No Dem Challenger Planned in 2012 0 comments
No challenge to Obama in 2012 race: party leader
(AFP) – 7 hours ago
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama is unlikely to face a serious challenge in the 2012 White House race from within his party, the Democratic Party leader said Sunday.
Obama, who became the first black president of the United States after defeating Republican rival John McCain in the November 2008 presidential election, is expected to run for a second term in office next year.
"I think it's very unlikely that the president is going to face any kind of a serious primary challenge within the Democratic Party," party leader Tim Kaine said on CNN.
"You can always get a fringe candidate or somebody to run. So, you know, could somebody throw in their name? Yes, it's possible. But I think the likelihood of any serious challenge to the president is virtually nil."
Usually there is no serious opposition against a sitting president from within his party if they run for a second, and final, term.
Obama has yet to officially say whether he will stand in the November 2012 election.
But amid the worst economic downturn in decades as Obama's popularity has sunk from the heady highs he enjoyed just after taking office to a disapproval rating of around 47 percent, there has been some media speculation on a possible Democratic challenge.
No Republican candidate has yet declared plans to run for the party's nomination, although former vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is believed to be preparing to throw her hat into the ring.
Let The Games Begin... 0 comments
Here it is.
Obama 2008 Meets Chicago 2016
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., second from right, Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and others, applaud at a Chicago 2016 Olympic rally, June 6, 2008, at the Daley Center Plaza in Chicago. (Associated Press)
Updated 4:51 p.m.
By Peter Slevin
CHICAGO -- An ebullient Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), fresh from wrapping up the Democratic nomination, did his bit for another longshot campaign today when he made an impromptu pitch for his hometown to host the 2016 Olympics.
"This is a good time to be in Chicago!" Obama shouted when handed the spotlight by Mayor Richard M. Daley (D), the booster-in-chief of the Olympics bid. "The White Sox are winning, the Cubs are winning and Chicago's going to win the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.
"And your senator, he's winning, too."
Chicago made it into the Olympics final four this week, but is trailing Tokyo and Madrid, according to the International Olympics Committee. That did not stop Daley, joined by Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), from calling an outdoor rally to cheer.
Obama, in town for three rare quiet days -- he said he plans to take his wife, Michelle, on an actual date -- did his part.Obama's description of Chicago's strengths ("not just a city that works, but a city that inspires") and his view of Olympic ideals ("we can come together and accomplish great things") seemed to merge with the themes of his candidacy.
Posted at 3:27 PM ET on Jun 6, 2008 | Barack Obama
He said he expects to be finishing his second White House term in 2016 and pointed out that he lives within a few blocks of the proposed Olympic stadium in Washington Park. He might have to rent out his place during the games, he joked, if the price is right.
"In 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as President," Obama said. "I can't think of a better way than to be walking into Washington Park...as president of the United States and announcing to the world, 'Let the Games begin!'"
In honor of a pair of Os -- Obama and the Olympics -- the crowd of lunchtime passersby, which grew as his voice carried across Daley Plaza, started up his signature campaign chant, "Yes We Can!"
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A Strong Message 0 comments
This video is just a placeholder for Obama talking today about how the Olympics will be in Chicago at the end of his second term, but , for now , it will have to do.