BLACK ENTERPRISE: Why Barack Obama will be President

BLACK ENTERPRISE: Why Barack Obama will be President

Publication's January Issue Identifies The Key Factors Behind The Obama Surge And Why He Will Win This November

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says "the same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do, this election," and "telling the American people what we think they want to hear -- instead of telling the American people what they need to hear -- will no longer be acceptable."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071213/NYTH071 )

So goes the surging message of Barack Obama, the man who has presented America with the real possibility of an elected black president. With the primary season quickly approaching, BLACK ENTERPRISE (BE) hit the campaign trail with the electrifying contender, gaining exclusive insight into his platform and strategy. In the January issue cover feature, "Why Barack Obama Should Be President," BE builds a compelling case for Obama becoming president of the United States by identifying six key reasons he has risen in the polls -- and how he will win the Oval Office this November.

Barack Obama first appeared on the cover of BE in October 2004 next to the headline The Next Big Thing in Politics. Today he makes good on that prophecy as audiences in Iowa, New Hampshire, and other key battleground states greet him with thunderous applause. "I don't want to spend the next four years re- fighting the same fights we had in the 1990s. I don't want to pit red America against blue America. I want to be president of the United States of America," says Obama.

With his galvanizing message of hope and change, Obama's campaign has created an excitement unmatched by any other, and it brings together diverse sectors of the electorate -- black, white, Latino, young, old, blue-collar, and white-collar.

In researching January's cover feature, BE spent months talking to political analysts, and party activists and supporters to identify why Obama has the right stuff to win:

-- A Message for All People. Obama has hit on universal themes that
resonate with voters across racial, gender, and demographic lines, an
approach necessary for a black candidate looking to be elected. He's
also been successful in garnering support from divergent
constituencies, including Hollywood, the Bible Belt, and corporate
America. In addition to the war, domestic issues, such as education and
employment, resonate without the usual Beltway rhetoric.
-- A Winning Team. Obama has assembled a multi-ethnic lineup of political
strategists and an all-star team of more than 200 policy advisers,
including heavy-hitters from the Clinton administration. His top-notch
team is making sure his campaign speeches, debate appearances, and
policy statements set him apart from the other Democratic contenders,
especially presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.
-- The Funds to Compete. Running for president takes loads of money and
Obama has demonstrated a keen ability to raise cash. Through the third
quarter of 2007 he raised $80.3 million. In addition, his campaign has
witnessed a surge in online contributions -- more than $20 million from
small donors, those contributing $200 or less. "We have more small
donors than all of the Democratic candidates combined," says Obama.
"These are people who will definitely show up to vote."
-- The Black Vote. Obama's major challenge for the black vote lies with
chief opponent, Hillary Clinton. She's garnered enormous loyalty and
name recognition within the black community largely due to the
popularity of her husband. But history may be on Obama's side. African
Americans tend to embrace black candidates -- particularly democratic
ones -- who speak to the general electorate and closely represent their
agenda.
-- Support from White America. Much has changed in America with the
emergence of several black mayors, governors, secretaries of state, and
CEOs -- suggesting that voters have become more comfortable with
African Americans as leaders. Traveling with his campaign in Iowa, BE
reporters witnessed first-hand how Obama's universal themes connect
with crowds. At events, Obama packs them in like a rock star: he drew
10,000 in Iowa City, 7,000 in Ames, and 4,500 in Davenport.
-- America is Ready for a Change. Obama offers the change in leadership
that many are seeking: youth and vitality, an unyielding hope for the
future, and a rejection of the Washington-inside mind-set. His
independence also sets him apart as he is the only candidate who has
taken less than 1% of his donations from political action committees
and none from lobbyists. He is also pushing for a transparent
presidency, one in which voters are more involved with and informed
about government activities via the Internet and town hall meetings.
"It will no longer be business as usual in the White House," says
Obama. "There will be a new openness in Washington."

The January 2008 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE hits newsstands on December 25, 2007.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 3.9 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces radio and television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071213/NYTH071
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN6
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BLACK ENTERPRISE

CONTACT: Andrew Wadium of Earl G. Graves Ltd., +1-212-886-9598,
wadiuma@blackenterprise.com, for BLACK ENTERPRISE

Web site:

http://www.blackenterprise.com/

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