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>Another potential boundary crosser I am watching closely is Barack Obama from right here in Illinois. There is already Presidential talk about him, which I think is premature. Still, he's an intriguing guy. I heard him speak once and he was impressive without hardly saying anything. It was one of the two big annual events put on by the volunteer organization I am involved with, Chicago Cares, on the Saturday closest to Martin Luther King's birthday. The volunteers paint schoolrooms, haul away debris, and the like. Obama had just been sworn into the Senate a few days before and was the featured speaker on a panel of dignitaries including Mayor Daley. He wore dress slacks and a sweater and spoke like a normal human being, not a political shouter of slogans. (Hillary is TERRIBLE that way). He said thank you for getting out of your bed and coming down here this cold January morning -- which it sure was -- and doing some good for our city. He said a couple more things and sat
>down. Poifect.

But surely, Mike, you've seen the MANIPULATION at work full-tilt in the media, Obama-wise! He's been absolutely everywhere... any/all TV shows that will have him, covers of magazines, shilling for candidates (how many 2-year Senators get that kind of 'work'), etc, etc, etc.

I like the guy too (as if that matters) but WE ARE BEING MANIPULATED INTO LIKING HIM. He just makes sure he says the right things to make listeners feel good. Have his positions on issues been scrutinized? ... Has he even stated any positions of substance????

Someone is promoting Obama and the media is fully on board. We should all be asking ourselves WHO is behind all this and WHY are they doing it! There's the smell of fish in the whole matter.

cheers