Elect Barack Obama president

This is what bothers me most about Barack Obama: he talks about hope and change and this movement of his, but he hasn't really said what, other than helping to elect him president, this movement is going to do. Yes, he has a plan to give college students $4,000 off tuition for 100 hours of community service, and yes he's said he will expand AmeriCorps, but I hope there's more. John F. Kennedy launched a movement. He asked Americans to give something back to their country. This isn't a movement... not yet. This is a well-run, grassroots campaign. Campaigns happen every 4 years... true MOVEMENTS happen far less frequently.

In the end, what will this be?

What has he done that merits the presidency? He has SAID he will make change. He has SAID he will fix Iraq. He has SAID he will insure more Americans. But he hasn't done anything special in Congress to merit the presidency: face it, the only reason he is a viable candidate is because he looks good on TV and sounds good in sound bites.

If you really want to judge the candidates, look at how they've been running their campaigns. After all, even though presidential candidates have illustrious campaign proposals, many of these "pledges" never get implemented (think of George W. Bush's plans to privatize social security, have permanent tax cuts for the wealthy; Bill Clinton's plans to create a national health insurance program). But we CAN look to how they have been conducting themselves and their campaigns. On this point, one thing that distinguishes Obama (and distinguished Edwards as well) is his refusal to take money from lobbyists and Political Action Committees.

His website makes donors affirm that:
-This contribution is not made from the funds of a political action committee.
-This contribution is not made from the treasury of an entity or person who is a federal contractor.
-This contribution is not made from the funds of an individual registered as a federal lobbyist or a foreign agent, or an entity that is a federally registered lobbying firm or foreign agent.
-The funds I am donating are not being provided to me by another person or entity for the purpose of making this contribution. (i.e. no lobbyist "bundling")

"But Senator Obama felt it was important to demonstrate that he is serious about changing the way Washington does business," said Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer.

However, Hillary has been actively receiving millions of dollars in campaign donations from PACs and lobbyists. Think of all of those favors she would have to return if she made it to Pennsylvania Ave...

Aw, the heck with it, he's better than the rest of them

http://2parse.com/?p=7

Experience is not a good indicator of presidential success.

Obama has some sound political messages as hokey as some of his "hope and change" campaign slogans may be.