Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - August 29, 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba C m y k Page a6 d Enver on a night Rich with political spectacle and historical symbolism Barack Obama vowed to restore americans Promise after eight years of Republican Rule that he said has badly damaged the nations image abroad and set it on a path to economic ruin at Home. 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 thursday night As he accepted the democratic presidential nomination before an estimated crowd of 85,000 people at Denver res in Vesco Field. This moment this election is our Chance to keep in the 21st Century the american Promise alive. Of amass speech put an exclamation Mark on a four Day democratic National convention designed to propel the Illinois senator into the fall election Campaign on an emotional High after a summer stall in the polls. As the first african american presidential nominee the timing of of amass address was particularly poignant coming 45 years to the Day after Martin Luther King delivered his i have a dream speech in Washington d. C. But Obama made Only passing reference to the racial barriers head broken by becoming the democratic nominee. I realize that i am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I dont fit the typical Pedigree he said. Instead Obama 47, invoked Kings memory As he recalled the civil rights leaders Appeal for people of every Creed and Colour to unite saying americans destiny is inextricably linked. While Obama aspired to moments of High oratory he also engaged in some hard politicking. Obama took direct aim at his Republican rival senator John Mccain whom he cast As a gop candidate moulded in the image of outgoing president George w. Bush. The records Clear John Mccain has voted with George Bush 90 per cent of the time Obama said of the gop candidate who will accept the Republican nomination next week in St. Paul Minn. 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 Obama said. And we Are Here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight. On november 4th, we must stand up and say eight is enough. A a America has lost its sense of common purpose under president Bush he said. The crowd at in Vesco Field Home to the nil Denver Broncos was the largest for a u. S. Political rally since John f. Kennedy accepted the democratic presidential nomination before 80,000 people at the los Angeles coliseum in 1960. The stadium sized event was designed to underscore of amass biggest political skills an ability to inspire huge crowds with finely crafted speech making while also addressing perceived weaknesses republicans have sought to exploit. If John Mccain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament and judgment to serve As the next commander in chief thatus a debate ism ready to have Obama said. Answering Republican charges that his personal opposition to the War in Iraq was motivated by presidential ambition and that democrats Are weak on National Security Obama invoked the memory of past democratic presidents who have guided the nation through times of crisis. We Are the party of Roosevelt. We Are the party of Kennedy. So dont Tell me that democrats wont defend this country. Dont Tell me that democrats wont keep us Safe Obama said. He contrasted Mccaints support for the War in Iraq with his own opposition saying it had diverted u. S. Efforts to Hunt Down Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. For while senator Mccain was turning his sights to Iraq just Days after 9 11, i stood up and opposed this War knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face he said. John Mccain likes to say that hell follow bin Laden to the Gates of hell but he wont even go to the Cave where he lives. Democrats were betting the scale of of amass convention rally would bring into Sharp Relief the so called enthusiasm Gap Between energized democrats and the republicans. Mccain has had difficulty attracting Large crowds and will deliver his own nomination speech before a much smaller crowd of about 15,000 next week in St. Paul. Obama spoke on a stage straddling the stadiums 50 Yard line and in front a Row of Faux roman columns that have drawn comparisons to the Lincoln memorial where King delivered his 1963 Appeal for racial Equality. But republicans said of amass event smacked of political arrogance. Mccaints Campaign dubbed the stage constructed for the evening the Temple of Obama and hoped the rally would strengthen their efforts to portray Obama As a political celebrity out of touch with Ordinary voters. Looks like they re getting ready for the emperor to arrive dont you think quipped Minnesota gov. Tim Pawlenty a potential Mccain vice presidential running mate. Can West news service Washington correspondent a 6 Winnipeg free press Friday August 29, 2008 u. S. Politics Winnipeg repress. Com make your Mark huge rally Caps Obama nomination 85,000 pack stadium As candidate Speaks of need to revive u. S. Pride place in world by Sheldon Alberts l. M. Otero / the associated press Barack Obama Waves to the crowd yesterday As he accepts the democratic presidential nomination. A 06_ aug 29 08. Ind a6 8/ 28/ 08 10 47 54 pm ;