To a crowd of thousands waving homemade signs and campaign placards outside the old state Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, Sen. Barack Obama today formally announced his candidacy for "the office of President of the United States. "

In a well-received speech in which he repeatedly cited the "failures of leadership" and the "smallness of politics" that fail to tackle the "big problems of America," he appealed to his supporters to believe in "new hope for America."

In his impressive remarks full of specifics, he put forth brief ideas for teachers' pay, college affordability and granting broadband access for rural American and inner cities, and expanded on his recent calls for universal health care and to end the Iraq War. The senator declared, "People who love their country can change it."

Obama ended his speech by asking Americans to "shake off our slumber, leave behind our fears," and to join him in working for a "new birth of freedom" in America.

As soon as available, I'll upload the complete text of Sen. Obama's speech here for your easy access.

UPDATE - You can read Sen. Obama's historic words today at Barack Obama's Speech Announcing 2008 Run for the White House. In the next few days, I'll analyze and comment on it for you. At first blush, it's brilliant.

Recommended Reading
Barack Obama in 2008 Info Center at About.com
Barack Obama's Stirring 2002 Speech Against the Iraq War
Barack Obama's Speech Urging Universal Health Insurance
Profile of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois
Obama's Sense of History: Old State Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois, (U.S. Gov Info)