I was not present in Springfield on the sub-zero windchill morning that Barack Obama announced his presidential candidacy. I had intended to attend, but things fell through and I laid in a prone position on my couch in DeKalb, watching it on CNN instead. I watched as a crowd of several thousand people cheered him as he made the bold statements I have come to expect from him. Here, I thought, is a politician who has become so beloved by his constituency that they practically forced his hat into the ring.

I could go on about where I stand with Obama's policies, but most people already know that. The entire point lies in that morning as I lay spread out on the couch with a blanket, space heater and a cup of coffee, watching him on CNN. I am a person who is interested in policy but hates politicians this is true of most people.

Thousands Gather To Hear Barack Obama

(CBS 42) AUSTIN Moods were high, despite the long lines to get into Auditorium Shores to catch a glimpse of the man who wants to win the presidency in 2008.Some read the newspaper to pass the time, others just sat down on the pavement.When the gates opened, people flooded inside--clamoring to get to the front of the stage.The crowd cheered and yelled when Senator Barack Obama took the stage.People say Obama has what it takes to win the White House and make history.We are just ready for change, and he's got hope, hes got charisma, he is talking the talk and he's ready to do the walk, Sammy Soto said.He has a chance and hopefully he can carry Texas, Nicole Taylor said. Hopefully when it comes time for election day, he can carry us. John Kerry won Travis County in 2004. Al Gore won it in 2000.

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton: The Main Ooze

Taking the high road (to milk) or distinguish himself from the Sen. Barack Obama-Sen. Hillary Clinton Democratic public squabble that broke out last week, Presidential hopeful, John Edwards told ABC News, "It makes me kind of sad, actually. It's entertaining, but I don't think it's what we should be focused on right now. I think the country's faced with a war and huge challenges at home. These sort of back-and-forth personal interactions I don't think are helpful for America."

Barack Obama Draws Large Crowds In Urban Areas

(AP) WASHINGTON Leah Hanes had never been much into politics until she ended up at a Barack Obama rally this week in Los Angeles, wearing a campaign T-shirt that she bought onsite like a concertgoer who found a new favorite band.Hanes, a Canadian who lives in Los Angeles, said she is going to push to get her U.S. citizenship in time for the 2008 election so she can vote for the Democratic presidential candidate. The 52-year-old producer said Obama's challenges growing up of mixed race had given him a depth of understanding she didn't see in other candidates and she thinks he can make a difference."He is a combination of both sides of the country," said Hanes, one of thousands who turned up to hear the Illinois senator at a Los Angeles park, sprawling 360 degrees around the stage. "He's been through his own struggle.