Obama takes first step to ’08 run, further crowding race before Richardson announces whether he’s in

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama took the first step in a presidential bid today by filing papers creating an exploratory committee, further crowding the presidential field before New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has even announced whether he’ll run.

“I certainly didn’t expect to find myself in this position a year ago,” Obama said in a message posted on his Web site. “… I’ve been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics, so I’ve spent some time thinking about how I could best advance the cause of change and progress that we so desperately need.”

Meanwhile, Richardson was in South Carolina at a dinner honoring former Democratic governors of that state this weekend, and gave a speech during which he said he favors a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq this year.

His speech is on YouTube in four parts. Click here to view part 1, here to view part 2, here to view part 3 and here to view part 4.

The race for the White House is very crowded. For a list of Democrats and Republicans who have formed presidential exploratory committees, and others who are considering running, click here.