I DO think the media is liberal leaning but I DON'T believe they're trying to make him out to be anything. For the most part, I think they realize he's not a realistic choice for the presidency and are trying to beat him back if anything. I've never heard 'flavor of the week' used more in my life then in the past three or four weeks.

When it comes down to it, Obama is an idiot if he runs in 2008. He'll have a record of nothingness in the Senate to defend, lacks the experience and the foreign policy credibility. His surface characteristics make him EXTREMELY appealing, but once the rubber hits the road, as he stands right now, he'll get eaten alive. If i'm Obama I just keep doing what he's doing. Capitalize on the media barnstorm, get your name out there, keep holding fundraisers and build up that war chest. Then I announce i'm not running late in the game. Obama is seen as the most popular, and the longer he holds out.. the longer the buzz sustains itself and therefore he gains more credibility as an opinion maker. He's a defacto choice for Vice President and makes a semi-strong ticket far stronger. Eight years of sitting around as #2 sets him up nicely for a run at the White House later on.

I also make sure no one starts talking about anything substantive about me. Keep the mystery in the air. The minute they begin to see too much, I duck out. He's playing good politics right now, but realistically he's got as much of a shot of winning in 2008 as I do. I wouldn't go as far as to say he's a 'flash in the pan', because if anyone has 'it', Obama does... he's got a bright future, but he'll flush it down the tubes if he runs this time around..