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First-term Illinois Sen. Barack Obama announced today he will take the first step toward becoming the nation's first black president by filing for a presidential exploratory committee to assess his chances. And where does Oprah Winfrey fit in? Watch the video or read the transcript.

"I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago," Obama says in a video announcement on his web site, www.barackobama.com. "But as I've spoken to many of you in my travels across the states these past months, as I've read your e-mails and read your letters, I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics," he adds, echoing the message he conveyed to thousands who heard him speak in New Hampshire last month. (See also: 'Obamamania' Strikes New Hampshire: Is Barack Finally Ready to Run?)

Finally, the public gets an answer—but filing paperwork to create a presidential exploratory committee doesn't equate to a 2008 presidential bid. This gives Obama license to begin raising funds and building the structure for a potential campaign. Funds need not be disclosed unless he actually decides to run, which we may learn next month. What's Obama's plan?

"For the next several weeks, I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together," Obama says on his web site. "And on February 10, at the end of these decisions and in my home state of Illinois, I'll share my plans with my friends, neighbors and fellow Americans."

Everyone's been waiting for Obama to make his move, thanks to tips from "close sources" and increased media presence. As early as this morning, however, it was mere speculation Obama would even file papers for an exploratory committee. Bloggers were surprised Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday passed yesterday with no news from Obama, but they anticipate he will make an official announcement during his guest appearance on tomorrow's "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Neither Obama nor mainstream media has confirmed this alleged appearance. The "Oprah" schedule for Wed., Jan. 17, reads, "Please check back later for more details on this show." Schedule details already have been posted for Thursday and Friday of this week, so what's on Oprah's "secret" agenda for tomorrow?

Stay tuned to find out.

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