In your opinion, has the strength of Barack Obama, his candidacy and specific appeal to and targeting of Millenials accelerated the realignment by four or eight years? (assuming that he beats McCain which seems more likely than not).  Do realignments need a singular national figure that embodies that realignment to occur?

It seems obvious that Obama is nearly a perfect Presidential candidate to appeal to Millenials (in his background, talent and message).  The Obama campaign knows this and have pushed Millenials to unprecedented levels of activism, energy and financial support, all using modern technology.  

Nevertheless, it was risky for Obama to run in 2008 because the Millenials full impact on politics is still at its beginning stages.  But they have already had a very important impact on the 2008 election.  In Obama's most important single contest win to date in Iowa, Obama was able to drive the under 30 vote up to 22% of the total vote, with these results: Obama- 57%, Edwards- 14%, Clinton- 11%.  Though the percentage of under 30's voting and the Obama margins have not reached that level in subsequent contests, Iowa established his viability which has allowed him to defeat (barely and imminently) a candidate as strong as Clinton.