The prospect of Hillary Clinton running for president has been present since before the '04 election. Coming into this year's midterm elections, it was pretty clear that she was the front runner for the '08 Democratic ticket. Now, while Hillary remains the safe choice, and significantly ahead in the polls, another question has emerged: What about Barack?The Senator from Illinois has thrown himself into the candidacy limelight rather forcefully in the last week. Obama has recently gone from coast-to-coast making appearances at various Democratic Congresspeople's compaigns, spent a good deal of time supporting his now New York Times bestselling book: The Audacity of Hope, made his first venture to New Hampshire, and now may be forcing Senator Clinton to make an earlier entrance into the '08 presidential primary race than she would have liked.
According to Tom Curry of MSNBC, Hillary's first inclination to make the other candidates await her arrival may have been altered by the rising popularity of the young Obama. Others, such as Democratic consultant Dan Gerstein do not believe Obama will affect Hillary's choice of entrance time, but may affect her ability to get elected:
I don't think Obama's water-testing is going to affect Hillary's timing. She is pretty disciplined, and there is no reason right now to deviate from her plan. But I do think that Obama's potential poses a significant threat to her, primarily because he, better than any other candidate, magnifies her greatest weakness — likeability.
Personally, I don't think that Gerstein could be any more right about the last point. He does have the charisma the party needs, and is far less divisive than Senator Clinton. Obama in '08, wouldn't that be something?
1 comment:
Well, I dont know if I share the same enthusiasm for an 08 Obama ticket. I remember first seeing Obama give his acceptance speech for the Senate a couple of years ago. I was amazed. Nobody can deny that the man has a captivating presence and bold speaking style. However, I think it is necesary for us to ask if that is enough to win the nomination. I have been talking to many of my friends about Obama's accomplishments in the Senate, and unfortunately, none of us know anything he has done. Does he have the strength or experience needed to run the executive? I dont know. Time will tell. However, I am inclined to say he should wait because he would be a force to recon with in the future. Of course, i know that the downside to that is that one could use his voting record against him if there was more substance to it, but I would still say wait.
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