Decisions by Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald and his Democratic predecessor Carol Moseley Braun to not participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates . In the March 2004 primary election , Obama won in an unexpected landslide — which overnight made him a rising star within the national Democratic Party , started speculation about a presidential future , and led to the reissue of his memoir , '' Dreams from My Father '' . In July 2004 , Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention , seen by 9.1 million viewers . His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party
2004 Democratic National Convention
2004 Democratic National Convention
Barack Obama