Obama to form panel to explore presidential bid

[dansdarkside]

I believe if there is a Black man as president in my lifetime it will be Obama. More power to you man, But the bears still suck.


Obama to form panel to explore presidential bid - CNN.com

Video- A Message From Barack - Video | Obama Exploratory Committee

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday he is taking a first step toward running for president next year.

"I will be filing papers today to create a presidential exploratory committee," the Illinois Democrat said, adding that he will announce his final decision February 10 from his hometown of Chicago.

He made the announcement in a video posted on his Web site -- www.barackobama.comexternal link.

"The decisions that have been made in Washington over the past six years and the problems that have been ignored have put our country in a precarious place," he said in the video.

In addition to citing "the tragic and costly war that should never have been waged," Obama mentioned health care, pensions, college tuition and "our continued dependence on oil" as issues that need work.

But he said it is the "smallness of our politics" that most bothers him.

"Today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common-sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan and gummed up by money and influence that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions, and that's what we have to change."

Obama said his final decision will be made based on what he learns over the next several weeks as he travels the country "listening and learning about the challenges we face as a nation."

However, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said that the senator will not travel to the first four states on the Democrats' nomination calendar -- Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina -- before his announcement next month.

The Federal Election Commission confirmed that it received Obama's paperwork.

Forming an exploratory committee is an initial -- but not a required step -- in running for president or any federal office. Such committees allow potential candidates to begin quietly raising funds and "testing the waters" on whether they should run for office.

Funds raised in exploratory committees only need to be disclosed if potential candidates decide to run for office, at which point they must go back and disclose any "exploratory" money raised thus far.

If Obama runs, he will join an already crowded field of candidates who either have declared their intentions to seek the 2008 Democratic nomination or who are widely expected to run. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is the perceived front-runner, but she has not officially declared her candidacy.

Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the party's 2004 vice presidential nominee, declared his candidacy late last year, as did Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, a liberal critic of the war in Iraq, and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut also have said they will seek the nomination.

Other Democrats mentioned as possible candidates include the party's 2004 presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark; and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted on December 5-7, Obama trailed only Clinton when registered Democrats were asked who their top choice for the party's presidential nominee would be.

Clinton was the No. 1 pick for 37 percent of the Democrats polled, while Obama was the choice of 15 percent of those surveyed. Former Vice President Al Gore was the only other potential candidate who enjoyed double-digit numbers, with 14 percent.

Gore has said he does not plan to seek the 2008 nomination.

The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

[Big Red 11]

Lets form a panel to discuss the possibility of voting on a movement to form an investigative committee that could further explore the idea of creating a focus group that would determine the viability of putting forth a request for a presidential bid.

Thanks, bureaucracy!

I'm sure he's a fine guy, but he'll never become president. We have too many racists, bigots, and prejudiced morons in this country to allow it.

[DarkFlames]

A guy in my career prep class today did a project on this guy.. I never could say his first name.. but Idk, i doubt he'll be president, too many racists

[RadioactiveMan]

He should just go for it. I would imagine that he wouldn't come close to victory, but the important thing is to show that colour is irrelevant in government and if people like him try for things like the Office of the President, eventually it'll no longer be a surprise for people of any race to be running.

[discombobulate]

He's a very charismatic guy, if anyone stands a chance at this point, it's definately him.

[Negative Creep]

Originally Posted by Big Red 11

I'm sure he's a fine guy, but he'll never become president. We have too many racists, bigots, and prejudiced morons in this country to allow it.

I agree... and it's a real shame, too.

[NUN-PUNCHER]

I like the guy. And would feel way more comftable with him rather than Colin Powell. You look at him and can tell he has terriffic Values. There's a little problem though with Obama openly admitting to using Cocaine at one point in his life. Like the rest of the Politicians, he says he only did it Once. He's also for penalizing ( Finacially, I guess ) married people for getting divorced which I found interesting , because it would either raise Domestice Violence or reduce the amount of people that get married unless they're truly devoted.

[A63NT 47]

Barack Hussein Obama...
Does that sound like the name of the next U.S. President? Our society... not likely. Unfortunately, Presidential elections are popularity contests just like anyone's high school home-coming king/queen. Clinton leads the race between the 2 of them for the Dems at this moment, I believe. Most of the country would agree that Clinton is a much more popular name then Hussein Obama. Thats what it will come down to, if it's anyone's time for the Dems it's Clintons. If Obama does beat out Clinton, the Dems will lose to whoever the Reps put out.

IMO, I don't think it will happen in 2008. He's just there to take votes away from Clinton as a decoy planted by Republicans to create confusion among Democrats. I also know he put on a Bears Hat and talked some trash about the great state of LA and the Saints. Thats not going to sit well with some people.

[DeBOG]

I met him in 8th grade and gave him a short inverview. Was a really nice guy, especially since he took the time to give us it. Don't know to much about his politics but I would much rather him be the next democratic candidate then Hilary Clinton.

[DarkFlames]

Originally Posted by DeBOG

I met him in 8th grade and gave him a short inverview. Was a really nice guy, especially since he took the time to give us it. Don't know to much about his politics but I would much rather him be the next democratic candidate then Hilary Clinton.

Agreed.. Hilary wanted blood out of games? wtf.