Civil rights leader Andrew Young said Obama was too young. Do you believe him or Oprah?

Question

Andrew Young worked with Martin Luther King Jr.
Are you willing to compromise our country's security for the sake of voting the same way a celebrity like Oprah would?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/071208/world/obama_young

"I want Barack Obama to be president," Young said, pausing for effect, "in 2016."

"It's not a matter of being inexperienced. It's a matter of being young," Young said. "There's a certain level of maturity ... you've got to learn to take a certain amount of (expletive)."

Young went on to say that Obama needs a protective network that he currently lacks - a quality that could hurt him if he were to be elected. He said Hillary Clinton already has that kind of network, including her husband to back her up.

Bill Clinton took office at 46 but he was Governor since he was 32.
Obama just became Senator 2 years ago.

Answer 1

I'd agree with Young. I really don't care what Oprah says or does.

Answer 2

I have no idea what connection you're making between Young and Winfrey. Who cares who Winfrey endorses? I suppose there's some connection in your mind because they're both black commenting on a black candidate?

As far as Young's comments go, however, I have to agree on the age thing. Gerald Ford said that he was surprised upon becoming President, that some members of the legislature seem to live for no reason other than just making the President's life difficult. They have no real point, no real consistent agenda, no real goal. Just "Oppose the Executive" - on anything. I have no problem believing this is the case. And I believe this is the kind of thing Young is speaking about, having been a part of Jimmy Carter's Administration when he Young was only in his 40s.

"Young" Presidents (by that I mean, much under 60 when they come to the office) seem to have a problem getting past the clash of opposition and, instead, just go into stalwart rigidity in its face instead of finding some diplomatic soultion to the problem. I believe this was Bill Clinton's problem. I believe this current President TOTALLY has that problem.

I believe we saw this same problem in young Presidents of the past like Teddy Roosevelt and JFK.

Yes, there are going to be people who, as Young implies, just like to give the President [expletive] and one needs a certain amount of maturity to just look past it and stay on the big picture.

I'm not interested in being burned, once again, by a President who may be very, very intelligent and most certainly has the personality goods to be in such a position, but just may be too young - chronologically speaking - for that particular office. I had this same concern over John Edwards in 2004. I had this concern over Al Gore when he first ran for President in 1988.

Answer 3

Bill Clinton appointed Andrew Young in 1994 as chairman of the Souther Africa Enterprise Development Fund A 100 million dollar privately managed fund. An extremely powerful position.

Do you think that maybe there is a little quid pro quo? He also said that Bill Clinton slept with more black women than Obama.

Isn't that high praise for Hillary!

Merry Christmas!

.

Answer 4

Most civil rights leaders are thieves and liars. America has no problem with minorities any more, in fact minorities have greater protection than white people, which is contrary to the Equal Protection Clause of the constitution.

(I don't need anyone to tell me that Obama is too young or too inexperienced for the presidency. Having said that, I'm hoping that Oprah gives Obama the push that he needs to beat Hillary in the primaries. Oprah's efforts would then guarantee a Republican president. Until the Hillary Hype subsides, Obama is our best bet.)

Answer 5

A person is eligible to run for President at 35. Barack Obama is 46, so he meets the constitutional standard.

Since when is 46 too young?

I think at 46 one is mature enough to make good decisions. A person is not more of a man at 50 or 60 than he is at 46.

Answer 6

Independent thinkers don't really care what either of them have to say about a presidential candidate. I truly think the American people are smarter than to vote for someone JUST because a celebrity endorses them.

Oprah's speech was a bit political, but I think the intent was to have her bring out the people that wouldn't have normally come out to a political campaign function. I think she was successful, but her being so political may not have helped him. I didn't think it was her job to sell him. It was his job to sell himself.

Andrew Young? He's been quiet for years. He can do us all a favor and stay that way. What has he done nationally lately? He doesn't even speak up when the country is hungry for Black leaders. A.Y., go back to sleep.

Answer 7

So he's young.

I don't let ANYONE - a civil rights leader or a talk show host - tell me how to vote. I look at the platforms, what they are looking to do when in office, and how they plan on doing it. I also look at the plausability of the ideas (if they can be done), and if I think them trustworthy.

I wish more would, instead of allowing celebrities and "leaders" who think they know more do the voting for them. They are going to push for the candidate that will do the most for THEM. We, the voters of this nation, should do the very same thing.

Answer 8

Okay, let's just ignore the whole Chuck Norris/ Ric Flair for Huckabee thing, the Bill Paxon for Giuliani thing, or the Curt Schilling for McCain thing:
Darn those Democrats using celebrities for endorsements!!!

Answer 9

Why all the racism? Oprah is stomping for Obama, because she believes in him and many agree with her. Andrew Young thinks hes to young, that's Andrew Young's opinion. Most voters will vote their conscience, Who they believe will be the best president for the country.........So stop hating and stop fretting..What are you afraid of...Really ???

Answer 10

The law states candidates have to be 35 or older, so hes not too young. He is 46. I like presidents that are about this age, and not senile like those in Congress

Answer 11

When Bill Clinton took office he was 46.

Were Obama to win office he would be 48.

He's not too young.

BTW GW Bush was 54.