Barack Obama: "That's the change we need."

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/3/2008 8:34:59 PM

Courtesy of Kos, here's Barack Obama's final primary night speech:

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama -- Final Primary Night

Tues., June 3, 2008 19:02:11 ET

St. Paul, Minnesota; As Prepared for Delivery

Tonight, after fifty-four hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end.

Sixteen months have passed since we first stood together on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Thousands of miles have been traveled. Millions of voices have been heard. And because of what you said -- because you decided that change must come to Washington; because you believed that this year must be different than all the rest; because you chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations, tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another -- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

UPDATE: To donate to Barack Obama, please click here. Let's blow John McSame out of the water.

UPDATE #2: From The Page, "With polls now closed in the final two contest of this historic race for the Democratic nomination, 26.5 superdelegates pledged their votes for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver."  That includes Executive Director of the Virginia AFL-CIO Jim Leaman.

I want to thank every American who stood with us over the course of this campaign -- through the good days and the bad; from the snows of Cedar Rapids to the sunshine of Sioux Falls. And tonight I also want to thank the men and woman who took this journey with me as fellow candidates for President.

At this defining moment for our nation, we should be proud that our party put forth one of the most talented, qualified field of individuals ever to run for this office. I have not just competed with them as rivals, I have learned from them as friends, as public servants, and as patriots who love America and are willing to work tirelessly to make this country better. They are leaders of this party, and leaders that America will turn to for years to come.

That is particularly true for the candidate who has traveled further on this journey than anyone else. Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight.

We've certainly had our differences over the last sixteen months. But as someone who's shared a stage with her many times, I can tell you that what gets Hillary Clinton up in the morning -- even in the face of tough odds -- is exactly what sent her and Bill Clinton to sign up for their first campaign in Texas all those years ago; what sent her to work at the Children's Defense Fund and made her fight for health care as First Lady; what led her to the United States Senate and fueled her barrier-breaking campaign for the presidency -- an unyielding desire to improve the lives of ordinary Americans, no matter how difficult the fight may be. And you can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, she will be central to that victory. When we transform our energy policy and lift our children out of poverty, it will be because she worked to help make it happen. Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton.

There are those who say that this primary has somehow left us weaker and more divided. Well I say that because of this primary, there are millions of Americans who have cast their ballot for the very first time. There are Independents and Republicans who understand that this election isn't just about the party in charge of Washington, it's about the need to change Washington. There are young people, and African-Americans, and Latinos, and women of all ages who have voted in numbers that have broken records and inspired a nation.

All of you chose to support a candidate you believe in deeply. But at the end of the day, we aren't the reason you came out and waited in lines that stretched block after block to make your voice heard. You didn't do that because of me or Senator Clinton or anyone else. You did it because you know in your hearts that at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- we cannot afford to keep doing what we've been doing. We owe our children a better future. We owe our country a better future. And for all those who dream of that future tonight, I say -- let us begin the work together. Let us unite in common effort to chart a new course for America.

In just a few short months, the Republican Party will arrive in St. Paul with a very different agenda. They will come here to nominate John McCain, a man who has served this country heroically. I honor that service, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine. My differences with him are not personal; they are with the policies he has proposed in this campaign.

Because while John McCain can legitimately tout moments of independence from his party in the past, such independence has not been the hallmark of his presidential campaign.

It's not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush ninety-five percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year.

It's not change when he offers four more years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs, or insure our workers, or help Americans afford the skyrocketing cost of college -- policies that have lowered the real incomes of the average American family, widened the gap between Wall Street and Main Street, and left our children with a mountain of debt.

And it's not change when he promises to continue a policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave men and women in uniform and nothing of Iraqi politicians -- a policy where all we look for are reasons to stay in Iraq, while we spend billions of dollars a month on a war that isn't making the American people any safer.

So I'll say this -- there are many words to describe John McCain's attempt to pass off his embrace of George Bush's policies as bipartisan and new. But change is not one of them.

Change is a foreign policy that doesn't begin and end with a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged. I won't stand here and pretend that there are many good options left in Iraq, but what's not an option is leaving our troops in that country for the next hundred years -- especially at a time when our military is overstretched, our nation is isolated, and nearly every other threat to America is being ignored.

We must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in - but start leaving we must. It's time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their future. It's time to rebuild our military and give our veterans the care they need and the benefits they deserve when they come home. It's time to refocus our efforts on al Qaeda's leadership and Afghanistan, and rally the world against the common threats of the 21st century -- terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. That's what change is.

Change is realizing that meeting today's threats requires not just our firepower, but the power of our diplomacy -- tough, direct diplomacy where the President of the United States isn't afraid to let any petty dictator know where America stands and what we stand for. We must once again have the courage and conviction to lead the free world. That is the legacy of Roosevelt, and Truman, and Kennedy. That's what the American people want. That's what change is.

Change is building an economy that rewards not just wealth, but the work and workers who created it. It's understanding that the struggles facing working families can't be solved by spending billions of dollars on more tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs, but by giving a the middle-class a tax break, and investing in our crumbling infrastructure, and transforming how we use energy, and improving our schools, and renewing our commitment to science and innovation. It's understanding that fiscal responsibility and shared prosperity can go hand-in-hand, as they did when Bill Clinton was President.

John McCain has spent a lot of time talking about trips to Iraq in the last few weeks, but maybe if he spent some time taking trips to the cities and towns that have been hardest hit by this economy -- cities in Michigan, and Ohio, and right here in Minnesota -- he'd understand the kind of change that people are looking for.

Maybe if he went to Iowa and met the student who works the night shift after a full day of class and still can't pay the medical bills for a sister who's ill, he'd understand that she can't afford four more years of a health care plan that only takes care of the healthy and wealthy. She needs us to pass health care plan that guarantees insurance to every American who wants it and brings down premiums for every family who needs it. That's the change we need.

Maybe if he went to Pennsylvania and met the man who lost his job but can't even afford the gas to drive around and look for a new one, he'd understand that we can't afford four more years of our addiction to oil from dictators. That man needs us to pass an energy policy that works with automakers to raise fuel standards, and makes corporations pay for their pollution, and oil companies invest their record profits in a clean energy future -- an energy policy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced. That's the change we need.

And maybe if he spent some time in the schools of South Carolina or St. Paul or where he spoke tonight in New Orleans, he'd understand that we can't afford to leave the money behind for No Child Left Behind; that we owe it to our children to invest in early childhood education; to recruit an army of new teachers and give them better pay and more support; to finally decide that in this global economy, the chance to get a college education should not be a privilege for the wealthy few, but the birthright of every American. That's the change we need in America. That's why I'm running for President.

The other side will come here in September and offer a very different set of policies and positions, and that is a debate I look forward to. It is a debate the American people deserve. But what you don't deserve is another election that's governed by fear, and innuendo, and division. What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon -- that sees our opponents not as competitors to challenge, but enemies to demonize. Because we may call ourselves Democrats and Republicans, but we are Americans first. We are always Americans first.

Despite what the good Senator from Arizona said tonight, I have seen people of differing views and opinions find common cause many times during my two decades in public life, and I have brought many together myself. I've walked arm-in-arm with community leaders on the South Side of Chicago and watched tensions fade as black, white, and Latino fought together for good jobs and good schools. I've sat across the table from law enforcement and civil rights advocates to reform a criminal justice system that sent thirteen innocent people to death row. And I've worked with friends in the other party to provide more children with health insurance and more working families with a tax break; to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and ensure that the American people know where their tax dollars are being spent; and to reduce the influence of lobbyists who have all too often set the agenda in Washington.

In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.

So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.

So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.

So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom's cause.

So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that's better, and kinder, and more just.

And so it must be for us.

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment -- this was the time -- when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.


Comments



Congrats! (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:02:42 PM)
A historical moment - wow.  Surreal.


Did Anyone Just See McCain? (connie - 6/3/2008 9:03:23 PM)
On CNN, from Louisiana.....His speech was HORRIBLE.  Obviously reading from a teleprompter....very stilted, scripted, BOR-ING.  I hadn't realized how bad he truly is.

It was almost embarrassing.  Obama will eat him for lunch.



What a bore (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:09:15 PM)
He talks about change.  Truth be told, he represents more of the same.  McSame hits the mark.

He aims to expand free trade, even though we are currently experiencing record trade deficits.  They are drunk on the free trade koolaid - never mind facts or consequences.  You can't talk logic with people who refuse to look at decades of empirical evidence.

I look forward to Obama waxing the floor with McSame.  Hopefully Senator Webb is there by his side to help him.



Got a Dole v. Bill feeling (DanG - 6/3/2008 9:19:17 PM)


The worst speech I have ever seen... (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 6/3/2008 9:27:04 PM)
It had some excellent jabs at Obama but it was lost in negativity...There was nothing positive about John McCain in that speech. Nothing...because Republicans have nothing.

The audience didn't know whether to boo or cheer and it ended up in a mishmash of blah...The background was god awful. There was nobody that could stand on a stage behind him? Just plain bad.



Josh Marshall says it's "simply awful" (Lowell - 6/3/2008 9:28:45 PM)
Here's more commentary from Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo:

McCain is often very good when he speaks extemporaneously. Even better in 2000. But still good. He's also good in debates. But giving set piece speeches, let's face it, he's simply awful. He finds it impossible to pretend he's actually thinking what he's saying. But this whole speech is defensive in character (explaining why he's not running for Bush's third term), awkward and just feels old. The slogan seems to be: Am Not McSame!

The crowd of maybe like 200 people is also sort of an unfortunate contrast.

Late Update: Here's how bad it is. All the Fox commentators are giving competing explanation for why McCain's speech sucked.



Great quote (Lowell - 6/3/2008 9:29:44 PM)
"Republicans have nothing."

Reminds me of Jim Webb, a few days before the election, saying that George Allen had "nothing to report."  It was true then, it's even more true now.



Whatever, objectivity is lost on you (Alter of Freedom - 6/3/2008 11:36:03 PM)
Your gonna tell a veteran of foriegn wars there was nothing positive in that speech. Look is not a good orater at all, but read the transcript. "nothing". The guy whether you like him or not just described what is truly wrong with Washington, of which both him, Obama and the Clintons are a part. The substance was there with no delivery. As to the nobody on the stage thing, Mccain in 2000 was the same way its is "I don't need people to back me up, I am my own man" stick...at least he is consistant-good or bad.


I said it had some... (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 6/4/2008 8:04:54 AM)
"excellent jabs" at Obama. McCain has to do something...say anything to gain some traction. He's not reverting back to the old form of 2000. He's way past that. He lost it when he started siding with Bush on 95% of his votes. He will be painted as Bush III and it will stick.

"I don't need people"...who's going to vote for you then?



Never mind McSame (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:12:29 PM)
This is our night.  We are witnessing the next JFK.  The first man in a long time who can, as President, inspire a new generation.


Si se puede! n/t (Ingrid - 6/3/2008 9:18:45 PM)


I feel young again (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:25:43 PM)
And full of hope.  The last time I felt that way was when Senator Webb beat Harris Miller and then George Allen.  Our nation is changing, no doubt about it.

I almost forgot to thank one person: George Bush.  His abuse of power has almost secured that Democrats will win in November with comfortable margins, gaining more seats.  Hopefully I'll be able to thank John Edwards as Attorney General for presecuting George Bush for his crimes as President.  But that's forward thinking - perhaps wishful on more than one level.  Could it ever happen?



I'm almost crying (legacyofmarshall - 6/3/2008 9:21:08 PM)
I cannot put in words how proud and overjoyed I am that the first vote I ever cast for President of the United States will be for a black man.

It's an odd feeling.  I knew this was coming, but it's just so strong, so powerful.



HRC speech the "popular vote" argument (proudvadem - 6/3/2008 9:41:08 PM)
She's bringing it up...
And her speech sounds like she's not out...

"We stayed the course together"...

So many mixed signals...



She should do the right thing (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:44:06 PM)
Make an unequivical concession.  She would be so much more respected if she did.  What does she want?  She's telling us now ;-)


What else does she want? (NGB - 6/3/2008 9:57:59 PM)
She wants to be in the spotlight.  If she's not in the spotlight, she's not happy.

What little respect I had for her was lost tonight.



She has a "bad attitude" (Rebecca - 6/3/2008 10:10:43 PM)
Bringing up the popular vote again when she is counting Michigan which she earlier said wouldn't count, and also not counting the people represent in the caucuses. Is she delisional? They played that song "I Won't Back Down". When the h-l do they think this thing is over?


Really? (spotter - 6/3/2008 11:39:07 PM)
I could have sworn it was "How Can We Miss You If You Won't Go Away?"  Or maybe "Positively Fourth Street."


No decisions tonight.... (proudvadem - 6/3/2008 9:50:13 PM)
Sigh....


What is so hard about this? (relawson - 6/3/2008 9:53:08 PM)
She had a chance to unite the party tonight.  To come out on top as a selfless person with the interest of this country in mind.

Instead, she looks like someone angling and playing politics.  I am glad that she will not be the nominee because when given the opportunity to take the high road, she declined.



A stump speech (proudvadem - 6/3/2008 9:56:54 PM)
that's it???
You are right relawson, she had a great opportunity tonight to bring everyone together.

And the speech was me, me, me....

She didn't go after McCain or Bush, just a simple stump speech.

I'm very disappointed.



Clinton's speech (NGB - 6/3/2008 9:54:57 PM)
was the most self-centered thing I have seen in a while.  It's like she refuses to see the obvious.  Wow she is terrible.


FYI, Clinton has won South Dakota (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:01:29 PM)
We'll see about Montana.  Over at Open Left, Chris Bowers is not happy:

Update 8--Hey Obama, a 50-state strategy means campaign in all 50 states: I'm actually kind of angry at Obama for not campaigning harder in Montana and South Dakota. He could have won the state if he made a bigger play for it. Also, even if he still lost, these are both important states for Democrats. If Obama had made a bigger push in Montana, he could have put the state in play in the general, and helped the local party solidfy its many recent gains downticket. If he campaigned harder in South Dakota, he could have helped build the party for 2010, when we can take down Thune. Pretty friggin' lame that he didn't campaign harder in those two states. Even though he won the nomination tonight, I'm not very happy with him right now. We need to campaign everywhere in order to build the party everywhere. Obama didn't do that in Montana and South Dakota.

Update 7--Clinton wins South Dakota: Hillary Clinton has won South Dakota. It is really, really important for Obama to win Montana now. Winning the nomination on a night of a double loss would be terrible, especially since he has only won Guam, Oregon, and North Carolina since March. If Obama doesn't win Montana by more than Clinton won South Dakota, Clinton can still win the popular vote, too. It would really suck to have a nominee who didn't win the popular vote.

Thoughts?



I have one thing to say to Bowers (Craig - 6/3/2008 10:05:21 PM)
Popular vote = nothing.  Delegate votes = everything.  Let Hillary rant about the popular vote all she wants, that's not how the score's kept.


You've got to do some very creative math (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:07:28 PM)
To claim Clinton had the popular vote.  For example, count Michigan - where Obama wasn't even on the ballot.


Bowers has added this (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:14:33 PM)
Update 10--Obama wins Montana and national popular vote: In one positive development tonight, Barack Obama wins Montana big. The exit poll indicates it will be a huge victory, too: 55.7%--38.2%, according to the gender crosstabs. So, Obama will win the popular vote. Will he reach the 24,000 threshold that moves him outside the margin of error? Hopefully.


Obama declared winner in Montana the moment the polls closed. (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 10:06:41 PM)
At least by MSNBC.


CNN as well. (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:12:51 PM)
Exit poll shows Obama winning 65%-31% among men in Montana, 48%-44% among women.


She lied about South Dakota (Rebecca - 6/3/2008 10:12:53 PM)
She said S. Dakota had the last word when Montana is the last primary. What a terrible person!!! I though I could give her a break tonight if she was supportive of Obama, but no.


I don't see the tactical advantage to Obama (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 10:17:39 PM)
of working his butt off to beat Hillary in Montana and SD when he's got to turn around immediately and go after McCain, especially since he'd clinched the nomination. It's called pacing yourself.  Sheesh.


Those of us 50 pluses and up who grew up in Virginia and the South (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 10:05:21 PM)
can remember a time when there were whites only water fountains in Virginia, that there were laws against miscegenation, that admission of blacks to previously segregated stores, clubs, and business associations was controversial.  We remember the riots and civil disturbances of the 60s, and there are many of us this evening who stare in awe at the television and see a black face representing the Democratic party as its presidential nominee.  I am astounded.  I never thought I'd see it.  I would have been pretty awed, too, if it had been Clinton, but either way, it's an astonishing moment in our country's history.  

Indeed, Senator Obama, God Bless America.  Only IN America.  



Please Senator Obama (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:05:35 PM)
Don't reward this behavior by Senator Clinton!  

How dare her try to twist the arm of Senator Obama.  It would be an injustice if she became the nominee just because she strong armed the party.  

Senator Clinton proved she wasn't fit to be President the day she voted to authorize the Iraq war.  The day she pretended she wasn't in fact autorizing a war.  And now, the day she lost the primary and refused to consede.

I honestly don't see what her supporters see in her.  She lacks character.



Obama speaking now. (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:21:03 PM)
He just said, "Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton."  The crowd cheers. Meanwhile, Hillary's supporters chant, "Denver, Denver" and Hillary doesn't concede.  Hmmmmmm....


He's a better man than I am (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:23:56 PM)
There is no way I could muster nice words for Hillary Clinton right now.


He's a nicer person than Hillary (Rebecca - 6/3/2008 10:25:36 PM)
I'd keep her at a safe distance if I were he.


The man's got great political instincts and good tactical support (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 10:34:07 PM)
Always with the eye on the prize.  He understands he doesn't need to get down and argue with Hillary. He's setting the stage for a humiliation-free segue from a race for the nomination to a unified race for the presidency.  He's laying the foundation for outreach to the outraged and disappointed Hillary supporters, and providing a framework for her support of his campaign.  


Agreed. (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:35:10 PM)
Obama's hitting just the right tone in this speech, great job!


"This is our moment. Our Time" (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:37:30 PM)
So very true, Senator Obama.


Ends with Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:40:38 PM)
A great song by a great musician...nice touch!

"The Rising"

Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line

Come on up for the rising
Com on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li

Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord as I stand before your fiery light

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li

I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of the line

Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life (a dream of life)

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li



Bruuuuuuuuuccccce! (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 10:44:04 PM)
Always a good choice.  Thought I heard Tom Petty earlier in the evening when he first entered the room.


A speech for the history books (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:39:08 PM)
He ended so well.  A historical day capped with a historical speech.


At this seminal moment (tx2vadem - 6/3/2008 10:39:50 PM)
Can some you not give Hillary a break?  It has to be this speech for you.  It has to be concession tonight.  It has to be this and that.  Well, it isn't.

Build a bridge and get over it.  If you really want to welcome Clinton supporters back, stop with stream of negative comments and the never ending critique.  There are 10+ comments in this post about Clinton.  Those of you making these comments are basically repeating the same comments you have made on numerous occasions.  The choir here has heard it.  What point does it serve now?

Bask in this moment, soak it up, don't spoil it with this stuff.



I welcome Hillary's supporters to the Obama camp (Rebecca - 6/3/2008 10:43:26 PM)
It just seems that Hillary doesn't.


Excellent point by "Hunter" (Lowell - 6/3/2008 10:46:59 PM)
on Daily Kos:

Update by Hunter: Jeez, McCain's people made a huge mistake scheduling a speech for tonight. Just huge. Compare McCain's sleepy, awkward sentences and forced grins to Obama's dramatic speaking style. Compare the venue -- McCain's was small and sleepy, Obama's is huge and energized. McCain's speech got interrupted to talk about Obama. And Obama has managed to hit McCain on the very themes of McCain's speech, a mere hour after McCain rambled through them.

Giant, giant blunder by McCain's team. A head-to-head speech comparison on Obama's biggest night of the entire primary. What GOP idiot thought that would be a good idea?



Stark contrast between the campaigns (relawson - 6/3/2008 10:49:24 PM)
While McCain stumps for global corporations and 4 more years of failed foreign and domestic policy, Obama inspires the masses and gives historic speeches.


What got me was his assertion that Obama was (Catzmaw - 6/3/2008 11:08:47 PM)
in the pockets of special interests.  Like I said ... huh?


McCain vs. Obama (Rebecca - 6/3/2008 11:04:53 PM)
McCain comes across as a tired old man who has to struggle to keep up with the teleprompter. He also has a whimpy sing-songy voice.

Contrast that with Obama's energy, sharp mind, great speaking voice, and his ability to motivate. I think over time the contrast will be very stark.



Oh wow. (spotter - 6/3/2008 11:15:56 PM)
McAuliffe is on the Daily Show.  Really, really hard to watch.  But like a car accident.  You can't look away.


54 Contests? (legacyofmarshall - 6/4/2008 12:57:26 AM)
Sorry if someone brought this up earlier and I just didn't notice but there are...

50 states, plus DC, Dems Abroad, Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa.  I guess you'd have to not count Michigan and Florida to arrive at 54.  Lame.  It's 55 (Florida and Michigan each counting as .5 according to DNC RBC) hard-fought contests by my count.



"Its a Beautiful Day" (hereinva - 6/4/2008 1:05:15 AM)
The Bono song was playing as Obama entered the arena. It is indeed-it is indeed.