie. I would suggest something like "We have only one reasonable solution: Evan Bayh" or "Making the case for Evan Bayh." Most Kosites probably hate him but it's time to take a hard look at these people. Imagine if the left fully got behind a centrist or conservative Democrat? Probably never happen. They tend to seek 100% satisfaction instead of taking what they get. I would prefer a moderate Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress. We need to take back the controls of power before we can hope for a liberal President.

      One thing for us to remember is we need to think of who the ReThuglicans will nominate. There shouldn't be much cross-party voting this time as both parties will be holding primaries/caucuses. Are we running against Guiliani? Frist? McCain? Santorum? Jeb? Laura?!

      by Joe Willy on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 07:18:26 PM PDT

      •  Duh

        got my posts mixed up. oops

        by Joe Willy on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 07:45:07 PM PDT

        •  We all get mixed up from time to time

          I dig Bayh - if only in that he can win! Why nominate a liberal that loses? Imagine making the R's have to COMPETE for Indiana?

          by NS on Sat Nov 06, 2004 at 04:20:47 PM PDT

  •  Nah

    I understand the arguments in favor of Bayh (centrist, wins elections in red state, etc.) but I'm not all that enthused.

    I don't know much about Bayh, but my impression is he's more of a stiff than Kerry.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

    We need a candidate who can speak the language of faith and values in a believeable way -- someone who can convince evangelicals he respects their values.  Clinton could do this.  Kerry couldn't.  Gore could, but didn't.  Obama can.

    by Buck Fush on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:11:47 PM PDT

•  It would be ballsy...

  ...but might be worth a shot.

  Yes, the "young and inexperienced" card would be played against him.  But he would have 4 years in the Senate behind him, plus his previous experience as a state legislator.  And he would be 46 -- the same age as Clinton when he took office, and three years older than JFK.

  I've always thought about Obama in terms of 2012, not 2008 -- but why not put forward our best candidate?

  by Buck Fush on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:06:48 PM PDT

•  you is not experienced at all

  and by the time he is,  he will have at least 6 years of a senate record to defend.... that rarely works.  His best hope for the presidency would be to leave the senate and become Governor of Illinois after one term,  and then run for President in 2016 or so.  (He would be in his mid fifties by then,  so it wouldn't be so far out.)

  Sorry to disappoint you.
  

  by zoltar on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:09:48 PM PDT

  •  er, he is not experienced at all

    by zoltar on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:10:14 PM PDT

•  Do we really pick our candidates?

  Something you said, " We've picked candidates -- no offense at all -- that feed right into the plans of those on the other side that make their living slamming Democrats." that fits right in with what I was just thinking.
  I understand that republicans regularly register to vote as democrats so that they can vote in the democratic primaries. Why else would they do that but for the most obvious reason? They want to pick the candidate that they feel will be easiest to defeat.
  Do the Dems. do the same thing? not that there was a choice this year but I was just curious.

  by Ms Sherry on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:12:01 PM PDT

  •  We do the opposite

    I know quite a few Dems who asked for Republican ballots so they could vote for McCain in the 2000 primaries.  They knew McCain would probably trounce Gore, but they didn't want Bush anywhere neat the Presidency.  In other words, they acted in the best interest of their country, rather than of their party -- what a concept!

    by Buck Fush on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:15:48 PM PDT

    •  most states hold closed primaries

      Meaning, you can not vote in a republican primary if you are not registered as a rebublican and visa versa.

      by Ms Sherry on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:27:33 PM PDT

•  Obama already sais

  he wont run or be on the ticket in 2008. And he's right. He hasnt even been to the Senate. My idea is save Obama/Hilary/Salazaar for 2012 if needed. Run a governor in 2008. If we find a good one, we can win, since this seems to be a proven method. Balgoveich, Warner, Vilsack, possibly John Lynch if he is ready, Baldacci, Easley etc. A move to the center needs to happen at least in some positions(It didnt seem to hurt Clinton).  

  by JP2 on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:16:54 PM PDT

  •  Bayh already was a Governor - in a very RED state

    He speaks middle American values fluently. He speaks them, not drones them. He understands security issues from his impressive Committee work. Btw, he is from The Mid-West! Imagine putting Indiana in play?? Ohio??

    I don't see anyone else even close on the radar screen right now. Please don't talk Dean again? Hillary would lose worse than Kerry.

    by NS on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:28:12 PM PDT

    •  I loathe Bayh

      But I might have to stomach him. It's not a half bad idea maybe or maybe I'm just cracking up. How about Bayh-Obama!? Two midwesterners one for the starchy white folk and one for the multicultural folk and both are men of open faith but from two slightly different angles. Hmmm.....

      by Joe Willy on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 07:02:51 PM PDT

    •  Kerry did not lose that badly

      And in fact, may even be a good choice to run again if we don't have someone dynamic that the party wants very badly.  Kerry has already had everything thrown at him and now the people are familiar with him.  With four more years to teach them to love him, it might be worth it.

      I think we have a lot of options open, and we should keep them open, but we have to win back the senate and the governorships now.

      by stephdray on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 10:11:39 PM PDT

•  Don't forget

  Brian Schweitzer, Montana Governor elect. Hell, we have the governorships in numerous Western states now. Tap one of them.

  by sarcaustic on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:58:05 PM PDT

•  Southern Govenors Needed

  That's what has worked. Whoever it is they have to be able to take guns, God and gays as well as abortion off the table either by being somewhat Pro Life in some honest form or being a proper advocate (by finding the right frame) for the Pro Choice position- my favorite is to frame it as a medical decision and also to talk about the role of poverty and rape in causing abortion. We also need somebody who doesn't equivocate when they do take a tough stand. We need someone solid and strong with leadership qualities. Our presidential candidate can't be seen as too liberal and drag us down in the south unless he is a charismatic figure that can rise about the liberal label and all the social issue traps set by the ReThuglicans. We probably should be looking at Warner from Virginia as a contender. Bob Graham is probably too old to consider by '08. I think we should totally forget Edwards and Hillary. Edwards will have been out of the Senate and Hillary just needs to sit back and be a Senator for a while. Are there any qualified center left people with charisma and character? I really don't like Richardson. They need to represent our beliefs but be a figure of moderation. If only Howard Dean had been from Kentucky!!!!

  We should be working more on how to form our majority than on any one guy. We need to form a set of principles and strategies that form our path for victory before we give it over to any one person. We need them advocating for us not corporate America.

  by Joe Willy on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 06:58:45 PM PDT

•  Other

  Hey, I love Obama as much as most other people here, but maybe it's too soon to be thinking abotu who sohould be out president in '08. If Obama ran, would I support him? Hell yes. Would he win a primary in a skittish party? Prolly not if it were held today.

  Alas, we do not know what the facts on the ground in Iraq (or our other, newer wars) will be. We don't know what stage of the economic cycle we'll be in. Things could change so much in a few years that I may be willing to support Bayh or Warner or Lieberman. Who knows. What we really need to do if we care about truly progressive policies coming to the fore is working to organize nad communicate our message, not put energy into a presidential race in the distant future,
  

  by pHunbalanced on Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 08:41:18 PM PDT