DENVER, Aug. 28 DNCC-Dean-rmks
DENVER, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript
of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Howard Dean at the Democratic
National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO )
The Honorable Howard Dean
Democratic National Convention
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
I'm Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. I know
exactly how many houses I own.
Not too long ago, many of us wanted to know what happened to our party. We
were on the short end of the last two elections. We were in the minority in
the House and Senate.
But we had hope. A plan: "Show up." We knew if we knocked on doors and
told people what we believe, they would respect us and vote for us. That's
exactly what you did. And because you did, today, our party competes in all 50
states. Today, we are a party that took back Congressional seats in Louisiana
and Mississippi, and we're gonna win in Virginia and Alaska. Today, ours is a
party that had 35 million Americans vote in our primaries. Today, our party
knows that power grows from the grassroots up.
If you're a young American wanting change, if you're looking for a
government that's on your side, we are your party. And Barack Obama will be
your president.
If you're a working American wanting change, we are your party. And Barack
Obama will be your president.
If you're an older American or a veteran wanting change, and deserve a
government that honors you and your sacrifice, when you're serving and when
you come home, we are your party.
And Barack Obama will be your president.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden both know that this is not just about turning
red states blue. It's about turning our country around. We can't afford four
more years of the same. No matter how many times John McCain tries to hide
from it, it's a fact: John McCain has voted with George Bush and his policies
95 percent of the time over the past year.
John McCain is not a maverick. John McCain is a "yes man." Like George
Bush, John McCain would let companies that ship American jobs overseas keep
their tax giveaways. Barack Obama would end those tax breaks and instead
reward companies that create jobs in America.
Who do we want as our president?
Like George Bush, John McCain does not see that health care costs are
sinking the fortunes of American families and small businesses. Barack Obama
will reduce costs and make coverage available to every American.
Who do we want as our president?
Like George Bush, John McCain proposes spending $10 billion a month in
Iraq and he's fine being there for 100 more years. Barack Obama and Joe Biden
believe we should bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, bring our troops
home, and invest at home.
Who do you want as our president?
We've been working hard to register voters. Recently, these efforts took
me to Macon, Georgia. I met a young woman named Randa, whose husband, a staff
sergeant in the United States Army, is serving his third tour in Iraq. She has
three small children. Her hands, and her days, are pretty full. Yet somehow
she has found time to register 450 new voters.
Like millions of Americans all over our country, Randa wants change. She
wants her husband to come home safely. She wants better opportunities for her
children. She wants to vote for a leader who can move us past the partisanship
and bring our country together.
So who do we want as our president?
On behalf of all Democrats, let's welcome Randa here tonight. Randa knows
that Barack Obama and Joe Biden don't just believe in change. They know how
desperately Americans need change.
And with your help-block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, vote by
vote-we'll elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.
SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee
