US 2008 Presidential Race: The Primaries

[Auspicious]

I was spellbound as I watched the junior US Senator from the State of Illinois, Barack Obama, give a BRILLIANT speech on TV this Saturday morning in Springfield, Illinois, where he declared his intent to run for the post of the President of the United States of America! Mr. Obama was simply awesome! Not only could you feel in his speech, that passion and genuine aspiration for the change he is campaigning for in America, he had this admirable air of authority about him - he exuded that kind of inspiring confidence and conviction that one would want to see in a leader!

Such is the kind of leader I keep hoping will emerge in Nigeria someday. A leader who will evoke the spirit of liberty from deep within the hearts of the average Nigerian - irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political orientation! A leader who will make us proud! One who would unite us all. A leader whose irrespressible passion will embolden us to take our destinies into our own hands for once in our 46 years of independence!!!

Turn up your PC speakers like I did and watch the video of Barak Obama's declaration HERE, then look within yourself as a Nigerian; ask yourself if you have that similar fire in you! If you do, please don't waste it. If you know anybody who does, please tell him not to waste that which God has given him. Use that which God has given you to free your people! Use that which God has given you to effect that change that you and your fellow Nigerians desire! And if you haven't gotten to that stage where you can utilize that talent yet, help promote the cause of those who are utilizing theirs in every way you can!

A lot of things that Mr. Obama said in his speech resonated with me as a Nigerian viewer. Similar circumstances that exist in the running of the affairs of Nigeria exist in America today and Mr. Obama made several references to this. We have Mr. Pat Utomi constesting in the forthcoming general elections and people have been expressing their cynicism about his chances. They have resigned themselves to failure even before the election holds! That is NOT how to effect change - no! Definitely not by giving up even before we try!

Mr. Obama once spoke about the "audacity of hope" and I couldn't but appreciate the import of those few words. If we didn't dare hope to bring about the change we want in our lives as individuals, if we didn't dare hope about the change we wanted to effect in our lives as families and communities, if we didn't dare hope to effect the change we want in whole societies and nations, we will never find true progress!

We need to embrace that spirit of hope that NEVER gives up! We need to believe in ourselves - in the people who have offered themselves for service - especially the ones who come to us with proven records of integrity and humility. Mr. Pat Utomi is one good example of such. We should not give up and say "Ah, Utomi can never win in Nigeria" - NO! We should instead embrace the weak and credible of the whole lot of contestants and empower them with our support! Or how long are we going to continue looking up to the "big men" with little or no positve reputationwho have controlled our collective destiny for so long?

Nigerians, take your destiny into your hands. Arrest your fate from the grips of that small clique who hold back your progress! Throw your hats in by believing in something for once! Believe that even as David fell Goliath, you can also stand up to those so-called powerful interests and defeat them in the battle for your social and economic emancipation! Believe in power of the human spirit! Learn from nature - learn of little termites who build formidable empires that we call Anthills! Be the one who determines your destiny! Say NO to failure for once in your life!!!!

Auspicious.

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama stood before a cheering crowd in his home state Saturday and announced he will seek the 2008 Democratic nomination for president.

Invoking the memory of fellow Illinoisan and the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, the first-term senator addressed thousands packed into the Springfield, Illinois, town square on a chilly day in America's heartland.

To chants of "Obama! Obama!," he told the crowd: "It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people -- where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America."

If the 45-year-old Obama were elected, he would become the nation's first African-American president.

"And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America."

Obama told the crowd he would tackle problems like poor schools, economic hardships and oil dependence, saying a "failure of leadership" is to blame for not meeting the nation's challenges. He also implored the crowd to demand that there be "universal health care in America by the end of the president's first term."

He called the Iraq war a "tragic mistake" and said, "It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war. That's why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008.

"Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last, best hope to pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace," he said.

He also lauded what he called the founding fathers' "genius" in creating a system of government that can be changed. He cited examples throughout history -- from the American Revolution to the Civil War to the Great Depression -- in which Americans have demanded, and effected, change.

"We've done this before. Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what's needed to be done. Today we are called once more, and it is time for our generation to answer that call," he said.

The absence of sound policy is not what's holding the country back, he said.

Rather, Obama said, "what's stopped us is the failure of leadership, the smallness of our politics -- the ease with which we're distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to tackle the big problems of America."

Brief tenure no obstacle

The senator acknowledged that he hasn't been in Washington long, but said he is familiar enough with the city's political machinations to understand that change is in order.

"I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness in this -- a certain audacity -- to this announcement," Obama said. "I know that I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington, but I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change. (Watch how name recognition may be Obama's best weapon )

He added, "People who love their country can change it."

Admitting the tactic is typical of aspiring candidates, Obama promised to overhaul a political system he says is dominated by lobbyists and special interest groups "who've turned our government into a game only they can afford to play."

"They write the checks and you get stuck with the bills, they get the access while you get to write a letter, they think they own this government, but we're here today to take it back. The time for that kind of politics is over," he said. "It's time to turn the page right here and right now."

Obama, the son of a black Kenyan father and white American mother, then invoked Lincoln again.

"He had his doubts. He had his defeats. He had his setbacks, but through his will and his words, he moved a nation and helped free a people."

Despite his brief tenure in the Senate, Obama has quickly gained popularity as he pondered his bid to break the Oval Office's color barrier.

According to a University of New Hampshire Survey Research Center conducted this month, Obama placed second, behind Sen. Hillary Clinton, among New Hampshire Democratic primary voters. Obama snared 21 percent of the vote in that popularity poll, trailing Clinton by 14 points. (Full story )

Other Democrats seeking the office include Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware; Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut; former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and Sen. Clinton of New York.

While speculation abounds over whether a black presidential candidate can be viable, Obama -- whose first name comes from the Swahili word for "one who is blessed" -- has not let the color of skin hinder his career.

He attended Harvard and Columbia universities and was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He entered politics in Illinois, where he practiced civil rights law and taught at the University of Chicago Law School.

His first foray into politics came in 1997, when he took his seat in the state Senate, where he served until 2005. He was sworn in as a U.S. senator in 2005.

[Yetty]

Thank you, Mr. Auspicious. I agree with you 100%.

Obama was simply awesome today. I just kept clapping my hands and nodding my head in agreement as I watched him articulate his agenda, beliefs and convictions. Then I saw his wife standing beside him at the very end, smiling and waving at the crowd and I subconsciously belted out "You Go Girrl!!" This man is a natural born leader! I sincerely want to see him win the upcoming presidential election.

Coming back home, can anyone compare Obama's speech to that of a person like Yar'Adua who could barely lift up his head to face the camera while annoucing the name of his running mate from a prepared script? And this is the person that the machinery of incumbency have chosen to succeed Obasanjo... O ma se o!

As for Professor Pat Utomi, I concede that he is the best presidential candidate out there but I know for a fact that he will never win an election in today's Nigeria. Why? The average Nigerians are not intelligent enough to disabuse their minds of ethnicity and embrace someone with such massive potentials as Professor Utomi, and even if they did, the machinery of incumbency (and I'm referring to INEC and the various law enforcement agencies) have been structured to produce one and only one winner come the election day--and that winner is Yar'Adua. It doesn't matter how many people registers to vote or lines up under rain or shine to vote on that day, Yar'Adua will still emerge as winner. If he fails to win, then expect INEC to nullify the election results.

[Auspicious]

Thank you, Yetty for your generous comments. I nearly wept when I listened to Umaru Yar'Adua acceptance speech that fateful morning after his 'coronation' at Eagle's Square, Abuja and, shortly afterwards, his announcement of his choice of running mate. I was numbed with dissapointment, that in 2007 A.D., when other nations are effecting the neccessary paradigm shift required to position them on good stead amongst the commitee of nations in this day and age, the best we could find are confused, reluctant candidates who appear to be in shock over their sudden emergence, not by their tenacious quest to leadership or service, but by abracadabra of the powers-that-be!

Mr. Yar'Adua talked but he couldn't even sound excited over his final emergence as the presidential flag-bearer of his party. Even the former dictator Muhammadu Buhari showed better passion in his acceptance speech as the flag-bearer of his political party! How much more a 2-term democrat governor. If YarAdua cannot even show the passion and energy over his then 'victory', how can he show any passion in carrying out his duty if elected as President of Nigeria? Why should any of us expect him to go out of his way to please anyone if he ever makes it as President? Why should he feel answerable to anyone if he ever becomes President? Why should we trust him - how can he encourage us or fire up the electorate to back him up now and if he becomes President?

But wait o, Yetty. I don't agree with you at all that Patrick Utomi cannot win the coming elections. No, I am not dreaming. The only reason why Pat Utomi may not win the forth-coming elections is because of the kind of comments you made up there - your expression of the belief that he (Utomi) can never make it in Nigeria. That is precisely what I think we need to do away with in Nigeria. There is NOTHING that we want to make possible as human beings that we cannot achieve. We just have to believe - that is the first step. I am telling you, Yetty, if Nigerians can dedicate their time to supporting Utomi with unalloyed loyalty, if they can believe in him and put their money where their mouth is, Pat Utomi can very well become Nigeerians next President!

Dare to Hope!

Auspicious.

[nero africanus]

auspy,

the link does not hold any videos

[ithinkbetter]

Originally Posted by nero africanus

auspy,

the link does not hold any videos

correct link:

Obama launches presidential bid

[omobaba]

watch the speech from his site

http://www.barackobama.com

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by nero africanus

auspy,

the link does not hold any videos

Oops! My bad. Error Corrected.

Auspicious.

[Auspicious]

Another Hawk gawks all the way from The Outback!

Auspicious.

Australia head slams US candidate


Prime Minister Howard fears failure
in Iraq could cause destabilisation

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has claimed US presidential hopeful Barack Obama's stance on Iraq will benefit those seeking to destroy it.

Mr Obama, currently a Democrat senator, said that US troops should withdraw from the troubled nation next year.

Mr Howard said al-Qaeda should be "praying as many times as possible" for an Obama victory in the 2008 elections.

But Mr Obama reacted by saying Australia should increase its troops in Iraq, if Mr Howard was so concerned.

Mr Howard said: "I think he's [Mr Obama] wrong. I think that will just encourage those who want to completely destabilize and destroy Iraq, and create chaos and a victory for the terrorists to hang on and hope for an Obama victory.

"If I were running al-Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory not only for Obama but also for the Democrats."

Mr Howard, who himself faces elections this year, said any withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by March 2008 - the date Mr Obama believes should be set - would mean defeat for Washington.

He said that defeat for the US would end hopes for peace in the Palestinian Territories and cause widespread destabilisation in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan.


Mr Obama will contest the Democrat
presidential nomination

Mr Obama, who has described the Iraq war as "tragic", said he was "flattered" by Mr Howard's statement.

He said: "I think it's flattering that one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced.

"I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops on the ground now, and my understanding is Mr Howard has deployed 1,400, so if he is (ready) to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq."

He added: "Otherwise it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric."

Australia's opposition Labor party said Mr Howard's statement imperilled the relationship the country might have with a future Democratic administration.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...ic/6352785.stm

Published: 2007/02/12 02:50:50 GMT

© BBC MMVII

[N.A.R.]

Aupsi,
I am hoping to find time to write a brief opinion as why I think all of us should support an Obama candidacy. I will say that i initially believed that he did not stand a chance, but I delibrately decided to watch the speech on Saturday and I changed my mind. Luckily I was also given his latest book as a Christmas present and I intend to read to understand his viewpoints better.

If Obama, gets his act together, and if he can muster at least 70% of the black and Hispanic vote, I see him giving Sen. Hilliary a real tough battle for the democratic ticket. BUT! Lets wait for the dirt to be dug up by the Republicans and FOX News!

[Auspicious]

I 'hear' you, N.A.R.! That speech, in the words of Calvin Broadeus, is "off tha hizzle!" It almost evokes the kind of heady feeling you get when you watch the late MLK speak. The fact that Obama is in that race alone is good news for me..and if he wins, that will be additional 'jara'.

Auspicious.

Obama hits back after Australian PM slams his Iraq stance
POSTED: 1235 GMT (2035 HKT), February 12, 2007

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australia's conservative Prime Minister John Howard said Sunday that victory for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and his party in next year's presidential election would be a boon for terrorists.

"If I were running al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008, and pray, as many times as possible, for a victory not only for Obama, but also for the Democrats," Howard said, speaking on "Sunday," a TV show on Australia's Nine Network.

March 2008 is when Obama has said he would bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, according to legislation he introduced in the Senate.

Obama, who represents Illinois in the U.S. Senate, declared his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in a speech on Saturday in his home state. (Obama makes his announcement )

Howard -- who faces reelection this year -- is a staunch supporter of President Bush and committed Australian troops to help the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Like Bush, Howard has come under increased criticism at home for supporting the unpopular war.

Australia has more than 1,000 troops in and around Iraq, many in non-combat roles.

Obama, campaigning in Iowa, told reporters Sunday he's flattered that one of Bush's allies "started attacking me the day after I announced (his presidential run) -- I take that as a compliment."

The Democratic presidential hopeful said if the Australian prime minister was "ginned up to fight the good fight in Iraq," he needs to send another 20,000 Australians to the war.

"Otherwise, it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric," Obama said.

The Illinois Democrat dismissed the suggestion that his election would help terrorist groups, noting that even the Bush administration's "own intelligence agencies have indicated that the threat of terrorism has increased as a consequence of our actions over there."

When asked about Howard's comment, a senior White House official voiced support for the Australian leader.

"Prime Minister Howard knows that setting a timeline for a withdrawal sends the wrong signal to our enemies and sends the wrong signal to the Iraqi people," the official told CNN.