Barack Obama - first-term U.S. senator from Illinois, Democratic fundraiser extraordinaire and best-selling author - is inching toward a 2008 presidential bid.

On Dec. 10, Obama will attend the New Hampshire Democratic Party's celebration of their Election Day sweep, which tipped the balance of power in the House, Senate and both congressional districts. The event will mark Obama's first trip to New Hampshire since he emerged as a potential presidential candidate, and it signals his growing commitment to a possible run, according to political analysts.

"He's dipping his toes into the political waters. And I expect he'll find it very comfortable," said Wayne Lesperance, an associate professor of political science at New England College in Henniker.

The announcement had many New Hampshire Democrats gasping with glee yesterday, eager to reflect on Obama's legislative experience (or lack thereof), his eloquence and his charisma. The national attention - which has included magazine photo spreads, and a visit with Oprah Winfrey - has generated excitement that's unrivaled in the early 2008 presidential campaign, some said. In the month since Obama said he was considering a run for president, the anticipation has reached a fever pitch.

"He certainly is generating more buzz and more interest than I've seen in some time," said Joe Keefe, a former Democratic congressional candidate in the First District. "He's drawing comparisons to John F. Kennedy, who was criticized for lack of experience, but he projected a certain vital energy that people were looking for. . . . If Obama can tap into that same thing, he could be very much like Kennedy."

"For someone like Obama, who is such a hot commodity right now and is generating so much interest, you have to seize the day," Keefe said.

But for all the excitement surrounding Obama's potential bid, several New Hampshire Democrats urged caution yesterday. The presidential dance is in its first stages, they said. And if Obama decides to run, next month's visit will only be the first of many.

"I feel like we're beginning a courtship, and in the early days of the courtship, you're swept away. And later, you start seeing some of the warts," said Arnie Arnesen, a political analyst and former radio talk show host. "That's the beauty of New Hampshire: You get to evaluate these individuals on a very personal basis."

The same traits that make Obama so appealing - his youth, being a newcomer to Washington politics - could also hinder a potential run. Two years in the U.S. Senate and seven years in the Illinois state Senate don't suffice for the Oval Office, some political analysts said.

"It's fairly early for him," said J. Mark Wrighton, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire. "His background and his life story are appealing to folks. But that part of being a good presidential candidate isn't all of being a good presidential candidate."

And in the post-Sept. 11 world, candidates will need to prove their foreign policy credentials.

"George W. Bush is the ultimate truth that you don't need foreign policy to get elected, but you do need it after you get elected," Keefe said. "Obama has to demonstrate that his lack of experience won't be detrimental to U.S. interests."

Obama's planned visit to New Hampshire comes as other possible candidates are firming up plans for their own presidential campaigns. The Illinois senator's fundraising prowess will likely harm candidates such as Sen. John Kerry, Lesperance said. "For the second and third tier candidates, it makes it much harder."

And in college circles, at least, Obama seems to be generate the most excitement. "He's probably the most talked-about candidate," said Nick Christiansen, a member of the University of New Hampshire College Democrats. "He's trying to inspire us instead of scare us."

Voters asked to rank politicians recently gave Obama high marks. In a Quinnipiac University poll of 1,623 voters released this week, Obama ranked second behind former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani (although a large percentage of respondents didn't know enough about Obama to rank him). Republican Sen. John McCain followed Obama, with Kerry last on the list of 20 politicians.

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