December 13, 2006
Political Aspirations
The debate has raged on in my heart and in my head, but I have finally decided that I can wait no longer. The exploratory committee is being formed now to determine if I can put the network together and raise the funds necessary to run for office. For far to long I have denied myself and the good people of my community the benefit of my leadership. In a few short weeks I should be announcing my candidacy for the Mayor of Parkville. I will run an ethical campaign refusing to participate in any mudslinging. This should be relatively easy since I will be running unopposed. How do I know that so early in the campaign cycle? Because there is no Mayor of Parkville and my political aspirations for that office may be a bit premature.
Premature political aspirations don't seem to be stopping the junior Senator from Illinois, so why should I let them stop me?? The cries for President Obama began during the 2004 campaign before he was even a Senator and he spoke at the Democratic National Convention. It appears that his Presidential campaign may be kicking into gear soon for 2008; at least if you listen to the collective media swoon over the possibility.
His views on a multitude of issues are relatively unknown and his lack of a politcal record gives him the opportunity to shape that debate rather than years of votes. However; the clearly liberal senior Senator from Illinois who has compared our troops to Nazi’s has said that he and Obama agree on just about every major issue. That was pretty much enough to solidify my thoughts on Obama's views, but of course I still look forward to hearing what he actually has to say if he becomes a legitimate candidate.
I don't think he is making a very wise decision if he does enter the 2008 campaign. What harm does it do him to gain more experience before going down that road? If he has what it takes to be the most powerful leader in the world, the additional years in the Senate will only develop that leadership. Perhaps he should exercise a little patience and grow a little more wisdom before making the decision to let his political aspirations blind him from reality. I'm not really banking on that possibility and look forward to a possible Presidential showdown between an inexperienced Obama and pretty much any of the Republican hopefuls that will display true experienced leadership.
Your last paragraph is a pretty good summary of how I felt about George W. Bush when he was first running for presidential office. I felt like he needed some experience in a federal political office as well as a marked increase in knowledge, but alas his lack of experience didn't seem to deter about half of our country's voters. Guess we'll see what the voters say this time around, although we've got a two year wait.
Posted by: Ally at December 13, 2006 07:36 PMI suppose the difference between President Bush and Senator Obama is that the President had a lifetime in politics with his family and 6 years as executor of one of the largest states in the Union before serving in the highest office, while the Senator will have had 7 years as a State senator and 4 as a US Senator. His law background may have groomed him well for the state & federal legislature, but he has done nothing to show leadership.
The 2000 election took place during a perceived time of peace and the 2008 election will take place while an active war is being waged against terrorism. The type of leadership this President has shown in fighting that war will still be needed in 2008 and Senator Obama is a rather unlikely source to find it.
Posted by: Jeff Price at December 14, 2006 12:11 AM