By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Dec. 31, 2007 — This week, when I head back to Iowa it will be to witness history at the Iowa caucuses.  Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will face the first test of his electability when Iowa voters turn out and turn in their choices for the White House.

On Jan. 3, pundits, pollsters and folks like me will wait and watch to see whom voters pick, and then we’ll dissect why.  But I hope Black Americans are watching and paying attention for a different reason. 

This race and the New Year could start with the first African-American candidate winning the first contest and defeating a long list of veteran politicians.     

Obama is living the words of the famous speech given the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered during the turbulent 1960s.  Obama’s managed to make his candidacy about “the content of his character” and not the “color of his skin.”

Black folks will also see what Obama has brought to this race, an incredible amount of interest.  He’s become the water-cooler conversation, the YouTube Clip King, and he’s managed to reach across gender, age and racial barriers.   

Regardless of how the votes tally up Jan. 3, I know Obama will score a victory because he’s engaged Black folks in the political process, and for that he’s already a winner.