Signs point to an Obama run in 2008

Stories popping up in many places.

Like this one ---

Obama, Running
posted by Ben Smith
Fri, 01/12/2007 - 11:52am

If I was writing for a newspaper this week, I'd probably be sticking this in there -- but in any case: Barack Obama has spent the last few days calling friends, select elected officials, and likely major donors to tell them he's running for president, according to a Democratic source.

He's also begun an Internet advertising campaign to build interest in his candidacy -- another sign that, at this point, his deliberation isn't much more than a pose. Looks like it'll be a fun year.

http://www.r8ny.com/blog/ben_smith/obama_running.html

And this one ---

Dean Obama 4 America
FILE UNDER: 2008

Among the numerous unofficial "draft" Barack Obama websites that have been popping up lately, one struck me as particularly professional looking: Obama4America.com (http://obama4america.com/).

The company that created the website, it turns out, is registered to Joel Berman, whose email address is for a California-based company called Catapult Strategies. That's the company co-founded by Howard Dean's former campaign manager Joe Trippi, who now works there "on a project-by-project basis," according to his bio.

I called Berman to ask whether the website was part of some potentially more involved relationship with Obama, but after I introduced myself, he hurried me off the phone. (He said he was going into a meeting and would call me back.)

On a related note, Ben reported earlier today that Obama has been reaching out to his inner circle indicating he was indeed going to run for president, and Obama blog ads are up and running.

-- Azi Paybarah

http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2007/01/dean-obama-4-america.html

And this one ---

Barack Obama Likely to Run for President
Special from the OpinionJournal.com's Political Diary
By John Fund, 1/12/2007 8:29:52 AM

It looks as if Barack Obama is likely to run for president. Given the choice between backing their junior senator and Hillary Clinton, who grew up in suburban Chicago, Illinois Democratic pols are clearly lining up behind Mr. Obama -- and are even trying to change the date of the state's primary to help him.

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?c66e242f-6a43-4566-94d4-eafcf3506b6a

Obama in the race could change the face of politics forever.

The stress is going to be hideous, but he's a great and very electable candidate. And Dick Durbin is his mentor...you can't do better than that.

(open can sell some books?) just kiddin!

So it's been rumored anyway - that will be the day Obama announces his bid for Pres.

On Obama:
:yourock:

Something current day politics sorely needs. Go Obama!

I absolutely LOVE him..



But dammit.. Obama, ditch the cigs!!!!!

a black president, it will be him. If not this time, then some time.

No worries there.

edit to say.. I'd wager that neither Dodd, Biden (or God forbid Hillary if she runs) are giving up their seats either..

as well. But if he doesn't, then I imagine he'll keep his seat.

this is designed to stop Obama from getting the large share of the black vote.Sharpton is going to get in this race knowing damn well he has no shot at getting the nomination and the reason is his REAL intentions is to help Hillary because that is who he is going to support.so splitting the african american vote with him in the race assures Hillary the nomination. remember the last time in04 he was in there to help Kerry thats why Edwards couldn't carry the south because fat ass AL was in the race.if you remember sharton came in 3rd in South Carolina and was either 3rd or 4th in a lot other southern states.

Splitting it implies 50/50. The vast majority of African-Americans will vote for Obama over Sharpton. Sharpton, fairly or not, is seen more of as a novelty candidate with no real shot at winning the WH...kinda like Kucinich. Obama is the first serious black candidate that could conceivably win the whole damn thing, so he'll be getting the lion share of the black vote. I can guarantee you that.

Black voters aren't stupid - they aren't going to vote for candidates just because they're black. Arguing that a black candidate with no chance of winning should get out of the way because he'll take votes away from the another black candidate suggests that we should have a quota in presidential races - only one black at a time is welcome to run while white folks who haven't a prayer of winning are tripping all over each other.

And, FYI John Edwards WON the South Carolina primary handily. Sharpton didn't get in Edwards' way at all. In fact, Sharpton stood up for Edwards on a couple of occasions when Edwards was getting blasted for blocking one of Bush's African American judges and, in doing so, helped to save Edwards' butt among some black voters in South Carolina. Edwards failure to win other Southern primaries had nothing to do with Al Sharpton.

I suggest you lay off the racial politics. Not only is it counterproductive, but you don't have your facts straight.

Obama, Clinton Making 2008 Moves
By BETH FOUHY
The Associated Press
Friday, January 12, 2007; 6:53 PM

NEW YORK -- Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, a pair of front-runners in waiting, have shown fresh signs in recent days of joining the 2008 race, hiring senior aides while they court potential supporters in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key states.

Obama has hired policy, research and press staff for a campaign to be run from Chicago, according to several Democrats. And a senior aide to the senator, Steve Hildebrand, recently told potential Iowa supporters that word of his plans could come early next week, state party spokeswoman Erin Seidler said Friday.

Obama also has held several conversations with Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., according to the congressman's spokeswoman. Clinton also has spoken to the influential South Carolina Democrat.

<SNIP>

"Senator Obama's putting the final touches on his operation, and is looking at staff. And as far as I can see, he's in race," said Donna Brazile, a longtime activist who ran Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign and who's been advising several Democratic hopefuls.

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011201764_pf.html

It will be interesting to see how Edwards responds to an Obama run.