Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois jumped into the 2008 White House race on Tuesday, promising to "change our politics" with a campaign that could make him the first black president in U.S. history, reports Reuters. Obama, a freshman senator and rising party star, formed an exploratory committee to begin raising money and hiring staff to campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to succeed Republican President George W. Bush. He plans a formal campaign announcement in his home state of Illinois on February 10. "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," Obama said in a video message announcing his bid. "We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans," he said.

September 14, 2006, over two-hundred Illinois constituents had an opportunity to hear Sen.Barack Obama speak out on the importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide and encouraged the Turkish Government to end their campaign of denial. Sen. Obama stated that the Armenian Genocide was one of the most horrific tragedies that occurred during the 20th Century by the Turkish Government. He also stressed the importance of working to end the campaign of denial and speaking the truth, which in some instances has unfortunately jeopardized peoples' careers.