Hillary's Nightmare

Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has been making a lot of noise lately with the release of his new book and the media fawning all over him. He now says he'll reconsider the idea of running for president in '08:

Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the Nov. 7 elections.

"That was how I was thinking at that time," said Obama, when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about his previous statements.

"Given the response I've been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility" although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. "My focus is on '06. ... After November 7, I'll sit down and consider it."

Obama was largely unknown outside Illinois when he burst onto the national scene with a widely acclaimed address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Give a good speech and suddenly you're presidential material. It's funny that in 1988 a little known Arkansas governor (Bill Clinton) gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention and it was a real snoozer. Somehow he recovered from that mess and got elected in '92.

Blogging buddy Mark Daniels recently wrote a piece on Obama's oratorial skills and how that really doesn't qualify him to be president. You can read it here.

Obama could be Hillary's worst nightmare. He's an attractive candidate, though quite probably unqualified for the job based on experience, but would certainly have the media's vote. Those Dems scared of what a Hillary candidacy might do to the ticket would suddenly have somebody else to support who doesn't carry any of that Clinton baggage.

And how would Clinton campaign against Obama in the early primaries? That would be a bit tricky as well since criticism would certainly create conflict with the black voters she needs to win.

AOL is doing its part, running a photo of the pensive Obama deep in thought standing in front of a US flag. When they run photos of Bush or other Republicans, they always look like they just ate a lemon.

One thing for sure - the Dem field will be entertaining.