September 6, 2012
By AnomalyThe past few days of the Democratic National Convention was a well orchestrated accomplishment. Each night, a power house of speakers took to the stage, wowing the delegates. Tonight was no different as the energy in the crowded arena built up during and after each speaker delivered a powerful message. That message seemed to be “moving forward’ throughout the night, with a special emphasis on promises kept.
The music was amazing, the audience galvanized by each message. Sometime after former Rep. Gabby Giffords led delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance — which was truly an emotional and inspiring moment — President Obama owned the night. It was his time — and the President seized the moment, delivering one of the most important speeches of his political life — and in most of ours.
First watch Gabby:
Joe Biden accepted the vice presidential nomination before the First Lady introduced President Obama — touching on the problems with the middle class “losing ground’, which is sadly neglected. “A job is more than a paycheck. It’s about dignity and respect.” the Vice-President stated. Biden then spoke of the tough decisions President Obama has made. While explaining his own background and childhood, Biden drew a contrast between his own upbringing and Mitt Romney’s while stating that the Republican candidate is not a bad man, but “when things hung in the balance, the President understood” while referencing the US automobile industry. Biden went on to quote Obama before he was elected citing a promise made in 2008, “If we have Bin Laden in our sights, we will take him out. That has to be our biggest national priority.” Biden illustrated a comparison between Obama’s decision to Mitt Romney’s statement in 2007, “It’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person.” More parallels between Obama’s Medicare vs. Mitt Romney’s ‘voucher’ plan, Mitt’s outsourcing of jobs, tax cuts for the wealthy were drawn by the vice president. Jobs, the economy, social issues, the importance of the middle class; all nailed in a hard hitting speech with a direct statement to Ryan and Romney, “Never bet against the American people.”
With absolute confidence, America’s best days are ahead. We’re on our way.Finally, the President took the stage with a chorus of “Four more years! Four more years!” echoing from the crowd. Obama accepted the nomination (obviously) then spoke of choices. The choice we have to make. Values, the middle class, his hard working grandparents, a nation that triumphed and the promise that hard work will pay off — where everyone plays by the same rules — and that was just the beginning of the President’s speech.
“Our friends down in Tampa were willing to talk about everything that’s wrong with America. But they have no plan.”Obama defined their plan as, “Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations and call us in the morning.”
Obama warned that our path may take time, but “it leads to a better place.” The importance of “Made in America” brought cheers of ‘USA!’ from the audience. Creating jobs in America, helping small businesses, manufacturing jobs and a defined future of success was laid out during Obama’s speech. Oil imports, gasoline and oil exploration, corporate welfare, and pretty fucking much every relevant issue was highlighted. Education, immigration and again, jobs, stating, “Companies shouldn’t have to look for workers overseas because they couldn’t find skilled workers at home.”
Tribute was paid to our troops with the promise of never “forgetting them.”
(Not verbatim): “My opponent would spend more money on military and hardware that the defense department doesn’t even want. I’ll put that money into nation building right here at home.”
“We can lower our deficit by giving more tax breaks to the wealthy?”Bam hit Mitt over his opponent’s idea for affordable education, “Borrow money from your parents’.
Point by point, Obama touched on each issue, from cutting taxes for middle class families to bringing about comprehensive health care reform to reinvesting in education and infrastructure. Women’s health care, Don’t ask, Don’t tell, same sex marriage, DREAMers, Choice for women, no bailouts for “banks that break the rules”, each point was vocalized in a well crafted dialogue to present the President’s vision to America.
“My fellow citizens, you were the change.”
“Only you have the power to move us forward.”
“America, I never said this journey would be easy. Yes our road is longer but we travel it together. We leave no one behind.”After the President’s speech, his family joined him on stage with music playing in the backgrond, “We take care of our own.”
Side note: I type fairly fast, but Obama’s meticulously detailed speech — which was lacking in Romney’s — leaves me with the need for a transcript which I’ll provide later.
From this writer to the GOP: Take that! After this speech, even Paul Ryan will vote for the President.
Just one question: Are you in?
Image: from Barack Obama (For realsies. I found it on his Google plus page)
