Serious question about Obama's future...

[Bicoastal]

No one wants to see him more than I do, but he's definitely the underdog in this election. However--it occurred to me that of the top 3, he's the only one who may possibly run AFTER 2008. If Hillary wins the primary but loses the GE, you can be pretty sure she won't run again...and Edwards definitely wouldn't do it no matter what happens--he'd look silly to run for President more than twice, plus Elizabeth's health is an issue...

No matter what happens, Obama is young and popular enough that he could always come back in 4-8 years and REALLY kick ass. People won't soon forget how well he's done against a powerhouse like the Clintons, and more productive time in the Senate will put that nagging "Experience" issue to bed once and for all. He hasn't made any huge missteps (a la "The Dean Scream") yet, but he HAS been out-maneuvered by more experienced players...and when all is said and done, he'll still be the most succesful non-Caucasian ever to run for President, and that means something.

I hope he wins the nomination, but I predict he'd be far more succesful a few more years down the line, after the term(s) of Hillary or (God help us) McCain are over.

Would you vote for him then?

[blonndee]

1. For me it would depend on his record, obviously.

And whether or not he became a little more outspoken on issues (in the way that I would like).

[water]

2. If a Democrat does win the election, then his/her VP would be running in 8 years.

I can't imagine Clinton choosing Obama! She will probably pick someone with foreign-policy experience (Clark?), and take Obama voters for granted. :(

[MercerForPrez]

3. 300 pound elephant in the room

What if Lee Mercer, Jr. challenges him for his seat next cycle and unseats him? A black-on-black interncine primary fight would not be good for the party; would Durbin step in and offer Mercer a consolation prize (e.g., his seat)?

[DianaForRussFeingold]

4. Obama is an inspiring, powerful and charismatic speaker

Believe me if he would have voted no- on the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, I would feel
differently right now.
To me he is a little too much the corporate-lieberman type that I don't trust..
I would definitely vote for him if he becomes a FDR-JFK type Democrat...
I'm still hoping the media will cut the crap and let Edwards get his message out!
Is that too much to ask? I don't dislike Obama at all! I'm just afraid he will be
another pushover for the GOP.
Please don't hate me for being honest. :blush:

[comradebillyboy]

5. Obama is an inspiring, powerful and charismatic speaker

who dodges the controversial votes. Opposed kyle Lieberman, but couldn't find time to actually vote against it, just like all of his present votes during his incredibly distinguished career in the Illinois legislature.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

8. exactly!

:yoiks:

[JI7]

6. i disagree, his wife may not let him run again

also his daughters are young and probably would still be minors if he ran again. they probably don't want to spend so many of those years in a national campaign.

if he does run again, it would probably be even later than 2016.

[Hoof Hearted]

7. His wife may not "let him"? WTH? As a woman in a happy marriage my husband doesn't "let me" do

a damn thing. He doesn't have that power. If Obama wants to run again but doesn't because his wife "won't let him" then he doesn't deserve it.

[Bicoastal]

9. I agree--I think that he said it so if he changes his mind in a few years,

he won't look like a flip-flopper.

"My wife decided it'd be OK with her."

[sandnsea]

10. I think they decided this was it

They won't run when the kids are older and have to deal more directly with the viciousness of campaigning. They feel like they can protect the kids now. That's what I understood him to say in the last debate, I think anyway. If there's another Obama run, it would have to be when he's hitting 60 and I don't see that happening and probably won't be alive then anyway.