President Obama - "skinny kid with a funny name"

What would a President Obama mean for the world? It's a long shot, but given rumblings suggestive of an Obama candidacy in 2008, it's suddenly a question worth posing. He's only 45. He's a two year senator. He's frighteningly eloquent. He is currently the only African-American in the Senate and only the fifth in history. But he, more than other rumoured candidates, would represent a new beginning for America. Since 1980 when George Bush Snr joined the winning Reagan ticket as Vice President, either a Bush or a Clinton has been at the centre of American power. 1980 was 26 years ago. One could imagine a Whitlam-esque 'its time' campaign tapping into residual frustration with the state of things (think Sept 11, the Iraq war, big budget deficits, frustration with divisive partisanship and politicians ethical lapses).

He has the 'American miracle' biography, rising from modest means (literally son of a Kenyan goat herder) by making the most of opportunity. We all heard his striking convention speech in 2004 - here - in which he raised the roof with a lyrical evocation of Democrat values. His biggest barrier is to persuade democrats to take a leap of faith with him. He'd be the youngest President since Kennedy. Hillary Clinton would be the safe bet - she is popular though opinion against her is hardened - but don't write her off. For either, 2008 is a great opportunity to avoid an incumbent President or Vice President - a relatively rare thing.

The problem is without a public track record to speak of, its hard to know where he stands on issues - apart from the broad rhetoric. He voted against the Iraq war when it was not comfortable to do so - that's a plus. A Time article, based on interviews with Obama, raises questions about the depth of his policy ideas - he is smart, incisive and eloquent, but not particularly willing to shake-up conventional policy approaches. Moderation and cross-party mediation are his prefered approaches. Maybe he is just keeping his policy powder dry for 2008 - he is not yet a disclosed candidate. But he could go a long way simply promising 'change' to the way politics is currently played in the US, perhaps all the way. Definately one worth watching in the months ahead.