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Recently, noted conservative columnist George F. Will offered four reasons why he thinks Barack Obama should run from president in 2008. Summarized, they amount to:

1. He is hot right now. This certainly true, everywhere he goes he is greeted by enormous interest. However, the "novelty effect"...so popular with voters these days...will soon wear off (says Will). 2008 or never.
2. He should strike while the iron is hot. Many people desperately want him to run. If he doesn't do it now, he will sorely disappoint those people and they will turn to others
3. Senator Clinton, also riding the novelty tsunami, makes a lot of people nervous. She appears to be Obama's main rival (again, says Will). He would make a tolerable alternative, at least in the Democrat party, since his liberal credentials exceed hers.
4. Finally, Will thinks...as do most others...that 2008 will be a Democrat year, as was 2006. The anti-Bush sentiment...especially since the Moron in Charge seems to be following the path to disaster so very steadily...is unlikely to subside. Whoever the Democrats nominate is likely to win.

Does this mean that G.F.W. is going to vote for him if he runs?

Not a chance!

Will points out, as do many others of all political stripes, that while Obama talks a good game, his proffered "solutions" to our nation's problems are warmed over versions of classic liberal nostrums. Besides, while he opposed Bush's war in Iraq, he approved of the Afghanistan adventure, Bush's trial run at being a warrior. He did not completely sanction Bush's use of "extraordinary methods"...i.e. torture, to interrogate suspects...but rather offered an amendment that softened it somewhat. Both these positions show that like most "professional" politicians, his principles are malleable. This will keep Will...and certainly us...from pulling the lever for him.

You may have noticed that, except for the last in the list, Oprah fits Will's bill perfectly. She would certainly be novel, given that almost all presidents these days are white men with "strong" political backgrounds. While sentiment for her is at a low point, given that she has strongly said that she will not run, she remains the darling of an enormous slice of the electorate. Despite her denials of interest, our Web site continues to reflect interest among the people...you know, those guys that actually elect our leaders. They not only pledge to vote for her...most of them whether she runs or not!...but the vast majority also offer their services to her theoretical campaign. As of today, 1250 people have already made this pledge and more are coming aboard each day.

Secondly, she too needs to strike while the iron is hot. We have been doing this for over seven years and, while the groundswell for her is still enormous, many previously committed voters are in fact turning away from her to the likes of Hillary or Barack. She told Larry King that she is "not yet satisfied with her life's achievements." What exactly does she have to lose? What does she...and all of us...stand to gain?

Third, she trumps both Barack and Hillary as a novel political force, since she is both non-white and a woman, not mention a person of worldwide recognition, respect and trust. If Hillary makes people nervous, so does Obama. If she is too scary, he is too young. Furthermore, both Gypsy and Willy have worked within the Democrat party and can say, without fear of contradiction, that there is little chance that either of them will get the nod in the end. The party professionals will find any number of reasons why they aren't "qualified" and go for some "safe" candidate...that is, one who will promote guess who? Party professionals.

Lastly and most importantly, she can do something that neither of them can do. She can run as an third party candidate. Third party candidates haven't done all that well lately, but then, Perot, Buchanan, Nader...whoever...none of them have the charisma and backing of Oprah. Besides, Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger have already shown the way, winning elections with under 40% of the total vote in three-way contests. And both of them were novices and quite different from their major party opponents, despite Arnold claiming to be a Republican.

Often overlooked by party people, but duly noted by constituents, is the fact that professional politicians enter office enormously beholden to various interests, usually NOT including the voters, since the latter don't contribute much money to their campaigns. Corporations, rich people and special interest groups DO contribute a lot of money. Campaigns cost a lot these days. So, it is little wonder that so many politicians are so thoroughly sold out.

Now consider Oprah. To whom is she beholden? Only one group, and it is a big one. Her fans. We, all of us, have made her rich, famous and arguably the single most trusted person in the entire world. Latest estimates put her fan base, in the U.S. alone, at 48 million, almost all adults and thus potential voters. Outside the U.S. her base is even larger. The bottom line is that SHE OWES US...and NOBODY ELSE! We want her. We want her even though she doesn't relish the job. We need her. The United Sates needs her. The world needs her.

The time is right. Does Oprah have the courage to do it?

Talk to you later...

To contact Willy or Gypsy and comment on what they have written...or anything else...write to willy@dreamagic.com or gypsy@dreamagic.com.

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