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As he prepares to take the oath of office, U.S. Senate-elect Barack Obama maintains he is focused on serving the people of Illinois and is playing down press speculation about his chances for a future White House bid. Obama will officially be sworn in today after easily cruising to victory in November over Republican Alan Keyes. "I recognize that people have high expectations of me. I have high expectations of myself," Obama said during a meeting with reporters Monday in Washington. "But people are pretty sophisticated. I think they recognize I am one of 100 senators. I am not the president of the United States. I am not setting out the agenda for the entire country. My job is to represent them." Obama shrugged off speculation he will make a presidential run in the next election cycle. "I will not be running for president in 2008," Obama said. "I am here to become the next United States senator for the state of Illinois and that is plenty big enough of a job." [more]