DENVER — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama challenged the country Thursday night to make the most of a “defining moment” in its history and to make a clean, decisive break with the past.
Obama, 47, told the more than 80,000 Democrats gathered at Invesco Field that he will fight to end eight years of errors, including an unnecessary war in Iraq and an economy in decline.
“It’s time for us to change America,” Obama said while accepting his party’s presidential nomination.
Obama, to thunderous applause, promised to fight for working Americans, free the country from its “oil addiction” and “responsibly” end the war in Iraq.
Throughout his acceptance speech, the first-term senator from Illinois pivoted from his challenge of change into a critique of his Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain.
“John McCain doesn’t get it,” Obama said.
He also linked McCain to the foreign and domestic policies of outgoing President George W. Bush.
“We need a president who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past,” Obama said.
Obama’s speech, while focused on the issues of tomorrow — from global warming to poverty to health care — also looked back, remembering one of the United States’ greatest civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr.
“People of every creed and color, from every walk of life … together, our dreams can be one,” Obama said.
The day’s events, leading up to Obama’s speech, only underscored the significance of Thursday night, which fell on the 45th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
Georgia Congressman John Lewis, the last living speaker from that march, anointed Obama earlier in the day as the best candidate to lead the country in its pursuit of King’s “dream.”
Even McCain, in a video released Thursday night, complimented his opponent on his nomination and the historic nature of the night: “This is truly a good day for America.”
However, in ending his brief message, McCain promised that their hard-hitting contest and debate on the future of the United States will resume: “Tomorrow we’ll be back at it, but tonight, senator, a job well done.”
Coloradans who traveled from near and far to hear Obama’s speech said they were inspired by what they heard.
Martelle Daniels, a Grand Junction resident, said the speech exceeded her expectations.
“It was great,” she said. “It went way beyond my imagination.”
Chelsea Honea and ShaQuan Wake, both 15-year-old students at George Washington High School in Denver, were near tears leaving the speech.
“When he talked about veterans sleeping on sidewalks, that touched the heartstrings for me” Honea said, “because my grandpa is a veteran.”
Congressman Mark Udall, D-Colo., also praised Obama’s speech on his way out of Invesco Field.
“It’s everything I could have wanted,” Udall said, adding, “Colorado has done itself proud.”
Comments
By Shnoid
Aug 29, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
For the record, your refute was not up when I started my last post.
Wow... You like twisting other peoples word and taking things out of context, dont you?
Obama on Pakistan: You are really twisting hard here... Obama said that; "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will". That is not "attacking" Pakistan as you claim.
Fuel Prices: Europe has been paying higher prices because of the tax they put on fuel in a effort to get higher MPG vehicles, reduce congestion, and spur more people to mass transit (for which they have the infrastructure for) Fuel is nearly $10 a gallon there now. The fuel prices have risen because Bush and Co. have taken over Iraqs oil fields and continue to destablize the region. That has brought fear to the patrolium markets and thus the SPECULATORS are driving up the price of oil. Take something beyond your first grade economics, and youd know that.
The Military: Not streched to the limits? Tell me, How many platoons or brigades are 100% battle ready? Why are we at record rates for soldier suicide? The numbers of troops enlisting is rising from a ALL TIME LOW, only because they have lowered every requirement to get in and raised the age.
Ah yes, another Nagen blamer. Never mind that federal funds are still being withheld from New Orleans and Louisiana. But if Nagen was such a screw up, where has the fed been since then? If he didn't do what he was suppose to do, why didnt the Fed act on behalf of the people anyway?
Constitution: Show an example of Obama proposing legislation that would impinge upon any of our constitutional rights. And no, I was not pleased when he voted for the recent telecom immunity bill.
Oh, and I am still waiting for your example of Obamas Marxism.
By John
Aug 29, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Shnoid-
I refuted EVERY one of your arguments, and you come back with the same old liberal BS. Faux nes, blah, blah, blah.
I'll take age, wisdom, and experience any day over youth and inexperience.
Nowhere in America can you step into the highest position in a workforce without the necessary experience or education. Obama has neither in terms of the Presidency. Even his own VP Biden claimed Obama lacked the requirements to be President!!!
While you Obama BOTS believe any of the propaganda their campaign spews out.
By Shnoid
Aug 29, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
John, it's pretty obvious you dont even know what a Marxist is, and you like to repeat without any understanding whatever Faux News says. You are quite the ditto head. You like to use fear to scare. I defy you to show an example of Obamas "Marxism".
Oh, and by the way. Thatcher and Mubarak were in their 50s when they were elected, not in their 70s (72 as of today) like OLD MAN McCain. If you talk to people from England or Egypt, youll find plenty of people who dont believe either of them are so great as you think.
By John
Aug 29, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Shnoid-
"Great, so you are going to vote for the warmonger McCain."
Just in case you forgot, Obama has claimed he'd attack the sovereign country of Pakistan, in an attempt to "find" Bin Laden. Also, Biden is a "war mongerer" himself, voting for the Iraq war as well as Persian Gulf I
"I guess you like the price of fuel as high as it is."
Go take an economics class. The price of fuel is dictated by supply and demand. Go to Europe. They've been paying $5+ a gallon for years, and there is no Exxon Mobil, Bush/Cheney, or Haliburton there.
"I guess you like seeing our military stretched beyond its limits."
We aren't "stretched to our limits". We have more than 1.4 million troops, and we have less than 200K in the Middle east. If it weren't for the disgrace Kilntoon, maybe we wouldn't have been so exposed like we were on 9/11
"I guess you like seeing our returning Vets come home only to find they cant get the assistance they need."
The last I heard, it's an all VOLUNTEER military, and the numbers for new volunteers are RISING. You'd think if the soldiers didn't like the way they're being treated, they wouldn't sign up?
"I guess you liked the Fed response to Katrina."
Ray Nagen messed up LA. The Fed gov't cant just come in unless its declared an federal emergency. If you recall, after the Hurricane, Hagen told everyone that the worst was over. The rain, adn subsequent failure of the levies is what cause the mess there. And guess what, Nagen diverted federal funds to maintain the levies and instead invested it in casinos.
"I guess you liked losing your 4th amendment rights to privacy."
I don't support the Patriot Act, but if you are so concerned about the Constitution, it's quite obvious you are ignorant to Obama's voting record and stands on issues such as taxation, gun rights, etc.
Nice try.
By John
Aug 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Some of the greatest leader of the world were older.
Margret Thatcher of the U.K. and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to name two.
Vote NO for Marxism in 08. NO OBAMA.
By John
Aug 29, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Some of the greatest leader of the world were older.
Margret Thatcher of the U.K. and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to name two.
Vote NO for Marxism in 08. NO OBAMA.
By Shnoid
Aug 29, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
Oh good grief...
A Marxist... Do you really believe that? If so, you are possibly the most gullible person in the world.
Great, so you are going to vote for the warmonger McCain. I guess you like seeing this country to continue to go down the crapper. I guess you like the price of fuel as high as it is. I guess you like seeing our military stretched beyond its limits. I guess you like seeing our returning Vets come home only to find they cant get the assistance they need. I guess you liked the Fed response to Katrina. I guess you liked losing your 4th amendment rights to privacy.
Do I need to go on?
By Jo Mama
Aug 29, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
McSame is old and out of touch. It will be a great county someday when all of the old conservative are feeding the worms.
By John
Aug 29, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
I WILL NOT be voting for the Marxist Obama.
By d
Aug 29, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
NOBAMA!! NOBAMA!! NOBAMA!!
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