Washington File

I believe in the beginning, and end of time. Barack Obama has what it takes to be a true leader of the free people. He got great qualities and vision of leading the United States. With Obama's administration, the world would be safer and peace would prevail for decades to come! True change will come as he envisioned. He will certainly change faces of many people not only in the US, but around the world.

G. Majok

I believe that we need someone in the white
house that isn't so caught up in making other
politicians happy, but doing what is right for the people of this country. Obama to me seems to be the one.

If Obama became president it would instantly rehabilitate the US image in the world. Among other things the notion of dynasty would be broken and it would be awkward for international critics to paint the US as narrow minded bigots. These are two big problems for Bush. These virtues alone make Obama attractive. The big problem is one of substance. Who is he? Without substance there is a suspicion that he is simply a front for something else.

Good point TH...the two Dem front runners right now (Hillary and Obama), however attractive they may seem to moderates, they both could easily get crushed by a Rudy G...even with the current state of the Republican party. To win they need to turn to the only thing that has gotten them in since JFK...white, male, Southerner (read..John Edwards). What a sorry state of affairs...

Anyone who thinks Obama would be able to win a presidential election is living in a politically correct fantasyland full of bon bons and chocolate bunnies.

Race is still a major factor in US society and every state in the mid west and south would be lost to the Republicans if he were to win the Democratic nomination.

Witness Al Gore's campaign, his selection of a Jewish running mate caused him to lose all the red neck states in the mid west and south including his own. Hopefully the Dems have learned from that political folly and will pick a contender and not a media celebrity.

I personally think Gore will throw his hat in the ring again possibly with Clark as his running mate.

I find it interesting that Obama says he "trusts" the American people to make the right decision when they vote. Really? they are the ones who voted in Bush - not once but twice!!!!

I am one of the people who have seen senator Obama as a born natural leader. This youth if elected to be the president will be a great mentor to not only the youth in North American but all the young people of the world. I kind of feel if Baraka become the president of USA, the world will enter into the new order which the America promised the world but not yet delivered.

The US cannot restrict you from having other passports but their only position is whether or not you are a US citizen, if yes then that's all in their eyes (so be careful going to Cuba even with your Canadian, UK, Irish, etc. passport).

LEM, you are still a US citizen unless you had formally renounced it (you are a former US resident) so you can still vote for President, there is some sort of Democrats in Canada organization (Dems have a number of overseas chapters).

Mario Cuomo was governor of New York State for nearly a decade when he gave his 1984 speech. Not a spring chicken, he's held other state offices prior to that.

Well, Canada will recognize my dual status, the the US has a different view of matters, as I understand it.

I don't know why but when I look at this person I think 'snake oil salesman'.

Senator Obama not only is a Harvard scholar, but he was the first "black" (he's actually bi-racial)president of the Harvard Law review, and has significant experience in the Illinois government. I don't think he's a light-weight as many here would like to believe. He grew up smart with a strong sense of self, morality, and fairness....He's a born leader of men!

Mike Timonin, dude,technically, you are allowed to have dual, you don't have to give up Canadian citizenship.Hence, you can vote and still be a Canuck,eh!

I am holding out hope that Mr Obama is successful in his quest for the Presidency. He represents mainstream people, I believe. The current election - specifically the Governor's race in Mass and more especially the Senate race Tennessee will go along way to determining whether a person of an obvious mixed racial background can succeed in Federal politics in the US. He is truly refreshing in his outlook - doesn't have all the baggage, unlike his obvious rival, Mrs. Clinton, and is definitely an intellectual giant in comparison to Mr Bush.

The Democrats may need a man of steel, but that is about the last thing the rest of the world needs from the US of A..I guess we don't vote though, do we...if that turns out to be the the case, I would take John McCain any day over another Superman of either Rep/Dem persuasions.

Senator Obama has charisma, like-ability, humility, and seems trust-worthy, visionary, and unique, in a manner like Kennedy, Clinton, Elvis, James Dean, etc...that God given super-human quality that's just there, perhaps only Trudeau has had it in Canada in the last 50 years....I hope Obama wins, or I'm coming back up north,eh!...Vote Obama, not Osama, and not your mama!

Police just raided a Republican congressman's office in California. He allegedly sent intimidating letters to immigrant voters. It looks like the Republicans are already trying to fix elections.

To be honest (and as a lifelong Democrat myself) I don't think Senator Obama has the mental strength to be President. The damage Bush has done to America is about 70 to 80 percent irreversable. We need a democrat made of steel.

Gore and General Clark are good choices too, but not necessarily running.

Deval Patrick of Massachusetts is the man of steel who could lead the country. Unfortunately he's only running for governor and there are some unanswered questions about him, just like questions about Obama.

But I will still vote for both of these men over anyone else up for election.

Barack Obama is still quite green. The U.S. must be very careful not to place in power someone who has limited experience. If your hiring a CEO of a company would you hire someone with little to no experience in running a company? Probably not. I think the Democrats are desperate for a candidate that has both the dept and breadth of experience it takes plus the charisma to help America in its current slump.

I'm a former American, now a permanent resident of Canada (and thrilled to be one!), and a Democrat. I believe what it would take for the U.S. to get out of its terrible slump is to elect someone who can offer hope and a new way of thinking about what it means to be an American in the world today. It's beyond policy specifics; what America needs is a reason to believe that there are good people in government who believe in the nation and want to do right by people. Obama certainly projects these qualities. He's more than a little green, but at this point America needs someone to trust, and that isn't necessarily something you get by being in office. Could he restore respect and offer inspiration, especially to younger citizens? America needs someone like that, and nothing less. Hilary is no doubt brilliant, but she doesn't have the charisma and warmth that her husband had, and people still love Bill for that. It appears that Obama can affect people in somewhat the same way, which is invaluable.
Electing a black man as President would be a big move for the U.S., but if it's unprecedented, we have to admit that there's also no precedence for the U.S. to be in its current sorry state. Something drastic needs to be done, something amazing must happen in the U.S., and Obama may be the man who can do it.

I remember the last time Democrats got all excited about an up-and-comer they thought would make a good candidate for president. His name was Mario Coumo and he made a memorable speech on family at the 84 Democratic convention. No it was not about crime families but it might as well have been. When it was pointed out that there were few people named Mario among southern voters, the Dems responded as though they were going to put out a few contracts of their own. Point is to beware of flash in the pan rookie politicians when talking about presidential politics. Obama is being treated nice at the moment but when you reach for the big taco and the gloves come off, well, the name Obama is easily morphed into Osama.

America could not be in more need than Barack Obamba to be it's president and with his background and clearly demonstrated abilities his ascension to the presidency would provide much needed US credibility in the world. At present there is a paucity of positive world opinion on America and like it or not we, the world, need a respected and more admired USA.

The real question is: Can Obama beat McCain? Do the Democrats want to ruin his future chances if they/he 'runs' to soon? Perhaps Hillary would be more appropriate with Obama running as VP? I think he is a bright light... don't want to see him burnt out so early on.

As a Canadian living in the US, I have said that I would consider changing my citizenship in order to vote for Obama. I'm still not sure myself how seriously I feel about that, but I think it's probably indicative of something.

After watching several interviews and reading many articles regarding Senator Obama, I can certainly understand the excitement. The American political landscape is finally showing hope for the future. The US, and the rest of the planet, so desperately needs an intelligent, ethical, respectful American leader who truly has an appreciation for the diversity of this world. One who realises that not everyone wants to be just like America and that's okay.
If Senator Obama is half the man he apppears to be, please, my American neighbours, support this man for president. Save us and yourselves from suffering more at the hands of another ethnocentric "Bushite". To Senator Obama, if they won't support you south of the border, become a Canadian. We'd vote for you!!

Sen. Obama is exactly what my country needs right now. Unlike others in Congress, he's no politician, but a citizen who has taken the charge of reform and responsibility. America needs a new direction, a rebirth of sorts. He is smart and knows what needs to be done, a realist who knows his decisions will also impact his family. Indeed, a President Barack Obama in the White House, would bring truth to the saying "its morning in America!"