Obama: the Accidental Candidate

Dem rose with dizzying speed on a cascade of lucky breaks

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 12, 2007 7:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama’s rapid ascent to top-tier presidential candidate was the stuff of lucky break after lucky break, as quiet charisma and other people’s sex scandals catapulted him to the top, the Washington Post reports. It was a chance opening that first took him to Chicago and chance again that opened up a US Senate seat from Illinois. “It’s like he’s cut in line,” a Hill staffer observed.

Three sex scandals cleared the Democrat’s way to the state senate and then to Washington—and he’d “probably have stepped out of politics for a while” if his 2004 competition had been different. In fact it's Obama’s cool character that has been winning him elections for decades; conservative classmates chose him as the most level-headed liberal in the race for Harvard Law Review president.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets members of the National Association of Black Journalists after speaking at the 32nd NABJ Convention at Bally's hotel-casino in Las Vegas,... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. smiles during an interview Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, with talk show host Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo (not shown) during his nationally syndicated radio... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks to the media during a news conference in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Senator Obama worked with health care worker Pauline... (Associated Press)

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Dem rose with dizzying speed on a cascade of lucky breaks

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'Senator Oprah' Sounded Good to Blago

Then-gov considered media titan to succeed Obama as senator

2008 All Over Again: Obama to Base Campaign in Chicago

First reelection bid outside DC in recent memory

Obama as Jesus Stirs Some Ire

Christ sculpture draws protest, but Barack turns the other cheek

Did Chatty Michelle Break Voting Laws?

Conservative watchdog slams first lady's 'technical violation'

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

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Dem rose with dizzying speed on a cascade of lucky breaks

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Chicago • presidential campaign • Illinois • Harvard Law School • Election 2008 • senator

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

'Senator Oprah' Sounded Good to Blago

Then-gov considered media titan to succeed Obama as senator

2008 All Over Again: Obama to Base Campaign in Chicago

First reelection bid outside DC in recent memory

Obama as Jesus Stirs Some Ire

Christ sculpture draws protest, but Barack turns the other cheek

Did Chatty Michelle Break Voting Laws?

Conservative watchdog slams first lady's 'technical violation'

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

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Newser By Users

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