barack obama?

what has barack obama done, that everyone is gushing over him to be pres? I am not for or agains the guy. just wondering? didn't he just get elected to his first term as a senator in 2005. so what has he done? what is his track record? I don't think i would compare him to Jack Kennedy. JFK served in the Navy in WW2. he then served as a congressman for six years 1952- 58. then served in the U.S. Senate. that was a lot of history before becoming pres in 1961. I also would not compare him to GW Bush. Bush was Governor of Texas from 95-2000. While in office he improved tort reform, increased education funding, set higher standards for schools, and reformed the criminal justice system. Bush also pioneered faith-based welfare programs by extending government funding and support for religious organizations providing social services such as education, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and reduction of domestic violence. pretty nice pice of workfor 5 years.

Public Comments

1. He was born black and elected senator. Other than that, I have no idea.
2. ...0...
3. Apparently his claim to fame and sudden popularity stems from his key note speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. It was very well thought out, explosive and very open. Caught everyone off guard. I can't say that I wouldn't vote him.... but would have to know more about him You can read it or listen to it below
4. He hasn't done anything!!! Because he's a black elected official who gets a lot of press (for what reason I don't know), all the black people think he's going to be the next president.
5. In no particular order, he's: 1 - articulate, 2 - pretty, 3 - black, and 4 - a member of a party with virtually NO compelling figures left in it. That's all of it. Oh, and if he was white, you'd never hear about him. That's NOT a knock against Obama - it IS, however, a fact.
6. He really has nothing. He is inexperienced and is in office by default.
7. Impeccable academic record. State legislator with impact, was instrumental in bridging divides in the state to solve budget and infrastructure problems. Senator who has gained respect in just his first two years. He seems to have a personality and demeanor that exudes confidence and rises above the partisan rancor in Washington. He is very smart and not prone to radicalism and saying crazy things. He focuses on solutions.
8. Really nothing. He's a good speaker and attractive, which are both very important in getting elected. He needs more experience before he's Presidential material.
9. What is his track record? Good question, but the media doesn't care about THAT. They just care that he's a Democrat, that he is black, and that he is eloquent.
10. He is a democrat with no past trangressions. In otherwords he is a one of a kind. A liberal that obays the law and does not cheat on his wife. That is all.
11. I asked the same question yesterday and got no concrete response. I have nothing against the guy it just seems he has no accomplishments to point to that make him Presidential material.
12. simply that oprah had him on her show and asked him to run for president , he may be a good leader but didn't really get attention till he went on oprah
13. I would consider voting for him. I would have to know how he stands on more issues. But if we go by track record then where does G W Bush fit it? he was a governor, big deal.
14. If you ever get a chance to hear Senator Obama speak, by all means do so, even if you disagree with his politics he is impressive. He seems to be one of those remarkable people that commends your attention much like Jack Kennedy did in the 60's. He has a dynamic personality and seems to be level headed and truly got the American peoples interest at heart.
15. the reason he looks so good is because he isnt tainted with all the republican corruption such as foley gate ,that corrupt congressman from texas, that lobbyist that was buying republicans votes,a bad war. etc etc .yes an honest man looks good
16. I don't know exactly. But I do have an email from him when I questioned his vote on something--where he blamed Bush alone for "his" vote. I plan on keeping it. I am not a Bush fan--but Bush did not twist his arm to make him vote a certain way. I did not like that reply--he passed the buck. He lost points with me for that.
17. The higher-up dems don't believe Hillary can win if she is their presidential nominee, so they are all piling on the Obama bandwagon in an attempt to make him appealing to the general public. Problem is, he can't win it for them either in '08. They should be pushing Lieberman instead if they want a true centrist candidate, but of course that's not what they want at all.
18. If he runs, I will back him 100%. I heard him on The Daily Show and he was very charismatic. In that way, he reminds me of Jack Kennedy. Another thing that is drawing people to him is he has said from the very beginning that he is against the Iraq War. He has not changed his position on that according to public opinion. To me, he seems like someone who is not tainted by the normal politics of Washington and really seems to care for the average American.
19. He will provide better counterbalance to Condoleeza Rice if she decides to run for President in 2008 - he's not a left wing liberal a la Hillary.
20. Barack Obam obtained early education in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Hawaii; continued education at Occidental College, Los Angeles, Calif., and Columbia University, New York City; studied law at Harvard University, where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review, and received J.D. in 1992; lecturer on constitutional law, University of Chicago; member, Illinois State senate 1997-2004; elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 2004 for term beginning January 3, 2005.
21. He wrote a book called The Audacity of Hope. His keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention was huge, but all of the press is mostly due to the book. I like to think it has nothing to do with his race. He is likable. Im pretty sure he isn't running in 2008, but if he did, he would have my vote.