In one of the largest political rallies this year, over 20,000 supporters joined Barack Obama in St. Louislast night to hear Obama and a group of local politicians speak. The line to get in to the Edward Jones Dome stretched over four blocks at times.
Joining Obama on stage was U.S. Reps. William Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and former Sen. Jean Carnahan. Sen. McCaskill and Sen. Carnahan are two of Missouri’s most prominent Democratic women.
For those who could not attend the event but are interested in watching the video, Channel 5 has posted his speach in its entirety on their web site…although you do have to watch a few commercials in the process.
Article from the Post Dispatch
ST. LOUIS — Sen. Barack Obama exhorted thousands packing the floor of the Edward Jones Dome on Saturday to vote for him for president next Tuesday — not so much for him, but for them.
“This is our moment. This is our time. And if you stand with me and vote for me … if you are not willing to settle … you and I together, we will remake this country and we will change the world!” Obama declared at the end of a 40-minute address that frequently ignited cheers from a crowd that Dome officials estimated at more than 20,000.
Obama, D-Ill., repeatedly cast this year’s contest for president as a choice between his embrace of the dramatic change sought by most Americans and “the same old cast of characters, doing the same old thing over and over again and expecting the same result.”
Obama detailed his proposals to make education more affordable, expand health care, attack global warning, curb the power of special interest lobbyists and end the war in Iraq.
Each time he introduced the topic with the phrase, “if you believe in change …” By the end of speech, the crowd was shouting in unison “Yes we can.”
Obama contended that changing government also requires Americans to demand change and make it happen. As president, he said, his administration will operate with the philosophy “we will invest in you and you will invest in America.”
Obama also exhorted the crowd to ignore claims, circulating primarily on the Internet, that contend he is a Muslim and refuses to pledge allegiance to the American flag.
1 response so far ↓
Brooke // February 3, 2008 at 11:29 pm
It was incredible to be there last night! As we walked and walked to get to the end of the line outside the dome, my husband’s and my smiles got bigger and bigger. It was just amazing to see so many people coming together, believing in our power to change this country, believing in hope again after eight years of despair. It’s so rare to firmly agree with EVERYTHING a candidate says, but I do with Barack. I believe he can make it happen…he can do it with our help. We must not let this opportunity pass us by. We brought along our five year old daughter…she was asleep on my shoulder by the time it was over, but she will thank us for being a part of history later.