Last night, the Democratic Party unleashed their secret weapon, Keynote Speaker Barack Obama, onto the unexpecting masses. Obama, handpicked by John Kerry to outline the issues to be discussed at the Democratic National Convention, and establish some much needed excitement for Kerry's presidential campaign, did that and more with an excellent speech that left both left and right leaning individuals with a reason to get excited about our nation's future.
Watching Obama's speech, you can't help but wonder if we're getting an early preview of the bright future of the Democratic party, and a possible future African-American presidential candidate:
"Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief-I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper-that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America-there's the United States of America.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Matthew, I am ashamed to say I was watching the Indians and forgot to switch back, but your enthusiasm is contagious and the words are balm to my soul. I'm gratified he got the response he did with these words of unity.
I am still divided, however.
Thanks!
2 - Mark Saleski
i've gotta agree. i saw the obama speech and it was pretty amazing. i'd rate it right up there will a clinton speech.
3 - Distorted Angel
Actually, I think he out-Clintoned Clinton -- and it didn't hurt that he doesn't carry any of the negative baggage that Clinton carries. It was an awesome speech -- I was only sorry that it wasn't carried on network television, since I talked to several people at work today who had missed it.
4 - Mac Diva
Yes. I've said before, including at Blogcritics, that Obama has great potential, and the speech confirms that. He also seemed very relaxed. After the political self-destruction of Jack Ryan, Obama has plenty of reason to be. I think they are great examples of the difference between the GOP and the Democrats. Ryan thought he could buy himself a seat in the Senate. Obama is determined to earn that seat.
5 - Mark Saleski
yep. it was kinda weird...i'm watching the speech and thinking "wow, this guy could be president some day". we had cspan on to avoid all of the talking head blather.
after the speech was over i went upstairs to get some water. the tv that my folks had on upstairs had a new england channel on and they were already talking about "presidential material"