Question about Obama:

[John Gauger]

My friend has asked my what she should know about Senator Obama. He will be speaking at her school in Connecticut on Thursday, and I really don't know what to tell her. I know that he is the only black senator, and that he is a hell of a speaker (2004 Dem convention.) But I really don't know much else. What should I tell her? I'm not from Illinois, by the way. I could tell her all she wants to know about Specter or Santorum. To be brief, both are quasi-Fascist Republicans. Santorum is worse.

[EST]

1. I was (and sort of am)

an enthusiastic supporter of Sen. Obama. However, I did not consider his speech at the '04 convention to be particularly moving and have since come to view him as rather a disappointment.

I certainly would not and do not support him as a possible candidate for president in '08--he needs a lot more seasoning.

[John Gauger]

2. I believe that's what I have heard about him in the past.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[kaleagal]

3. If you're still reading...

I like to affectionately call him, Sen. "Da Bears" Obama, because every once in awhile I pick up on a Chicago accent and he reminds me of that skit from SNL. I'm sure he would hear a drawl when I speak, so it probably evens out.

Anyhooo, I was too caught up in Clark's campaign as an independent before I joined the Party and had to pay attention to the Senate race. After I voted for him in that, I worked a bit harder for him than some of the other candidates where I live. So, I followed him around when he was in the Metro East. I was extremely impressed with his speech at the '04 convention. But, he's never topped that in any other speeches I've seen him give. I still think he's an exceptional speaker.

What's been most important to me is how he works as a Senator, I've been relieved that I can pretty much trust his judgement on the issues he works on and how he votes. I feel the same way about Sen. Durbin. I may not agree entirely all the time. But, I've seen so many other Representatives and Senators, whose views are so far from my own(yes, like Santorum, one of the worst), that helps me appreciate what we have here in Illinois.

My perception of him when I watch him is that he approaches the discussion of issues thoughtfully and respectfully. I've never seen him look like he's lost his cool. In fact, he has a really healthy sense of humor(especially about himself). And he's smart enough to know that if you really want to get something done, especially in a Republican-dominated Congress, a Senator or Representative has to be willing to cross the aisle and work with them. This is a recent example of success with doing that.
http://obama.senate.gov/news/060926-obamas_first_law_known_as_google_for_government/index.html

If he can do that in a Republican-dominated Congress, think of what he'll be able to do when we take it back. ;-)

[John Gauger]

4. Thank you very much

I appreciate your response. This is helpful to me. I have heard that some of his compromises have been odious, but you seem to be rather familiar with them. If you say they have been on the level then I suppose they have been. And I should like to add that I find your optimism to be refreshing without being naive. Thanks again.

[RaRa]

6. I mostly agree

and I really believe in his decency as a person. But I still don't understand why he voted for Rice's confirmation as Sec of State. It's not like he had to worry about relection. That vote still makes my blood boil.

[Radical Activist]

5. Great Senator

He had a great progressive record in the Illinois State Senate and opposed the Iraq war early on. He's able to be civil, work with Republicans and reach out to non-liberals in his speeches. The fact that he doesn't always throw out the read meat in his speeches makes some DUers accuse him of being moderate, but in fact, he is as liberal and reliable as he always has been when you look at what he's actually doing.

[John Gauger]

8. Thank you

My friend will be happy to hear from a fellow Che fan.

[dogfacedboy]

7. University of Chicago Constitutional Law professor.

That's where the people too intelligent for the Ivy League go.

Seriously, though, he did well as a State legislator, and he's doing well in the US Senate.
Read his latest book.