Springsteen in Philadelphia for Obama

Bruce Springsteen appearing for Barack Obama in Philadelpia:

"Hello Philly,

"I am glad to be here today for this voter registration drive and for Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.

"I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real. Opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another.

"I've spent most of my creative life measuring the distance between that American promise and American reality. For many Americans, who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no healthcare, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities. The distance between that promise and that reality has never been greater or more painful.

"I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his work. I believe he understands, in his heart, the cost of that distance, in blood and suffering, in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president, he would work to restore that promise to so many of our fellow citizens who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning. After the disastrous administration of the past eight years, we need someone to lead us in an American reclamation project. In my job, I travel the world and occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I've continued to find, wherever I go, America remains a repository of people's hopes, possibilities and desires and that despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain, for many, a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down.

"They will, however, be leaving office, dropping the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq and our financial crisis in our laps. Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, looted and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care; it needs saving; it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again. But most importantly, it needs us. You and me. To build that house with the generosity that is at the heart of the American spirit. A house that is truer and big enough to contain the hopes and dreams of all of our fellow citizens. That is where our future lies. We will rise or fall as a people by our ability to accomplish this task. Now I don't know about you, but I want that dream back, I want my America back, I want my country back.

"So now is the time to stand with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves and come on up for "The Rising."

Comments

[Di Overton]

Let's hope people listened to what he had to say and not just what he had to sing.

[tangobaby]

That was awesome, Tara. It's easier to keep seeing such continued support from all kinds of different people who truly care. Perhaps the Bush administration was the ultimate disaster that finally pulled us all together?

[maddie]

R I S E up

Y E S!!!!!!!!

I love that man:)

and TARA!!!!

I FREAKING LOVE YOUR BANNER!!!!

WOW!

[Leau]

Thanks for posting this, hadn't seen it yet and the new banner is fabulous! It's gonna happen, New Mexico has turned to corner and looks like it will go for Obama as well. Everyone pulling together really does work, who knew? smooches

[My Mélange]

Saw this over the weekend!!! Love it, just love it!!

And can I just say that I L-O-V-E your banner :)

Gobama!!!!!

[Rosa]

Bruce for Obama. Brilliant.