Barak, an Ego Trip?
By: Alex Zelaya
The 2008 presidential elections are coming and there's been a lot of hype around Hillary Clinton and the possibility of Al Gore running again for the Democratic party, but where exactly and more specifically, what exactly is Barak Obama doing? Where does he stand?
Recently and at the cost of losing 160,000 online friends, the 2008 presidential hopeful, has taken control of the MySpace page listed under his name. The page, ran by Los Angeles paralegal Joe Anthony, has shown to be an influence on Mr. Obama's presidential politics. However, after 2 1/2 years supporting and running the MySpace page, in what was once a happy arrangement, Senator Obama's campaign managers have ripped it from his loyal supporter.
It's hard to determine the value of 160,000 MySpace friends - four times the size of any other endorsed MySpace campaign page, but the Obama campaign team decided not to pay the $39,000 (USD) that Mr. Anthony proposed for his work on the site, including additional fees of up to $10,000 dollars. Not only that, but Myspace, owned by Keith Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American global 'mogul' known to influence presidential elections, controlling shareholder, chairman, and managing director of News Corporation, based in New York City - has given all rights to Barak's team.
MySpace decided to settle this dispute by stepping in and handing over all control of the page as of Monday night. Mr Anthony has said he's still locked out of the page, and feels heartbroken that Obama's team is 'bullying' him.
Just how moral is that Mr. Obama? Do you really think because you've caught up with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the other Democratic Party front-runner right now, at 32 percent, that all of a sudden - stealing is ok?
Are you power hungry and buying into this "what was once "Hillary's election" might turn into "Obama's election?" Are you planning on representing America, or yourself?
Remember before the 2004 elections? Howard Dean sparked a similar frenzy, and John McCain also had a moment of 'vogue' prior to the 2000 primaries, because of their 'maverick' styles. People were wild with enthusiasm, however for both Dean and McCain, those pre-primary leads went awol when their parties sat down to choose.
As stated in a recent report, when voters start thinking seriously about who they want to represent them, their enthusiasm for the maverick suddenly cools off. Cinderella's carriage turns into a pumpkin and voters realize they want candidates with concrete plans, candidates who can make their hopes and promises for change become reality. The maverick's freshness is seen as inexperience; what was once viewed as distinctive is now regarded with suspicion.
Haven't you kept up with the reports? You've only been able to catch up with Hillary because you've succeeded in making the public believe that your success is the publics success. You can travel around the country in an effort to become the nation's first black president, but in reality there's nothing revolutionary about you.
As of Thursday, May 3, 2007, you've requested the U.S. Secret Service for protection. It's the earliest - 18 months before an election - that a presidential hopeful, like yourself, received this type of service, which is usually during the election year. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, has said that they were not aware of a potential threat. So why? The only other candidate under Secret Service protection is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, because she was first lady as the wife of former President Bill Clinton.
Presidential candidates should know by now that the next generation voters will not stand for lies, thieves, or any government corruption. Bush has done enough on his own, haven't you kept up with how much he's liked?
All men are created equal...Wake up.