Change We Can Believe In

Speeches and inspiration given at pivotal points in history appeal to the

best in the people who hear them.

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Throughout the annals of history
"chosen" men and women have spoken at critical times to challenge and inspire
the human race. The Biblical leader Moses spoke before Pharaoh and led the
Hebrew nation to liberation. Elijah, the prophet, spoke from Mt. Carmel and
asked the people how long would they go back and forth between two opinions.
King David spoke from a throne in Israel to remind the nation that they had
been chosen by God. Isaiah, the demonstrative prophet, spoke prophetic words in
the marketplace. Alexander the Great, conqueror of the known world, spoke from
Macedon and formed the greatest army known to mankind. Octavian spoke in the
Roman Curia and became Augustus leading Rome from a Republic to an Empire.
Harriett Tubman spoke on that "night train" that ran through the Underground
Railroad and led slaves to their freedom. Abraham Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg
and challenged the moral conscious of America. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke
about an American Dream forty-five years ago that we are still talking about in
2008. Speeches and inspiration given at pivotal points in history appeal to the
best in the people who hear them.

On Thursday, August 27, 2008, Barack
Obama joined the pantheon of great speakers at great moments again! He spoke
and inspired. Prior to his speech the McCain campaign tried to accuse Obama of
creating a city inside of INVESCO Field called "Barackopolis." The Right
Reverend James Dobson even prayed that it would rain in the outdoor stadium.
Republican pundits even pounced on the Greek columns used as a backdrop. In the
face of cynical critics Obama spoke. Did he ever speak!

He answered his critics who said that he
was not tough enough to go up against McCain. Noted Republican strategist Alex
Castellanos said "The speech demonstrated great strength and confidence. He
challenged McCain directly, without blinking, but respectfully."

He answered McCain's pathetic patriotic
push by saying "I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain.
The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and
Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together
and some died together under the same proud flag. So I've got news for you,
John McCain: We all put our country first."

He answered the celebrity charge. "I
don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but
this has been mine," he said. "These are my heroes. Theirs are the stories that
shaped me. And it is on behalf of them that I intend to win this election and
keep our promise alive as president of the United States."

He told America that Eight is enough. "Next
week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush
and Dick Cheney will ask this
country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to
let the next four years look just like the last eight. On Nov. 4, we must stand
up and say: ‘Eight is enough'."

He took the national security issue away
from Senator McCain when he said "John McCain likes to say that he'll follow
bin Laden to the Gates of Hell – but he won't even go to the cave where he lives."

He spoke so well that many leading
Republicans have been heaping pounds of praise on Obama. Listen to this
summation by Republican Strategist Ed Rollins. After saying that Governor Sarah
Palin will become a celebrity, Rollins says, "Speaking of celebrities, Barack Obama proved why he is one at INVESCO
Field, home of the Denver Broncos, last night before 85,000 crying, cheering
adoring fans. And what's wrong with that? He is a real talent and he excites
and inspires his supporters."

"Those of us who are not supporters need to step back and quit watching in
awe and prepare for battle. Obama's natural and developed speaking style is
unchallengeable."

Reflecting on his time as President Reagan's White House Political Director
and Campaign Manager, Rollins noted that he heard Reagan give hundred of
speeches. "And no one was ever better. His words enlightened, gave comfort,
inspired and made Americans feel good about themselves again. He also had a
core of beliefs developed over a long period of time that led to a very
effective agenda. The Democrats now have their own version of an RR orator.
And, like Reagan, Obama's speeches are his own words."

Obama spoke! This is his Democratic Party now. The
mantle has been passed.  Kennedy was
great on Monday. Hillary was triumphant on Tuesday. Big Bill was wonderful on
Wednesday. However, Obama was triumphant on Thursday. Were he an Imperial Roman
general, last night would have been his well earned triumph through the Forum. Obama spoke about "Change we can believe in!" I
felt him speak. As Lisa and I watched, tears streamed down our faces. These
were tears of joy and jubilation.