http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx From NBC's Elizabeth WilnerA top aide to Sen. Barack Obama (D) told us that Obama's big appearance in New Hampshire last Sunday would be his final big "testing-the-waters" move of the year. But just because Obama is at home these days doesn't mean heen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21067Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:30:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21067Robert Catalano, Salem, ORYou know , I never heard a politician worrying about how security concerns would change their life. Maybe Obama doesn't feel he needs to be surrounded by hundreds of thousands of dollars of men, man-hous and weapons everytime he moves about. We Americans seem to think it is OK for our tax dollars tompay for all of this. To tell you the truth, maybe it would be better if people who led this country were really responsible to those who elected them rather than afraid to face them unless they are surrounded by a security detail. It's easy to do something if you don't have to face the consequences for your actions. Maybe Obama wants to actually face people instead of feeling the need to be protected from them.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21071Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:38:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21071DesmondObama will not be our next President because this country is too racist to elect a black man as President.that being true, I want my country to prove me wrong.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21079Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:15:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21079Olivia, Peoria, Ill.Desmond--I hope the country proves you wrong, too!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21090Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:43:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21090Hubert Hillman, Copperas Cove TXKerry is one-upping Obama by going to MidEast for "fact finding trip". It puzzles me here- if ANY administration is responsible for conducting forgein policy, with SecState as the national diplomat, guiding Presidential policy...where in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution does it grant Congress-either house- the ability, werewithall to go overseas to find facts, to influence policy. Been going on forever, but will Congress let the Executive Branch dig into it's buisness? Think not folks. Kerry, hopefully, will do some good, but nobody can make W do anything he aint goona want to do.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21150Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:00:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21150Richard Pennington, Chesterfield, MOWe need Obama to run and win the Presidency. Many of his critics say he does not have enough experience. The fact is he is well educated and intelligent, unlike our current President. But the biggest reason to elect him is that he has "common sense". This country has been driven into the ditch by this administration and we need someone like Obama to pull us out and repair the damage that the Bush administration has done to our once great country.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21166Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:14:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21166joseph palmierijdoe@msnbc.com Osoman would make a good actor in hollywood.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21173Sat, 16 Dec 2006 21:00:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21173Nation Hahn, Chapel Hill, NCYou must be joking. Politicians have a security apparatus not because they don't want to be around the people but because of what happened to John, Bobby and Martin. Obama should fear a gun nut in this country taking a random shot at him. It is a real threat because of the lunatics we have.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21180Sat, 16 Dec 2006 21:32:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21180Mark, Dunkirk, NYThere are enough nut-cases in this country that unfortunately all these candidates have a concern, especially Obama and Clinton, Sen. Obama being the first black candidate to make a serious run in over twenty years, and he does have a Kennedy aura about him. He also has concerns about his young children, and the effects of a campaign. John Edwards and Sen Clinton have first hand experience with that. Sen. Clinton being the first viable female candidate. We need to break the status quo more than ever but there are fringe groups in this country who may not like it. Not my beliefs certainly, but unfortunately the residual beliefs of some. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21185Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:48:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21185ST, Raleigh, NCObama is not going to run. He's using this buzz to sell more books. The media in this country are a bunch of groupie idiots.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21233Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:29:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21233BST- Well put! The media is a bunch of groupie idiots. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21304Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:13:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21304Rebecca Shain, Leitchfield, Ky.I would love for Al Gore to run for president with Obama as VP. Mr. Gore would be excellent as president, and very possibly would be interested in only one term. This would give Mr. Obama the necessary "experience" so many say he does not have now. This would be a win-win scenario for America!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21341Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:55:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21341Richard Pennington, Chesterfield, MOST-Good call, I bet you still think we are going to find WMD's in Iraq. I do agree some of the media are idiots...all of Fox News and radio jerks like Rush.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21344Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:02:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21344Robert Catalano, Salem, ORYes, the media, for the most part, are a bunch of groupie idiots. What is worse is that most people swallow it or reject it out of hand and never learn to think for themselves. Nathan, I wasn't joking. Racing car drivers, soldiers, cops and most people who are in dangerous professions accept the possibility of death as a part of what they do. As a result they learn to do things which cut down on those risks. Part of that is controlling their own behavior and learning as much as they can about what they do to increase their chances of survival. However, sometimes, no matter what precaustions they take, death arrives shockingly and suddenly. All I am saying is that politicians could find better ways to increase their survival beyond surrounding themselves with security and we, the taxpayers, having to pay for it. It is possible that if they had to answer to someone for than once every two, four or six years, except for the lobbyists, it might make them a little more sensitive to the needs of the people. I am not saying they should open themselves up to being killed but, just like others in dangerous professions, there are many other things they could to to keep safe and reduce the chances of that happening. Remember, since 1960, only two elected officials have been assasinated out of the thousands which have been elected. Pretty good odds, security or no.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21598Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:10:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21598Tony, Fort Myers, FLI think that the craziest part of all of the security details is how every former President, first lady, etc., has a security detail assigned to them until the day they die. Going to Robert's point, if only 2 of 1000s have been killed in office and none that I know of after they have served, why are we pouring money into that??? As for Obama, he has a legitimate worry about safety and as a father myself I can empathize with him, however, you are also talking about the chance to do what he has likely been striving for his entire life, and lead the greatest country in the world. How can you ever pass that up? Take the necessary precautions and take your shot, you may not get another one. As for the person advocating Al Gore, that is the worst idea I have heard yet, besides he is too busy inventing the third version of the Internet... FYI, if McCain and Guiliani get together the Dems better have an Obama-Edwards ticket to counter with if they are going to have a shot!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21671Wed, 20 Dec 2006 05:56:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21671Jane, Southern MississippiI just wish the media would report the NEWS, not gossip. We don't really want to know what they think MIGHT happen. Tell me, are they supposed to be experts? Why do they think they we can't formulate our own opinions, given the facts? That's all we need, the facts. We can guess for ourselves, if we want to spend time guessing. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#21996Thu, 21 Dec 2006 16:20:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:21996Olivia, Peoria, Ill.So per Hubert John Kerry one-upped Barack Obama by making a fact-finding trip to the Mideast. I've an even-better idea for Obama than anywhere in the Mideast, where most everybody in the Administration or at least in politics seems to be going lately. Obama needs to travel to New Orleans and visit with the people of the Lower 9th, Lakeview and other damaged areas in order to call attention to the fact that the Bush Administration has shamefully neglected the city and let down the people who have been waiting for over a year for rebuilding aid. Obama should use as his backdrop the remaining devastation, which should be easy to find, because it stretches for miles and miles. This would show how New Orleans (outside of what people there call the "Isle of Denial"--the French Quarter and other relatively well-off areas, which tourists including President Bush on his rare trips there see, on higher ground that didn't flood during the storm) looks worse than Baghdad, and, arguably, should be getting reconstruction aid instead of Iraq. Obama should also point out how New Orleans' infrastructure is still in conditions far worse than one would expect to find in any American city and how her health system, schools, etc. are insufficient for a city even of her diminished size. It would be an even better idea were Obama to throw his hat in the ring in New Orleans. But he must do this soon, before "Obama fatigue" sets in, and the media with its short attention span moves on...http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#22378Sat, 23 Dec 2006 06:48:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:22378Bobby, Houston, Texas.In the last 25 years, the US media has gradually morphed into this very gigantic business entity, driven by the trappings of capitalistic ventures, lacking depth and understanding, and no longer interested in the needful affairs of the people. And you wonder why the vast majority in this very literate country appears distant from graspping the truth about any and every event. Afterall, the media abandoned its conventional role as the fourth realm of the estate and taken a more lousy casual approach to its first place of responsibility - that of truthful narrative. In many many ways, the media remains the very problem of this great democracy, and have currupted the very essence of its oversight duties. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#23078Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:21:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:23078Wes, Effingham ILIt is interesting a newly elected senator Obama that has made promises to better Illinois jumped to presidency ring with all his vast experience! This country is not ready for a Black with his personal agendas on race issues,yes there was slaves in this country but it is ancient history!Thank goodness for John Edwards.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#500146Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:15:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:500146Anonymouschelseahttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#500870Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:31:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:500870Anonymouseurohttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#504684Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:43:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:504684Anonymousdollarhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#505012Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:44:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:505012Anonymousbentleyhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#506193Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:10:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:506193Anonymouschelseahttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#506225Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:42:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:506225Anonymousbarcelonahttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#507442Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:59:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:507442Anonymousmonitorhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#507449Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:09:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:507449Anonymoushousehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#527264Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:09:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:527264Anonymoushttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/12/15/21051.aspx#553977Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:20:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:553977Dennisit's true that just about everyone i  talk to that wants obama as our next president(and it's really not that many)are voting for him simply because he's black..his blackness seems to indicate to them that there's going to be something different in his handling of the country than what we've seen in the recent past..where the hell they get this nonsense is beyond me. and of the course blacks(like oprah)are merely voting for obama  because of his being black,(it's time for our people to rise up and be heard/seen type attitude)which shows how much intelligence she has. it's also a very scary attitude,considering the real importance in voting for someone lays nowhere with their skin color! obama has no experience and just beccause he's smart or charasmatic or intelligent is no good reason to vote for the man..hell,if that be the case my uncle fred qualifies for the job/. people voting for obama  = black is different than what we've had all all the way around,so let's give it a chance(as if it's might be the magic answer somehow/. absurd!