Barack Obama unveils 'The American Promise'

britexpat
By britexpat

And the funny thing is that they probably believe him ......

"Tonight, I say to the people of America, to Democrats and Republicans and independents across this great land — enough!" he said.

The speech capped the four-day Democratic National Convention, where he sought to unite a party divided after a bitter primary fight and regain momentum in the campaign against McCain.

In an audacious move, McCain sought to steal some of the political spotlight by spreading word that he had settled on a vice presidential running mate. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty canceled all scheduled appearances for the next two days, stoking speculation that he was the one.

Obama's speech was delivered in a dramatic setting, a filled sports stadium, the camera flashes in the night, the made-for-television backdrop that suggested the White House, and the thousands of convention delegates seated around the podium in an enormous semicircle.

"We meet at one of those defining moments, a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more," Obama said.

"America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this," he said.

He sought to ease any misgivings Americans might have that he was not prepared to be president or that Democrats were not as trustworthy as Republicans on national security.

"The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans — Democrats and Republicans — have built, and we are here to restore that legacy," he said.

He vowed to end the war in Iraq and to break America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil within a decade.

In addressing the convention, Obama returned to a setting where he became a national star. He was a little-known Illinois state legislator running for the U.S. Senate when he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

He won that race and, two years later, began his improbable quest for the Democratic nomination that already seemed a sure thing for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady. He defeated Clinton by capturing the imagination of Democratic voters with his calls to change the divisive ways of Washington.

His campaign has struggled in recent weeks. Before the convention, his lead over McCain disappeared, even though the weak economy and continuing war in Iraq would seem to give Democrats an edge in the presidential race. McCain, a veteran senator and former Vietnam prisoner of war, has attacked Obama as unready for the presidency.

Clinton supporters, especially working-class Democrats, have remained wary of an admittedly exotic candidate: the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia.

On Friday, Obama, Biden and their wives begin a three-day bus tour of critical northern industrial states.

A Gallup poll taken during the first three days of the convention showed Obama regaining his lead over McCain, 48 percent to 42 percent. Candidates generally receive a bounce from their conventions, and the figures could tilt in McCain's direction after Republicans hold their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, next week.

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 13:24
anonymous

I don't think it happened. Not in the way "they" want us to see it, at least!

I think that ALL "evidence" of this so-called "holocaust", were fabricated in a childish way!

I have nothing against Hitler. I find him an influential military leader who was mighty enough to change the map of the world.

I told you: we would disagree :-)

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 13:17
anonymous

I missed the joke then, went over my head sorry about that. As for Hitler, just in case I screwed up, I'm not cool with Hitler. (I just wanted to make sure I was clear. I just finished studying about the Holocaust in World History. Was a difficult section to go through)

By diamond• 30 Aug 2008 13:14
diamond

Lol Britexpat, funny. It's an interesting time in American politics that's for sure.

-------------------------------------

By britexpat• 30 Aug 2008 13:08
britexpat

Loved this quote from Bill Maher..

"What a historic night. The first time an actual black person is leading the charge for a major American political party. I think that says something pretty great about America: we will accept a black man to lead us if the only other choice is a woman."

I like Obama too. I believe that he can bring change, but he's have a hard time with the various lobby groups..

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 13:07
anonymous

Obama made it clear before a couple of months that "the security of Israel is a red line and we will not tolerate any acts of 'terroris' groups like Hamas"

What more do we need to hear from this 5hit?

He is a hopeless case, even before he actually starts

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 13:02
anonymous

I understood everything you meant. I was just trying to have some cheerful conversation with you when I mentioned the Marie-Antoinette example. I told you: no harm meant!

I won't judge you for your nationality, of course!

But for heaven's sake let's not go into the Hitler issue, because once we are there, we will SURELY disagree :-)

By diamond• 30 Aug 2008 12:59
diamond

I like Barack Obama. He's full of promises.

But promises need to be delivered.

I'm watching with interest.

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By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 12:54
anonymous

And your right. I take responsibility as a human being to actually care about another beating heart besides my own. I know I've had it better than many many good people. It is my responsibility as a human being to not turn my back and say, well that doesn't touch me...

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 12:48
anonymous

I'm truly not understanding you because I'm not preaching. The only thing that I asked of you is to see me as an individual like I am talking to you as an individual. Yes, I can see that you disapprove of Americans and their whining. What I'm trying to convince you of or show you is that even though my passport is American that is not what identifies me and I'm asking that you would be kind enough, when you post, not to generalize me. It's like saying all humans are stupid.....okay bad example....all men are weak.....because that is just false. Look at what Hitler pulled, he said all Jews are useless or all gypsies should be killed. Do you see how grouping can be destructive? You lose the open mindedness and opportunity to learn something new from someone when you've tagged them under a group name that you disapprove of. See me.

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 11:54
anonymous

what I wanted to say is; we can preach about holding against hunger, while our fridges are filled with all kind of food!

This was in relation to your preach about giving up a passport (when you hold an american one)!

Billions of people from Asia, Africa, Latin America...etc would cry for your above "joke"!

No harm meant!

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 11:48
anonymous

King Louis was frivolous with money, the funding towards the united states freedom almost put France under but the people took care of that on Bastille Day wouldn't you say? But the U.S. needed France. (That very large ally) in order to become independent from GB. I really don't care if Americans agree with my view. In fact, I would say many Americans agree with me and are looking for home elsewhere in the world. I don't hate the U.S. but it doesn't feel like home, not anymore. Please look at me as an individual with individual views. You can't possibly think that a person has control of their government and every action they take? You think the government of any country doesn't take an action without its people's knowledge?

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 10:11
anonymous

"I say I am a member of a larger community: the human race. I'd rather do something about that..focus on that. Does a passport and place of birth really identify someone? If it does then count me out!"

Remember! You are saying this while you are an american! Billions of people would disagree with your statement!

You'd remind them of the French revolution against King Louis!

When the queen, Marie-Antonette, asked about the reason of the revolution, they told her that the people are hungry and can not even eat "bread"!

She replied: "but they eat cake instead, no?!"

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 10:00
anonymous

I went back to check my post, and I did not find any "hate" word! I don't have a clue where you got that idea from.

I just believe that for every action, there's a reaction!

BTW, if you vote to elect a "hateful" person, then YOU ARE responsible for their actions!

Who is a hateful person? Anyone who supports the Zionist against the Arabs

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 01:34
anonymous

7aaseb, why hate anyone????

And no, I am NOT responsible for my govt's actions, but I will absolutely vote, even though I don't think either candidate is capable of making any huge changes. At this point, like so many others, I'm just looking forward to getting this idiot out of office because then maybe, just maybe, there's a chance we can move forward.

Big huge changes? Nah,I doubt it. I'd be happy with baby steps. All we can do is keep trying until we get it right.

Brit and labda - I sort of half-watched Obama's speech. I thought it wasn't too much different from most of his others. He is a good speaker. The crowd was loving it, that's for sure.

By anonymous• 30 Aug 2008 01:17
anonymous

I say I am a member of a larger community: the human race. I'd rather do something about that..focus on that. Does a passport and place of birth really identify someone? If it does then count me out!

By labda06• 29 Aug 2008 09:28
labda06

bla bla bla indeed

Not this again...

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie

By anonymous• 29 Aug 2008 09:27
anonymous

Well they would, britexpat!

They will not only believe him, but they will elect him, too!

And when he becomes president, and when he will continue with America's policy in supporting Israel and other terrorist regimes, and when brave people react to this American policy, once again those people who have elected him, will give us the same stupid words: "why hate the american people? We are not responsible for our government's actions...we don't agree to what our government is doing...bla bla bla.."

By britexpat• 29 Aug 2008 09:18
britexpat

I like him, but I als know that he says and does things because he's a politician..

Having said that, I wanted Hilary to be nominated. Now that she's out of the picture, I prefer him to McCain and a raft of other hopefulls..

By labda06• 29 Aug 2008 09:07
labda06

"And the funny thing is that they probably believe him ......" LOL Britexpat

Well, I read the whole text of the speech, it was mostly on race and a lot on that wild Rev. Wright...wasnt really moved by the speech to be honest. Maybe it would have resonated with me had I actually heard him deliver it. Think he could've done better.

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie

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