by John Adams
Dateline Denver…the inspiration of Day 4 was matched only by the determination, shared among tens of thousands at Invesco, and tens of millions who watched, to work for the change we deserve, and the change we need. We know it’s up to all of us, together, to make the difference on November 4. We know we must ensure we awake on November 5 to the promise of a new dawn.
Speech after speech, message after message, motivated the audience…yes, it was a celebration, but more than that, a call to action. This was a working convention.
We know what change is, and that Barack is singularly prepared to lead this country. He has the judgment, the experience, and the character to be our President, and our Commander-in-Chief.
And we know what change isn’t, and that John McCain has abetted George Bush’s destructive presidency. McCain has shown by his reckless and dangerous foreign policy blunders, and his disregard for the plight of the American people, that he deserves to be out to pasture.
A few observations from others with whom I spoke at Senator Barack Obama’s Acceptance of the Nomination for President:
US Representative Joe Sestak, Seventh Congressional District, Pennsylvania: "Many have said that Barack Obama needs to introduce himself to the American people. He’s certainly done so. But this election will be won by the candidate that can demonstrate to the American people that he knows them."
US Representative Patrick Murphy, Eighth Congressional District, Pennsylvania: "As an Iraq US Army combat veteran myself, I want a Commander-in-Chief who knows how to take care of troops, while they’re in combat, and when they come home. Barack Obama takes care of troops; he’s there for them. We trust him on foreign policy and on veterans’ issues."
General Wesley Clark, US Army (Retired), former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander-in-Chief, US European Command: "We can expect almost anything from the Republicans, to try and divert attention from the achievements of this convention, and to distract from the issues."
General Merrill "Tony" McPeak, US Air Force (Retired), former Chief of Staff of the Air Force: "I’m feeling great about where this campaign is. After this convention, and these past months of campaigning, I don’t think there are many Americans who don’t know who Barack Obama is. I think the issues that will resonate this election will be 49 percent economic; the rest will be national security. We need a hard focus on the economic issues, because that’s what the American people expect. The national security debate is hugely important, but Americans are looking for a President that understands how to fix the economy, and can do the job. Barack’s A-Game is just getting started…just you wait!"
Dan Abrams, Chief Legal Correspondent, MSNBC: "This convention has an energy I’ve never seen before."
Lorin Dealey, Assistant Communications Director, Obama-Biden Campaign: "Barack’s first challenge is to restore the faith of the American people in our government, in trust. We have a government that knows everything about us, but about which we know very little. They read our emails, but we don’t know what goes on behind their closed doors. I trust Barack Obama to restore our faith in our own government."
To follow-up on Joe Sestak’s observation, the great success of this Convention has been to give the American people that sense that Barack Obama knows them, and that they can trust him. That’s going to make the difference in November in our battle for the White House.
And as Barack has said so many times, this movement is not about him, it’s about us. This is our Time.
The Southern Arizona Team is Fired Up and Ready to Go!
We’re All Fired Up and Ready to Go!!!
