"Rise Up and Create a New Destiny" - Thousands Pack Rodney Square in Delaware

[K Gardner]

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS/80203014

WILMINGTON — A crowd of thousands who packed Rodney Square today were challenged by presidential hopeful Barack Obama to “rise up and create a new destiny for this country.”




Crowd members roared “Yes,” when the Illinois Democrat asked if they were ready for change.

The comments came as Obama described his travels across the country, citing messages he has received from voters of all ages.

He described a woman with children who works two jobs while going to school, getting about three hours sleep a night.

“She was determined to get her degree and make something better of her life,” Obama said, adding the woman believed politicians in Washington don’t care about her dreams.

Obama also said he has met young people who don’t understand why the status of the United States among world nations has dropped so quickly.

“They want our ideals and values restored,” Obama said.

He also said he is “confident of our ability to move this country in a new direction.