Barack is running

You don't form a Presidential Exploratory Committee unless you're actually running.

Barack has played his cards well. He's new to Washington, having been elected with over 80% of the vote in 2004, so he never really had a vote on the Iraq War. He's considered "moderate," though he's unabashedly liberal both socially and economically. Somehow though, he's convinced the media that he's willing to work across party lines.

I'm not sure how he's convinced us of this. It must be his good camera face. Even I like the guy. He's nice. I don't detest him. But simply saying that you'll work across party lines doesn't mean you will. When it comes down to it, Barack will still stay on his side of the aisle on the hot button issues. He may not talk about them much at all because the smart thing politically is to not talk about them. But he does believe them.

He's downplayed his role as a presidential candidate until the hype got so big you knew he just had to run. Right here in the Twin Cities, rallies have been held with hundreds and even thousands in attendance with one express purpose: "Run Obama, Run!"

If things continue as they have been for the next year and a half, Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee. There's no question about that. What is in question is what will happen once the media and the Republican Party have gutted him for all the public to see.

In other word, will his popularity stand up when dragged through the fire?