Welcome to a community supported and guest-produced edition of the Best of the Left podcast, with clips

today from the BBC, The New York Times, Counter-Spin, Young Turks, and NPR.

Although the next US presidential election is still two years away, potential candidates are starting to emerge.

One person whose star is rising is the Democratic Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.

Paul suggests that Obama, whose father is Kenyan and mother-american, is second only to Hillary Clinton in terms of popularity among Democrat voters.

The 2008 election promises to be one of the most open races in 50 years.

In recent days, Barack Obama made his first visit to the crucial state of New Hampshire, where the first primary will take place.

Matt Fry reports,

Hey everybody!

Just coming for a cup of coffee, very unlikely.

We're at the new Grand's coffee shop in Port Smith, New Hampshire, and the only outsiders who turn up here want something entirely different.

They want to be in the White House, and Senator Barack Obama is one of them.

With his loping gate and his infectious smile, he blends easily with the adoring crowds.

And we followed him on his maiden voyage to the granite state.

The dirty girl stopped for any American politician who's considering the run to the White House.

You guys have to let people through.

Next stop, a book signing of the Senator's own book, of course.

The place is packed, and there's even crowd control.

How often can you say that about a politician signing books?

Hi.

Good to meet you.

Thank you for coming.

...