On this day, the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, Barack Obama assured his place in history as the first African American presidential nominee of a major political party.Obama's acceptance speech was delivered at Mile High Stadium. The doors were thrown open seven hours before he was scheduled to appear. The lines snaked for blocks, across railroad tracks and under a bridge. After a 45-minute wait for the light rail, it took me nearly an hour to get into the stadium.
The neoclassical stage at the 50-yard line stood out like a holding penalty. To me, it evoked the Lincoln Memorial. For some, the stage resembled an ancient Greek temple.
The atmosphere was more like a rock concert than a national political convention. To while away the time, Obama supporters did the wave, text-messaged and enjoyed performances by will.i.am, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald and Stevie Wonder who sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."
Rep. John Lewis led a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At an earlier commemoration, Lewis recounted:
Dr. King said that he has a dream that's deeply rooted in the American Dream. We're here in Denver making a down payment on that dream.Indeed, Obama took the stage and stepped into the history books:
With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.Obama's speech was entitled "The American Promise." Like Dr. King 45 years ago, he appealed to the better angels of our nature:
America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.Obama offered the hope of a new "promissory note":
We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage, whether you can put a little extra money away at the end of each month so you can someday watch your child receive her college diploma.There was never any doubt that Obama would give a good speech. His supporters left Invesco Field "fired up, ready to go!" But as I sat in the stadium, I wondered whether undecided voters who were watching were turned off by the spectacle of 85,000 foot-stomping supporters chanting, "Yes, we can."
We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President – when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of go down $2,000, like it has under George Bush.
Obama's convention bounce will measure whether his acceptance speech was good enough to convince undecided voters that he shares their values and is ready to lead.
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By: Anutha Brutha on 8/29/2008 6:30AM
As much as I admire Sen. Obama, the fact remains that his election will not change one blessed thing for the average black family.
Unless we STAY IN SCHOOL and encourage our children to become educated, we will continue to be shackled by the chains of ignorance and poverty.
Unless we GET A JOB (and actually keep it), we will continue to be crushed under the thumb of the white man's charity.
Until we STOP MAKING BABIES WE CAN'T AFFORD TO SUPPORT, we will continue to doom our children to lives of neglect and imprisonment.
Until we TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR OWN BEHAVIORS, we will continue to be held in contempt by every civilized culture on the planet.
Unless we STOP MAKING EXCUSES, we will forever remain our own worst enemy.
Obama/Biden '08
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By: Charden on 8/29/2008 7:02AM
Faye, Faye, Faye... It's clear you are not a fan of Obama! LOL! You have given waaaaay more passion in your critism of him on several occassions causing me to call you out on your bias. Now, you can't even bring yourself to (at least) recognizing the historical landmark he has achieved this week and the grandslam speech that brought more than 84,000 Americans from all walks to their feet inspired by the possibility of a brand new day. Faye, that's not a rock concert. It's a celebration of America. This article reads the way a cardboard sandwich would taste-bland and hard to take. You didn't even want to admit to the sense of unity of the Dems, nor the strength of his campaign to touch Americans in a way that no one since Bill Clinton (your God apparent) has since the 90's. You failed to mention that for the first time in 8 years Americans can see a light at the end of a long, dark, cold and miserable tunnel. Even worse, you failed to encourage your fellow Americans of their privilege and responsibility to register to vote. Gir, you are a piece of work. I hope you and your bitterness are happy together.
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By: Ed on 8/29/2008 7:35AM
"Yes we can".
Wasn't Hitler also able to hold large unthinking and adoring crowds in a hypnotic trance simply with his voice?
This man, Obama, what with his criminal and socialist friends, his whitey hating militant wife, his ability to persuade so many adoring people that he is and can accomplish what no other person has been able to accomplish scares the hell out of me.
And the man still has to explain what his changes are to be, other than reducing taxes and giving everyone a rebate and spending more money, which seems to constantly contradict each other.
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By: Analyst on 8/29/2008 8:38AM
Faye was more than generous in her coverage of Sen. Obama's fifteen minutes of fame where he responded with more lip service in his campaign of "change" for America. This first openly non-white candidate for president for a major party remained consistent in not showing concern for the struggling poor and black Americans. The elitist Obama could not even bring himself to mention Martin Luther King, Jr. by name but refered to the great American as a "young preacher who once spoke on this occasion ...". I was not oblivious to the slight at black American fathers with his remark that fathers must be more responsible. How can I forget his disrespect of black American fathers in his Father's Day sermon where he unleashed a blanket condemnation of black American fathers declaring us missing in action and acting like boys. Only a fool or one who holds black Americans in comtempt would make such a public utterance. No white politician in his right mind would open such a can of worms. Only the elitist Obama with no ties to the African American people could say such a thing. With the exception of Trinity Church in Chicago that received Obama with open arms for 20 years the man has no attachment to African America culture or values. Labeling Barack Obama an African American is a misnomer. The classification was not coined to include someone of his parentage. To do so is like a fish out of water. I am not the only black American who rejects Barack Obama. The young black protesters who confronted him at Diggs High School at that town hall meeting salvaged the dignity of the African American people. The elitist Obama was left startled and stammering. The thinking American people will defeat Barack Obama in November and I will rejoice in having a hand in putting a nail in his political coffin.
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By: LA on 8/29/2008 8:21AM
YES WE CAN! WE WILL elect a Leader that has proven he is concerned and willing to help the middle and working class families. SO please stop the negative remarks. McCain is not working for you, he is working with Bush. Can you really afford that???
Remember that next time you go to the GAS PUMP and can't afford to fill it up, or the next time you pay your Mortgage late (again), or when you have to pay for your next doctors visit because you or your children are not insured, or when your job Lays you off because they are given your position away to someone who can barely speak English OVERSEAS.
All I have heard is negative comments on other BV blogs about Obama, are you guys even listening to his message. Honor and appreciate your history and its acomplishments, otherwise all the hardwork, marching, and fighting our parents and ancestors did was for nothing. The Bush/McCain administration are robbing America blind with oil companies having record highs, and we have the nerve to challenge someone who promises us change?? Im tired of this rich get rich poor get poorer Republican way of life. Put a Democrat back in office and make change! The Billion dallar corporations and oil companies is who John Mccain wants to give tax breaks to, NOT YOU. Wake up, and vote for Barack Obama, NOW is the time.
YES WE CAN!!!!!!
Obama/Biden
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By: The Cult of Obama on 8/29/2008 8:31AM
I found the entire convention to be no more than a rock concert. While I liked Obama at first, I find him to be more of a cult leader at this point. For someone who talks about change, I think his "change" will not be good. The American dream is about working hard and becoming successful. In an Obama world, you better not become too successful or you will be penalized. Hello, taking from the rich and giving to the poor does not work. Who do you think owns the businesses that middle class and poor people work at? If this guy gets in, my company simply cannot stay in business, at least not without leaving the country. Who benefits from that? Why do you think the rest of the world wants Obama to win? The top 10% of earners in this country pay 75% of the taxes that are collected. Figure it out people. It's called Robin Hood economics.
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By: Highlyblessed on 8/29/2008 8:46AM
Faye and Cult you guys wouldn't never vote for Obama, so that speech wasn't for you.
He did address the poor and black americans. He's addressed those issues before. And we do need Black fathers to be accountable. Blacks make up 12% of the American population, yet 50% are in jail. 24% of all black american males born today will go to jail in their lifetime. These are the facts. So it needs to be addressed. He even mentioned being able to help the men in the prison system.
You weren't listening and people who are dead against him from the start, never do.
You can't take anything from Sen. Obama, he has made history and that speech will be in history books for my grandchildren to read one day.
And taxing the rich, would only result in an increased tax NOT to exceed 3% for the wealthy. He said he will cut out outdated programs and improve the programs that do work. Tax companies that aren't keeping jobs here. When people have a decent paycheck and a stable job, they don't mind paying their taxes. It's a way of life.
That was a historical speech and people were texting me and crying. It was monumental. And you and your comments will never be able to erase that moment.
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By: The Cult of Obama on 8/29/2008 9:12AM
Highlyblessed - I did vote for him once, so stop your color based rhetoric. You defined one of the major issues with his campaign. You see Obama as "your" candidate only. This is America for ALL Americans, black, white and hispanic. I am not dead against anyone, just stating facts as I see them. Don't tell me I was not listening, I heard every word. I just chose to do the math as a business owner.
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By: Markeysha on 8/29/2008 9:23AM
I'm tired of this Obama hates whitey mess. His mother and the grandparents that raised him are white Americans!! Gezz... That speech was for all of us wether we will vote for a Change in American or if we will vote for the same Old Washington Tactics of GW and his Crew played by McCain!
And some of you are right even when Obama & Biden take he oath for the Presidency and Vice Presidency that will not change the American Bread Hate that many of you Fake conservative White People have for other races. Only the Lord of Savior can do that!
What also makes me confused is that many of you call yourselves Christians! But you spew hate every wear you go! WWJD ( what would Jesus Do?-- about that)
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By: Heaven Forbid on 8/29/2008 9:23AM
Why has this election of Obama turned into a civil rights movement? This is not about sitting at the back of the bus. This is about the next president of the United States of America! Heaven forbid someone doesn't vote for this guy. If you don't, you have to be a racist?
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