2008 Woodie Awards
Democrats rally at DU
Obama speaks to DU students at Magness
Daliah Singer
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
Hope, change, the need for new leadership and creating a united America were the focus of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's speech to a crowd of more than 14,000 at DU last Wednesday. The crowd filled Magness Arena, overflowing into Hamilton Gymnasium and the lacrosse field across from the Ritchie Center.
The Illinois senator believes it is time for America to make major changes and reverse the "disastrous policies of the current administration."
Obama said that the strength of the Democratic Party lies in its persistent focus on the future and the individual's ability to bring about change.
"The magic of the Democratic Party has always been…that we stood up and said we will write our own future. It will be what we want it to be," Obama said.
He praised other Democratic candidates, including John Edwards, who dropped out of the race earlier that morning. Edwards "gave a voice to the voiceless," Obama said, and made Americans believe "we can achieve one America."
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver in August.
"If you put your trust in me, I will stand up at that convention and say our divisions are behind us…our time for change has come," Obama said.
"I am running for president because I don't believe that we need small change. I believe we need fundamental change."
He sees new leadership as a necessary means to changing America's future.
"In America, the future is not what someone tells us it is…the future is what we decide it's going to be."
One of the major changes Obama hopes to make is to remove troops from Iraq as soon as he takes office.
Stressing his opposition to this war from day one, Obama stated,
"I will end this war."
He also promised to increase the country's commitment to Afghanistan and end the fight against al-Qaeda. "I would not hesitate to strike against those who would do us harm," pledged the senator, but "We need a commander-in-chief who will deploy our military wisely."
The Illinois senator believes it is time for America to make major changes and reverse the "disastrous policies of the current administration."
Obama said that the strength of the Democratic Party lies in its persistent focus on the future and the individual's ability to bring about change.
"The magic of the Democratic Party has always been…that we stood up and said we will write our own future. It will be what we want it to be," Obama said.
He praised other Democratic candidates, including John Edwards, who dropped out of the race earlier that morning. Edwards "gave a voice to the voiceless," Obama said, and made Americans believe "we can achieve one America."
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver in August.
"If you put your trust in me, I will stand up at that convention and say our divisions are behind us…our time for change has come," Obama said.
"I am running for president because I don't believe that we need small change. I believe we need fundamental change."
He sees new leadership as a necessary means to changing America's future.
"In America, the future is not what someone tells us it is…the future is what we decide it's going to be."
One of the major changes Obama hopes to make is to remove troops from Iraq as soon as he takes office.
Stressing his opposition to this war from day one, Obama stated,
"I will end this war."
He also promised to increase the country's commitment to Afghanistan and end the fight against al-Qaeda. "I would not hesitate to strike against those who would do us harm," pledged the senator, but "We need a commander-in-chief who will deploy our military wisely."
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