Does Obama have a chance?

I wouldn't say the American media is attacking him at all. On the contrary, I think they love him. They're using the smoking thing to equate him with the common man. They're also making all these silly comparisons between Obama and Abe Lincoln.

One primary reason why he doesn't have a chance is because of his name. It shouldn't be an issue at all, but it is. American history is filled with names like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, James Garfield, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, William Clinton. I think the general public might have a hard time adding Barack Hussein Obama to the ranks.

He's also a bit wet behind the ears. Anybody on this board could've won his Senate seat given the circumstances. Yet for some reason, people act as though it was some great triumph.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by BurningRanger

I hope Obama does become the US's next president. Fuck political experience, he has charisma, and on the world stage what the US needs right now is someone likable enough to win us back some support.

Yeah fuck experience, I'm voting for somebody likable and charismatic. How bout... Mickey Mouse?

And Styphon's right about the facebook hype. The "Rock the Vote" crowd doesn't actually turn out at the polls with the same dedication as the baby boomers.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Cause JFK was such an asshole over the Cuban missile crisis when the whole world could've been distroyed... wait, no.

Dude, do you ever read a book?

I think I kinda understand where you're ranting to, but the comparisons to GW are irrelevant. Just cause you think the guy is better than Bush doesn't mean that he's the man for the job. I think we all understand that you hate George Bush, but sadly, that's not what this thread is about.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by BurningRanger

You guys are, for some inexplicable reason, completely misinterpreting my point. My point is not Obama > Bush.

Then why were you compelled to bring up GW?

And here's the answer to your silly question. It's important for the President to have good executive leadership skills. Being the chief executive of the US is a big job. Not something that you can just slide through with charm and good looks. In an interview I saw a long time ago, Ronald Reagan was talking about how the best place to look for future presidents is by looking at good state governors. You only get 2 cracks at being president, so it's good to have some experience in similar executive roles. Many American presidents have been governors of states prior to holding office: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, FDR, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and GW.

I'm in no way dismissing the idea that chrarisma and good people skills are invaluable to any leader. However, you can only slide so far on charm and good looks. Being the president takes more than a firm handshake and a warm smile. I'm curious as to why you'd actually come out and say, "fuck political experience."

At this point in his career, I think it's a little presumptuous of him to make a bid for the presidency. His race against Alan Keyes was a joke. If he'd been elected governor of Illinois instead (with some actual competition) I could see him taking the jump to the Presidency, but as is he's still too green (and too black).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

So the main reason why you overlook is lack of experience is the result of early campaign rhetoric?

"but I know enough to know it's broken."

Hmmm... eh, so what? I can tell you that my car's broken. But since I don't have any experience as a mechanic, I really don't have the first clue how to fix it. Perhaps if I use my charismatic powers, I can woo the problem away.

How ya doing, buddy?

They keep comparing him to Lincoln for ridiculous reasons.

1. They're both from Illinois. (Even though Obama was born in Hawaii and Lincoln in Kentucky.)
2. They both face a "nation divided." (Yet I think comparing high partisanship with the Civil War is a bit of a stretch.)
4. Obama's black, and Abe Lincoln freed the slaves! (Um yeah.)
5. They announced their bid for the presidency in the same place. (Along with many US Presidents, I once took a piss in the West Wing of the White House.)

How ya doing, buddy?

Do you really believe that Kucinich can end the war on drugs? And what exactly is his plan for doing so?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by darkrose16

...and B) he's african american.

He's half black American. I don't understand how people with one white parent and one black parent, who were born in the US are considered African Americans. It's like when Halle Berry won an Oscar, and everybody made a big deal about how she was the "first African American woman" to win one. As far as I know, the first African American woman to win an Oscar was Charlize Theron because she's actually from South Africa.

Originally Posted by darkrose16

Even though I feel this way, I think I might still vote for either one of them, but thats a hard choice cause not only am I a woman, but I'm a black woman. It depends on their campaigns...

Why should you being a woman, or a black woman make a difference at all? Why not just listen to all the candidates, and pick the person who you think will be best suited for the job?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?