|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
Oregon Group Launches 'Draft Obama' Site NewsMax.com Wires SALEM, Ore. -- Backers of Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who's mulling a presidential bid, have launched a campaign aimed at persuading Oregonians to go online to register their support for him at an Internet "Draft Obama" site. Jason Owens, a Portland political activist and spokesman for the effort, said the goal is to get thousands of Oregonians to join people in other states who are urging the Illinois senator to run. "Oregonians are moved and encouraged by Barack Obama's message of hope and refreshing candor," Owens said Monday. Though still in his first term in the Senate, Obama is a rising Democratic Party star who has gotten a lot of national attention for his commanding speaking style and compelling personal story. Portland pollster Tim Hibbitts said there's a lot of buzz around Obama, but it's far too early to predict how he might fare among Oregon Democrats if he is a presidential contender in 2008. "I suspect that many of the people who are promoting him now are doing so because he has a great life story and he speaks well," Hibbitts said. "But at the end of the day, if he does run, he's going to have to convince Oregonians that despite his thin resume of public service he is up to the job of being president in some very difficult times," he said.
Story Continues Below
At this point, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is seen as the leading Democratic presidential contender for 2008. The former first lady traveled to Oregon earlier this year, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 900 supporters to a Portland fundraising event. "She would probably start with a lead" in Oregon, says Neel Pender, executive director of the Oregon Democratic Party. Still, Pender said Obama could be a formidable contender in Oregon if he chooses to run because he's seen as a fresh face with fresh ideas "who can bring people together." Plus, with his opposition to the war in Iraq, Obama "is on the right side of Oregon Democrats on that issue," Pender said.
Owens, the "Draft Obama" spokesman in Oregon, said organizers are planning rallies and other activities in Oregon to drum up support for an Obama presidential bid. The Illinois senator spoke at a fundraising event in Seattle in October, Owens said, "and we want to bring him back to the Northwest. We're hopeful that we will see him here in Oregon sometime soon."
© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Print Page 
Forward Page 
|
| All Rights Reserved © 2012 NewsMax.Com |