Candidate Profile: Barack Obama

Barack Obama is currently one of the leading candidates to become the Democratic nominee for the US Presidential elections in 2008. How did this junior US Senator from Illinois climb to national prominence and just how has he managed to insert himself into the thick of the next Presidential election?

Though Hillary Clinton is the current front-runner of the Democratic candidate hopefuls, many consider Obama to be a better challenger to the Republican hold on the White House. The disapproval rating of Clinton from the general American voting public seems to indicate that even if she wins the primaries, she will almost surely be defeated in November 2008. Obama does not have as many people with a negative opinion of him, and thus, he would be a more viable candidate in the November elections.

Obama's meteoric rise through the ranks of the Democratic Party can only be explained by his outstanding charisma, his ability to fit in with the 'common' man, and the steadfastness with which he adheres to his own personal standards and beliefs.

During the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama's charisma was very apparent to all as he made a spellbinding speech to the national delegates of the DNC. Obama enthralled many with his eloquence, his vision, his vigor, his determination, and his adherence to common Democratic values. His speech gave voice to the long silent sentiments of many, and won him many supporters.

Obama's charismatic personality is complemented by his ability to appear as every man's next-door neighbor. His recognition of his own mistakes and his admittance of his faults makes him seem more like one of us, and not like a politician. While I believe that almost all of the candidates have had their own dealings with hard drugs, Obama is the only one that is open about it. He has even held fund-raisers in strip clubs. How was the last time you heard of a presidential candidates hanging out with Candy and Misty at the local topless bar on "Striptease Night!"

Though his charisma and his popular appeal make him a viable candidate, his adherence to his beliefs, and his courage to stand up for the little man, even when everyone else is against him, is what makes him a leading candidate. When the US Senate voted in 2003 to authorize the use of force in Iraq, Senator Barack Obama was one of the very few people who had the courage to vote against the bill to go to war. Today, he remains steadfast in his moral stand against the war in Iraq, one of the few politicians who have never changed their view on the war.

The best way to summarize Barack Obama is, "What you see is what you get!"

Will Barack Obama be the Democratic nominee for the November 2008 Presidential elections? It is doubtful. However, I forecast that he will be the leading candidate in either 2012 (if the Republicans win in 2008) or 2016 (if Hillary wins). Then, I will consider him the leading candidate to be the next President of the United States.