OH-Bama!

The first real sign of the upcoming move for the Democratic party, Illinois Senator and political it-boy Barack Obama announced the opening of his exploratory committee. Showing his interest in seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. President

In a released statement on his website, Senator Obama writes:

"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."

Some will hearld this as the greatest or weakest move a two-term Senator could make. The cat-calling of newbie, spoiler and inexperienced will be played out for the next twenty months.

Having read about the Senator since first hearing of his work in early 2003 while working the early with the ODP on Kerry's 2004 Presidential Campaign, I've been eager for this announcement. He's got my vote, friends. He's the real deal.