This morning, the Washington Post and other prominent newspapers reported that Barack Obama is now considering a bid for the 2008 presidential elections. Could the resounding reception he received at the Free Library on October 21st be the inspiration behind this stunning announcement? We'd like to think so....

Mr. Obama's lecture, discussing his new book, The Audacity of Hope , was attended by some 600 audience members, many of whom spilled out into the Main Lobby to watch via simulcast. The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Elliot Shelkrot, the Library's President and Director, as saying: "I've often joked that we'd know our lecture series was a success when scalpers were selling tickets to it. I hear that is the case with this lecture."