Obama's keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention

[alp227]

Barack Obama, then the Democratic candidate for US Senate from Illinois, gave the keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2004. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois introduced Obama, then a week shy of age 43. The text is here. Tonight as President Obama formally accepts his nomination for re election watch this classic speech that introduced him to the nation.

Some highlights:

"-People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all."

"That is the true genius of America, a faith --a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted --at least most of the time."


"If there is 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 is a senior citizen somewhere who can’t pay for their prescription drugs, and having to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it’s not my grandparent. If there’s an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties."

"...there is not a liberal America and a conservative America --there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America --there’s the United States of America." (Unfortunately we all know how certain fools in congress have made sure to undermine the first part.)

[onehandle]

1. He'll never amount to anything. nt

[alp227]

2. Why?

[monmouth]

3. I remember dozing off prior to his appearance. The minute I heard his voice and saw his face,

this young man was going places. That was the first of his "barn burners" I had heard and was awed by him. Had John Kerry not had the election stolen from him this nation would be so far ahead by now. We need to make up some time and this young man is the one that can make it happen if we give him the right congress to work with. Thanks for posting this.

[alp227]

4. But wouldn't Kerry have been the fall guy for the 2008 crash?

We'd have John McCain as president and things even WORSE in this year.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Most likely...

I don't think Kerry would have been able to prevent the housing bubble going burst and the crash happening. That course was set well before 2004 and certainly 2008. He might've lessened the blow, but it would have still been so damaging that I don't know if Kerry could have won reelection ... especially if we were still in Iraq, which I think would have ticked off a great deal of the left.

[alp227]

6. DNC BTTT as Obama is about to hit the stage!