Possible president: Obama hints at bid for election

RISING political star Barack Obama is considering a run for the US presidency in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the November 7 elections.

“Given the responses that I’ve been getting over the last several months, I have thought about the possibility” although not with the seriousness required, he said. “After November 7, I’ll sit down and consider, and if at some point I change my mind, I will make a public announcement and everybody will be able to go at me.”