In addition to this column
I publish a daily political newsletter called "Capitol Fax." A couple
of years ago I also started a blog, which can be found at:
thecapitolfaxblog.com.
Running the blog is a real
pain sometimes. It's a lot of work and I've had to weed out some truly insane
commenters. Still, most commenters have interesting, insightful thoughts, so I
thought I'd share some of them with you today.
Every day on my blog I ask
a "question of the day." Last week I asked my readers if US Senator
Barack Obama should run for president. Here are some of the responses, edited
for space and style.
* Ron: Give me a break!
This political novice would get his hat handed to him.
* 105th Blues: HeÕs never
been challenged seriously on his views and has gotten a free pass by the media
up to this point. I think if he wanted to run the response would be too much
too soon.
* Beowulf : It is too soon
for Barack. He would receive quite a few votes but not enough to get the job
done. I would hate to see him spoil or set-back his political future by pulling
the trigger too soon.
* Throw da bums out :
Strike while the iron is hot. To those who think he needs more legislation or
significant achievements, I say that four or eight more years is simply
hundreds of votes that can be manipulated against him later.
* Goodbye Napoleon: Yes.
He should run, first term doesnÕt matter in reality. Look at John Kerry, heÕs
been in the Senate forever and when he speaks - you can tell - he talks like a
Senator and heÕs highly unlikeable.
* Old Elephant: If I were
advising him, IÕd tell him to go for it. Tragically, substance matters very
little these days (as evidenced by our current Governor) and since the media
has a very short attention span, he needs to strike now, before they move on to
the next superstar and he actually has a record to defend.
* Zatoichi: He needs some
more wear and tear on him. Smart guy with a great future if he takes his time,
develops relationships, and actually does something that stands out in a difficult
situation.
* The Hankster: People
seem to never understand that half of everything in politics is timing. This
might be his time and best chance to win. Experience means very little when you
look at how people vote the way they do.
* ZC: No, he should not
run. Bottom line, a) he hasnÕt accomplished anything yet to run on - which
counts more than people give credit for; b) he hasnÕt been on the national
stage long enough to acquire an aura of presidential caliber even lacking some
signature accomplishment. Obama is the media darling, but make no mistake, that
glow will vanish as soon as he becomes a candidate and goes up against
HillaryÕs $40 million ad machine.
* Just Saying : Not to be
glib here, but Lincoln had comparable experience in elected office. Lincoln was
a state rep for a while and served in the U.S. House for a single term. Then
Lincoln lost two consecutive U.S. Senate races. All IÕm saying is, thereÕs not
a formula for determining how much experience is enough. And there might be a downside
to having too much experience (look at Kerry, Gore and Dole)...
ObamaÕs magic is heÕs all
things to all people. HeÕs a midwesterner because of his ties to Kansas and
Illinois. To blacks, heÕs a former community organizer whoÕs fought City Hall, literally,
for better schools and housing. HeÕs the son of an immigrant to people who have
recently come here. HeÕs a Harvard-educated lawyer for the upper class and the
New England liberals. He manages to appeal to all these segments of society
without alienating the others. ThatÕs why his DNC speech went over so well.
* ChicagoCynic: Obama
wonÕt run in 2008. He knows he doesnÕt have adequate experience or
sophistication. Any careful observer of ObamaÕs words and actions (as opposed
to mythology), knows he is a very, very careful and cautious politician.
Frankly, he still hasnÕt really found his national voice yet and sometimes his
excessive caution is extremely frustrating. It will come in a couple years.
So, what do you think?
Come on over to the blog and tell us.
-30-
Rich Miller also publishes
Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter. He can be reached at
thecapitolfaxblog.com