Just in case you missed Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) presidential announcement this past weekend in Springfield, Illinois, here are the YouTube links for your viewing pleasure. The speech is cut up into three parts.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3sHwp_AVWs

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_xPSqhxgyw&NR

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr2SY2N2kpw

I am feeling a little weird about Sen. Dick Durbin’s insistence that Obama runs in ‘08. Does he want a cabinet appointment? Is he tired of being overshadowed by the Junior Senator from Illinois? Does he just want to be the key supporter of Obama’s?

I was just on DickDurbin.com which I peruse everyday at about this time and found this petition urging Obama to run.

Clearly this is a planned strategy- there’s just no way Obama would allow Durbin to push this if it wasn’t decided that he was in the 2008 Presidential race.

Just strange.

As many of you may know, I’m a huge Barack Obama fan. I’ve known Barack since he was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, and I’m impressed by what he has accomplished in his relatively short political career. I’m also proud to call him my friend.

Not only does Senator Obama do a wonderful job representing the people of Illinois, in just a few short years he has proven himself to be an incredibly inspirational national leader. From his memorable and unifying speech at the Democratic National Convention to his new book The Audacity of Hope, Barack has shown that he has the best interests of all Americans at heart.

That is why I want to see Barack run for President in 2008. I believe that he is the right man to lead our country at a time of such turmoil around the globe, bringing Americans together at a time in our nation’s history when we need unity more than ever.

Barack has said publicly that he is considering a run, and part of his consideration will doubtlessly include measuring the level of his support from Democrats across the country. So let’s show him how strong that support is.

If you haven’t heard about Tammy Duckworth yet, then now is a good opportunity to learn more about a true American hero.

Duckworth is running for Congress in the district that Henry Hyde has represented for decades. She delivered the Democrat’s radio address this weekend and you should take a listen.

Check out Tammy’s campaign website and if you live in her district or know others who do, tell them to get to work!