US Democratic Senator Barack Obama on Saturday officially
announced his candidacy for president in the 2008 elections, which
could make him the first black president of the country.
Obama made his announcement in Springfield, Illinois, where he
was elected in 2004 to the Senate for the first time.
"We can build a more hopeful America," he said in remarks
announcing his candidacy, which were broadcast alive by TV
networks.
"And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where
Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where
common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today
to announce my candidacy for president of the United States," said
Obama, who was born in August 1961.
The first-term senator took the first step toward running for
the White House on Jan. 16, when he announced on his Web site that
he was forming an exploratory committee.
Obama was considered a leading contender for the Democratic
presidential nomination, and one of his major rivals was Senator
Hillary Clinton of New York, who announced to set up her
exploratory committee only four days after Obama's declaration last
month.
Obama planned to visit Iowa on Saturday and Sunday, the first
state to hold caucus in the presidential primaries, and New
Hampshire on Monday, which would hold the first primary.
About 10 people have announced their intentions or decisions to
seek the Democratic presidential nomination. Besides Obama and
Clinton, the candidates or potential candidates include former
Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, the party's vice
presidential nominee of 2004; Representative Dennis Kucinich of
Ohio, who ran an unsuccessful bid in 2004; Senators Joseph R. Biden
of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut; New Mexico
Governor Bill Richardson and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.
A number of polls released recently showed Obama and Clinton
enjoyed more public support than other Democratic
hopefuls.?
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2007)
