If we take a look at the early political career of Senator
Barack Obama, a different picture emerges, than the one
that some have tried to paint of Senator Obama, that of
an inexperienced person, who does not understand the
workings of the political scene, and that he is not tough
enough. But a different take, was put forth by a report
show by CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. According to this
report, Senator Obama graduated college, and came to the
south side of Chicago, where prior to going to college, he
had assisted in registering thousands of people, to vote in
the area, and took a community organizer position for a
minimal salary. He worked closely with church groups
in the area, helping people to obtain jobs, housing and
health care. He had a lot of satisfaction, with the work
he was doing, and was apparently a fast learner, he
eventually came to the conclusion, that he wanted to run
for political office.
He had two strong opposition candidates, for the political
office he was seeking. One, a woman, who had just lost a
bid for a political position. The other was a man, who was
very involved in the local community. Senator Obama, put
together a solid team, of lawyers and volunteers, who
challenged the signatures on the petitions, of his two opponents.
It was necessary that you have a certain number of valid
signatures to file, in order to be placed on the election ballot
for State Senator. Any signature which was printed and not
signed was discarded, signatures which were obtained by
individuals, who were not properly registered themselves,
were all thrown out. The woman, who is now coincidently,
working on Senator Clinton's campaign, never was able to
get all the signatures she needed, in order to have her name,
placed on the ballot. The gentleman had so many of his
signatures discarded, that he had to withdraw from the election.
There were complaints, but the signatures were not counted as
valid, and the hardball playing, Mr. Obama, ran virtually
unopposed, and subsequently won a seat in the State Senate of
Illinois, beginning his quest, in the political world.
Many thought
according to the CNN report, that Mr. Obama had used tactics
which were very suspect, when he challenged the signatures on
the petitions, and had so many of them discarded as illegitimate.
But everything that was done was legal, according to Mr. Obama,
and others who were interviewed regarding the election, and
said that everything which had been done was legal, just a bit
of a hardball tactic. Mr. Obama stated at the time, that if a person
could not run an effective petition campaign, then that should
tell you something, about how they would carry out their
responsibilities as a representative of the Government, he stated
that everything he did, was in effect, in order.
His next race for the U. S. Senate was lost, which was probably
a good thing, because it allowed him the time to gain more
experience, in the position as State Senator. The next political
contest, against Allen Keyes, was won. He went to Washington,
as the junior Senator from Illinois. His reputation had preceded
him and he was chosen, to give the keynote address at the 2004,
Democratic convention. This was the moment when the world
became aware of Senator Barack Obama. The speech was
electrifying, and more than likely, was a launching pad for his
bid for the presidency. He commanded the attention of thousands
of delegates, at the convention, and those people watching him
make his resounding speech.
Based on his campaign, up until now, Senator Obama is quite
a talented, ch arismatic individual, who looks at a situation, maps
out a plan and then puts that plan into action, with the intent, to
fully accomplish his goals, within the realm of the possible, and
sometimes, seemingly impossible. For who would have given
him a plausible chance in the beginning of the race, to soundly
move past his competition and be the last man standing, against
Senator Clinton. Now the apparent Democratic nominee, soon
to be named, with the opportunity, to run against a seasoned
Senator namely, John McCain, and for all appearances, ready
to have the battle, of the young lion against the older lion. It is
appropriate to note, that Senator Obama, is a Leo.
At this point it is reported that he needs about 36 delegates
to capture the nomination. The remaining Super delegates,
are said to be waiting for the last two primaries, to end in
South Dakota and Montana, on Tuesday night, and they
will close out the race, giving Senator Obama, the needed
2,118 delegates to win the primary. They waited to endorse
Senator Obama, it has been said, out of respect for Mrs. Clinton.
It has been reported that Senator Clinton, has released part
of her staff, to go back to their respective homes, to begin
doing whatever, the rest of their year, entails. It does not
appear , that they will be working, to elect her as the next
President, of the United States.
It would be my impression, that if anyone chose to ask Senator
Clinton, if she thought Senator Obama, was a neophyte, my
guess would be, that is if she would even answer the question,
an emphatic no. You have to watch these inexperienced people,
they might just surprise you, leaving you wondering, what in
the world just happened.
