It's Officially Official. Obama Officializes White House Run.

from CBS 2 Chicago
Guess What? Barack Obama is running for President of the United States.

Obama To Call on Ghost of Lincoln Past for Official Announcemnt

From the Springfield Journal Register via The Chicago Sun-Times:

"Obama poised to announce at Old State Capitol in Springfield.

"Hat tip to Bernard Schoenburg of the Springfield Journal Register who reported today that Barack Obama will make his 2008 presidential bid "official" at the Old State Capitol on the morning of Feb. 10 with the Prairie Capital Convention Center backup in case of bad weather. My Sun-Times colleague Scott Fornek earlier wrote a story suggesting the Old State Capitol would be a logical place for the launch.

That will unleash the Barack Obama as Abe Lincoln narrative. Lincoln delivered his "House divided" speech at that historic spot and the announcement is on Lincoln's birthday weekend. Obama is expected to vault over to Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation 2008 caucus, after the announcement. "

"Obama reserves Old State Capitol for day of announcement." (Bellville News Democrat)

Brownback, Richardson Also Giving Obama a Run for His Money

• "Richardson Touts Experience as Cure for Underdog Status" (New York Times)
• "Democrat Richarson seeks office" (BBC News)
• "Bill Richardson Joins 2008 Race" (CBS News)

• "Kansas senator announces presidential bid" (Concord Monitor NH)
• "Bio Box Brownback" (Fox News)
• "Brownback in Long-Shot White House Bid" (ABC News)
  

The Clinton Cometh

...reaction to political powerhouse's decision to run (AP/New York Newsday)

Obama: "Senator Clinton is a good friend and a colleague whom I greatly respect. I welcome her and all the candidates, not as competitors, but as allies in the work of getting our country back on track." _ Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who also is running for president."

Candidates In, Potential First Ladies Out (America's Next First Lady)

Obama Forms Committe, Sends Press into Overdrive

• "Obama Takes First Step Towards Presidential Bid" (Watch story on CBS2 Chicago)

• "Obama takes first step in White House bid" (Chicago Tribune)

• "Obama takes first White House step" (AP/Time)

• "Who does Barack Obama think he is?" (Guardian Unlimited - UK)

• "The skeptics take a turn: Reasons why Barack Obama will not be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2008" (Chicago Tribune)
  

Obama Takes First Step in Presidential Run

Dear Friend, As you may know, over the last few months I have been thinking hard about my plans for 2008. Running for the presidency is a profound decision - a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone - and so before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country. I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago. But as I've spoken to many of you in my travels across the states these past months; as I've read your emails and read your letters; I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics. So I've spent some time thinking about how I could best advance the cause of change and progress that we so desperately need. The decisions that have been made in Washington these past six years, and the problems that have been ignored, have put our country in a precarious place. Our economy is changing rapidly, and that means profound changes for working people. Many of you have shared with me your stories about skyrocketing health care bills, the pensions you've lost and your struggles to pay for college for your kids. Our continued dependence on oil has put our security and our very planet at risk. And we're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged. But challenging as they are, it's not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most. It's the smallness of our politics. America's faced big problems before. But today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first. We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans. This won't happen by itself. A change in our politics can only come from you; from people across our country who believe there's a better way and are willing to work for it. Years ago, as a community organizer in Chicago, I learned that meaningful change always begins at the grassroots, and that engaged citizens working together can accomplish extraordinary things. So even in the midst of the enormous challenges we face today, I have great faith and hope about the future - because I believe in you. And that's why I wanted to tell you first that I'll be filing papers today to create a presidential exploratory committee. For the next several weeks, I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together. And on February 10th, at the end of these decisions and in my home state of Illinois, I'll share my plans with my friends, neighbors and fellow Americans. In the meantime, I want to thank all of you for your time, your suggestions, your encouragement and your prayers. And I look forward to continuing our conversation in the weeks and months to come. Sincerely, U.S. Senator Barack Obama

Obama Announcing on Oprah This Week?

A well connected "tipster" has Taegan Goddard, speculating about an official statement from the senator on Wednesday.

Political Wire:
"The Oprah schedule for Wednesday, January 17 says to "check back later" for more details on the show. Since all shows are taped in advance, this suggests something is up."

And this was on CBS2 Chicago's website before it was yanked off later.
Barack Obama will reveal his intentions on a possible presidential run on the Oprah Winfrey show this week. CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports ...

Obama Announcement Imminent?

The blogs are abuzz that Senator Barack Obama will officially declare he'll run for president very soon.
Will he make history on Monday? (What would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 78th birthday)

Political Insider: "There is growing speculation in Democratic political circles that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will announce his presidential intentions on Martin Luther King Day. That timing would certainly highlight the historic nature of his candidacy."