Democratic Convention: Obama Accepts Party's Nomination
Melissa Dittmann Tracey, Associate Multimedia Editor
DENVER – Obamamania was in full force tonight as Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in front of a thunderous crowd of 80,000.
“It’s time for us to change America,” Obama told a cheering crowd, who waved American flags in the air and created a rumble in the stadium by stomping their feet in agreement.
Crowds lined up starting midday, waiting in security lines that at times stretched more than a mile, all so they could watch Obama accept the party’s nomination Thursday night at Invesco’s Mile High Stadium.
“We meet at one of those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more,” Obama said.
”Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay, and tuition that's beyond your reach. These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush.”
Throughout the evening, Obama and other speakers – including Al Gore and Vice President nominee Joe Biden – sought to closely tie the policies of Bush to McCain.
In his 45-minute speech, Obama offered up some specifics of what his “change” agenda
would entail and the kind of president he would be.
Among his top goals as president, he said, would be to achieve affordable, accessible health care.
“If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums,” Obama said. “If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves.”
He also announced: “I would cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class.”
He called for changes in the tax code. “Change means a tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it,” Obama said. He also said he would eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses.
Obama also called for ending America’s dependence on oil and vowed that as president he would find fuel alternatives and devote $150 billion in affordable, renewable sources of energy.
Read a full transcript of Obama’s speech and share your thoughts of Obama’s speech.
Stay tuned to the Speaking of Real Estate blog next week as we head to Minneapolis to provide you coverage of the Republican National Convention.
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Comments
Obama scores a touchdown in Mile Hile stadium--home of the Denver Broncos!
I was one of the lucky Colorado Realtors that attended Obama's acceptance event last night. I am amazed at Barack Obama's ability to energize people and provide real hope. I wonder if JFK brought the same kind of enthusiasm, integrity and optimism to our parents when they were young? He has earned my vote!
Bob from Colorado
Posted by: Bob Most | August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
It is beyond me, Bob, why any thinking person who is in business could endorse the current Dem. ticket. We hear all the great promises of change from Obama, but he specifies nothing. I believe we are looking at economic disaster if OB is elected. Investment will be stiffled, people won't want Cap. Gains to double - as promised by the "change" people; and that will kill real estate investment. Just watch the markets in the weeks leading to Nov. 4th - along with polls and see how many people begin to bail if it looks like OB will win. I am really tired of the "lock-step" and "group-speak" of the left. Start thinking about it without colored glasses on!
Posted by: Gerry Hudson | September 5, 2008 03:46 PM