DENVER, Aug. 28 DNCC-Durbin-rmks
DENVER, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript
of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Richard Durbin, US Senator,
Illinois, at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO )
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.
SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee
