Fireworks filled the sky over Denver's
Invesco Field and red, white and blue streamers filled the park when
Senator Barack Obama finished a historic acceptance speech that
topped off a four-day Democratic Convention. To an adoring crowd,
estimated at 84,000, Obama said, “So, I got news for you John
McCain, we all put our nation first,” and went on to include gay
“brothers and sisters” in his vision of America.
His speech included promises to reduce
taxes for struggling middle-class families, to end the war in Iraq,
and provide universal health care.
He discussed the need to grow
educational opportunities in America, but then stipulated that
government programs cannot replace responsible parents. “We must
also admit that programs alone can't replace parents,” Obama said.
“That government can't turn off the television and make a child do
her homework. That fathers must take more responsibility to provide
love and guidance to their children.”
The audience cheered when the
47-year-old Illinois Senator mentioned gay rights as an example of an
issue that divides Republicans and Democrats – and one that he
would like to bridge.
“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 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 a hospital and live lives free of discrimination. Passions
may 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.”
Obama delivered his acceptance speech
to a filled stadium of 84,000 people. The setting was dazzling, the
crowd electric, and the moment historic.