Sen. Dick Durbin's "Run, Barack, Run!" Petition
first noted late Nov. 2006

www.dickdurbin.com/news
Dick Durbin for IL 2008
(Jan. 17, 2007 grab)
Run, Barack, Run!
As many of you may know, I'm a huge Barack Obama fan.  I've known Barack since he was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, and I'm impressed by what he has accomplished in his relatively short political career.  I'm also proud to call him my friend.

Not only does Senator Obama do a wonderful job representing the people of Illinois, in just a few short years he has proven himself to be an incredibly inspirational national leader.  From his memorable and unifying speech at the Democratic National Convention to his new book The Audacity of Hope, Barack has shown that he has the best interests of all Americans at heart.

That is why I want to see Barack run for President in 2008.  I believe that he is the right man to lead our country at a time of such turmoil around the globe, bringing Americans together at a time in our nation's history when we need unity more than ever.

Barack has said publicly that he is considering a run, and part of his consideration will doubtlessly include measuring the level of his support from Democrats across the country.  So let's show him how strong that support is.

Dick
 

Full Petition Text:

Dear Senator Obama,

Not only do you do a wonderful job representing the people of Illinois, in just a few short years you have proven yourself to be an incredibly inspirational national leader.  From your memorable and unifying speech at the Democratic National Convention to your new book The Audacity of Hope, you have shown you have the best interests of all Americans at heart.

That is why I want to see you run for President in 2008.  I believe that you are the right man to lead our country at a time of such turmoil around the globe, bringing Americans together at a time in our nation's history when we need unity more than ever.

As your memorable speech at the 2004 convention proved, you understand that our country isn't as simply divided between red and blue as political commentators seem to believe.  There isn't a monolithic "red state voter" who is different in every way from her blue state counterpart, but rather there are Americans in every corner of our country who have their own hopes, dreams, and communities -- and many more of these overlap than conflict.

With a unifying leader like you in the White House, I know that we can overcome the deep divisions that cause such unnecessary friction to arise between red and blue, both in Washington and in our nation as a whole.  That is why I hope you will run for President in 2008.

 
Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]