Barak Obama

Announced his exploratory committee (for 2008, For President) this morning. I've not been on the bandwagon, but I'm not on the bandwagon for any aspirants yet.

Here's ABC's punchy coverage, framed as a 3 ring circus.

Remembering always our three rings — the multi-act play that is the political winding down of the Iraq war, the other parts of the 2007-8 legislative agenda, and the looming 2008 presidential race — the first two rings moved along in tandem (as they will for some time) over the weekend.

On Iraq, the President had his best TV performance in years, minueting with Scott Pelley on "60 Minutes," but that was largely offset by the grim news coverage out of Iraq (and the Gang of 500 mindset, which demands a fight over funding).

Ring Two remains in suspended animation (although check out Robin Toner's must-read New York Times piece which adds another brick to the theory that the Democrats have their PR act together LINK).

On Ring Three, all eyes are on the Junior Senator from Illinois, as he gets ready, apparently, to do some kabuki toe dipping.