Obama a Celebrity Despite Low-Key Approach

[deadparrot]

PEKIN, Ill. - The line forms the moment Sen. Barack Obama is done speaking, a procession of admirers clutching copies of his book, magazines, scraps of paper, disposable cameras and one homemade American flag. It doesn't take long before someone pops the question.

An elderly woman, dressed in bubble-gum pink, looks up with wide eyes. The lanky senator leans in to hear her amid the din in the stuffy library meeting room.

"In 2008 or some other time," she says, "will we get a chance to work for you for president?"

Obama grins, but demurs. He is not running for president. Not in 2008, at least.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050723/ap_on_go_co/obama_s_year

[countingbluecars]

1. I saw Obama this week.

He spoke at a Kaine (running for governor of Virginia) fundraiser. I was impressed. He had good things to say and was very charismatic.

[fujiyama]

2. I want to like him more

but so far I'm not too impressed with his senate vote record. It's been somewhat disappointing. I know nobody's perfect (especially in politics), but I'm a bit afraid he's become more moderate since he was in the state legislature.

[Bullwinkle925]

3. Perhaps he's trying to build a record that cannot be attacked too

much from the right-wingers should he run for higher office??

Just wondering.

:shrug: