Barack Obama, Our Next President?

It's official, Barack Obama has declared that he is running for President. He did so yesterday morning standing in front of the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln began his political career about 150 years ago. This was a very symbolic stage for Obama, in that Lincoln was responsible for ending slavery and freeing many African Americans, and Obama attempting to be the first African American to be President. A large crowd formed in the frigid morning in Springfield, IL to hear this possibly historic speach. Obama made it clear that he is campaigning for change in America. His limited time in government is being touted as a strength, in that he still has all of "HIS" ideas and not those of all the lobbyists that pull at the veteran politicians for years and years. His main rivals for the Democratic nomination come from Clinton and Edwards.

Obama has made it this far in his political career without the use of negative ads aimed at his opponents. I don't think anyone really expects that to continue with the expected hotly contested Democratic nomination.

Following Obama's announcement in Springfield, he quickly reported to Iowa. This is where each of the candidates will get their first indication of where they stand with the voters. The rest of the country will get their first look at public opinion of them as well. This is where Obama plans to surprise his main Democratic rivals with a convincing win.