Have you seen one of these bumper stickers? I’m starting to wonder how popular they are. If I’ve seen it in North Dakota, they have to be pervasive in more “progressive” states/areas.
Now keep in mind the last election was less than 5 months ago. That means there’s over 3 1/2 years to the next. But already the politicking has begun:
“Obama/Clinton 2008”
I’m thinking of starting a pool for the date Obama is changed to Osama by a marker wielding miscreant. (No, it won’t be me)
Who is Obama?
The gentleman is currently serving in the US Congress, but gained national attention after his stirring speech at the last Democratic convention.
Obama’s Senate page
So he’s from Illinois. At least that’s an “electable” state according to this other thread.
Based on the reactions to his speech at the DNC, I’d say it wouldn’t matter what state he was from. He garnered tons of respect of both Democrats and Republicans because of it.
Why? What did he say? Anything new and interesting? Or just the same old stuff but with lots of charisma?
I didn’t see his speech, but evidently it was a recounting of his parents coming here from Africa and building a better life for themselves and their children. As a WAG, I’d say that it was a combination of both. I’d imagine that there’s transcripts or video clips of it on line somewhere.
He also gained a reputation in the Illinois state Senate for being good at getting “both sides of the aisle” to work together on issues, rather than being divisive. He had strong support in this election even in traditionally Republican-voting areas.
Link to text and video. I think the fourth paragraph from the end was the most powerful, though seeing it in context delivers its full impact.
:smack: Forgot to answer the OP: I haven’t seen the bumpersticker, though after the election I almost immediately started hearing “Obama/_____ in 2008” jokes and/or wistful thinking. It’s been to the extent that Sen. Obama has had to openly deny any plans to run for President in 2008. (Besides, it’s also really damned hard for a senator to get elected to the office, so that might not be a wise career move, anyway.)
And yes, Obama is pronounced exactly like Osama but for the one consonant change. I think early in his race in the primaries, he made a wisecrack about his name being odd, and I didn’t hear anyone making the connection - except an anecdote or joke about someone in the White House almost getting whiplash at seeing an early “Obama” button on a visitor from Illinois.
That’s funny coming from the guy who was elected essentially unopposed because the original Republican candidate dropped out because of a sex scandal (admittedly true) connected with his divorce that was publicized by Democrats and because his replacement, Alan Keyes, was a joke and couldn’t have been a worse choice. Just more ultimately empty rhetoric. Especially since there were a number of prominent Democratic senators who were spinning and being negative.
“Obama/Clinton” will probably never happen. I have a hard time picturing her accepting the #2 spot on any slate because it’d be a step down for her. Why not “Clinton/Obama”? Not sexism, surely. Whatever else you may think of Hillary, she has more experience in government.
I haven’t seen any such bumper stickers or buttons or anything, myself. Here in New York I expect to see plenty of Clinton bumper stickers, but that’s just because she’s up for reëlection next year.
I can’t see a Clinton/Obama ticket in 2008. I can’t see Obama running for president any time soon. Don’t get me wrong: I think he’s fantastic. But the fact is he’s green wood. He’s been in the Senate for three months! I can’t see him making a dash for the White House until he’s served at least a full term. Obama would do well to shine a bit in the Senate, building up a reputation before he makes a run for the White House. I’d be comfortable with an Obama '16 ticket, but Obama '08 is just too early. Anyway, he’s from Illinois, and considering the disarray the Illinois Republican Party is in right now, he’s not going to have to worry much about fending off challengers. (Being as popular as he is helps, too.)
I don’t see Hillary Clinton running for president. I just don’t see it happening. I wouldn’t mind it, but I just don’t think she could pull it off, even in the primaries. I’m content with her as my junior senator, but if she’s going to run for president, she’d have to do well in some 49 other states, which I just don’t think she can do. What I think is very telling is the fact that most of the people who are getting excited about a Hillary Clinton '08 campaign are Republicans. Think about it.
Could be, but Obama was ahead in the polls BEFORE the scandals broke. In fact, driving through southern Illinois even before the primary election there were an incredible number of crusty old Republican farmers wearing Obama buttons.
The Illinois Republicans’ tragedy of errors definitely helped, but Obama was the real deal.
Way the hell ahead before the scandals, and he still campaigned like a madman up and down the state even during the long weeks when he was running unopposed.
IIRC, it was the Chicago Tribune - the conservative newspaper, mind you - that dug in and got the Ryan (first Republican opponent) records which damned him finally. Ryan also shot himself in the foot by insisting to the previous governor as well as the IL RNC leader as late as mere days before their release that why no, there was absolutely nothing in those records that’d hurt his run, and those people spoke out to defend him, then got egg on their faces when the truth came out. Way to treat your biggest defenders, pal, make them look like liars.
Before he pulled out, Ryan managed to push dirty campaigning to a point where even his own party was telling him to knock it off. Among other things, he hired an intern to follow Obama with a camcorder and stay in his face anytime he was in a public place. This went on everywhere: eating his lunch, doing his business in a public restroom, leaving his house, etc. The intern was also instructed to shout disruptive comments whenever Obama was talking to anyone, particularly members of the press. Essentially Ryan tried to harrass Obama into dropping out.