Obama to enter 2008 White House race

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois will take the first step to entering the 2008 White House race today, a party source said, forming a committee to explore a candidacy that could make him the first black president in US history.

Obama, a freshman senator and rising party star, will file papers that will allow him to raise money and hire staff for his campaign to succeed Republican President George W Bush, the source said.

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