The American Promise" Democratic Convention Thursday, August 28th, 2008 Denver, Colorado As Prepared for Delivery To Chairman Dean and my great friend Dick Durbin; and to all my fellow citizens of this great nation; With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States. Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest -- a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and to yours -- Hillary Rodham Clinton. To President Clinton, who last night made the case for change as only he can make it; to Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service; and to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night. To the love of my life, our next First Lady, Michelle Obama, and to Sasha and Malia -- I love you so much, and I'm so proud of all of you. Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story - of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. It is that promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well. That's why I stand here tonight. Because for two hundred and thirty two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women - students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive. We meet at one of those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more. Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay, and tuition that's beyond your reach. These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this. This country is more decent than one where a woman in Ohio, on the brink of retirement, finds herself one illness away from disaster after a lifetime of hard work. This country is more generous than one where a man in Indiana has to pack up the equipment he's worked on for twenty years and watch it shipped off to China, and then chokes up as he explains how he felt like a failure when he went home to tell his family the news. We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes. Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough." Now let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee, John McCain, has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for that we owe him our gratitude and respect. And next week, we'll also hear about those occasions when he's broken with his party as evidence that he can deliver the change that we need. But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change. The truth is, on issue after issue that would make a difference in your lives - on health care and education and the economy - Senator McCain has been anything but independent. He said that our economy has made "great progress" under this President. He said that the fundamentals of the economy are strong. And when one of his chief advisors - the man who wrote his economic plan - was talking about the anxiety Americans are feeling, he said that we were just suffering from a "mental recession," and that we've become, and I quote, "a nation of whiners." A nation of whiners? Tell that to the proud auto workers at a Michigan plant who, after they found out it was closing, kept showing up every day and working as hard as ever, because they knew there were people who counted on the brakes that they made. Tell that to the military families who shoulder their burdens silently as they watch their loved ones leave for their third or fourth or fifth tour of duty. These are not whiners. They work hard and give back and keep going without complaint. These are the Americans that I know. Now, I don't believe that Senator McCain doesn't care what's going on in the lives of Americans. I just think he doesn't know. Why else would he define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year? How else could he propose hundreds of billions in tax breaks for big corporations and oil companies but not one penny of tax relief to more than one hundred million Americans? How else could he offer a health care plan that would actually tax people's benefits, or an education plan that would do nothing to help families pay for college, or a plan that would privatize Social Security and gamble your retirement? It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it. For over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy - give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is - you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps - even if you don't have boots. You're on your own. Well it's time for them to own their failure. It's time for us to change America. You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country. 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. 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 down $2,000 like it has under George Bush. We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a new business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work. The fundamentals we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great - a promise that is the only reason I am standing here tonight. Because in the faces of those young veterans who come back from Iraq and Afghanistan, I see my grandfather, who signed up after Pearl Harbor, marched in Patton's Army, and was rewarded by a grateful nation with the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. In the face of that young student who sleeps just three hours before working the night shift, I think about my mom, who raised my sister and me on her own while she worked and earned her degree; who once turned to food stamps but was still able to send us to the best schools in the country with the help of student loans and scholarships. When I listen to another worker tell me that his factory has shut down, I remember all those men and women on the South Side of Chicago who I stood by and fought for two decades ago after the local steel plant closed. And when I hear a woman talk about the difficulties of starting her own business, I think about my grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle-management, despite years of being passed over for promotions because she was a woman. She's the one who taught me about hard work. She's the one who put off buying a new car or a new dress for herself so that I could have a better life. She poured everything she had into me. And although she can no longer travel, I know that she's watching tonight, and that tonight is her night as well. I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine. These are my heroes. Theirs are the stories that shaped me. And it is on their behalf that I intend to win this election and keep our promise alive as President of the United States. What is that promise? It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect. It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road. Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology. Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work. That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now. So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if I am President. Change means a tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it. Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class. And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East. Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator McCain took office. Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close. As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced. America, now is not the time for small plans. Now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy. Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance at an education. And I will not settle for an America where some kids don't have that chance. I'll invest in early childhood education. I'll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries and give them more support. And in exchange, I'll ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American - if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education. Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves. And as someone who watched my mother argue with insurance companies while she lay in bed dying of cancer, I will make certain those companies stop discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most. Now is the time to help families with paid sick days and better family leave, because nobody in America should have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for a sick child or ailing parent. Now is the time to change our bankruptcy laws, so that your pensions are protected ahead of CEO bonuses; and the time to protect Social Security for future generations. And now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day's work, because I want my daughters to have exactly the same opportunities as your sons. Now, many of these plans will cost money, which is why I've laid out how I'll pay for every dime - by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens that don't help America grow. But I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less - because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy. And Democrats, we must also admit that fulfilling America's promise will require more than just money. It will require a renewed sense of responsibility from each of us to recover what John F. Kennedy called our "intellectual and moral strength." Yes, government must lead on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. But we must also admit that programs alone can't replace parents; that government can't turn off the television and make a child do her homework; that fathers must take more responsibility for providing the love and guidance their children need. Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility - that's the essence of America's promise. And just as we keep our keep our promise to the next generation here at home, so must we keep America's promise abroad. If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment, to serve as the next Commander-in-Chief, that's a debate I'm ready to have. For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face. When John McCain said we could just "muddle through" in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell - but he won't even go to the cave where he lives. And today, as my call for a time frame to remove our troops from Iraq has been echoed by the Iraqi government and even the Bush Administration, even after we learned that Iraq has a $79 billion surplus while we're wallowing in deficits, John McCain stands alone in his stubborn refusal to end a misguided war. That's not the judgment we need. That won't keep America safe. We need a President who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past. You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in eighty countries by occupying Iraq. You don't protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can't truly stand up for Georgia when you've strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice - but it is not the change we need. We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans - have built, and we are here to restore that legacy. As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home. I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing, so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future. These are the policies I will pursue. And in the weeks ahead, I look forward to debating them with John McCain. But what I will not do is suggest that the Senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism. The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in 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. So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first. America, our work will not be easy. The challenges we face require tough choices, and Democrats as well as Republicans will need to cast off the worn- out ideas and politics of the past. For part of what has been lost these past eight years can't just be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits. What has also been lost is our sense of common purpose - our sense of higher purpose. And that's what we have to restore. We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang- violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America's promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort. I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that's to be expected. Because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things. And you know what - it's worked before. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn't work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it's best to stop hoping, and settle for what you already know. I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington. But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you. For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time. America, this is one of those moments. I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming. Because I've seen it. Because I've lived it. I've seen it in Illinois, when we provided health care to more children and moved more families from welfare to work. I've seen it in Washington, when we worked across party lines to open up government and hold lobbyists more accountable, to give better care for our veterans and keep nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands. And I've seen it in this campaign. In the young people who voted for the first time, and in those who got involved again after a very long time. In the Republicans who never thought they'd pick up a Democratic ballot, but did. I've seen it in the workers who would rather cut their hours back a day than see their friends lose their jobs, in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb, in the good neighbors who take a stranger in when a hurricane strikes and the floodwaters rise. This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores. Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend. That promise is our greatest inheritance. It's a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night, and a promise that you make to yours - a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west; a promise that led workers to picket lines, and women to reach for the ballot. And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred. But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back." America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.

The Honorable John Salazar Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Hello Colorado! And welcome to all of you who have come from across the nation for this historic event. I'm proud to represent one of the largest rural districts in America-a district of small communities, of people who believe in hard work, love of family and service to our country. Unfortunately, over the last eight years, the Bush administration has neglected rural America. And all John McCain is offering is more of the same neglect. John McCain has repeatedly opposed policies that energize our rural economies, opposed farm bills-over and over and over again-opposed increasing funding for nutrition programs that keep our nation's children from going to bed hungry at night. We need a president who understands the contributions and values of rural America. A president who understands the men and women who are up at 5 a.m. every day to grow the food that we put on our tables. We need a president who'll support rural America and the family farmers we all rely on. Most of all, we need a president who will deliver the change we need. My fellow Coloradans, my fellow Americans, Barack Obama will be that president. Barack Obama will work hard on behalf of those who work the land, and lift those who strive to earn a decent living in our small communities, and to keep the promises we've made to the men and women from all across America who have proudly worn this nation's uniform. As a lifelong farmer, I stand here today and look out upon a silo of hope. It's stored up-it's ready for November. Ready for us to end this time of rural neglect, begin a time of endless promise. We will elect Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.

The Honorable Bill Ritter Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thank you, Denver! Thank you, Colorado! Thank you, America! My name is Bill Ritter, and I'm the governor of the great state of Colorado. With me tonight is my wife Jeannie, our four great kids, my mother Ethel, and many of my eleven brothers and sisters. My mother raised our family on a small wheat farm just east of Denver. With such deep roots in Colorado, it is especially gratifying, a privilege and an honor to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Tonight, as we mark the end of this convention we reaffirm the western spirit as the American spirit. Tonight, we mark another milestone on Barack Obama's historic path to the presidency. And this year, the road to the White House cuts straight through the heart of the American West. Merle Haggard said it best: "If God doesn't live in Colorado, I'll bet that's where he spends most of his time." Here in Colorado - like in all of America, from Denver to Detroit to Dayton - we face incredible challenges. And we know why: The Washington of George Bush and John McCain is failing us on energy, the economy, education, health care, Iraq. Have you had enough? Are you ready to end the Bush-McCain economic policy that is weakening the middle class? Are you ready to turn the page on the failed Bush-McCain energy policy that opposes investments in renewable energy? Are you ready to close the book on the Bush-McCain health care policy that does nothing for the uninsured, nothing to reduce health care costs, and nothing to help seniors cope with the costs of long-term care? Are you ready for the change we need? Are you ready for Barack Obama? Maybe it's the mile high altitude and all this thin air. Maybe it's the pioneering spirit of the American west. Whatever it is, we westerners look at the many challenges facing America and see hope and opportunity and possibility. I call it the Colorado promise: creating a future that gives every person in every community the chance to reach their full God-given potential. We see the opportunity to build a new energy economy based on natural gas, wind, and solar power, to create thousands of new jobs for hard-working Coloradans. We see the opportunity to build an economy around industries of the future like aerospace, biosciences, and technology. We see the opportunity to reform our education system, so every child gets the skills they need to fill 21st century jobs. What's happening here is just a preview of the powerful change Barack Obama will bring to all of America. The western experience can be the American experience. In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma, a new generation of Democratic governors has replaced Republican governors and is showing America how to solve big problems. How to work together with Republicans and Democrats alike. The wide open west isn't just about wide open spaces. It's about the possibilities of American opportunity. It's about a set of American ideals that offer hope and unity and the promise of change. It's about binding people together with common goals, shared visions, and the pioneering spirit that defines all of America. There's a little bit of that western spirit in the Colorado promise, in all of us. Really, it's the American promise. The vision of a country where "what can be" becomes "what is." That vision only becomes a reality when we have a true partner in the White House - a partner like Barack Obama who will work with our states, not against them. For the last eight years, we have not had that partner, and we will not have a partner in John McCain. America will be better tomorrow when we create a government that legitimately intersects with where people struggle, and only if we elect a bold new president named Barack Obama to get America back on track. Once again, it has been our honor to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Thank you, and God bless you. It is now my pleasure to introduce to you the members of the Colorado congressional delegation.

The Honorable Howard Dean Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I'm Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. I know exactly how many houses I own. Not too long ago, many of us wanted to know what happened to our party. We were on the short end of the last two elections. We were in the minority in the House and Senate. But we had hope. A plan: "Show up." We knew if we knocked on doors and told people what we believe, they would respect us and vote for us. That's exactly what you did. And because you did, today, our party competes in all 50 states. Today, we are a party that took back Congressional seats in Louisiana and Mississippi, and we're gonna win in Virginia and Alaska. Today, ours is a party that had 35 million Americans vote in our primaries. Today, our party knows that power grows from the grassroots up. If you're a young American wanting change, if you're looking for a government that's on your side, we are your party. And Barack Obama will be your president. If you're a working American wanting change, we are your party. And Barack Obama will be your president. If you're an older American or a veteran wanting change, and deserve a government that honors you and your sacrifice, when you're serving and when you come home, we are your party. And Barack Obama will be your president. Barack Obama and Joe Biden both know that this is not just about turning red states blue. It's about turning our country around. We can't afford four more years of the same. No matter how many times John McCain tries to hide from it, it's a fact: John McCain has voted with George Bush and his policies 95 percent of the time over the past year. John McCain is not a maverick. John McCain is a "yes man." Like George Bush, John McCain would let companies that ship American jobs overseas keep their tax giveaways. Barack Obama would end those tax breaks and instead reward companies that create jobs in America. Who do we want as our president? Like George Bush, John McCain does not see that health care costs are sinking the fortunes of American families and small businesses. Barack Obama will reduce costs and make coverage available to every American. Who do we want as our president? Like George Bush, John McCain proposes spending $10 billion a month in Iraq and he's fine being there for 100 more years. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we should bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, bring our troops home, and invest at home. Who do you want as our president? We've been working hard to register voters. Recently, these efforts took me to Macon, Georgia. I met a young woman named Randa, whose husband, a staff sergeant in the United States Army, is serving his third tour in Iraq. She has three small children. Her hands, and her days, are pretty full. Yet somehow she has found time to register 450 new voters. Like millions of Americans all over our country, Randa wants change. She wants her husband to come home safely. She wants better opportunities for her children. She wants to vote for a leader who can move us past the partisanship and bring our country together. So who do we want as our president? On behalf of all Democrats, let's welcome Randa here tonight. Randa knows that Barack Obama and Joe Biden don't just believe in change. They know how desperately Americans need change. And with your help-block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, vote by vote-we'll elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.

The Honorable Diana DeGette Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Here in Denver it's been a mile-high week. On behalf of the people of Denver, we're honored that it was our hometown where we nominated the next President of the United States, Barack Obama! When Dr. King spoke 45 years ago today he said, "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." During eight years of George Bush, we haven't seen much justice rolling out of Washington. And we say today, we will not be satisfied with four more years of the same under John McCain. Here in Denver when Susan Molina, a janitor who lost her health insurance, has to take her little boy to the emergency room for an ear infection. I ask you, is that just? No. When 15-year-old Sam Beerman and his parents have to spend every day treating his diabetes and worrying about his future, while a cure from stem cell research slips farther away because of President Bush's restriction-is that just? No. When a soldier back home from serving in Iraq cannot get mental health treatment because of a poorly funded VA-is that just? No, it is not just. It is manifestly unjust. And to realize the change we need-the just society we seek-we need a new spirit in Washington. We need to elect Barack Obama. We need to stop paying lip service to health-care reform and pass it. We need to reverse the Bush restrictions on stem cell research and pursue bold initiatives, with strict ethical standards, that save lives. We need to protect a woman's right to choose and access to affordable family planning and health care for everyone. And we must stop talking about ending the war in Iraq and just do it-do it responsibly and bring our troops home. In Barack Obama, we have the extraordinary opportunity to elect an extraordinary president. A president who will fight to right the wrongs. A president who challenges every American to be their brother's keeper, their sister's keeper. A president who "will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY Elbra Wedgeworth Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Good afternoon. It's great to be with you today at Mile High Stadium. And I gotta tell you, right now I feel a mile high. I want to tell you about a young African-American girl who grew up in Denver's poorest neighborhoods but had the support of a loving family to make her dreams come true. This girl grew into a woman who served on the Denver City Council and during that period joined her colleagues to compete for the Democratic National Convention, to bring it to her hometown. And now that woman stands before you today, in this wonderful stadium, on this historic day, when we will hear from the next President of the United States, to welcome America to my hometown, Denver, Colorado. As president of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, and on behalf of all the residents of Denver, it's been our pleasure to have you as our guests this week. We hope that you have gotten to know our great city and our wonderful state of Colorado a little better, and that you'll come back again. We call this the New West; the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Arizona, all battlegrounds in this critical election. We bring new energy and new opportunity through our innovation, our ideas and our passion for change. And in November, it's that energy of the New West that will deliver the change we need when we help America send Barack Obama to the White House. Denver has always been a proud Democratic city, one that believes in diversity. From its first Hispanic mayor, Federico Pena, to its first black mayor, Wellington Webb, to our current mayor and my friend, John Hickenlooper, we elect leaders based on their ability to deliver the change we need. And on November 4, Denver is going to deliver for Barack Obama. And I know Denver is not alone. Let me ask you: Are you ready for a change? Are you ready to elect Joe Biden and Barack Obama? As Nelson Mandela once said "it's the light, not the darkness, that most frightens us." As individuals we need to find that light within ourselves. As Michelle Obama said earlier this week, it's time to stop doubting and start dreaming. And on this, the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, we have a chance to make this dream come true. So it's time to campaign like we've never campaigned before. Let's do what we are destined to do and honor the legacy of all who have made this historic candidacy possible. In the great American tradition, Senator Obama has not let circumstances define him. He has defined himself by his hard work, the courage of his convictions and the content of his character. And with our help and hard work, President Obama will lead us to become a better nation. Thank you, and let's go win this election.

Teresa Brito-Asenap Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Buenas noches, good evening. I am Teresa Brito-Asenap from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first nine years of my life my grandparents worked with me to study and learn. They always talked about the importance of education. But it was not until third grade that I realized that mi abuelita, my grandmother, could neither read nor write. But because of them, today I hold a doctorate in education. I owe them and my parents everything. Strong families raise strong students. All they need are world-class schools and dedicated teachers. Yet because of George W. Bush and John McCain, our schools don't have the resources they need to meet the high standards of No Child Left Behind. We don't need four more years of the same. We need to turn the page and put our kids at the head of the class. Barack Obama will invest $10 billion a year in early education funding and give any student who wants to go to college a $4,000 tax credit. That's the change we need and the change Barack Obama will bring as president of the United States. Arriba y adelante - si se puede!

Pastor Joel Hunter Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Please stand. We are all here to devote ourselves to the improvement of this country we love. In one of the best traditions of our country, would those of you who are people of faith join me in asking for God's help? Almighty God, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a reverence for all life. Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us - the babies, the children, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the persecuted. For all of those who have been left out of the advantaged world. Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create an economy where everyone who can work can have a job. Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and smarter for peace. Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people who are informed and respectful and are known for principles and projects that aim higher than our own group's benefit. Guide Barack Obama and all of our leaders to be agents of your will and recipients of your wisdom. And grant that all of us citizens will continually do our part to contribute to the common good by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Now, I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction: Because we are gathered in a country that continues to welcome people of all faiths, let us personalize this prayer by closing according to our own tradition. On the count of three, end your prayer as you would usually do. Amen! Let's go out and change the world for good!

Local Democrats to Host More of the Same McCain Birthday Parties In Key Battleground States DENVER, Aug. 28 /-- Democrats in five battleground states will host More of the Same birthday parties tomorrow to celebrate McCain's gift to himself: a Vice Presidential candidate to amplify his promise of more of the same. The parties will feature a birthday cake with 72 candles that reads "Another year of more of the same." (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/DNCLOGO ) McCain has bragged about supporting President Bush's failed policies 90 percent of the time, most recently chronicled in a video distributed by the Democratic National Committee earlier this week. For example, in 2005, McCain said on Meet the Press that "The fact is, that I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed" and that he agreed with President Bush on the "transcendent issues" of the day. View the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4DrL8-UA4U. The following is a summary of events around the country: Arlington, VA Democratic Activists will deliver a More of the Same birthday cake to John McCain's campaign headquarters. Denver, CO Democrats will hold a John McCain's More of the Same birthday party at the Rialto Cafe on 16th Street. Dayton, OH Ohio Democrats will hold a rally at John McCain's announcement of his running mate in Dayton. The event will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Youngstown, OH Local democrats will join the county Democratic Party chair, the county treasurer, and labor leaders for a birthday party for John McCain. The event will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Pittsburgh, PA The Allegheny County Executive and the chair of the county Democratic Party will host a birthday party that will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Washington, PA Local labor leaders will host a More of the Same McCain birthday party that will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Erie, PA Local Democratic activists will host a More of the Same McCain birthday party that will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Harrisburg, PA Local Democratic activists will host a More of the Same McCain birthday party that will feature the DNC's "more of the same" mobile billboard and a birthday cake for Senator McCain. Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY The Honorable Janet Monaco Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I'm Janet Monaco from Rockledge, Florida, by way of Long Island, New York. Fourteen years ago I moved to Florida to pursue my vision of the American dream. Within five years, I had bought a house and opened two pet stores. I was living well. Then disaster struck: back-to-back hurricanes, and rising costs of food and gas. Today, I'm a struggling small-business owner who is diabetic and without health insurance. I work 70-hour weeks at the store and more hours in a part-time job and still can't afford insurance. I don't tell this story to get sympathy. Everyone has challenges. But what gets me angry is that George Bush and John McCain have done nothing for people like me -- and, in fact, have done plenty of things that make it even harder to get by. Huge tax breaks for those at the top. Looking out for the lobbyists and not the little guy. And billions spent in tax cuts for big corporations, but not enough for small businesses like mine. I'm supporting Barack Obama, because we can't afford four more years of the same. Yes, we can make a change!

"The American Promise" Democratic National Convention August 28, 2008 Denver, Colorado As prepared for delivery "Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story - of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. "It is that promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well. "It is why I stand here tonight. Because for two hundred and thirty two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women - students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive. "We meet at one of those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more. "Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay and tuition that is beyond your reach "These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed presidency of George W. Bush. "America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this." *** "This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: "Eight is enough." "Now let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee, John McCain, has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for that we owe him our gratitude and respect. And next week, we'll also hear about those occasions when he's broken with his party as evidence that he can deliver the change that we need. "But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush was right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change." *** "You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country. "We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put away a little extra money at the end of each month so that you can someday watch your child receive her diploma. 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 down $2,000 like it has under George Bush. "We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work. "The fundamentals we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great - a promise that is the only reason I am standing here tonight." *** "That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now. So let me spell out exactly what that change would mean if I am President. "Change means a tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it. "Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship our jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. "I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. "I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class. "And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East. "Washington has been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator McCain took office. "Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close. "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest $150 billion over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced." *** "We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans - have built, and we are to restore that legacy. "As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home. "I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing so that America is once more the last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future."

Roy Gross Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery My name is Roy Gross. I'm a proud member of Teamsters Local 299 in Detroit, Michigan. When I was a young man and wanted to start a family, I went to Detroit and landed a job as an automobile transporter. I delivered new cars from the assembly plants to dealerships around the country. It was a great job, a Teamsters union job. You worked hard and it paid good wages, plus health care and pension. I worked there for 18 years. Working class families were doing well in Detroit until the Bush Administration took office, then everything changed. Manufacturing jobs were exported by the hundreds of thousands and replaced with minimum-wage jobs in the so-called "New Economy." I'm one of the lucky ones; I still have a job. But many of my friends and co-workers have lost their jobs and their homes. If you ask me, this so-called "New Economy" is not working. We need a renewed economy. That's why I'm seeing so many of my friends in Michigan -- Democrats, Republicans and Independents -- putting aside their differences to join this campaign. Barack Obama will enact fair trade policies and work just as hard for us as we work for America. I will do everything I can, from now until Election Day, to put Michigan in the Obama column.

Barney Smith Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery My name is Barney Smith. For most of my life, I was a proud Republican. Growing up in the Indiana heartland, America was a place of boundless opportunity. You could go to the town factory and get a job the same day. You could start a family and buy a house with your salary. My father started at Marion's RCA plant in 1949, manufacturing picture tubes for TV sets. I started in 1973. My wife worked in a high school cafeteria. Together, we made a living and raised a family. Then, in 2004, the plant closed. Today, a foreign worker does my job. After 31 years, I received 90 days' severance pay and was unemployed. Thirteen months later, I got a job at a distribution center. Republicans talk about putting "country first," but tell that to Marion, Indiana. They sent my job overseas. America can't afford more of the same. We need a president who puts the Barney Smiths before the Smith Barneys.

Monica Early Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I'm Monica Early from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Last January, someone sent me an e-mail containing so-called "facts" about Senator Obama. The e-mail painted a scary picture, questioning his faith and patriotism. I decided to do some fact-checking on my own and learned the truth. What I discovered is that Barack Obama is a man of faith, a man of values and a man of action -- someone who has shown his love for America by fighting for our people, helping communities left behind on Chicago's South Side, fighting today for working families and the tax breaks we need to purchase a home, pay for college and save for retirement. I am grateful for the e-mail that tried to scare me. It brought me here, an ordinary citizen, empowered by a leader who told me I could make a difference. Ohio is home to four of the fastest-dying cities in America. John McCain promises to continue the Bush economic policies that got us there. Einstein said a definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. If we elect John McCain, then, according to Einstein, we surely would be insane. We need change. We need President Barack Obama!

Nathaniel Flick Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Good afternoon. I'm Nathaniel Flick. My Marine platoon landed in Afghanistan on a moonlit night in 2001. A little more than a year later, we rolled into Iraq. I'll never forget one dawn after a vicious gun battle. We'd just medevaced one of our wounded Marines, and I turned to see a small American flag hanging from a humvee's antenna. For a second, it reminded me of the line we all know so well: "And our flag was still there." I registered as a Republican at 18 and voted for John McCain in 2000. It took seven years of hard experience to get me on this stage. But we cannot afford more of the same. That's why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden to lead us beyond the tired divisions of the past. They have the judgment to make the right decisions, leading our military, and uphold our highest ideals. Everyone who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan has left something: a friend, a limb, a piece of their youth. In those palm groves and on those ridge lines, this is personal for us. I don't want to retreat; I want to win. The past seven years have been hard, often heartbreaking. Our flag, however, is still there. Let's move forward in our quest to live up to the idea of America.

Ray Rivera Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Here's a new way to stay connected with the campaign, text messaging. Last week we announced Joe Biden for vice president by text message. Tonight, we're taking it to another level. Take your phones out now. Let's see them! If you look at the jumbo screen, you will see our interactive map that shows which states have the most people signed up for text messaging. Let's find out which state can sign up the most supporters. When you text "DNC" and your message of support to "OBAMA", or 62262, the star of your state will grow larger. Colorado has home-field advantage, so other states will have to work hard to catch up. Let's do it. Text "DNC," plus your message of support for Barack Obama to 62262 now, and let's grow our map. Some of your messages will appear on the big screen, and we will send you occasional updates to let you know how you can help. Let's light up the map and let's light a path for America's future!

Wes Moore Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Hi, my name is Wes Moore. Twelve years ago, I took an oath on the Bible to defend, support and protect the United States of America. Today, I cannot fathom a more perfect expression of my allegiance as a soldier and citizen than giving my full support for Barack Obama to be my next commander-in-chief. Before I deployed for Afghanistan, my grandparents gave me a Bible. Inside, they wrote four simple words: have faith, not fear. Those words protected and guided me and the soldiers under my command during some of the most trying days of my life. I want a president who has a comprehensive strategy for Iraq and Afghanistan, and who can rally young people to serve, both in and out of uniform, and sees these as complementary, not contradictory goals. I want a president who believes in supporting our troops while we are fighting overseas, and supporting us with proper health care and education when we come home. This election is not about history. Nor is it about making history. It's about seizing history. The charge my grandparents gave me-have faith, not fear-is the same challenge I issue tonight. A faith that this nation can rise to meet any challenge. Tonight, Senator Obama is not asking you to have faith in him. He is asking you to have faith with him. Let's make Barack Obama our next president.

The Honorable Richard Durbin Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Four years ago in Boston, I introduced a friend -- an Illinois state senator most people had never heard of -- with a name most people couldn't pronounce. Thirty minutes later, Barack Obama's keynote address had changed politics in America-touching the hearts and inspiring the dreams of a nation. Tonight, Barack Obama will accept our nomination to be President of the United States. His journey from that moment to now has taken him to every corner of this nation. Like another son of Illinois, he has spoken to a divided people about the better angels of our nature. To a country weary of the politics of division and deadlock, he has brought a message of unity and change. We know that Americans hunger for change. They want to believe that they still have a fighting chance in our land of opportunity. They are the millions of new voters-Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- who are stepping forward to be part of this historic campaign. We see it in the eyes of the young people -- who work night and day, eat cold pizza, and sleep on the floor, because they want to believe. We see it in the faces of gray-haired volunteers -- who just one more time in their lives want to believe again. This man, Barack Obama, has inspired America to believe that we can come together, meet the challenges of this new century and rise up to a better place. I have been close to Barack Obama for many years, but now after this long campaign, so many of us know this man. We know how he thinks. We know his values. We know that Barack Obama's journey has never been far from the pain and struggle so many Americans face today and that life has tested him and prepared him to lead this nation we all love. Barack Obama had the good judgment to know that we should not risk the lives of our brave soldiers in the wrong war. Barack Obama has the wisdom to know that we should never risk our freedoms and privacy to the overreaching hand of government. Barack Obama has the good sense to know that the future of our nation is in the hands of hardworking Americans, not in the selfish grasp of the politically powerful. Barack Obama knows that America's best days are still to come. Tonight, after this convention ends and the lights of this great stadium go dark, will come the morning light and the dawning of a new day. We have gathered here this week to dedicate ourselves to that new day. We should take the message from this Mile High City to every corner of this great land: that with this election the greatness of America can return. America can move beyond the failed policies and broken promises of the last eight years. America can turn the page and welcome a new generation of leadership. Yes, America can. And, yes we can. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will lead us to that better place-and we will be by their side every step of the way.

The Honorable Bill Richardson Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Fellow citizens-I am not known as a quiet man. But I hope you will allow me, for a moment, to bring quiet to this great hall. Because at a time when young men and women are dying for our country overseas, America faces a question worthy of silent reflection. And the American people are watching to see how we answer it. What is the best measure of a person's capacity to protect this country? There are often moments of great importance that go unnoticed in the unruly course of history. And six years ago, there was a moment of great clarity and foresight. And if the world had known to listen, perhaps today there would be less heartache and sorrow. In October 2002, on a small stage before a small crowd, Barack Obama gave a speech that was barely noticed at the time. In the midst of great fervor-brought about by an administration that questioned the patriotism of anyone who disagreed with it-Barack Obama called the coming war what it was: "a war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics." He was right! Barack's words were prescient and brave. "I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East-and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al- Qaida." He was right! He said: "a successful war against Iraq would require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." He was right! Instead, Barack Obama urged President Bush-who's never in the mood to be urged in a direction other than his own folly-to finish the fight with bin Laden and Al-Qaida. He was right! Six years ago, in this simple but forceful speech, Barack Obama did more than just challenge President Bush. He offered a detailed vision for foreign policy-including the vigorous enforcement of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty-condemnation of human rights abuses even among our allies-and a commitment to reconciliation between Pakistan and India. He was right! At the same time, there was another voice. After 9/11, John McCain turned his sights toward Iraq-a country that had nothing to do with 9/11-and called for a full-scale invasion. Barack Obama foresaw chaos. John McCain said we'd be welcomed as liberators, and that Iraq would pay for its own rebuilding. John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right! Barack Obama was among the first to call for a timetable for responsible withdrawal. But John McCain, to this day, condemns the idea. The Iraqis are calling for a withdrawal timetable, but John McCain would keep us in Iraq for 100 years. John McCain is wrong. Barack Obama is right. And Barack Obama saw the foolishness of embracing Pakistan's Musharraf. John McCain thought we should support the dictator and let him take care of the Pakistani terrorists. Musharaff is now gone, and the terrorists are stronger than ever. John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right. With America fighting two wars, the 9/11 terrorists still at large, Iran pursuing nuclear weapons and Russia in Georgia, America needs a president who gets it right the first time. That president will be Barack Obama. With a vision of foreign policy that has ranged far beyond Iraq, Barack Obama has found a kindred spirit in another leader of great strength and wisdom-Joe Biden. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must fight the terrorists-not where we imagine them to be, but where we know them to be-like Afghanistan and Pakistan. We must lead a global effort to secure loose nuclear materials, not where we imagine them to be, but where we know them to be, in Russia, and the countries of the former Soviet Union. It's time we had a president committed to fighting poverty in the Third World and ending the genocide in Darfur; who leads international efforts to stop global warming, strengthens our friendship with Mexico and Latin America, and stands behind Israel with full-time diplomacy to achieve peace in the Middle East; a president who ends the global scourge of AIDS in our time and sets an example of moral leadership by following our constitution, shutting down Guantanamo, and ending torture. We must do all of this, not because we imagine these are American ideals, but because we know they are. And ladies and gentlemen, Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe it's time to finish the job and get bin Laden. We don't need another four years of more of the same. It's time for the change America needs. This is the judgment and vision of Barack Obama. This is the preparation he has to be President of the United States. And this is the man we need to return our country into the goodwill of other nations and the grace of history. Thank you, and God bless our country.

Pamela Cash-Roper Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I'm Pam from Pittsboro, North Carolina. Wait till you hear what's happening to me. You might find my story familiar. Maybe it's happening to you. My husband, Keith, and I used to have a modest home we could afford, cars, money in a 401(k) plan, health insurance, and our health. We educated ourselves, got good jobs with benefits, worked night and day, raised four happy children, and saved some money. It was the American dream. We did everything we thought you were supposed to do to live it. We really felt America was working for us. Then, eight years ago, our American dream turned into a nightmare. Keith needed open-heart surgery. He lost his job and with it the family's health insurance. I couldn't afford to pay for health insurance on my nurse's income, so we don't have any. Having no health insurance works - as long as you stay healthy. Five years after Keith's surgery, I had a quadruple bypass, and our medical expenses grew. I'm a lifelong Republican who voted for Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and Bush. But I can't afford four more years like this. That's why I am supporting Barack Obama as my president.

Time shown as local – Denver, Colorado MST

About the DNCC:

The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. www.demconvention.com

The Honorable Mark Udall Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thirty-two years ago, my dad, Mo Udall, a fourth-generation Westerner, spoke to the Democratic National Convention and said, "Every generation has had to change this country to make it work, and we Democrats have always led that change." Those words are just as true today. My dad would be so proud to see a new generation gathered here in Colorado-the heart of the West-ready to lead that change. Ready to make this country work again. And ready for Barack Obama and Joe Biden! It's fitting to have the eyes of the nation on Colorado. It's fitting that the change we need in Washington starts here in the Rocky Mountain West. It was hope that first carried early Americans here, not knowing what lay ahead but knowing they must go forward, just as we must go forward. And like those early Americans, we believe this is a land of fresh starts and boundless optimism. We look to our mountains and prairies, our wide-open skies, and we see the limitless possibility that is America. We look to the grit and determination of those who came before us, we know, by their example, that there's no problem we can't solve if we stick together. That's why Wallace Stegner, the great Western writer, called us "the stickers." They taught us that going forward means going together. With so many challenges ahead of us, it will take every bit of our Western strength, common sense, independence and pragmatism to get our country back on track and moving forward. But we can do it. Not just for those who are fortunate enough to live in Colorado-but for every American. Because this election is not about Barack Obama, Joe Biden or me. It's about you. It's about your family, your dreams, your future. Just like those who came before us, the challenges, problems and obstacles can be daunting. The horizon can look ominous. The future can feel dangerous. But the lesson of this land is true for everyone. No matter the odds, no matter the problems-we have to stick together as one nation again, putting our partisan differences behind us and putting the best interests of America first. In the spirit of the West, we can move forward, but it's going to take leaders who are strong enough to stand up for what's right, bold enough to bring new ideas and sweep away the worst of Washington's old ways. Leaders like Barack Obama, who's spent his whole life standing up for working men and women. Leaders like Joe Biden, who worked with my dad, who's never forgotten where he comes from, who's never stopped working to keep us safe. As my dad said, "Every generation has had to change this country to make it work." This is our time. This is our moment to change the course of history. Here at the foot of the great Rocky Mountains, our greatest mountains, we need leaders to match these mountains. And we have them. In the same bold, pragmatic spirit that defines the West, we will move forward. Together, with Barack Obama, we will bring the change we need, we will renew the promise of our great nation, and we will make America work again.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY Susan Turnbull Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Hi. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. My dad was an immigrant cab driver, and my mom worked in a department store. They worked hard and built a good life for their children. They showed us the importance of being good citizens. They also taught us that no place in the world offered more opportunity than America. I stand before you as a woman who has seen how this opportunity can lift people up. And when I see Barack Obama and Joe Biden, I see the same decency and values that my hard-working parents taught me. I see the wonderful promise of America, and I see the opportunity of a lifetime to bring about the change we need. I'm a Democrat because I believe in the power of opportunity. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will fight, so that all Americans can pursue their dreams. And that's change we can all believe in.

Lottie Shackelford Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thank you, fellow Democrats. As DNC vice-chair of voter registration and participation, I am honored and humbled to be here sharing this historic moment with you, on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, as we nominate the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. As I look around this arena, I am awed by the incredible diversity of the Democratic Party. This stadium looks like America. What impresses me most is that we have all come together, united in our efforts to help Barack Obama and Joe Biden win the White House. Though this is a celebration of our party and our nominee, let's not forget that there are still millions more that must be registered to vote, thousands of doors to knock on, countless rumors to counter, and most importantly, a country to reclaim. But our hard work will be rewarded. When Barack Obama is president and Democrats strengthen our majorities all across the country, we will have three things that we have sorely needed after the past eight miserable years: change, hope, and a great Democrat in the White House.

In 145 days, George W. Bush will no longer be President of the United States. And if we do everything we must do for the next 67 days, my friend of many years, Barack Obama, will take his place. Imagine that day: January 20, 2009. You are on the West Lawn of the Capitol, warmed by the throngs of excited people, all ages and colors. With his hand on the Bible that Michelle holds, Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. At that moment, the narrative about our country instantly changes. For the family on the verge of losing their home, the uninsured dad who prays each night his kids don't get sick, the waitress struggling with the rising cost of everything-for them, and millions more middle-class Americans who are barely holding on, this moment can't come too soon. The choice is clear: continue the failed Bush-McCain policies of the past eight years or head in a new direction for the change we need. There's John McCain, who feels the pain of big oil executives worried about losing their multi-billion dollar tax breaks. And then there's Barack Obama who feels the pain of the mom or dad who fears their child will be part of the first generation of Americans to have less opportunity than the previous one. Barack Obama believes the best is yet to come for America. Those of us who served with him in the Illinois state legislature, worked with him in the U.S. Senate, have seen how he gets things done, know that he is the leader who can deliver the change we need. Now it's up to us. The outcome of this historic election is within our reach and in our hands. In 2000, we came just 537 votes short of preventing the national nightmare of the Bush years. 537 more knocks on the door or 537 more registered voters could have changed the outcome. Just a handful of volunteers could have changed the course of history. Tonight, each one of us must pledge to take responsibility to register every last voter, knock on every last door, call every list twice, recruit everyone we know. Each of us needs to believe that we could be the person who decides the outcome of this election and the future for our children. Tomorrow we'll fan out across this country, an army of everyday Americans who will accomplish something most extraordinary. Together we will rekindle the American dream and elect Barack Obama President of the United States of America.

David Saperstein Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Eternal God, God of our memories and our hopes, God of this urgent moment, You ennoble our lives, By empowering us to do your work here on Earth In creating a world of justice and peace for all. To this task, we pledge our hands, our hearts, our devoted service. We pray this day, for the safety of the valiant men and women of our armed forces And for the recovery of body and mind of those who have been injured. And to the families of those who have fallen, in service to our country, We say, in the traditional Hebrew phrase: Zichronam livrocha: May their memory be for an everlasting blessing. Grant your spirit to these proceedings, To the delegates gathered here tonight, And to the millions of viewers and listeners, that they may be stirred to work for a better world. We pray for America, That it may ever be a light unto the nations, A beacon of freedom, Human rights, And economic opportunity; the protector of this precious Earth, Which you have entrusted to our care; The guardian of Dr. King's dream of equality for all, Proclaimed 45 years ago this day. As this election proceeds, May your name be invoked only to inspire and unify our nation, But never to divide it. In that spirit, We ask your blessing on all the leaders and public servants of our nation, Of whatever political party, That they may lead wisely and, with civility, work together for the common good. And we ask especially that you be with that mighty guardian of the contemporary American conscience, Edward Kennedy. We ask that you send your blessing on Joseph Biden. And now, on this historic day, upon Barack Obama, As he is charged with such urgent responsibilities as candidate for the highest political office in our nation. Guide him that he may ever be a champion for justice. These things we ask of you, eternal God, in the light of renewed hope. May we go forward with confidence, Inspired by America's wondrous achievements, Undaunted by the challenges before us, Secure in the knowledge that we can be the shapers of a brighter future, Committed that the torch of hope shall pass from hand to hand, From heart to heart, Until the radiance of peace and righteousness for all God's children shines to the ends of the earth.

Jon Kuniholm Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery My name is Jon Kuniholm. I am a retired Marine, and I lost my arm in Haditha in 2005. When people see me, sometimes they'll ask, "Iraq?" Regardless of their politics, they'll often say: "Thank you for your sacrifice," which I appreciate. But I never forget that many have paid the ultimate sacrifice, making my own trivial. Marines do not pick and choose missions; our leaders do. I believe the war was a bad idea and poorly planned at the highest levels. Despite my views, I, as most Marines, would proudly serve my country again. But our sense of duty and our sacrifices do not validate our leaders' decisions. The notion that criticism of the war dishonors our sacrifices makes no sense. Nor should past sacrifice compel us, as Senator McCain seems to think, to pursue a badly-defined notion of victory at any cost. Our president, with the support of Senator McCain, has made decisions that have set America on a course unsustainable in dollars, lives and military readiness. President Bush made a disastrous gamble in Iraq in 2003. Now, Senator McCain proposes to double down with money and troops we cannot afford to lose. America is ready for a different approach. It's time for a change. We need a president with the judgment to make tough decisions about where and when to risk American lives. Barack Obama showed that judgment in 2002. He's showing that judgment now, in planning a reasonable and responsible drawing down of the war. On November 4, America will elect a new commander-in-chief. The best way you could thank me for my service and sacrifice-the best way we can ensure a safer and stronger America-is to vote for Barack Obama.

The Honorable Ed Perlmutter Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery For the past eight years we've had two oilmen in the White House, and where has it gotten us? Record prices at the gas pump, heating oil costs going through the roof, oil companies reaping record profits, while American families struggle to put gas in the tank. Can America afford four more years of the same? Is it time for a change? We need a smarter, more sustainable energy strategy. Some people tell us to "drill here - drill now, and that's all." I say that's not enough. I say solar here, solar now. Wind here, wind now. Barack Obama is a leader who will invest in new ways to power this nation, and deliver the change we need. Barack Obama has a balanced short-, and long- term plan to lower energy prices and break the tyranny of foreign oil. Barack Obama has a plan to invest 150 billion dollars in new, green technology, and create 5 million new green-collar jobs. In my congressional district just outside Denver, we have the world's finest renewable energy lab. Because developing alternative energy is good for national security, good for the climate and good for jobs. That's the kind of change we need. Unfortunately, John McCain wants to give oil companies more public land and billions more in special tax breaks, despite their record profits. That isn't change - that's the McCain-insane energy plan. And the same old tired politics. So I ask you: on November 4, are we going to vote for American energy independence? And who's going to deliver the change we need? That's right, Barack Obama!

On this day 45 years ago, a son of America, a citizen of the world, a peaceful warrior, Martin Luther King Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and said, "I have a dream today, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream." He recalled that, "when the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence," they issued a call for justice. And they founded our democracy on a mandate for freedom, equality and human dignity. I was there that day when Dr. King delivered his historic speech before an audience of more than 250,000. I am the last remaining speaker from the March on Washington, and I was there when Dr. King urged this nation to lay down the burden of discrimination and segregation and move toward the creation of a more perfect union. On that day, his words and his example inspired an entire generation of the young and old, the rich and poor - people of all faiths, races, cultures and backgrounds - to believe that we had the power, we had the ability, and we had the capacity to make that dream a reality. Tonight, we have gathered here in this magnificent stadium in Denver because we still have a dream. As a participant in the civil rights movement, I can tell you the road to victory will not be easy. Some of us were beaten, arrested, taken to jail, and some of us were even killed trying to register to vote. But with the nomination of Senator Barack Obama tonight, the man who will lead the Democratic Party in its march toward the White House, we are making a major down payment on the fulfillment of that dream. We prove that a dream still burns in the hearts of every American, that this dream was too right, too necessary, too noble to ever die. But this night is not an ending. It is not even a beginning. It is the continuation of a struggle that began centuries ago in Lexington and Concord, in Gettysburg and Appomattox, in Farmville, Virginia, and Topeka, Kansas, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and Selma, Alabama. Democracy is not a state. It is an act. It is a series of actions we must take to build what Martin Luther King Jr. called the beloved community - a society based on simple justice that values the dignity and the worth of every human being. We've come a long way, but we still have a distance to go. We've come a long way, but we must march again. On November 4th, we must march in every state, in every city, in every village, in every hamlet; we must march to the ballot box. We must march like we have never marched before to elect the next President of the United States, Senator Barack Obama. For those of us who stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or who in the years that followed may have lost hope, this moment is a testament to the power and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. It is a testament to the ability of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. It is a testament to the promise of America. Tonight, we have put together a tribute to the man and his message. Let us take a moment to reflect on the legacy and the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. on this 45th anniversary of the historic march on Washington.

What an honor to be here on this powerful night! What an honor to speak not just to those gathered here in Denver but to homes across America -- and not just those owned by John McCain. Looking out at this crowd and feeling the energy, I can tell you this: We are making history. I am here tonight not just as the governor of Virginia who knows the people of my state need a better partner in White House, not just as a Democrat who is tired of politics as usual, but most importantly as an American who wants to see American values guiding our country again. For eight years we've seen what happens when a president lets Washington values become more important than American values. Gas prices skyrocket when the White House lets oil companies call the shots. Our children are left behind when an administration cares more about sound bites than sound schools. And middle-class families are left to fend for themselves to save their jobs, their homes, and their grasp on the American dream. Maybe for John McCain the American dream means seven houses-and if that's your America, John McCain is your candidate. But for the rest of us, the American dream means one home -- in a safe neighborhood, with good schools and good health care and a little money left over every month to go out for dinner and save for the future. Does that seem like too much to ask? John McCain thinks it is. He'll keep answering to the special interests and Washington lobbyists -- we're ready for leadership that answers to us. And the leader who will deliver the change we need is Barack Obama. Now folks, it won't be easy. Change never is. And if we are to succeed, we'll need a little extra something. The Gospel of Matthew says, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain 'move mountain' and it will move." My life-long faith deepened when I traveled to Honduras to work with Catholic missionaries after my first year in law school. Hay algunos Latinos aqui? Estamos unidos, verdad? I learned from a great mentor there, Brother Jim O'Leary, that faith is about more than words or doctrine -- it's about action. And that led me to spend my life in public service. While I was learning how to put my faith into action in Honduras, Barack Obama was doing the same thing on the streets of South Side Chicago -- empowering people to rebuild their communities and reclaim their lives after the steel plants closed down. Joe Biden has also spent his lifetime putting faith into action -- overcoming unspeakable tragedy in his personal life, and as a U.S. Senator making our world safer, our air cleaner, and protecting women from crimes of violence. For Barack Obama, for Joe Biden, for me, for all of us, the principles of faith call us to service. With faith in the American dream, we strive for better schools, economic justice, and smarter foreign policies because we believe in the God-given principles of equality, freedom, and opportunity. With faith in each other, we work for a common-sense approach to politics that focuses on results, not partisan division, because we recognize that we're all in this together. Aren't we all tired of a Washington that doesn't have any faith in us? Fellow delegates, fellow Democrats, and fellow Americans, now is the time to let our faith guide us to action once again. We need to put our faith into action -- to elect a president who will put middle-class Americans first again and reward companies who create jobs in America instead of shipping them overseas. We need to put our faith into action -- to elect a president who will end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and invest in green-collar, clean- energy jobs right here at home. We need to put our faith into action -- to elect a president who will invest in our students, teachers and schools, and make college affordable once again for every American family. We need to put our faith into action -- to elect a president who will responsibly end the war in Iraq, give our veterans and their families the support they need, and reinvigorate our military to face the challenges ahead. If we put our faith into action, we can move mountains. We can move the mountains of negativity and division and gridlock. We can move the mountains of special interests and business as usual. We can move the mountains of hopelessness that surround too many of our people and communities. Does anybody here have a little faith tonight? Is anybody here ready to move those mountains? Starting right here in the Mile High City, we will put our faith into action; we will reject the failed policies of George Bush and John McCain; we will elect Barack Obama our next president. In the words of the gospel hymn -- "move mountain." Say it with me -- "move mountain." Say it with me again -- "move mountain." Mountain, get out of our way!

Martin Luther King III Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery While waiting to come to the podium, I could not help thinking how proud my father would be: proud of Barack Obama, proud of the party that nominated him and proud of the America that will elect him. On this day, exactly 45 years ago, my father stood on the National Mall in the shadow of Abraham Lincoln and proclaimed, "I have a dream! ... That one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed." We're all children of the dream, and he is in all our hearts and minds. But not only that, he is in the hopes and dreams, the competence and courage, the rightness and readiness of Barack Obama. But my father would be quick to remind us that realizing his dream is not Barack Obama's job alone. America needs more than a great president to realize my father's dream. What America needs is a great America. Let me paraphrase my father: The ultimate measure of a nation is not where it stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where it stands in times of challenge and controversy. On some questions, cowardice asks, is a position safe? Expediency asks, is a position politic? Vanity asks, is a position popular? But, that something deep inside us called conscience asks, is a position right? Sometimes we must take positions that are neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; we must take them because they are right! If we are to be a great democracy, we must all take an active role in our democracy. We must do democracy. That goes far beyond simply casting your vote. We must all actively champion the causes that ensure the common good. In five short years, when we reflect upon the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, let us look back and celebrate our audacity to redress poverty, commemorate the hope and faith that led us to take charge of our lives and communities, and venerate our dream of life, liberty and happiness, through our renewed commitment to prevent unjust wars from ever being waged. Then let us look forward to the next 50 years as we stand together, because our potential as a people is limitless. Work together, because our ability to do good in the world is boundless. And live together, because of our values of fairness, full justice, opportunity and the majesty of the dream. On this, the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington, and in honor of the legacies of my father and of Bobby Kennedy, let us give our nation a leader who has heard this clarion call and will help us achieve the change we still need: Barack Obama.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Remarks to the Democratic National Convention August 26, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama. My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines. This is a fight for the future. And it's a fight we must win. I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people. And you haven't worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership. No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President. Tonight we need to remember what a Presidential election is really about. When the polls have closed, and the ads are finally off the air, it comes down to you -- the American people, your lives, and your children's futures. For me, it's been a privilege to meet you in your homes, your workplaces, and your communities. Your stories reminded me everyday that America's greatness is bound up in the lives of the American people -- your hard work, your devotion to duty, your love for your children, and your determination to keep going, often in the face of enormous obstacles. You taught me so much, you made me laugh, and . . . you even made me cry. You allowed me to become part of your lives. And you became part of mine. I will always remember the single mom who had adopted two kids with autism, didn't have health insurance and discovered she had cancer. But she greeted me with her bald head painted with my name on it and asked me to fight for health care. I will always remember the young man in a Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said to me: "Take care of my buddies; a lot of them are still over there ... .and then will you please help take care of me?" I will always remember the boy who told me his mom worked for the minimum wage and that her employer had cut her hours. He said he just didn't know what his family was going to do. I will always be grateful to everyone from all fifty states, Puerto Rico and the territories, who joined our campaign on behalf of all those people left out and left behind by the Bush Administrtation. To my supporters, my champions -- my sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits - from the bottom of my heart: Thank you. You never gave in. You never gave up. And together we made history. Along the way, America lost two great Democratic champions who would have been here with us tonight. One of our finest young leaders, Arkansas Democratic Party Chair, Bill Gwatney, who believed with all his heart that America and the South could be and should be Democratic from top to bottom. And Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a dear friend to many of us, a loving mother and courageous leader who never gave up her quest to make America fairer and smarter, stronger and better. Steadfast in her beliefs, a fighter of uncommon grace, she was an inspiration to me and to us all. Our heart goes out to Stephanie's son, Mervyn, Jr, and Bill's wife, Rebecca, who traveled to Denver to join us at our convention. Bill and Stephanie knew that after eight years of George Bush, people are hurting at home, and our standing has eroded around the world. We have a lot of work ahead. Jobs lost, houses gone, falling wages, rising prices. The Supreme Court in a right-wing headlock and our government in partisan gridlock. The biggest deficit in our nation's history. Money borrowed from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis. Putin and Georgia, Iraq and Iran. I ran for President to renew the promise of America. To rebuild the middle class and sustain the American Dream, to provide the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford the gas and groceries and still have a little left over each month. To promote a clean energy economy that will create millions of green collar jobs. To create a health care system that is universal, high quality, and affordable so that parents no longer have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead end jobs simply to keep their insurance. To create a world class education system and make college affordable again. To fight for an America defined by deep and meaningful equality - from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights, from ending discrimination to promoting unionization to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families. To help every child live up to his or her God-given potential. To make America once again a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. To bring fiscal sanity back to Washington and make our government an instrument of the public good, not of private plunder. To restore America's standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq, bring our troops home and honor their service by caring for our veterans. And to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges, from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming. Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years. Those are the reasons I ran for President. Those are the reasons I support Barack Obama. And those are the reasons you should too. I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible? We need leaders once again who can tap into that special blend of American confidence and optimism that has enabled generations before us to meet our toughest challenges. Leaders who can help us show ourselves and the world that with our ingenuity, creativity, and innovative spirit, there are no limits to what is possible in America. This won't be easy. Progress never is. But it will be impossible if we don't fight to put a Democrat in the White House. We need to elect Barack Obama because we need a President who understands that America can't compete in a global economy by padding the pockets of energy speculators, while ignoring the workers whose jobs have been shipped overseas. We need a President who understands that we can't solve the problems of global warming by giving windfall profits to the oil companies while ignoring opportunities to invest in new technologies that will build a green economy. We need a President who understands that the genius of America has always depended on the strength and vitality of the middle class. Barack Obama began his career fighting for workers displaced by the global economy. He built his campaign on a fundamental belief that change in this country must start from the ground up, not the top down. He knows government must be about "We the people" not "We the favored few." And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he'll revitalize our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time. Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, President Clinton and the Democrats did it before. And President Obama and the Democrats will do it again. He'll transform our energy agenda by creating millions of green jobs and building a new, clean energy future. He'll make sure that middle class families get the tax relief they deserve. And I can't wait to watch Barack Obama sign a health care plan into law that covers every single American. Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring our troops home - a first step to repairing our alliances around the world. And he will have with him a terrific partner in Michelle Obama. Anyone who saw Michelle's speech last night knows she will be a great First Lady for America. Americans are also fortunate that Joe Biden will be at Barack Obama's side. He is a strong leader and a good man. He understands both the economic stresses here at home and the strategic challenges abroad. He is pragmatic, tough, and wise. And, of course, Joe will be supported by his wonderful wife, Jill. They will be a great team for our country. Now, John McCain is my colleague and my friend. He has served our country with honor and courage. But we don't need four more years . . . of the last eight years. More economic stagnation ... and less affordable health care. More high gas prices ... and less alternative energy. More jobs getting shipped overseas ... and fewer jobs created here. More skyrocketing debt ...home foreclosures ... and mounting bills that are crushing our middle class families. More war . . . less diplomacy. More of a government where the privileged come first ... and everyone else comes last. John McCain says the economy is fundamentally sound. John McCain doesn't think that 47 million people without health insurance is a crisis. John McCain wants to privatize Social Security. And in 2008, he still thinks it's okay when women don't earn equal pay for equal work. With an agenda like that, it makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart. America is still around after 232 years because we have risen to the challenge of every new time, changing to be faithful to our values of equal opportunity for all and the common good. And I know what that can mean for every man, woman, and child in America. I'm a United States Senator because in 1848 a group of courageous women and a few brave men gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, many traveling for days and nights, to participate in the first convention on women's rights in our history. And so dawned a struggle for the right to vote that would last 72 years, handed down by mother to daughter to granddaughter - and a few sons and grandsons along the way. These women and men looked into their daughters' eyes, imagined a fairer and freer world, and found the strength to fight. To rally and picket. To endure ridicule and harassment. To brave violence and jail. And after so many decades - 88 years ago on this very day - the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote would be forever enshrined in our Constitution. My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for President. This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up. How do we give this country back to them? By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad. And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice. If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they're shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going. I've seen it in you. I've seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military - you always keep going. We are Americans. We're not big on quitting. But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president. We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare. Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance. I want you to think about your children and grandchildren come election day. And think about the choices your parents and grandparents made that had such a big impact on your life and on the life of our nation. We've got to ensure that the choice we make in this election honors the sacrifices of all who came before us, and will fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope. That is our duty, to build that bright future, and to teach our children that in America there is no chasm too deep, no barrier too great - and no ceiling too high - for all who work hard, never back down, always keep going, have faith in God, in our country, and in each other. Thank you so much. God bless America and Godspeed to you all.

Susan Eisenhower Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I stand before you tonight not as a Republican or a Democrat, but as an American. The Eisenhowers came to this great country in the 18th century, settling first amid the hills of Pennsylvania and later on the plains of Kansas. Like many of your ancestors, they built our nation and served it in times of national crisis and war. I grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where my parents and grandparents, Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, chose to live after Ike's retirement as supreme commander, Europe, during World War II and as President of the United States. It was also where Abraham Lincoln gave his historic address. On the killing fields of Pickett's charge, our country came of age and assured for all time that our nation would survive as one. Yet, today the divisions in our country are deep and wide. Our cohesiveness as a nation is strained by multiple crises in finance and credit, energy and health care. These problems, which threaten American prosperity and well-being, are as relevant to our national security as any conflict overseas. At the same time, we have knowingly saddled our children and grandchildren with a staggering debt. This is a moral failing, not just a financial one. Overseas, our credibility is at an all-time low. We urgently need to restore our international leadership position and the leverage that goes with it to address urgent problems before they become crises. We must advance a new and compelling vision for the 21st century. But rather than focus on these critical strategic issues, our national discourse has turned into a petty squabble. Too many people in power have failed us. Belligerence has been a substitute for strength; stubbornness for leadership; and impulsive action has replaced measured and thoughtful response. Once during the Eisenhower administration, Ike was under fire from his critics for moving too slowly in responding to political pressure. After a visit to the oval office by Robert Frost, the famous American poet sent the president a note: "the strong," he wrote, "are saying nothing until they see." I believe that Barack Obama has the energy and the temperament to lead this country. He knows that we can either advance on the distant hills of hope or retreat to the garrisons of fear. As our standard bearer, he can mobilize a demoralized America and inspire all of us to show up for duty. Discipline will be required, as will compromise, flexibility and quiet strength. Barack Obama has already articulated a powerful vision for our nation's future and our standing in the world. The task before our next president will be overwhelming. But no undertaking will be more critical than bringing about a sense of national unity and purpose, built on mutual respect and bi-partisanship. Unless we squarely face our challenges, as Americans together, we risk losing the priceless heritage bestowed on us by the sweat and the sacrifice of our forbearers. If we do not pull together, we could lose the America that has been an inspiration to the world. On December 1, 1862, in his annual message to Congress, Abraham Lincoln immortalized this thought when he said: "We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth." Let us respond this November to President Lincoln's challenge. Let us restore the hope and bring the change that our nation so desperately needs. Thank you.

Major General Scott Gration (USAF, Ret.) Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I'm honored to share the stage with those who have served our country with distinction, officers who share my pride and appreciation for our men and women in uniform and their families, veterans who share my commitment to making Barack Obama our commander-in-chief. I know this stadium is filled with many veterans who have sacrificed for our country. I'd like to ask everyone who has worn the uniform of the United States to please stand and be recognized. Join me in a round of applause in appreciation for their service. Thank you. Before I go any further, I have a confession to make: until recently, I was a Republican. But you'll be happy to know that I'm looking forward to voting for Barack Obama in November. Let me tell you about the journey that led me to Mile High. I moved to Congo when I was a year old. My parents were missionary teachers. The first words I learned were in Swahili. My family had to be evacuated and we ended up as refugees. So I learned at an early age to value freedom and the ideals of America. I am proud to have served in the United States Air Force for over three decades. I've served in combat with many who are here tonight. We know what America needs in our next commander-in-chief. In 2005, I was director of strategy, plans, and policy at United States European Command. That's when I met a leader unlike any I had met before. That's when I met Barack Obama. Senator Obama wanted to know what the military was doing in Europe, Eurasia, and Africa and he wanted to know why we were doing it. He asked tough questions, and he didn't settle for easy answers. It was this same way of thinking that led him to get it right, when he opposed the war in Iraq, when he warned of its consequences. That's the judgment of a leader. In 2006, I went with Senator Obama to Africa, and experienced firsthand the leadership that America needs. In the shadow of Nelson Mandela's prison cell, I saw a leader with the understanding to build new bridges over old divides. That leader is Barack Obama. In Nairobi, I saw a leader with the courage to confront corruption directly with the president of Kenya. In Chad, I saw a leader who listened to the stories of refugees from Darfur - a leader committed to end that genocide. In Djibouti, I saw a leader who relaxed with our troops on the basketball court, who won their respect and admiration in discussions around the dinner table, and who appreciates their service. That leader is Barack Obama. Leadership does matter. And we can't afford four more years of more of the same. When I consider who should be commander-in-chief, I ask four questions. First, who has the judgment to make the right decisions about when to use force? In his words of caution before the invasion of Iraq, and in his consistent calls for more force against al-Qaida and the Taliban, Barack Obama has shown the judgment to lead. Second, who grasps the complex threats of the 21st century? Barack Obama understands these challenges. He has a strategy to use all elements of our power to keep America safe. Third, who has the integrity, vision, values, and patriotism to inspire Americans to serve? I have seen firsthand this man's capacity to inspire. It is second to none. I know he will inspire a new generation of Americans to serve our country. And fourth, who has the dedication to take care of our wounded warriors, veterans, and military families? Barack Obama is a friend of our military. He improved care for wounded warriors. He fought to make disability payments fair. He took on the battle against homelessness among our veterans. As president, he will fully fund the VA and make it more effective. This grandson of a soldier who marched in Patton's army understands America's sacred trust with those who serve. He will keep it as our commander- in-chief. Yes, leadership does matter. Our men and women in uniform perform superbly around the globe. We need a commander-in-chief who respects them as our most precious resource. I cannot forget that night in 1996 when terrorists attacked our barracks at Khobar Towers. Nurses and doctors worked frantically to save lives. I remember seeing a para-rescue crewman putting stitches in a patient while a friend held a compress on the corpsman's forehead to stop his bleeding. Our men and women at Khobar towers made me proud to be in the military, proud to be an American. Nineteen men died that night. Eighteen of them worked for me. It was a poignant reminder that "life itself is a gift," and no, freedom is not free. I have served under six commanders-in-chief. My journey led me here because I know that leadership does matter. That is why I am enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama to be our next president. He is the leader our military needs. He is the leader our country needs. Thank you, and may God bless America.

The Honorable Luis Gutierrez Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery In America, great leaders have always seized the chance for change. When Martin Luther King saw people facing injustice, he did not wait for others to act -- he changed the way we treat each other. And when Cesar Chavez saw farm workers being exploited -- he didn't sit and hope that things would get better -- he demanded change and made it happen. If you want change, it is time for Latinos and for immigrants to rally behind the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. Tonight, I ask my friends in the Latino community, in the immigrant community, please join me, because Barack Obama is the change we need. John McCain? McCain means more of the same, the same failed policies and empty promises for Latinos. I remember when John McCain said he would stand up for immigrants, until right-wing extremists told him to sit down. So he sat down. That's why I have stood up for immigrants, from Mexico and Central America and Poland and Korea and every nation around our world, who come to America because we represent hope, and freedom, and opportunity. I know, and you know, that immigrants come to our great nation to work the hardest jobs, for the longest hours, for the lowest pay -- all because they believe in what makes us Americans. That if you work hard, you'll get ahead. That you put your family first. That to succeed all you need is an opportunity. Hard work. Family. Faith. That's the America I know. That's the immigrant community I know. But most important, when Barack Obama occupies the White House, that is the community our president will defend and respect by fighting for comprehensive immigration reform. Reform that keeps mothers and children and families together. Reform that brings hard-working people out of the shadows of disgrace and into the sunlight of dignity. That enforces our laws, keeps our borders secure, and our nation safe. For immigrants, for Latinos, for all of us, the time for reform, the time for change, the time for Barack Obama is now. Tonight, no matter where you come from, or the language you speak, I am asking you: elect Barack Obama president because he will fight for us. He will bring the change we need, change now, change for everyone, justice for all, real change to make America as great as we can be.

Bernice King Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Tonight, freedom rings! From the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado, freedom rings! Forty-five years ago today, my father delivered his "I have a dream" speech. Tonight, we witness in part what has become of his dream, the acceptance of a Democratic presidential nominee, decided not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. This is one of our nation's greatest defining moments. Forty-five years later, I am proud to introduce another Martin Luther King, the first-born son of our parents Martin and Coretta King, born into the generation that would realize the dream and who leads the organization Realizing the Dream Inc., through which he addresses pressing issues confronting our nation and world, such as health care, education, values, poverty and war. He is a human rights activist, a man on the move. Please welcome the son of the dream and my dear brother, Martin Luther King III.

Voter Registration Presentation Remarks The Honorable Luis Gutierrez Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois David Plouffe Obama Campaign Manager Ray Rivera Obama State Director, Colorado Call to Order The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention Member and Speaker of the US House of Representatives, California Invocation Rabbi David Saperstein Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism - Washington, DC Presentation of Colors Disabled American Veterans Pledge of Allegiance Shawn Johnson US Olympic Gymnast National Anthem Jennifer Hudson Academy award-winning singer and Broadway performer Welcome Elbra Wedgeworth President/Chair, Denver Host Committee Presentation of Resolutions Democratic National Committee Vice-Chairs Mark Brewer The Honorable Linda Chavez-Thompson The Honorable Mike Honda The Honorable Lottie Shackelford Susan Turnbull Remarks Honorable Bill Ritter, Jr. Governor of Colorado The Honorable Ed Perlmutter Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado The Honorable John Salazar Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado The Honorable Diana DeGette Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (LOCAL) Video & Remarks The Honorable Howard Dean Former Governor of Vermont Chair of the Democratic Party Video & Remarks: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King The Honorable John Lewis Member of the US House of Representatives, Georgia Rev. Bernice King Daughter of the late Dr. King Martin Luther King III Oldest son of the late Dr. King Remarks The Honorable Bill Richardson Governor, New Mexico Live Performances will.i.am Accompanied by John Legend (piano), Agape Choir, and band Sheryl Crow Singer/songwriter Remarks Ray Rivera Obama State Director, Colorado 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (LOCAL) Remarks The Honorable Jan Schakowsky Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois The Honorable Mark Udall Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado The Honorable Tim Kaine Governor of Virginia Live Performance Stevie Wonder Remarks The Honorable Al Gore Former Vice President of the United States 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL) Remarks John Kuniholm Wounded Iraq veteran Live Performance Michael McDonald Singer/songwriter Remarks Susan Eisenhower Granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower Retired Generals Tribute Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret) Accompanied by additional generals American Voices Program Roy Gross Monica Early Wes Moore Janet Lynn Monacco Nate Flick Teresa Asenap Pamela Cash-Roper Barney Smith Remarks The Honorable Dick Durbin US Senator, Illinois 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (LOCAL) Video/Remarks SENATOR BARACK OBAMA DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Benediction Pastor Joel Hunter Senior Pastor of Northland in Central Florida Adjournment The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention About the DNCC: The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. www.demconvention.com Paid for by 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.