Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama announced yesterday he that he is forming an Exploratory Committee regarding a 2008 Presidential bid. And as Ross Perot taught us some 15 years ago, no one forms an Exploratory Committee to tell them NOT to run. Obama is the only African-American in the Senate, and is currently in his first term. He is a mortal lock to win the Democratic Nomination and has been since his electrifying Keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which I enjoyed, even while disagreeing with every word. He has a charisma and ability to give the same old liberal message in creative terms (e.g. "Paris Hilton tax cuts"). As long as he distances himself from the Democratic Congressional Leadership, who have no vision other than the embarrassment of George W. Bush, he should be able to mobilize the Democratic base and independents like John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton had before him.

I'm not saying I'm voting for him, but he is more intriguing than any Democrat has been to me in my lifetime.

His weaknesses are his name (although he can defend this by saying he no more supports terrorism than John McCain makes great frozen french fries), his inexperience and a memoir written in 1995 in which he openly admits to marijuana and cocaine use as a young adult.

Dennis Kucinich also announced plans to run for President. He has absolutely no chance.