WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Barack Obama may not have officially said he is running for president, but already his constituents want to know: Does he have enough experience to occupy the White House?

"My expectation would be if I ran, I will run through the gauntlet, and people will ask me tough questions just like you just did," Obama replied. "And hopefully, the American people will decide whether or not I've got the experience."

Obama, D-Ill., took questions last week from a group of about 100 visiting constituents who were eager to hear how he might perform if he were to win the presidency.

"There are reporters everywhere here," Obama joked. "I appreciate you doing their dirty work."

During the session, there was so much interest in Obama's presidential ambitions that it was difficult for Illinois' senior senator, Democrat Dick Durbin, to draw much attention.

Obama, 45, has formed a presidential exploratory committee, and plans to make an announcement Feb. 10. He assured the audience that any campaign would not detract from his Senate voting record or his work on their behalf.

"I think what you try to do is to manage to make those votes that are going to make a difference and you are going to miss votes eventually that where your vote is not decisive," he said. "It is probably one of the reasons why U.S. senators who run for president have been less successful than governors who run for the presidency, because they have less flexibility on their schedule."

As a state senator, Obama often was praised for his bipartisan nature and has said it has been his goal as a U.S. senator to work with all sides for solutions.

In working with Republicans and independents, he said there needs to be an emphasis on listening.

"I think it is important for us to stay focused on the problem and then welcome any good ideas that help solve the problem," he said. "I think that attitude of pragmatism and experimentation can help foster the kind of bipartisanship you are talking about."

As to what he would do if he had the power to change one thing about America, the Harvard law school graduate said the education system needs to be "fundamentally revamped," with improvements in early childhood education and the recruiting and training of teachers.