Dr. K endorses Obama; be very worried...

[thatcrazycajun]

One of the few conservative commentators for whom I actually have a grudging measure of respect, Charles Krauthammer, writes in his column today in support of Illinois freshman Sen. Barack Obama's as-yet-speculative run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008. This is not the first time Dr. K. has written favorably about the young African-American party phenom. When a dyed-in-the-wool right-winger likes one of our guys that much, I have to wonder about the real reasons. Is it about how reliably liberal a President Obama would be? Or is this just CK trying to make sure his side wins this time by getting the Dems to run a foregone-conclusion loser?

Charlie claims that his enthusiasm for Obama is mainly based on his race and the belief (which I share) that it's long past time we had a black President. His argument is that Obama, even though he would very likely lose in '08, would by doing so set himself up for another more successful run in 2012. Anyone care to dispute that analysis?

Comments

[shelleybear.livejournal.com]

Eat four more years of Republican Bull Shit so we could have a Black president?
I don't think so.

[billroper]

That's not what Krauthammer said at all.

He's saying that Obama would be wise to mount a Presidential campaign for the 2008 nomination because it will improve his chances of being President at some future date -- including 2008, should he win; 2012, should the Democrats lose; or 2016, should the Democrats win in 2008 and hold the office for two terms, especially if he's the 2008 Veep candidate.

Reagan's failed run for the GOP Presidential nomination in 1976 certainly set the stage for his successful run in 1980.

[shelleybear.livejournal.com]

His argument is that Obama, even though he would very likely lose in '08, would by doing so set himself up for another more successful run in 2012.


So, if he did get the nomination he'd likely lose. Which brings me back to my comment.
Krauthammer can easily advocate a candidate he knows will lose in the name of self-interest and perpetuating a conservative agenda. Not only that, he can appear to be noble while he does it. How cool is that?

[billroper]

I hate to say this, but you are not reading this column correctly. Krauthammer is saying that Obama is unlikely to win the nomination in 2008, not that he's unlikely to win the Presidency. He might well end us as the Veep candidate on the Democratic ticket in 2008 as the consolation prize in which case he's the heir apparent in 2016 if the Dems win in 2008 or in 2012 should the Democrats find a way to lose in 2008.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

That's a weird editorial. I'm not sure how to read the intent, though it might not be a bad idea for Obama to aim for being vice-presidential candidate in 2008.

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

I don't know. But I do know Obama personally to a limited extent, and my husband knows him considerably better, having studied advanced Constitutional Law with him for a term. He thinks highly enough of the man that if Obama does run for President, Manny wants to take a couple of years off his regular job and work for him.