Barack Obama's Speeches On The Campaign Trail
The New US President's Defining Statements During the 2008 Election
Jan 21, 2009
President Barack Obama effectively began his campaign to become the first black president of the United States of America when he delivered the keynote address to the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston.
Barack Obama on Hope: Boston, 27th July 2004
‘There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America, there’s a United States of America. There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America.
In the end that’s what this (2004) election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?
The hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!’
Barack Obama’s Entry to the Democratic Presidential Race: Springfield, Illinois, 10 February 2007
‘In the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided nation to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the united States.’
Barack Obama on Super-Tuesday: Chicago, 5 February 2008
‘What began as a whisper in Springfield soon carried across the cornfields of Iowa, where farmers and factory works, students and seniors stood up in numbers we’ve never seen. They stood up to say that, maybe this year, we don’t have to settle for a politics where scoring points is more important than solving problems. This time we can finally do something about healthcare we can’t afford or mortgages we can’t pay.’
Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech: Mile High Stadium, Denver, 28 August 2008
‘We meet in 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.
America, we are better than these last eight years (under George W Bush). We are a better country than this.
Barack Obama’s Election Night Victory Speech: Chicago, 4 November 2008
‘If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
The road ahead will be long.
There will be many setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation in the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years, block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand’
Barack Obama's Challenge
Barack Obama is now President of the United States of America and his speeches have contributed significantly to the store of goodwill he has laid up. History and, more imminently in 2012, the US electorate will judge President Obama against the rhetoric contained within his speeches during his campaign for this highest office.
