The Candidates: Barack Obama
March 28th, 2007 | by Scott |For previous analysis and discussion click on the individual names: Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Guiliani, John Edwards, and John McCain.
Again, another week passes without any changes to the field. I thought I would be in the market for a new candidate to support but for now the campaign marches on. And we are still waiting for the GOP to welcome it’s best hope into the field.
As always, we flip back across the aisle and this time take a look at Barack Obama. As one of the front-runners for the Democratic nomination in ‘08 his profile is still on the ascendancy.
Pros: Polished, well-spoken, at the right place and time for America to elect someone other than a white male, a strong democrat not named Hillary, has appeal across the aisles and can play to minorities, staunch opposition to the boondoggle, for a universal health plan, has been a voice for the religious left paving the way for restoring ties between the Democratic party and people of faith, green
Cons: Does not have the fund-raising punch of Hillary, still a relative unknown compared to his major competitors, has to endure Fox news, not a clear proposal for universal health like Edwards, will deal with racial backlash, does not have much experience, young.
Analysis: Obama is a strong name that will continue to make waves during the primary campaign. Part of the question is whether or not he can endure the infighting between him and Hillary while withstanding Fox New’s smear campaigns against him.
I like Obama and would be firmly in his corner if Edwards had bowed out. I feel that he is a tremendous voice that can speak for those disenfranchised with both parties.
However, I fear that many voters, in the south primarily, are still both unable to admit their prejudices and unable to vote outside of their own demographic. That will play against Obama.
At the same time, I believe that Obama will resonate with the younger audience as his presence on social networking sites attests.
Ultimately, however, I would like to see him as a running mate, preferably for Edwards.