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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-041102obama-analysis,1,3773811.story
Obama to arrive with status
By David Mendell
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 3, 2004, 12:05 AM CST
When Barack Obama enters the U.S. Senate in January, he'll be the sole African-American in the world's most powerful legislative body.
But he also will arrive in Washington riding a wave of national media buzz and carrying an armful of political IOUs more befitting a Beltway insider than a newcomer.
That status, given a boost by his much-heralded keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, has propelled his image beyond all proportions that could be expected for a man who has never served in an office higher than Illinois state senator.
Obama has used his sudden national prestige to court his future colleagues aggressively. Because he was so far ahead in public opinion polls and so flush with campaign funds, Obama donated more than $268,000 in campaign money to other Senate candidates and traveled the country to lend his celebrity status to Democratic Party fundraisers and get-out-the-vote rallies.
"He has befriended a lot of candidates and a lot of incumbents. He has been generous to people, and they won't forget it," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). "He will come in the front door with people feeling familiar with him, with having a good, positive feeling about who he is and where he comes from, but also, they'll feel a personal connection to him. That's very rare."
If the past is prologue, Obama, 43, will endeavor to craft legislation that advances not only his political career, but also his personal agenda to further social justice. In Springfield, he sponsored legislation to stem racial profiling, soften the blow of welfare reform and expand health insurance to the poor.
For most of his eight years in the state Senate, the body was controlled by Republicans. He compensated for being in the minority by building personal relationships with members of the GOP and even joined a weekly bipartisan poker game.
"There are certain things about legislatures that are all the same," he said. "And one is, it's better to be in the majority than the minority. And the other thing is, if you got a chief executive of your own party, it means you are able to help shape and drive an agenda, instead of just react and respond to it."
Obama said he has targeted his first mission: expanding health insurance to those who lack it, particularly among the lower-income. Currently, 44 million Americans lack health insurance.
In choosing this cause, Obama is taking on an issue that crosses his constituencies: Blacks, whites, even the middle class. As the lone black in the Senate, Obama said he understands the balancing act it will take to serve not only the black community, which has viewed his meteoric political ascent as a point of personal pride, but also Illinoisans of all races.
"It's an issue that cuts across demographic groups. So everybody is impacted by it," said Obama, who sponsored legislation in Illinois that expanded the Children's Health Insurance Program to more low-income families.
Obama said his second pursuit would be altering the tax code to help working families. He floated a plan in his Senate campaign that called for giving tax credits to companies if they keep jobs in the United States.
In preparing for his new job, Obama said he is seeking advice from Washington veterans, including Durbin.
Indeed, there's been some chatter among veteran Illinois politicians about Obama's star power overshadowing Durbin, and perhaps diminishing their working relationship. Both men insist they have an excellent rapport and a long-standing friendship.
That said, there is already a potential conflict between the two: Obama, a lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Chicago, has expressed interest in sitting on the Judiciary Committee, where Durbin already has a seat. It's rare that two senators from the same state get the same committee assignments. So it's likely that either Durbin will have to cede his Judiciary seat to Obama or the new senator will have to look elsewhere.
The two discussed that Monday as they crisscrossed the state stumping for Obama. Durbin said the two are focusing on Obama shooting for a spot on the Finance Committee, another plum assignment.
"We're going to work together on everything," Durbin said, "whether it is naming judges or U.S. attorneys or projects for Illinois."
Obama conceded that he likely will have trying times in Washington. He said he can become frustrated by big institutions that appear immovable.
Another potential pitfall for Obama is a tendency to overfill his plate. A father of two young daughters, he has said he wants to be a solid family man, yet also a committed public servant. He surely will be sought after by various constituencies for any number of ventures, from pushing their legislation to appearing at their events.
Already, Obama can sense the tugs. U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), for example, said he believes that the traditionally liberal Obama will moderate his politics when he reaches Washington. Others see something different for Obama. Liberals view him as a new voice for their cause, while some black leaders are counting on him to fight primarily for their causes.
Obama said he is keenly aware that he has many people to please. The most difficult thing, he said, will be finding time to address all of these concerns. He said his days of traveling the country every week making speeches are pastit's time to focus on his family and the U.S. Senate.
"I might be a little naive in terms of the enormous time pressures that are going to be placed on me," Obama conceded. "But I am trying to make sure that I come out of this election with a game plan, with a clear set of priorities: my family, the voters of Illinois, and then coming in third would be my influence on the national stage."
Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune
Avatar4321 said:I wouldnt start praising Obama yet. Im still alittle hesitant about the guy. He seems to be atleast somewhat rational for a Democrat but I think id rather see what he does in the Senate before we start saying he is going to be President. I think Ms Rice has a better shot at being President first.
Mr. P said:I agree AV...note I said "if things go well for him the next 4-8 years".
If Condi would run she may take it. Honestly right now she is the only one I could see winning over Obama. This is of course all hypothetical at the moment.
NATO AIR said:here's my one problem (actually a concern for her personally) with condi
she's not married right? the tabloids and idiots in this country would be printing so much sleaze and trash about her it would be sickening beyond anything in politics before... if they don't outright call her a lesbian or a weirdo asexual.
i like her myself, it takes balls to walk into a university student hall full of hostile students (Howard Univ. aug 2001) and take questions for over 3 hours. she won a lot of angry students over by just being herself, being strong and showing a rarely seen sense of humor. i was amazed and proud of her performance, and didya know she played piano alongside alicia keys for charity after sep. 11th? hauled over 70,000 dollars from attendees at a howard alumni meeting for sep.11th charities that day.
Mr. P said:I agree AV...note I said "if things go well for him the next 4-8 years".
If Condi would run she may take it. Honestly right now she is the only one I could see winning over Obama. This is of course all hypothetical at the moment.
Avatar4321 said:The only one who could win over Obama? I dont believe that one second. In fact im willing to bet the fact that since the libs are so willing to promote Obama, he is probably going to turn into a weak candidate.If he is going to run for President he already made a poor choice in going to the Senate rather than running for Governor. I see no reason why the people of this country will see Obama as strong on national defense. All he seems to be so far is the traditional liberal in a less hate filled package. So what?
I could see Obama coming close to the Presidency. I think there would have to be major corruption among the Republican cadidate at the time to see it ever happen. Im hoping that never happens. Last thing we need is another liberal President. We need to make modern liberalism dead before our country is destroyed by it. Look what happened under Johnson, Carter, and Clinton. I dont have much more faith in Obama. (BTW i considered mentioning Kennedy too but i think he was alittle less liberal than the other three)
Dont worry about Obama now. If he ever runs for President, then you can think about worrying but Im still not too worried. Someone will arise to challenge him. We just have to make sure its the best man for the job.
Flying Duck said:Obama is now toast.
In order to do anything in DC, he'll have to get his party behind him and toe the party line. If he tries to be too moderate, the Dems will push him into the background - with the willing help of the press.
IMO, he's getting his fifteen minutes of fame - which is genreally more of a curse than it is a blessing.
Flying Duck said:Obama is now toast.
In order to do anything in DC, he'll have to get his party behind him and toe the party line. If he tries to be too moderate, the Dems will push him into the background - with the willing help of the press.
IMO, he's getting his fifteen minutes of fame - which is genreally more of a curse than it is a blessing.
theim said:1) Do What He Thinks Is Right: self-explanatory. Problem is that if he wavers from DNC liberal agenda, he loses the backing of the party. When that happens, his chances at President are gone, and he runs the risk of losing his senate seat.
Avatar4321 said:I agree. I dont see the Dems going moderate. they are going to go more liberal because they havent figure out its them being liberal thats killing them.
Mr. P said:I saw this guy on Meet the press yesterday, I must say for a democrat he was impressive. Mr. P predicts... if things go well for him the next 4-8 years he will be the first minority President ever elected.
OCA said:This will never happen in our lifetimes, mark my words.
Mr. P said:I saw this guy on Meet the press yesterday, I must say for a democrat he was impressive. Mr. P predicts... if things go well for him the next 4-8 years he will be the first minority President ever elected.
