OBAMA

WASHINGTON (Reuters):

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois jumped into the 2008 White House race yesterday, promising to bring Americans together and "change our politics" with a campaign that could make him the first black president in U.S. history.

Obama, a freshman senator and rising party star, formed a committee to begin raising money and hiring staff to campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to succeed Republican President George W. Bush.

He plans a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Chicago on February 10.

"Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions," Obama said in a video message announcing his bid.

"We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans," he said.

Obama, 45, is the fifth candidate in a Democratic White House field expected to be led by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who has not said whether she will try to become the first woman president but has promised an announcement soon.