Obama confirms Old State Capitol as site for presidential announcement

Ap Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., leaves the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Wire Services SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Barack Obama had better hope Mother Nature is one of his fans. The Chicago Democrat plans to reveal whether he'll run for president at an outdoor event in the middle of February on the windy Illinois prairie. Temperatures on the date in question, Feb. 10, have plunged as low as 13 degrees below zero, although the average high is 37. Obama must figure the risk is worth it if he gets to use the Old State Capitol as a backdrop for his announcement. The building was the site of Abraham Lincoln's famous 1858 "House Divided" speech warning that America could not remain half slave and half free. Lincoln used it as his campaign headquarters in 1860, and began putting together his administration and writing his inaugural address there. Thousands of mourners filed past his body there in 1865 before the assassinated president was buried. Spokesman Bill Burton would not explain why Obama chose the Old State Capitol. He simply called it "a great place to demonstrate Senator Obama's work in bringing people together to solve problems." He wouldn't say whether Obama is making other arrangements in case of bad weather and dismissed as "speculation" the idea that the senator might consider a nearby convention center. Obama announced Jan. 16 that he was forming a presidential exploratory committee. He has been hiring political staff and recruiting fundraisers, suggesting he intends to go forward with a presidential bid. Reminding voters of President Lincoln could help blunt criticism of Obama's lack of experience. Lincoln became one of the nation's greatest presidents after serving eight years in the Illinois legislature and two years in Congress. Obama served eight years in the state Senate and has now spent two years in the U.S. Senate. "Using Lincoln as the backdrop, he's creating that subliminal statement: If you've got those questions of me, well, people had them of Lincoln and look at what he did," said Thomas Schwartz, Illinois' state historian. Lincoln's role in overcoming the nation's deep divisions over slavery also might reinforce Obama's message that he can help bridge America's partisan differences - and perhaps highlight the possibility of Obama becoming the first black president. The Old State Capitol was built after Springfield was named the capital city in 1837 thanks to a series of deals and backroom negotiations in which Lincoln played a key role. The building, located in downtown Springfield, was the state capitol from 1839 to 1876. It was dismantled and rebuilt in the 1960s atop a parking garage and office space. Significance Decision: Sen. Barack Obama will use the Old State Capitol, where Abraham Lincoln served as a lawmaker, as the location to announce whether he is running for president. Symbolism: The location will highlight some parallels between Obama and Lincoln, particularly Lincoln's limited experience in Washington before winning the presidency. Problem: Obama plans an outdoor event in winter. If the weather is bad, he could be forced to move the event to a bland location with no historical significance. -- On the Net: Obama exploratory committee: www.barackobama.com Old State Capitol: www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/old-capitol © Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.