Can Barack Obama be elected President ?

In his victory speech, Senator Barack Obama said regarding his long shot candidacy... "(When I announced my campaign) at the time, as many of you know, people were respectful but nevertheless skeptical...they felt that in a nation as divided as ours there was no possibility that someone who looked like me could ever aspire to the United States Senate. They felt that in a fearful nation like this someone named Barack Obama couldn't hope to win an election." If Barack Obama does become a 2008 Presidential candidate the same questions posed by him will arise again.

MRB:

I WISH AND PRAY UPON A STAR

What ticket would I like to see in 2008? That's the real question and a good one. At this point I don't know. Sen. Obama is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuffy and chaotic Democrat party. No doubt about it. My wish would be that that Americans would do at election time what we all say we should do. Look for competency, a grasp of ideas, unfearful and unbeholden leadership, a PLAN. Can Sen. Obama deliver this? He has all the charisma necessary and then some. He has a wholesome, forthright but not preachy, and, as far as I can see as of now, a sincere moral belief that guides his life. He has some experience. He has confidence. I happened to see him on his Meet the Press interview with Tim Russert when he announced he was more than interested in being a 2008 contender. I was impressed. He hardly batted an eye and even deflected gracefully Mr. Russert's questions about his promise to those who elected him to serve out his term as Senator. I also heard him about a month or so ago on the NPR program, "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" where he was witty, charming and self effacing. I read about him and saw his tieless, nonchalant pictures in the TIME magazine cover spread on October 23rd. I keep being impressed.

But enough already. To quote an old teevy ad, "where's the beef?" And, for me it is just too early, to give an answer or to find an answer about him. I want desparately for him to give me (us) the real answers about what this country needs. We are far too prone to be celebrity mongers or headline scanners or soundbite sponges. We love a pretty face and a catchy tune and a clever turn of a phrase. We love flash in the pans. Panaceas. Fireworks on the Fourth. But I want and need leadership. And I am too nervous at this point that his experience and track record just aren't tried enough yet. Please tell me it ain't so.

My "wish upon a star" is that Sen. Obama ignore the issues of his race and his name. Those are givens. He can't change them. Or need to or apologize for them in the 21st century. And I want to see him deflect gracefully the slings and arrows that the narrow minded people of this country always seem to be able to pull from their quivers in regards to those matters. He needs to begin NOW to develop a unique platform of ideas and strategies to try to unify the country on a good, moral path to protecting our freedoms and hard fought liberties that he eloquently declares in his books. He needs to confront the catastrophe of Iraq. He claims he does not like Viet Nam comparisons. So please give us some alternatives. He needs to address the real issues of this "war" on terrorism. And there are dozens more domestic issues that have gone unaddressed by this current, "duh-boy" administration. I hope he (and his lovely family) knows the pressures he's inviting. But, tough. That's what leadership is about.

And, oh yes, one last wish. Sen. Obama, please sir, hire good people to give you advice.

KJW:

ARE AMERICANS READY TO ELECT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT?

There is understandably a lot of talk about Barack Obama, especially since he confirmed that he is considering a presidential run in 2008. I have no doubt that he will likely be watching Tennessee next week. The polls are one thing, but when a voter gets alone with his or her ballot, will he or she vote for an African American candidate?

That question is about to be put to the test in Tennessee next week. Harold Ford, Jr. acknowledges his love for Jesus and says so out loud. He even ran an ad filmed inside a church. He has the Ten Commandments on the back of cards he gives out to voters. He is against withdrawing from Iraq before the job is done, but he wants to change course and has no problem articulating it. He is against "partial-birth" abortion. In other words, Harold Ford, Jr. is a moderate to conservative Democrat. There is no way he can be tagged a liberal or left winger. There's a lot of powerful momentum going his way. But in the end will Tennessee voters actually vote for a black candidate? Tennessee is in fact a mostly white state. Can they throw off their southern heritage and any lingering prejudice they may have regarding race? If they can't what will it mean for Barack Obama?

A significant segment of this country is still racially prejudiced whether we want to admit it or not. I grew up in the deep South. I remember when in high school integration of the my school district was mandated by a federal judge. Black students from the inner city were bused into my high school. White students from the suburbs were bused into the inner city schools. My younger brother, who was one year younger than me, was bused to an inner city school during his freshman year. There was much outrage in both communities. There also were some incidents of violence. It is interesting to note looking back that the overwhelming majority of the violence that did occur was engaged in by the parents of the children in both communities and not the students themselves.

I believe that when it comes to race issues many Americans say one thing in public, but another in private. You know who I am talking about. The "I have a friend who is black" type person. So, will Tennessee vote black? Will they embrace a conservative, religious Democrat who also happens to be black?

If the answer is no that just might pose a challenge for Barack Obama. No doubt he and his wife, Michelle, are pondering that reality and many others right now. That's why it's likely, along with the Fords, the Obamas will be watching Tennessee closely next week. I don't necessarily believe that as Tennessee votes so votes the nation, but I do believe that it will be an interesting test. Is America going to elect an African American President in 2008? I believe the answer is No.

EJS:

Barack Obama cannot be elected President, but it has absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity. Just as John Kerry, Walter Mondale, and George McGovern lost, Obama would face the same fate if he chose to run for President in 2008 or at any other time. America does not fancy tax and spend liberals; it runs counter to the independent-minded American spirit. And as much lipstick as the national media wants to put on this pig, the fact remains that the GOP has a very effective machine which would shred Obama's record.

Take, for example, Obama's vote on John Roberts, by all accounts one of the most qualified nominees ever to the US Supreme Court. Obama casted an obviously partisan vote in this case, siding with Ted Kennedy, whose voting record is almost identical to Obama's. Why did Obama cast a "no" vote in this case? There is really no explanation, other than George Bush nominated him.

Then there are the fellow Democrats who will stand as a roadblock to his aspirations as well. Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry will be a very formidable challenge for any Obama candidacy. Obama most certainly poses a challenge to Hillary's seemingly stranglehold on the nomination. If he were able to garner enough of the black vote and single women, two of Hillary's bases, it would be disastorous for her. That is why the Clinton/DNC machine won't allow that to occur. For the time being, Obama is nothing more than a fresh face for the national media who are cautious about a Hillary candidacy and the baggage that comes with.