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Home Front: Politix
Draft Obama effort begins in Oregon
2006-12-20
Something Oregonians can be proud of.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Backers of Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who’s mulling a presidential bid, have launched a campaign aimed at persuading Oregonians to go online to register their support for him at an Internet “Draft Obama” site.
It's important.
Jason Owens, a Portland political activist and spokesman for the effort, said the goal is to get thousands of Oregonians to join people in other states who are urging the Illinois senator to run.

“Oregonians are moved and encouraged by Barack Obama’s message of hope and refreshing candor,” Owens said Monday.
He's like a clean white slate, y'know? And his candor, woohoo!, he likes to fly on private jets! When's the last time we saw such honesty in a politician? My cockles are toasty.
Though still in his first term in the Senate, Obama is a rising Democratic Party star who has gotten a lot of national attention for his commanding speaking style and compelling personal story.

Portland pollster Tim Hibbitts said there’s a lot of buzz around Obama, but it’s far too early to predict how he might fare among Oregon Democrats if he is a presidential contender in 2008. “I suspect that many of the people who are promoting him now are doing so because he has a great life story and he speaks well,” Hibbitts said. “But at the end of the day, if he does run, he’s going to have to convince Oregonians that despite his thin resume of public service he is up to the job of being president in some very difficult times,” he said.

At this point, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is seen as the leading Democratic presidential contender for 2008. The former first lady traveled to Oregon earlier this year, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 900 supporters to a Portland fundraising event. “She would probably start with a lead” in Oregon, says Neel Pender, executive director of the Oregon Democratic Party.

Still, Pender said Obama could be a formidable contender in Oregon if he chooses to run because he’s seen as a fresh face with fresh ideas “who can bring people together.” Plus, with his opposition to the war in Iraq, Obama “is on the right side of Oregon Democrats on that issue,” Pender said.
Being on "the right side of Oregon Democrats" is purdy much like being just to the Left of Trotsky. Yep, so much to be proud of up in Oregawn.
Owens, the “Draft Obama” spokesman in Oregon, said organizers are planning rallies and other activities in Oregon to drum up support for an Obama presidential bid.

The Illinois senator spoke at a fundraising event in Seattle in October, Owens said, “and we want to bring him back to the Northwest. We’re hopeful that we will see him here in Oregon sometime soon.”
Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. No matter what he does about running / not running for Prez 2008, if there's a private jet in the deal, hey, he's there, man.
Posted by:.com

#5  After spending far too many brain cells trying to remember who O's smile reminded me of, I finally got it:
Alfred E. Newman!
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2006-12-20 14:45  

#4  Whose calls does Obama always take, no matter if he's sound asleep or in the shower? Who gets to whisper sweet nothings in his ear? Who arranges all those jet flights, who pays for the people who pay for his staff?
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-12-20 13:40  

#3  He's got one. He was pretty far left back in Springfield.
Posted by: eLarson   2006-12-20 12:54  

#2  If they want to vote for somebody that makes them feel good, tell 'em to draft Mickey Mouse.
Posted by: tu3031   2006-12-20 12:23  

#1  The stealth candidate: it's hard to criticize someone's record when they don't have one.
Posted by: Spot   2006-12-20 08:31  

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