It's up to us

Speaking Wednesday in Richmond, Virginia, Sen. Barack Obama talked about our responsibilites as Americans, united for change:

"There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation – we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies.

"The men and women from Virginia and all across America who serve on our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America.

"We have always been at our best when we've had leadership that called us to look past our differences and come together as one nation, as one people; leadership that rallied this entire country to a common purpose – to a higher purpose. And I am running for President of the United States of America because that is the country we need to be right now.

"This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven't seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed the same divisions and fear tactics and our own petty differences to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?

"Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other's success?

"This is one of those moments. I realize you're cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you're disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe – to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together."

Barack Obama for president. Let's make our voices heard at the polls.

Photo of an early 20th-century directional sign, The Ballastone Inn, Savannah, Ga.

Comments

[Colette]

"They" keep throwing mud at him but none of it sticks. And yet they keep wasting their time with trying to smear him.

Meanwhile, the true candidate is focused on the people and their well-being. I think this speech will go down in history. I think it will be quoted from over and over again.

[Laura]

As much as I've always loved voting on election day proper, I'm voting next week---we can't afford ANY hitches in this year's vote-counting. I'm hopeful, so hopeful, but very anxious, too. It's not over yet.

[Marilyn]

Amen! And I have voted and sent it in.

[julochka]

so filled with positive thoughts...when you compare this speech to that of his opponents, it just all clicks into place, doesn't it?

hope to serve with you in the tangobaby administration. :-)

:-)
/julie

[stljoie]

I was one of a hundred thousand in St. Louis and I am here to report....there was not a whisper of hostile, mean or ugly. There were people of every age, background and hue and we loved every minute of it. We are blessed to have him speak for us. I am sooo tired of meaness and hate.

[elizabeth]

wonderful speech. I need to finish up my ballot and send it in post-haste. :)

[Christina]

I have a bit of a personal opinion, that the great men and women who paved the way for Sen. Obama would be incredibly proud of what he stands for. : )

[Sue]

Thank you for posting that. It's wonderful, those words, so wonderful. And, a very good example of why I am proud to say that I am voting for Barack Obama.