Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Obama hints at presidential bid at Boston event
By Chris Conte
The Daily Free Press (Boston U.)
10/23/2006

(U-WIRE) BOSTON — Since speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been followed by heavy speculation around one question: Will he run for president in 2008?

During his brief visit to Massachusetts this weekend, Obama endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick and took time to promote his new book, "An Audacity of Hope" at the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library Friday.

When asked whether he would consider running for president, the junior senator skirted the question, replying that anyone who goes into public service wants to be influential, and the most influential person is the president.

"It would be disingenuous to say at some point what it would be like to have that platform," he said. "That office is so different that you have to understand if you seek it, you have to give your life to it. It's a bargain any president strikes, you give me the office, my fears, doubts, need for sleep, family life, leisure are gone — I'm giving myself to you."

Yet when asked if he could imagine ever making that choice, Obama simply responded, "sure," at which point the crowd broke into applause.

However, he added that he is only focused on the upcoming midterm elections and has not thought about running in 2008, but has not ruled it out entirely.

Obama also spoke about the upcoming Massachusetts gubernatorial election, saying the results will determine the path the Democratic Party needs to take in order to be successful over the next few years.

"I think that Deval Patrick has presented an agenda, and the reason people have responded to that agenda and not to the usual negative ads," he said.

Obama also admitted his party needs to form a clear and concise platform in order to regain the White House 2008.

"[It] is not sufficient to say 'We're not Bush' — as bad as they are, you should vote for us," Obama said, adding he feels confident though the House will return to the Democrats after this November's elections.

He also admitted that the war in Iraq, at this point, has is, "no military solution possible, it is a political problem."

"I think early next year Bush needs to sit down with Joint Chiefs of Staff, and send a signal to the Iraqi people," he continued.

Obama said if there had been a draft, the United States would not have launched this war. He joked with the crowd saying if all of the Congress members' children were mandated to serve in the army, we would have no war.

Jenny Seta, a College of Arts and Sciences junior, said she enjoyed hearing Obama because he is an uplifting speaker, adding she was pleased to hear his considerations for a presidential bid in 2008.

"Its uplifting to hear he might run, and after tonight I think he will," she said. "He's exposed himself to a lot of people and I think a run in '08 would be possible."

Meaghan Redman, a junior from Northeastern University, said that while she hopes Obama will run for president in the near future, it should not be in 2008.

"I hope he doesn't run in '08," she said. "He has such a strong chance but doesn't have a lot of experience right now. He's younger and has time, so why rush it? Why run now and not win, let [Sen. Hillary Clinton] have a go."

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