Barack Obama’s recent allusion toward a 2008 presidential run has people from all points on the political map foaming at the mouth over the potential. The idea of a woman and a mixed-raced candidate battling it out for the Democratic nomination has history-making potential, regardless of the outcome.

My problem, I don’t think Barack Obama should run for president in 2008. There, I said it. Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Barack Obama. He’s a great speaker, he’s educated, he exudes charisma and humanism, and right now he has the star power to run a killer campaign and possibly win. That’s right now though, who knows what might be happening in 2008? People are fickle and right now his celebrity status is based less on his policy stance and voting record, but on his race and an endorsement by Oprah Winfrey. I do like what Obama represents, which is change and unity. But is that enough to run the country and take it from shit to shinola?

There is also the issue of his experience, which I know is a cheap shot but it is a fact. Obama has been in Congress just shy of two years of his first six-year Senate term, a term he vowed to serve. Despite his extreme intelligence and ability to articulate himself, he still has very little experience in foreign policy and other aspects of Washington. Then again, perhaps that is a good thing. He would enter the office untainted, pure, and owing very few favors to constituents and lobbyists.

Obama himself seems reticent to run for president in 2008, and it almost appears that he is giving in to peer pressure from the mob. Honestly, if you asked the mob why they think Obama should run for president they would most likely talk more about his smile and 2004 Democratic Convention speech than his actual politics. While this is fine, I fear that this momentum isn’t quite enough to carry him until 2008 and into a Democratic nomination and presidential election win. I do endorse Senator Obama further down the road mind you, and perhaps even as a vice-presidential candidate in 2008. Right now I think it is too soon, despite all of the talk. I think right now it is easy for people to talk big. Talk is cheap, especially in politics. People say they want him to run and would vote for him in 2008 because it is a safe thing to say right now, he’s not running. When it comes down to it though, when they are in that voting booth, will people take the gamble or go with the sure money bet (whoever that may be)?

I think the biggest danger right now is in placing Obama on too high of a pedestal. His current goldenboy status cannot last forever, no one is infallible. As I said the mob can be fickle and at the first sign of weakness or the first mistake, I fear that they will turn on their hero. Everyone has skeletons, and if Obama runs in 2008 I have no doubt in my mind that the Republicans (and possibly even Democrats) will dig these skeletons up and trot them out in order to knock him from his perch. He will be an easy target and if the smears succeed it could ruin any hope for a future presidential run. Once again, I’m not saying that a 2008 Obama ticket doesn’t have legs. They just might be wobbly ones right now. I’m not trying to be negative or a party-pooper, but just trying to look at this possibility realistically.

However, with all of that being said, if Obama does decide to run I will do everything in my power to see to it that he gets elected (as much as one college student can do anyway). I’ll donate money, do some grassroots campaigning and do all of the other things people do these days to support their candidate. I will support and vote for Barack Obama, I just hope everyone else who is talking the talk right now is willing to stand behind him from beginning to end and walk the walk.

Thoughts?