DENVER, Aug. 28 DNCC-Udall-Rmarks
DENVER, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript
of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Mark Udall at the Democratic
National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO )
Scheduled for delivery: August 28, 2008 - 6:00-7:00 pm MT
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
The Honorable Mark Udall
Democratic National Convention
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Thirty-two years ago, my dad, Mo Udall, a fourth-generation Westerner,
spoke to the Democratic National Convention and said, "Every generation has
had to change this country to make it work, and we Democrats have always led
that change." Those words are just as true today.
My dad would be so proud to see a new generation gathered here in
Colorado-the heart of the West-ready to lead that change. Ready to make this
country work again. And ready for Barack Obama and Joe Biden!
It's fitting to have the eyes of the nation on Colorado. It's fitting that
the change we need in Washington starts here in the Rocky Mountain West. It
was hope that first carried early Americans here, not knowing what lay ahead
but knowing they must go forward, just as we must go forward. And like those
early Americans, we believe this is a land of fresh starts and boundless
optimism. We look to our mountains and prairies, our wide-open skies, and we
see the limitless possibility that is America. We look to the grit and
determination of those who came before us, we know, by their example, that
there's no problem we can't solve if we stick together.
That's why Wallace Stegner, the great Western writer, called us "the
stickers." They taught us that going forward means going together. With so
many challenges ahead of us, it will take every bit of our Western strength,
common sense, independence and pragmatism to get our country back on track and
moving forward.
But we can do it. Not just for those who are fortunate enough to live in
Colorado-but for every American. Because this election is not about Barack
Obama, Joe Biden or me. It's about you. It's about your family, your dreams,
your future. Just like those who came before us, the challenges, problems and
obstacles can be daunting. The horizon can look ominous. The future can feel
dangerous. But the lesson of this land is true for everyone.
No matter the odds, no matter the problems-we have to stick together as
one nation again, putting our partisan differences behind us and putting the
best interests of America first. In the spirit of the West, we can move
forward, but it's going to take leaders who are strong enough to stand up for
what's right, bold enough to bring new ideas and sweep away the worst of
Washington's old ways.
Leaders like Barack Obama, who's spent his whole life standing up for
working men and women.
Leaders like Joe Biden, who worked with my dad, who's never forgotten
where he comes from, who's never stopped working to keep us safe. As my dad
said, "Every generation has had to change this country to make it work."
This is our time. This is our moment to change the course of history.
Here at the foot of the great Rocky Mountains, our greatest mountains, we
need leaders to match these mountains. And we have them. In the same bold,
pragmatic spirit that defines the West, we will move forward. Together, with
Barack Obama, we will bring the change we need, we will renew the promise of
our great nation, and we will make America work again.
SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee
