This is the one to watch

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 — Senator Barack Obama’s announcement that he might run for president is altering the early dynamics of the 2008 Democratic nominating contest. The move has created complications for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as she steps up her own preparations and is posing a threat to lesser-known Democrats trying to position themselves as alternatives to Mrs. Clinton, Democrats said Sunday.

The declaration six weeks ago by Mr. Obama, an Illinois Democrat, has set off a surge of interest in Democratic circles, which party officials expect will only be fueled in the coming week as Mr. Obama prepares for a day of campaignlike events in New Hampshire next Sunday.

This is interesting. What does the enthusiasm with which Mr. Obama's announcement is being greeted say about the Democrat Party's true feelings about Mrs. Clinton?

Another question is, "what is Barack Obama really after"?

It is highly unlikely that the Clintons will allow a serious challenger to even get as far as the primaries - unless there is some kind of deal already worked out. This could be Mr. Obama's way of grabbing the Vice Presidential spot.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Either Mrs. Clinton will want him as her running mate in 2008 or he will become the new poster-boy for renewed gun control legislation after his bullet riddled body is found on some DC street at 3:00 AM, the victim of an apparent car jacking.