Obama calls name recognition big hurdle

[jefferson_dem]

Obama calls name recognition big hurdle
By Henry C. Jackson, Associated Press Writer | February 11, 2007

IOWA FALLS, Iowa --Barack Obama said Sunday that name recognition would be his toughest challenge in his 2008 presidential campaign.

His leading rivals for the Democratic nomination are far better known to voters, the Illinois senator said in an Associated Press interview the day after announcing his candidacy.

"At least two of my fellow candidates have been campaigning for years," Obama said, referring to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

"They have an infrastructure and name recognition that are higher than mine so there will probably be a higher burden of proof for me," the first-term senator said.

Speaking at a hotel in Iowa Falls, Obama also dismissed criticism that he has offered only broad themes rather than specific policy stands.

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http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/11/obama_launches_bid_to_transform_us?mode=PF