What do you recall about President Obama’s ascent to the White House?

[HMS_Irruncible]

@Win_Place_Show

From what I recall, it was his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention (on behalf of John Kerry) that really put him on the map? Did anyone outside of Illinois know his name before he took the stage that night?

I seem to recall that in the aftermath of Kerry’s defeat, in the Democrats’ “wandering in the wilderness” phase, people were already floating Obama’s name as next on the bench. Not really knowing him, I thought it was odd that people were already hanging their hat on a freshman senator. But, lots of people know stuff that I don’t.

Edited: Searched this up on a whim. November 3, 2004, right after Kerry was defeated.

Barack Obama - future President?

Does Barack Obama, newly elected Senator for Illinois, represent the future for the Democratic Party? Charismatic and a brilliant public speaker, could he succeed where Gore and Kerry failed in firing the imagination of swing voters in the States?

That’s the first timeframe when I personally heard his name floated as a possible Presidential candidate, but there are other posts about Obama as a potential candidate going back to July 2004.