What do you think of barack obama?

what do you think about omba the guy thats trying to run for president?

I am shocked by the number of people who incorrectly think that obama does not say the pledge (he regularly leads the pledge when in the senate) and that he took his oath of office with his hand on the koran. photographs CLEARLY show it to be the bible.
lemmings to the sea. please don't believe the media hype about any candidate. whether they are republican or democrat.

he should drop out. he doesn't seem like he could handle it to be honest.

to hell with every candidate running this year. Our country is so screwed nothing matters anyway

this is politics in the love and relationships place
=o
umm
who cares?
I don't like any of them

he shoulcn't be president. he wouldn't even say the pledge!!!
if the president of our nation won't say the pledge, he shouldn't be president.

Im not so sure about him I mean he is muslim but hes not white you know that... Not that im against him but I want hillary clinton!!! GO HILLARY!!! Like what if he gets even with white people and we have to sit in the back of the bus?

Bring on Obama...

Muhammad Ali was Muslim too...wasn't he ?!!! And what an example of a great American he is...'Float like a butterfly...Sting like a bee!'

he doesn't say the pledge... that should show that he doesn't respect america and is going to shoot it into the ground.
plus I think he is using the church of christ thing to cover up that he was part of the muslim religion at one point in time. plus he didn't even get into goverment from putting his hand on the bible but the quran.

*he should drop out. he doesn't seem like he could handle it to be honest.*

Yeah, well he's the leading Democratic candidate and according to national polls he could get more of the popular vote than every Republican except John McCain. I think he can handle it...

I think he'd be one of the best presidents you's have ever had but im Irish so what I say has no bearings so continue your debate.

*VOTE DEMOCRAT*

I like him.

Barrack Obama will not be able to handle the presidency. He does not seem like the best candidate.

why do you think he will not be able to handle it?

he doesn't have enough experience and while he seems to relate to the people very well with words in his addresses after the caucuss' (not sure of that spelling) his speeches didn't really indicate and precise plans. and they were extremely similar. I think he's a good speaker but when it comes down to the nitty gritty of politics I don't think he is experienced enough to make the best decisions for this nation. why do you think he is a good candidate? don't take that wrong I'm just curious as to why you think he is?

I never stated that I thought he was a good or even the best candidate.
I just knew that you were incorrect about his religious affiliation, his refusal to say the pledge and his swearing in on the koran.
you seem as if you are an intelligent person and I didn't want you to seem less than that.
I would like to see a democrat in office but, at this point, am not sure for whom I will vote.
also, I think almost every candidate seeking the nomination lacks the experience for this office, except mccain or clinton. they have both been in the 'thick' of things.

I agree my decision is still out there right now the front runner in my mind is mccain. I don't think that other countries will be bale to respect a women yet, even if she is president of one of the powerful nations in the world. even if the us is ready the rest of the world particularly the middle east is not ready for a women. as for obama I would like to see how things pan out for him and how he handles the rest of the election. maybe he can my mind and some other peoples minds who knows. I think in the future he'll have a better chance.

I agree my decision is still out there right now the front runner in my mind is mccain. I don't think that other countries will be bale to respect a women yet, even if she is president of one of the powerful nations in the world. even if the us is ready the rest of the world particularly the middle east is not ready for a women. as for obama I would like to see how things pan out for him and how he handles the rest of the election. maybe he can my mind and some other peoples minds who knows. I think in the future he'll have a better chance.

well, the leaders of the middle east have historically interacted with female leaders.
indira gandhi, benazir bhutto, margaret thatcher, mary mcaleese, angela merkel, michelle bachelet, and pratibha patil.
to name a few. in order: india, pakistan, england, ireland, germany, chile, and india (again). all powerful nations. I don't see why you would think the united states would be any different.
there has never been a middle eastern leader that has refused to interact with a female leader.

were they at war with the nations? because I maybe just really wrong then who knows lol, I do not any more.

I really don't agree that the world is not ready for a woman American president.
Margret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Engalnd for years ok so she gave us Irish hell while she was in office but she was still a very competant leader for great Britain. It just depends on wether Clinton can turn around and shout LISTEN TO ME.
Plus she'd be the leader of the most powerful
superpower in the world so her post really demands attention.
Im not sure you's get what im saying. do you's?

amen. and I find it disconcerting that a young woman would think a female president would garner no respect from the rest of the world. this isn't the 1800's. women are allowed to vote, and hold jobs and everything.

I do not think that these two candidates can be effective in the presidency. That is my view. Personally right now, in a time of war and conflict I do not want a women president running my nation, possibly in the future. Also, I do not want some one with ties to the people with whome we are fighting, and further more has little experience within our governmental structure. I just do not think that either one of them can lead this nation right now. It is your right to disagree with me on it. I don't find it disconcerting that I think a women president would not get respect because she would not get as much respect as a man would, and you cannot argue against that. We are THE most powerful nation in the world. Other countries w/ women leaders are not nearly as powerful right now. We are the most powerful. I think putting a women at our head is jepordizing the way other nations are going to view us and the respect they are going to give to our nation. As for Obama there is something green about him, and something that I just don't have confidence in in him as the leader of our nation.

When you say you do not want a President with ties to the people you are fighting, please tell me you are not talking about Obama being a Muslim. The War in Iraq and any Diplomatic battles in the Persian gulf have nothing and I reapeat nothing to do with Religion. It is the 21st century, The Crusades ended centurys ago. IF that isn't what you meant im sorry but thats what it sounds like

I'm not talkin about religion he has political ties over there POLITICAL!!! nothing to do with religion I do not care if a man is jewish. hindu, buddist I care if he has political ties to them.

ok my bad sorry bout that. what kind of political ties does he have over there?

his father is an important player in the government over there. I'm not exactly sure on the particulars but just knowing that makes me very uneasyabout having him as president.

But it all has to do with money in the end right?
If the likes of Saddam are out of power then they can't hike up the price of oil to the rest of the world.So as long as the people in power don't raise the price of oil then the rest of the world likes them. Thats just the way it looks to me.
The world will be a different place when oil reserves are gone.

This is a great debate isn't it?

do you mind if I ask are you Democrat or Republican?

I'm neither actrually

good for you I never did get the whole tention between people who support different partys. you undecided on the election

I am very undecided on the election, all I know is it's going to be interesting

your right there well im following it every step of the way from this side of the Atlantic.

okay here we go... just to set the record straight.
obama's father died 24 years ago. obama had only one meeting with his father when he was 11 years old. obama's step-father died 20 years ago. his step-father worked for a WESTERN oil company (one of ours). so exactly which father has POLITICAL ties in the middle east. they are both dead.
on to the next rumor...
vp cheney swore obama in and vp cheney has attested to the fact that a BIBLE was used for the ceremony. yes there was a senator that was sworn in on the koran, but that senator was female and used THOMAS JEFFERSON's personal koran, borrowed from the library for this. now, vp cheney is a staunch republican. there is nothing that he would like better than to be able to undermine a democrat and yet he even defended obama against this rumor.
as far as not saying the pledge. there is one photograph of this, and there are 20 (that I found by a simple google) of him leading the pledge in the senate and in various settings.
I have not stated if I am for or against obama. I have tried to shed some light for those of you who, although intelligent, are using incorrect rumors to support their views.
an argument, based on fact, is ALWAYS more convincing.
AND I MUST POINT OUT...
IF OBAMA WERE WHITE AND NAMED BOB, WOULD WE EVEN BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

yes I don't like obama for president whether he be mexican jewish canadian or american or whether his name is jesus christ I don't think he has the credentials to be president. I never really looked into his background because frankly I don't care that much for him as a president I know what I've heard and that's about it. yea it's been misleading ok I still don't care he's still not the best candidate for president. I'm not a very intelligent person when it comes to politics this is the first time I've ever even attempted to follow an election it's not one of my major interests, politics that is. I answered this question quite inocently not expecting the amount of responses. I don't like thos that are insinuating that I'm being prejudice either because like I said I just frankly don't think obama can lead this nation effectively, I don't trust him, he's inexperienced. and like I said he's getting way to much political attention in comparison to the other candidates, maybe his race and stuff has something to do with that but as for the main reason I don't like him for president it's not his race. From what I've heard I was under the impression he had SOME kind of tie mainly pertaining to his father to the middle east. I'm still not totally convinced that that is COMPLETELY false, it may have been misleading though to me. I'll agree that some things I have been wrong on about him(and no president of the united states should ever under any circumstance EVER refuse to say the pledge) but the fact that he's inexperienced and I don't think he has the ability to lead this country effectively...he has a way with words o0o good a political person that can talk...never saw that before, bottom line is in my view MY VIEW, however misconstrued or mislead it is Obama is not the best person to do this job.

oops...one more thing...
as far as the statement made that obama's father has political ties over there.
THIS country has political ties over there.
have you ever asked yourself why we invaded iraq when NOT ONE terrorist was from there? this is supposed to be a war based on fighting the terrorists. if that were the case, we would be fighting in saudi arabia.

now THAT is a VALID argument. something that I can think about and research. your lack of support for him based on your feeling that he has no political experience is something that is true. your lack of support for him based on falsehoods that you heard was not a valid argument and too easy to poke holes in. he is the least politically astute candidate that has ever been a true possibility to receive the nomination. and he does receive a lot of press because of his age and race. just as clinton receives it based on the fact that she is a woman. and romney receives it based on the fact that he is mormon.
I have the utmost respect for you and your views. I looked at your bio, you are on the way to becoming a well educated young woman. I just thought that it was a pity for you to appear to be less than you are just by repeating a bunch of rumors.
I must quote you now from one of you answers to the question ' who's going to win the election in 2008'
you stated 'Not hilary please, and not a muslim/black man please.'
anytime you refer to someone in that way, you appear to be racist.
so, if you don't want people to think of you in that light...

I'm very much done with this question and probably politics for a while this question has made me realize why I really hate that part of history

wouldn be nice if hillary made president and she locked all men up in jail an only took them out when we needed work done around the house or sex etc. then throw them back in!!!

Regarding the person who said he can't handle it... Obama is smart (first black editor of the Harvard Law Review). He is a natural leader (something we haven't had for the past 7 years) plus he speaks proper English (ditto previous aside). Regarding Obama not having credentials..well I suppose Bush had the proper bona fides but take a look at where our country is right now. I could walk out my front door right now and grab someone off the street that wouldn't screw things up as bad as President Bush has.

Clinton is qualified too - thing is, so many Republicans hate her that they will come out in droves just to vote against her. A vote for Hillary is practically a vote for McCain. Hillary supporters - I respect you, but why support someone in the primary who can't win the White House?

obama is a smoker! I dont think that is a very good charactaristic...

hes better than clinton...and better then the repulicans...get my drift?

WOah WOAh!! I just found out that obama was 360 pounds! Now he looks soo skinny because he lost 100s of pounds in a year!! ...im jjust saying...something lol

I'm not too worried about Obama. What I am worried about is the future of America given the ignorance and intolerance of many of the posts here. Obama is not a Muslim, he does pledge allegiance to the flag, and he was sworn into office using a Bible.

I hope he wins and all you ignorant people leave the country. There's nothing wrong with BEING muslim. The problem is the evil actions that a few individuals who are muslim choose to take.

On an unrelated note, as Barack is not Muslim, Obama stands for change, which America desperately, desperately needs!!!

Obama voting:

Obama voted against the confirmation of John Roberts for the Supreme Court, saying he “far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak.”
He also cast a vote against Samuel Alito and even voted in favor of a filibuster to stall his confirmation.
Obama opposed a bill in 2006 that would have denied citizenship or other legal status to illegal immigrants, and voted last year against a measure that would have allowed police to question people about their immigration status under certain circumstance.
He voted in favor of the immigration reform bill sponsored by John McCain and Ted Kennedy that would have allowed many illegal aliens to become legal residents.
Last October Obama voted for an act that would have allowed illegal immigrants who become permanent legal residents to qualify for lower in-state tuition rates at state universities. That measure was opposed by Democrats in a number of swing states that could be pivotal in this year’s election, MSNBC observed.
The Illinois Senator voted against a 2006 bill to prohibit the transportation of a minor girl across state lines to get an abortion if this would circumvent parental consent.
Obama voted against a bill extending the cuts in capital gains and dividends tax rates that Congress enacted in 2003, and against the repeal of the tax on inherited wealth, the estate tax.
In June 2006, Obama voted against a bill that would have required President Bush to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by July 1, 2007. But this past September, he joined 27 other Democrats in voting for a bill ordering Bush to begin withdrawing most American forces within 90 days. The bill failed to pass.
He is against making English the official language.

He doesn't have enough experience to take on the role of president of the united states.

He doesn't have enough experience to take on the role of president of the united states.

I think Mr.Obama is a confused about the true nature of Islam.

hes not muslim

I love him and you all that are simply mimicking what you have heard need to study a bit more, because the world and America are on the brink and need a strong leader. Obama is the best out of the candidates available to us, and I love Hillary (having met her twice) or at least I did before the recent weeks. Regardless we need someone who can rally and lead and evoke change. Many of the world's leaders want America to nominate him and even dumb old right wing Rush Limbaugh told voters in the last primary to run out and vote for Hillary because he knows that if Obama gets the Dem nod he will be much harder for McCain to beat. You all need not blog until you have done some research!!!

After watching the Obama speech today, I have some Random thoughts:

- He stated previously that he was not present at any of these inflammatory sermons, yet today said 'I was'.

- Previously stated he wasn't aware Rev Wright was 'controversial', yet months ago the reason he gave for canceling Rev Wright to give the prayer at his entering the race announcement was 'some of his sermons are kind of rough'.

- His wife is middle-aged, yet she states 'now is the first time I have been proud of America in my lifetime' (not exact words but close).

- it is common for people to judge people by 'the friends they keep'

- I find many of Rev Wright's views frightening for many reasons.

- it seemed to me he was saying in the overall tone of the message - whites are racist / African-Americans are not.

- he seemed to equate what Rev Wright said with what Geraldine Farraro said.

- he remembered what his Grandmother's views were from childhood, yet not more recent views of Rev Wright.

- seems to me if you genuinely believe for 20 years he did not notice / figure out what was coming from that pulpit - how can one come to the conclusion as President he would have the ability and awareness to recognize bad judgement, execute due diligence, and be able to accutely discern matters - be an effective Leader of the Country.

- He is selling himself as very different from Rev Wright, he refuses to totally separate himself.

Again, these are just Random thoughts I had which I think merits 'food for thought'.

I find one of the MOST troubling things about Barack Obama and the reason why I and no one I know that have heard these comments would vote for him, to be this:

Barack Obama in a Youtube video entitled, 'Obama-Caucus4Priorities', saidamong other anti-military comments, 'I will slow our development of future combat systems.'

This, in and of itself is extremely worrying and evidence that he is NOT the person the United States needs its leader.

For, in a perfect world where ALL of the world's countries were committed to peace this would be a perfectly noble goal. However, unfortunately, this is NOT a perfect world; it is a very dangerous one. China, Russia, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela... all of these countries and others, directly or indirectly threaten America and it allies on a regular basis. Unless one is prepared as a country to allow those states to operate entirely unchecked in the world, regardless of their actions and provocations and their impact on America and it's allies, then there MAY be a day when we have to fight one or more of them.

As distasteful and horrible as war is, I would argue that SOMETIMES it can serve the greater good. We can look to the past to see that argument in action: Should America and their allies have stood by and allowed Germany to take control of Europe during WWI and WWII? Should the US have stood by and allowed the communists of North Korea to subjugate and destroy the people and the wonderfully rich culture on the Korean peninsula? We may have to consider this in the future as well if China were to finally decide to use military force to drive Taiwan to join with the communist mainland.

Further, while it may be counter intuitive, developing future and advanced combat weapons systems can actually save the lives of both Americans and our enemies. Without the development of guided munitions, the battles in Iraq or any future war will have been MUCH more hazardous for non-combatants. As it stands now, US soldiers can call in an air strike on a specific house and with the use of laser or GPS guided munitions, can put that air strike directly on the house, minimizing the danger to the houses and families next door. Had these munitions not been developed the US armed services would be forced to use unguided munitions that are exponentially more inaccurate and would be much more likely to kill non-combatants. If an enemy were to invade one of our allies, which weapon system would you rather have to route out and destroy that enemy in the defense of the people?

Even the development of precision guided nuclear ICBMs, one of the most devastating and terrible weapons EVER developed, has had a positive effect on the world. During the height of the cold war, America's conventional and nuclear forces were far outnumbered by the Soviet Union. The development of highly advanced, precision guided warheads allowed the US to change their nuclear war doctrine to the targeting of military forces, installations and infrastructure instead of mass populations centers (cities) as they had with less accurate nuclear weapons. One should note as well, that even the use of two nuclear weapons against Japan at the end of WWII saved an estimated two million lives that would have in all likely hood died if the US had had to invade the Japanese islands to bring an end to the war.

So you see, despite Barack Obama's evident belief to the contrary, the development of future combat systems is not inherently bad or evil. Until we live in a perfect world where there are no longer individuals or countries who wish us or others harm, we MUST be prepared to defend ourselves against any aggression and the further development of future combat systems will allow us to do that more efficiently and with less danger to non-combatants. For a man who wishes to be the leader, protector and commander in chief of the American people to be so entirely naive of this is unforgivable.

China alone has been steadily increasing their military spending for over a decade, and boosted it by more than 18 percent in last year. They have the largest standing army in the world and are investing heavily in tactical technology to arm those service members with surprisingly advanced military weapons. It would be foolish for America not to try and keep their technological advantage against a potential foe that outnumbers us so severely.

It is one thing to promote peace and negotiation and to avoid armed conflict at all costs. That is arguably a noble stance. However, It is completely and utterly unconscionable to stop the development of weapons with which to defend ourselves against those aggressors who would refuse to negotiate.

in my opinion: If Barack Obama is either that naive, or simply that anti-military, then he clearly should not be President.

4/2/08: ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton are making very direct arguments to Democratic superdelegates, starkly insisting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., cannot win a general election against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation between Sen. Clinton and Governer Bill Richardson, D-N.M., prior to the Governor's endorsement of Obama say she told him flatly, 'He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win.'

Richardson, who served in President Clinton's cabinet, disagreed.

4/3/08: Jane Fonda today endorsed Obama - I know Hillary's relieved as any candidate would be !!

Obama, in a 1996 candidate survey, revealed his 2nd Amendment answer: asked if he supports legislation to, “ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.” His one-word answer—uncommonly direct and lacking the flowery eloquence we’ve come to expect from him—was “Yes.”

Americans are chauvinist, and racists. Thats what my mum said. so mccain will win, but I say Barack Obama KiCKASS!

The same people who have gone ballistic when some prominent figure is found to belong to some all-male social club are full of excuses for why Barack Obama remained a member of a racist and anti-American church for 20 years.

OOOHHH MY GOD...IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COLOR HE IS...AMERICAN ARE THE RACEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD...I'M STILL IN SOUTH AFRICA ..HOW WOULD IT BE IF I'M IN AMERICA...OOOH MY GOD

you would probably go about a better life and have more opprotunities and you might even learn how to spell who knows and use grammar. But the bottom line is Obama does not make for a good presidential candidate. I mean he calls for all these peaceful negotiations and cooperation between countries but is this really plausible. And what happens if things don't work out, he's very reluctant to enforce anything militarily and sometimes that is exactly what is needed. I'm not saying the war in Iraq has been perfect but the war in Afghanistan and Iraq was needed we just went about it in the wrong way. And Obama does not have a sound plan for removing troops either. He's not a god because he's black or any other race or ethnicity and he's not the worst candidate either. But he certainly should not be president.

Interesting point I read:

In his speech on race, Obama sought to evoke sympathy for Wright. He described a “lack of economic opportunity among black men, and the shame and frustration that came from not being able to provide for one’s family...”

Obama said this was “the reality in which Rev. Wright and other African-Americans of his generation grew up. They came of age in the late fifties and early sixties, a time when segregation was still the law of the land and opportunity was systematically constricted...Even for those blacks who did make it, questions of race, and racism, continue to define their worldview in fundamental ways. For the men and women of Rev. Wright’s generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years.”

In retirement, Wright will continue a life of privilege that dates back to Central High. As a retirement gift, Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ is building him a million-dollar home abutting Odyssey Country Club and Golf Course in the nearly all-white Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. The home sits on land the pastor purchased in 2004 for $345,000. In December 2006, Wright sold the land to his church, which took out a $1.6 million mortgage on the property. In April 2007, the church applied for a building permit for the brick and stone structure.

Wright’s new home has 10,340 square feet of space, about four times the size of a typical suburban house. It includes four bedrooms, an elevator, an exercise room, and a four-car garage.

Rather than being a victim of oppression of blacks, as Obama has claimed, Wright is a symbol of the American dream !

uhhh I'm moving to Canada

4/26/08: House Majority Whip James Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American in the Congress, says blacks believe Hillary Clinton is staying in the presidential race to drag down Barack Obama so John McCain will win the White House — and she can run again in 2012.

4/29/08: FINALLY, Barak 'I can no more disown Rev. Wright than the black community' Obama, has had a sudden change - people I know came to that very same conclusion (Wright is wrong) a very long time ago - just 48 hrs ago he was defending Rev. Wright - today the sudden change - some chickens have apparently come home to Roost !

I say we are f*cking screwed no matter who the president is.
I dont think obama should be president just Because hes black.
And I dont think hilary clinton Should be president either.Because I sure as hell bet you people will try to murder obama.
And I dont think hilary has what it takes none of them do.
so I think im going to be moving to like canada soon.
hah.
I think were pretty much screwed on this!

Last Sunday at the church Obama is a member - remarks made about Hillary:

“She just always thought that, ‘This is mine. I’m Bill’s wife. I’m white.’ ... And then, out of nowhere, came ‘Hey, I’m Barack Obama.” And she said, ‘Oh damn, where did you come from? I’m white. I’m entitled. There’s a black man stealing my show,’“ Pfleger said at Trinity United Church of Christ.

He then went on to parody Clinton, sobbing and wiping his face with a handkerchief.

”She wasn’t the only one crying,“ he said. ”There was a whole lot of white people crying.“

WOW ! - a new Hillary video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAu39I5QOUc&feature=dir

Wonder what this means - Obama noted his resignation (from the church) should not be interpreted as a denouncement of the church. “It’s not a church worthy of denouncing,” he said

Obama National Defense Plan - Dismantle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE