Barack Obama Running for President: Pros and Cons

I was impressed while watching the video recorded during the 2004 Democratic National Convention and listening to Sen. (D) Barack Obama speech's. Charismatically, he made a quotation, "There is not Liberal America or Conservative America. There is the United States of America. There is not Black America and White America and Latino America and Asian America. There is the United States of America..." the audience stood up immediately and applauded.

Barack Obama's father was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas. His name "Barack" means "The one who is blessed by God." His parents divorced when he was two. His mother remarried and moved with the family to Indonesia, where Barack spent 4 years there. Then Barack went back to the United States, living with his grandparents.

He was elected to the Illinois state senate in 1996. Four years later, he made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Obama won reelection to the state senate in 2002, running unopposed. In 2004 he ran for the U.S. Senate and was elected in November 2004 with a landslide. Obama formally announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007.

I conducted an online survey on the people's opinions of Obama's running for president, the pros and cons. The result, out of 36 people who gave their opinions, 11 people said they would vote for Obama, 10 would not vote for him, 15 were in doubt. I quoted their asnwers to give you an idea what people say about him from their hearts.

From the survey, the reason why people would not vote for him because they thought he didn't have enough political experience and the time was not right for an ethnic presidential candidate. Also, given the current cesspit of the U.S. political environment, Obama would totally ruin his political career if he connected himself to the presidential campaign right now. He could do better for people as a Senator. If he ever decided to run for president, maybe 10-12 years from now and preferably run as an independent. The Republicans were totally corrupt and the Democrats have become a weak, directionless embarrassment. They thought that he was too ambitious. He was too young and didn't seem to have that much political experience. They just didn't think that he was well known enough across the country to really have a good shot at it.

As a matter of fact, by the time the 2008 elections happens Obama will not be too far from how old Clinton was when he was nominated and elected. If Obama doesn't' win the 2008 and wants to try again, he would be more well known for sure when he runs for the second time around.

In the survey, one lady wrote, "Perhaps Obama is just what we need. He is young idealistic and not tainted by Washington political corruption. He offers hope instead of fear and I think that's a good way to go in the times we live in." She thought that Obama was an intelligent and articulate guy.

Some people answered the survey sarcastically. "I think it is ridiculous that so many people make him into "the great black hope" based on one speech and a little over one year as a Senator. He is welcome to run but I don't think he's going to be the best candidate out there for the democrats. He has very little experience. I don't know that any freshman senator with two years experience should seriously consider running as a President. He was less than half way through his first time as senator so I doubt it if he has the experience to be president."

A young man added, "I want you to say this out loud and think, does this sit well with the American people? President Obama? I don't think it would be a great idea based on the fact that Senator Kennedy can't even pronounce his name correctly."

On the other hand, some people gave positive input. They said, "I think a black president could be just what the country needs. It would significantly reduce racism and stereotyping of all races around the world, if he does a good job."

"I think it's a great idea. We need some change in the presidents-why not an African American once in a while? Plus we need a good president right now and Obama seems like he could be the one we have been waiting for."

"Maybe VP sounds better for him."

"I'd probably vote for Obama for president before Hillary. In the case of Obama, he might be a novelty candidate. He may have lots of good ideas and a grasp of the "vision thing" but all the media will talk about is the color of his skin. CBS, NBC, CNN, and PBS, will have heart flutters."

Other positive comments were given from different perspective. They said "Republicans have the hate machine already tuned up on Hillary. Yes, Barrack Obama would make an excellent President. I caught him on Meet the Press this morning. He is intelligent and moderate. I think he lacks a few things like name recognition and age, but he is a star for the future, you can count on it."

"From what I've seen of Obama He is personable, highly intelligent and appears straightforward and honest. I was impressed from the first time I saw him. I think he would be a great president."

"I think he would be a great runner, however, I do not think that the democrats would let a good man like Obama make it to President. He is not what they prefer."

When it comes to the controversial story about his religious belief, some people made a serious comment on this. "He might be the Anti-Christ the bible warns of. The vast majority of people who support Obama do not know a thing about his beliefs, his voting record, etc. He is easily one of the most far-left senators in the Senate."

The suspicious news about Obama's early life in a Muslim country and he once is used to be a Muslim had been exposed by the media. Obama's religious background has come under scrutiny because he attended a Muslim school in Indonesia from age 6 to 10 when he lived with his mother and stepfather from 1967 to 1971. Now, Obama attends a Chicago church with his wife and two young daughters.

Two republicans who joined the survey said it scared them as Republicans because they thought he might have won. As Republicans they would seriously consider voting for him because they thought Barack Obama would make a very good president.

"It's a stretch....he'll win Illinois...that's about it... "

Despite the pros and cons about Obama running for president, I think it would be very interesting if he runs and more interesting if he will be elected. We just have to be wise to vote for our future leader for the better America.