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January 16, 2007
The It Guy Is In
An elephant (or in this case donkey) in the proverbial American political room over the last several months has been Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama. The politically gifted, fresh-faced Obama has been wowing crowds across the country in recent weeks, as speculation about his entering the 2008 presidential fray has run rampant. Though only 45 and serving his first term in the United States Senate, Obama clearly has "it" politically -- meaning, he naturally and very effectively connects with people, whether speaking to them in person or on TV in their living rooms.
Today, Senator Obama took the first big step toward throwing his hat in the Democratic primary ring, announcing that he is forming the famous exploratory committee as a precursor to officially entering the race, likely next month. In other words, the it guy is in.
Obama's entry, while not unexpected, certainly shakes up the race -- if one can call it a race a year before the first caucus. The not yet entered candidate presumed by many to be the frontrunner (not by us) for the Democratic nomination, a certain junior senator from New York, may feel Obama's presence the most. For one thing, Obama will challenge Hillary Clinton for two big constituencies in the Democratic Party -- African Americans and antiwar liberals -- folks once thought to be a big chunk of Clinton's base.
As an impressive and accomplished African American candidate for president, it is natural that Obama would stand to do well gaining support from the black community. And Clinton's wishy-washiness on Iraq has cost her dearly with many liberal primary voters. She remains, however, a formidable presence in the party her husband once led, and will be tough to beat.
As a piece in the NY Times wonders, can Obama match the marketing, will he live up to the hype and be able to last in this marathon of a race?
We wonder if his and Hillary Clinton's battling for the same share of the electoral pie may offer another candidate -- already announced or still on the sidelines -- to emerge as an alternative.
No one knows at this date, of course, how any of this race will play out; it has only begun to take shape. For our part we are glad to see Barack Obama throw his hat in the ring, for a whole host of reasons. At the very least he will add a strong, fresh voice to the debate, and who knows, he just might win.
Posted by houtopia at January 16, 2007 06:34 PM