Barack Obama coming to Birmingham

[RunInRed 16,486]

If anyone is interested:

Link

[otterinbham 0]

If anyone is interested:

Link

Probably not on this board. Colin Powell, on the other hand...

[RunInRed 16,486]

I don't know, this seems like a pretty reasonable bunch who likes to hear all points of view.

[channonc 466]

You obviously are a newcomer to the political forum.

[otterinbham 0]

I don't know, this seems like a pretty reasonable bunch who likes to hear all points of view.

Well, I'm not sold on Obama. On one hand, I really like the guy on a personal level, and leadership is really what makes presidential timber.

However, beyond the media swooning over how "articulate" he is (Which, I think, is the most condescending thing you can say about a black candidate. It's code speak for saying he doesn't shout and play the race card like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson), I think he has an extremely statist approach to economics, making him a throwback to the Johnson administration and all the damage it wrought on the modern American economy.

Personally, I think the guy has gotten a free pass so far. In my opinion, two years in the senate does not confer experience to sit in the Oval Office. The man has not functioned in any executive capacity such as a governor or a mayor would. As a result, his understanding of the issues today doesn't seem very far removed from a local ward heel.

So, let the guy marinate for another term in the Senate, if he survives. The good people of Illinois may take umbrage at a candidate who gets elected and then begins running for President the minute he takes his hand off the Bible in the swearing-in ceremony. Then we'll see what he's made of.

[RunInRed 16,486]

Well, I am not stating that I am completely sold on him either. However, he has sparked my attention with some of his approaches. And I'm not going to dismiss a candidate just b/c he doesn't have the "executive experience." I'm looking for a candidate who can solve problems, who can reengerize a country and who can restore hope both at home and abroad - and I think if he as a democrat is going to take the time to come to alabama (for other than a civil rights dog and pony show) then I want to go see what he has to say.

[TexasTiger 13,006]

You obviously are a newcomer to the political forum.

[townhallsavoy 2]

You know, I honestly think the Barack Obama hype started in 2004 when Bush was pulling away from John Kerry and they interviewed Obama about his victory. Obama came across as very articulate (not being racist), professional and savvy. I really think a lot of people thought "he'd make a good president" based soley on an interview. What, exactly, has he done to merit such hype?

[TexasTiger 13,006]

What, exactly, has he done to merit such hype?

Are we talking about Obama or Thompson?

[RunInRed 16,486]

As far as the hype goes - all I can say is he appears to have the "it" factor - this is a guy who can energize a political lanscape in ways we haven't seen since JFK. He's packing 20k plus for his appearances, raising ridiculous amounts of money (without taking special interest or PAC dollars) and simply put, beating the odds. Not bad for a candidate who's political resume can basically be summed up in "two years in the U.S. Senate, seven years in the Illinois Senate., one loss in a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, one stirring keynote address at a Democratic National Convention, and two best-selling books."

Does the hype about Obama have a racial component? Yes. But it is shortsighted to ignore his intellectual ability and charisma. His lack of federal government experience should not be a barrier to him becoming president. Learning on the job is the fact of life for any president, just look at Bush. Also, think about ARNOLD? What political experience did he have before taking over as governor? None. Yet, he will likely win reelection.

My point is that there is no constitutional requirement that Obama spend a specific number of years in the Senate before he can run for and effectively serve as president. At this point, we need someone who really understands the responsibility of president and who is a quick study. Obama seems to have those qualifications.

As far as his age goes, "John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in after the assassination of William McKinley. Obama also wouldn't be the least experienced nominee or president. Wendell Wilkie had never been elected to any office before he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Woodrow Wilson had been New Jersey's governor for two years when he was elected in 1912. George W. Bush served just six years as Texas governor before being elected president."

[TexasTiger 13,006]

As far as the hype goes - all I can say is he appears to have the "it" factor - this is a guy who can energize a political lanscape in ways we haven't seen since JFK. He's packing 20k plus for his appearances, raising ridiculous amounts of money (without taking special interest or PAC dollars) and simply put, beating the odds. Not bad for a candidate who's political resume can basically be summed up in "two years in the U.S. Senate, seven years in the Illinois Senate., one loss in a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, one stirring keynote address at a Democratic National Convention, and two best-selling books."

Does the hype about Obama have a racial component? Yes. But it is shortsighted to ignore his intellectual ability and charisma. His lack of federal government experience should not be a barrier to him becoming president. Learning on the job is the fact of life for any president, just look at Bush. Also, think about ARNOLD? What political experience did he have before taking over as governor? None. Yet, he will likely win reelection.

My point is that there is no constitutional requirement that Obama spend a specific number of years in the Senate before he can run for and effectively serve as president. At this point, we need someone who really understands the responsibility of president and who is a quick study. Obama seems to have those qualifications.

As far as his age goes, "John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in after the assassination of William McKinley. Obama also wouldn't be the least experienced nominee or president. Wendell Wilkie had never been elected to any office before he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Woodrow Wilson had been New Jersey's governor for two years when he was elected in 1912. George W. Bush served just six years as Texas governor before being elected president."

Lincoln's federal experience was a single two-year term in Congress. His other political experience was in the Illinois state house.

As of next year, Ted Stevens will have been in the Senate for 40 years. He's currently being investigated by a federal grand jury.

An idiot or a crook with political experience is worse than a highly skilled person with limited political experience. If Obama is still standing a year from now, that will be a feat. Right now, though, polls don't matter much. Drawing 20K to an appearance at a time when relatively few voters are paying attention, though, stands out. He has charisma and was well-liked by Dem and Repub legislators in Springfield. If he can stand up to the scrutiny once it really starts, then he may truly have something special.

[RunInRed 16,486]

**

[RunInRed 16,486]

REMINDER - This Monday if anyone is interested in going.

[drewau02 0]

Obama will also be in Huntsville on Monday, July 9 at the Holiday Inn in the downtown area. For $1,000 a plate, you can have lunch with the guy. If you don't have that kind of bank, then you can partake with the crowd outside to shake his hand after he's finished with the meal. It will be a long time before any Alabama Dems will get to see Obama in person in the state of Alabama. Even if he is the Democrat nominee for President, don't expect him to make too many, if any, campaign appearances in Alabama since there is no chance of him winning this state.

As a Republican, I would not vote for Obama under any circumstances in a national election. However, I have recently pondered donating money to his campaign. The reason for this is that I'm absolutely terrified of that socialist pig Hillary Clinton. She scares the crap out of me. So yes, I'm Obama all the way until the general election.

A lot of people, mostly Republicans, criticize the guy's lack of experience. They seem to forget that there was a certain politician from the same state of Illinois who only served one term in the U.S House of Representatives before running for president. During his one term in the U.S House, he voted against the otherwise popular Mexican War. Beyond that, this man did nothing to distinguish himself until he ran for President. This man's name was Abraham Lincoln.

[drewau02 0]

As far as the hype goes - all I can say is he appears to have the "it" factor - this is a guy who can energize a political lanscape in ways we haven't seen since JFK. He's packing 20k plus for his appearances, raising ridiculous amounts of money (without taking special interest or PAC dollars) and simply put, beating the odds. Not bad for a candidate who's political resume can basically be summed up in "two years in the U.S. Senate, seven years in the Illinois Senate., one loss in a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, one stirring keynote address at a Democratic National Convention, and two best-selling books."

Does the hype about Obama have a racial component? Yes. But it is shortsighted to ignore his intellectual ability and charisma. His lack of federal government experience should not be a barrier to him becoming president. Learning on the job is the fact of life for any president, just look at Bush. Also, think about ARNOLD? What political experience did he have before taking over as governor? None. Yet, he will likely win reelection.

My point is that there is no constitutional requirement that Obama spend a specific number of years in the Senate before he can run for and effectively serve as president. At this point, we need someone who really understands the responsibility of president and who is a quick study. Obama seems to have those qualifications.

As far as his age goes, "John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in after the assassination of William McKinley. Obama also wouldn't be the least experienced nominee or president. Wendell Wilkie had never been elected to any office before he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Woodrow Wilson had been New Jersey's governor for two years when he was elected in 1912. George W. Bush served just six years as Texas governor before being elected president."

Lincoln's federal experience was a single two-year term in Congress. His other political experience was in the Illinois state house.

As of next year, Ted Stevens will have been in the Senate for 40 years. He's currently being investigated by a federal grand jury.

An idiot or a crook with political experience is worse than a highly skilled person with limited political experience. If Obama is still standing a year from now, that will be a feat. Right now, though, polls don't matter much. Drawing 20K to an appearance at a time when relatively few voters are paying attention, though, stands out. He has charisma and was well-liked by Dem and Repub legislators in Springfield. If he can stand up to the scrutiny once it really starts, then he may truly have something special.

Ted Stevens should be imprisoned for the Bridge to Nowhere.

[RunInRed 16,486]

REMINDER - This Monday if anyone is interested in going.

Not sure about Huntsville but tickets for the Birmingham appearance are only $25.

[bojack34 2]

If anyone is interested:

Link

Why would I be interested in going to see another racist, black panther who wants to rid the USA of white people. OBAMA=OSAMA

[MDM4AU 336]

...and I think if he as a democrat is going to take the time to come to alabama (for other than a civil rights dog and pony show) then I want to go see what he has to say.

He came once before (Selma) as did Hillary Clinton. Alabama moved it's primary up from June to February so the State will get more attention than in the past. It will be the 3rd state primary in the country and the 1st in the South. Were it still as late as it has been, Selma might have been the only visit - if they visited at all.

[RunInRed 16,486]

Why would I be interested in going to see another racist, black panther who wants to rid the USA of white people. OBAMA=OSAMA

==================

That might be the most ignorant and unfounded statement I've read on this board in a long time. Unless you can find ANYTHING to back up your babbling, I'd suggest you take those comments elsewhere.

[RunInRed 16,486]

He came once before (Selma) as did Hillary Clinton. Alabama moved it's primary up from June to February so the State will get more attention than in the past. It will be the 3rd state primary in the country and the 1st in the South. Were it still as late as it has been, Selma might have been the only visit - if they visited at all.

===================

While you are correct we moved up our primary from June, Alabama will not be the 3rd state primary nor the 1st in the South. While I do not believe a Dem will carry this red state, I think Obama has a very good shot at winning the Democratic Primary. The point being made above was that it is encouraging for a Democratic candidate to come for other reasons than the civil rights dog and pony show (Selma) - I believe he is the only Democrat who has been here outside of the Selma event.

Here is the primary schedule:

January 8: District of Columbia

January 14: Iowa (caucuses)

January 19: Nevada (caucuses)

January 22: New Hampshire (primary), Wyoming (GOP caucuses)

January 29: South Carolina (Dem primary)

February 2: South Carolina* (GOP primary)

February 5 (Super Tuesday): Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado (caucuses), Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota (caucuses), Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah February 9: Louisiana

February 10: Maine (Dem caucuses)

February 12: Maryland, Virginia

February 19: Wisconsin

February 26: Hawaii (Dem caucuses), Idaho (Dem caucuses) March 2: Hawaii (GOP caucuses)

March 4: Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont

March 11: Mississippi

March 21: Maine (GOP caucuses)

[channonc 466]

As far as the hype goes - all I can say is he appears to have the "it" factor - this is a guy who can energize a political lanscape in ways we haven't seen since JFK. He's packing 20k plus for his appearances, raising ridiculous amounts of money (without taking special interest or PAC dollars) and simply put, beating the odds. Not bad for a candidate who's political resume can basically be summed up in "two years in the U.S. Senate, seven years in the Illinois Senate., one loss in a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, one stirring keynote address at a Democratic National Convention, and two best-selling books."

Does the hype about Obama have a racial component? Yes. But it is shortsighted to ignore his intellectual ability and charisma. His lack of federal government experience should not be a barrier to him becoming president. Learning on the job is the fact of life for any president, just look at Bush. Also, think about ARNOLD? What political experience did he have before taking over as governor? None. Yet, he will likely win reelection.

My point is that there is no constitutional requirement that Obama spend a specific number of years in the Senate before he can run for and effectively serve as president. At this point, we need someone who really understands the responsibility of president and who is a quick study. Obama seems to have those qualifications.

As far as his age goes, "John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in after the assassination of William McKinley. Obama also wouldn't be the least experienced nominee or president. Wendell Wilkie had never been elected to any office before he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Woodrow Wilson had been New Jersey's governor for two years when he was elected in 1912. George W. Bush served just six years as Texas governor before being elected president."

Lincoln's federal experience was a single two-year term in Congress. His other political experience was in the Illinois state house.

As of next year, Ted Stevens will have been in the Senate for 40 years. He's currently being investigated by a federal grand jury.

An idiot or a crook with political experience is worse than a highly skilled person with limited political experience. If Obama is still standing a year from now, that will be a feat. Right now, though, polls don't matter much. Drawing 20K to an appearance at a time when relatively few voters are paying attention, though, stands out. He has charisma and was well-liked by Dem and Repub legislators in Springfield. If he can stand up to the scrutiny once it really starts, then he may truly have something special.

Ted Stevens should be imprisoned for the Bridge to Nowhere.

That was actually a Don Young provision in the SAFETEA-LU bill in 2005--- it was not a Ted Stevens provision, it was negotiated as a "house provision."

[Tigermike 3,053]

As far as the hype goes - all I can say is he appears to have the "it" factor - this is a guy who can energize a political lanscape in ways we haven't seen since JFK. He's packing 20k plus for his appearances, raising ridiculous amounts of money (without taking special interest or PAC dollars) and simply put, beating the odds. Not bad for a candidate who's political resume can basically be summed up in "two years in the U.S. Senate, seven years in the Illinois Senate., one loss in a primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, one stirring keynote address at a Democratic National Convention, and two best-selling books."

Does the hype about Obama have a racial component? Yes. But it is shortsighted to ignore his intellectual ability and charisma. His lack of federal government experience should not be a barrier to him becoming president. Learning on the job is the fact of life for any president, just look at Bush. Also, think about ARNOLD? What political experience did he have before taking over as governor? None. Yet, he will likely win reelection.

My point is that there is no constitutional requirement that Obama spend a specific number of years in the Senate before he can run for and effectively serve as president. At this point, we need someone who really understands the responsibility of president and who is a quick study. Obama seems to have those qualifications.

As far as his age goes, "John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected and Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in after the assassination of William McKinley. Obama also wouldn't be the least experienced nominee or president. Wendell Wilkie had never been elected to any office before he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Woodrow Wilson had been New Jersey's governor for two years when he was elected in 1912. George W. Bush served just six years as Texas governor before being elected president."

Lincoln's federal experience was a single two-year term in Congress. His other political experience was in the Illinois state house.

As of next year, Ted Stevens will have been in the Senate for 40 years. He's currently being investigated by a federal grand jury.

An idiot or a crook with political experience is worse than a highly skilled person with limited political experience. If Obama is still standing a year from now, that will be a feat. Right now, though, polls don't matter much. Drawing 20K to an appearance at a time when relatively few voters are paying attention, though, stands out. He has charisma and was well-liked by Dem and Repub legislators in Springfield. If he can stand up to the scrutiny once it really starts, then he may truly have something special.

Ted Stevens should be imprisoned for the Bridge to Nowhere.

That was actually a Don Young provision in the SAFETEA-LU bill in 2005--- it was not a Ted Stevens provision, it was negotiated as a "house provision."

I didn't know that. Why then did Ted Stevens catch all the flack for it?

[AURaptor 1,126]

I think Obama would have done himself better had he stayed out of the Pres. race this round. He needs more experience,imo.

[TitanTiger 20,510]

Why would I be interested in going to see another racist, black panther who wants to rid the USA of white people. OBAMA=OSAMA

That might be the most ignorant and unfounded statement I've read on this board in a long time. Unless you can find ANYTHING to back up your babbling, I'd suggest you take those comments elsewhere.

Seconded. I'm not planning on voting for Obama unless he were to beat out Hillary and the GOP put a complete and utter boob up against him, but bojack's statement is moronic. Or maybe bojack's an ignorant, backwoods, white-trash, sheet-wearing, n****r lynching KKK member. You know...as long as we're going to exaggerate viewpoints and/or make stuff up about people for the hell of it.

[MDM4AU 336]

While you are correct we moved up our primary from June, Alabama will not be the 3rd state primary nor the 1st in the South.

OK, I stand corrected. South Carolina moved theirs after AL moved.

A Republican Party official in South Carolina says his state won't let Alabama slip in front.

"We will maintain our status as first-in-the-South primary. If Alabama moves its primary, we will move ours earlier," said Jay Ragley, political director of the South Carolina Republican Party.

Yet, as of the time of the vote, my statements were true. It appears that others moved as well.

And I stand by my opinion that were it not for the move we wouldn't get all the attention from the Dems.