WASHINGTON (CNN) -- If the sold-out Democratic rally in Manchester or the 150 members of the media greeting Sen. Barack Obama in New Hampshire this past weekend didn't convince the Illinois Democrat to run for president, grassroots activists are hoping a petition signed by 12,000 Americans will.

Petitions organized by grassroots organizations RunObama.com and DraftObama.org -- collectively garnering over 12,000 signatures -- were hand delivered to the potential presidential aspirant as he walked on stage to address 1,500 New Hampshire Democrats.

Obama hoisted the 198 page document in the air to cheers of enthusiastic Granite Staters -- more than a year before they will head to the polls in the first-in-the nation presidential primary.

This was Obama's first trip to the early-proving ground. He has visited Iowa three times.