I am not overly impressed by Obama, but...

[Zynx]

I have to say, it is hard to see how winning because of massive turnout is a bad thing. I just don't see some large scale Republican conspiracy to get him nominated because they somehow think he is easy to beat. They are far too divided to figure out something like that.

If there is earth shattering turnout in New Hampshire like there was in Iowa and he clobbers Hillary due to it, even with my cynicism I have to say that a political revolution akin to 1920(but going our way) may be under way. It won't be as earth shattering as 1932 which led to a fundamental change in the conduct of government, but it will be large. Democratic turnout and interest is dwarfing Republican turnout and that trend seems to be apparent everywhere. Even in my conservative Waukesha county here in Wisconsin the Republicans are demoralized and talking more about the Democrats than the Republicans.

[Radio_Lady]

1. Zynx, I have K&Red your post. Thank you for your message.

We have had much the same reaction here in Oregon as you have had in Wisconsin.

Regrettably, we have to sit on the sidelines while this all plays out in other states. Oregon's mail-in primary is in May 2008. But political junkies like Audio Al and me do their best to keep up with what's going down elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Radio Lady

[Zynx]

2. I had to be honest. I am skeptical about Obama, but so long as he

gets the job done I will give him the credit. I am a cold cynic, but apparently a lot of people out there aren't and that's a good thing.

The Iowa turnout made me a believer that this election will be different and I was totally wrong about it. I thought those projections of 200,000+ were bullcrap, but the public showed me.

[Radio_Lady]

3. My concern is that the next President "hits the ground running."

I hope he/she can surround himself/herself with good people who know what to do to reverse even some of the critical stuff that goes on with Bush and cohorts.

When I heard Obama's speech, my husband made the comment that he is a visionary. We haven't seen one of those in the recent past. Obama is being compared to JFK and to RFK.

The problem is that visionaries spend less time dealing with the specifics. The danger is that visionaries don't worry enough about HOW something is going to get done -- or even whether or not it's something that SHOULD be done.

I hope I've expressed it well enough. Husband Audio Al is here and quoting this to me from earlier.

Have a look at Wikipedia -- he's younger (born August 1961) than my middle stepchild (born August 1960) and I can't help feeling kind of ancient!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama

[Zynx]

4. I think his first year might be rough as there will be the inevitable disappointment

that the political system is slower and more obstructionist than many know, but over time he will grow into it.

[Radio_Lady]

6. Very clear thinking. People do grow into their jobs...

Whoever is eventually at the helm, let's hope they get good Secret Service protection through the campaign and beyond. It would be so tragic to have any "incidents" here.

I can't even think about it for too long. I can still go into a tailspin about John Kennedy, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. And Mrs. Bhutto is now added to the list. It's the vitality that got suffocated and how much we might have had if only all of them had lived.

[Zynx]

10. I think he does grow and I share your concerns about crackpots

Significant candidates inspire the crackpots and whackos to get violent.

[sandnsea]

5. Check his record in Illinois

This is someone who came up through community organizaion. He was fundamental in the change in Illinois politics in 1992, when Carol Mosley-Braun was elected. He made changes in Illinois campaign financing. He made changes in interrogations in Illinois, he implemented racial profiling studies, welfare reform studies. Illinois has a Hospital Report Card to track things like nurse-patient ratios and infections, recoveries. He knows how to do the work and stick with something, for months and months, to get the results. Check out usaspending.gov. He did that with Tom Coburn, of all people, in this partisan environment. He's not hype.

[Zynx]

8. I guess I am one of those people who is incredibly cynical of everything

that seems to represent dramatic change. I know you and I had our differences over Kerry back in 2004, but I am inclined to believe a little bit this year.

[Radio_Lady]

9. Thank you, sandnsea. I appreciate your input.

Again, my view is still the same -- Democratic all the way. Others will have the chance to make this choice because of when the Oregon primary is scheduled -- May 2008 -- and it's a mail-in vote which delays the results even further (but there is a paper trail!). By that time, things will be in place and we will be merely echoing what other Democrats have pretty much decided.

Nevertheless, Al is a committee person with the Washington County Democrats here in Oregon, and will be attending meetings and fundraisers as noted previously.

Until next May, we'll try to assimilate the information we can get through the DU and other sources. Last night was pretty impressive, and we only have two days until New Hampshire speaks.

Audio Al and I will be watching and listening, and in November, regardless of what happens, we will vote a straight Democratic ticket.

In peace,

Radio Lady

[Laurab]

7. Having read a bit about how Obama has worked in the past

I get the feeling it would be somewhat like Bill Clinton, in that he would discuss all sides of an issue before he makes his decision, and I think he is smart enough to surround himself with the very best. The one thing I remember him saying a long time ago, is that he doesn't just want to "be" president, he wants to be a great president.

I also like the fact that he seems to be the only one who speaks about an open and transparent government often. I worry about that with one or two of the others. After having read quite a bit about him, I would be quite comfortable with him in the White House. His priorities and choices throughout his life haven't been about money, they've been about helping people, and I like that a lot.