Inspirational, inclusive and challenging. I, for one, will try to live up to his expectations.

I want to start by congratulating Senator Clinton on what appears to be her victory in the great state of Indiana.

This has been one of the longest, most closely fought contests in American history. And that's partly because we have such a formidable opponent in Senator Hillary Clinton.

Tonight, many of the pundits have suggested that this party is unalterably divided, that Senator Clinton's supporters will not support me and that my supporters would not support her. Well, I am here tonight to tell you that I don't believe it.

This primary season may not be over, but when it is we will have to remember who we are as Democrats, that we are the party of Jefferson and Jackson, of Roosevelt and Kennedy, and that we are at our best when we lead with principle, when we lead with conviction, when we summon an entire nation to a common purpose and a higher purpose.

Yes, yes, there have been bruised feelings on both sides. Yes, each side desperately wants their candidate to win. But ultimately this race is not about Hillary Clinton; it's not about Barack Obama; it's not about John McCain.

This election is about you, the American people.

The attempts to play on our fears and exploit our differences, to turn us against each other for political gain, to slice and dice this country into red states and blue states, blue collar and white collar, white, black, brown, young, old, rich, poor..
this is the race we expect, no matter whether it's myself or Senator Clinton who is the nominee. The question then is not what kind of campaign they will run; it's what kind of campaign we will run.

We will end it by telling the truth forcefully, repeatedly, confidently, and by trusting that the American people will embrace the need for change, even if it's coming from an imperfect messenger, because that's how we've -- that's -- because that's how we've always changed this country, not from the top down, but from the bottom up, when you, the American people, decide that the stakes are too high and the challenges are too great.

I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did.

Don't ever forget that we have a choice in this country, that we can choose not to be divided, that we can choose not to be afraid, that we can still choose this moment to finally come together and solve the problems we've talked about all those other years and all those other elections.

"Wow. That sounded wonderful. Sounds just like something Obama would say."

Doh! :P

It was a great speech, wasn't it?!

It is definitely his strong suit to inspire and challenge people.

Do I need to put a note in that it is excerpts from his speech?

For those who don't know it is his, it is read without bias from either side, for those who will recognize it after reading part or all of it, will know the truth in what you posted.

Thanks for this.

Recommended.

I thought the speech was really inspiring. It was what I wanted to hear.

His words can stand alone! Marvelous! :hi:

:hi:

:hi:

I missed the speachifying yesterday, so this is helpful.

And I think that he was not only asking us to live up to HIS expectations, but he was telling US that he would do his best to live up to OURS.

That's what I like about him: it's not just about him. It's about all of us.

because I would like the tone here to reflect Obama's vision.

Last one, I promise.