Obama's stump speech plays to fears, hopes

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/09/07/20080907obama-sunday.html


DUBLIN, Ohio - As Barack Obama paces before 15,000 people with a hand-held microphone, it's easy to assume his 30-minute talk is more or less a free-associating string of talking points and applause lines.

In fact, it's a carefully organized four-part argument.

Obama delivers it without notes or changes from week to week. A campaign centerpiece for 19 months, the full-blown stump speech probably has done more than anything to rocket him to fame and to a lead over Republican John McCain in some national polls.
Obama has modified the speech over time, testing new lines and adapting to political events.

**snip**

Republicans, he says, "are going to try to scare you. They're going to say, Well, Obama, he's got a funny name, and well, he hasn't been in Washington long enough.' "

"But I don't think it's going to work this time," he says. "I think Republicans, Democrats and independents, they don't want to just take a 10 percent chance on change that John McCain is offering, because he agrees with George Bush 90 percent of the time."

Then comes the big windup. "If you will stand up with me," Obama begins, and thousands of listeners rise to their feet.

"If you will knock on doors with me and make phone calls with me." The people are cheering loudly now, clapping and waving signs. "If you'll talk to your neighbors and your friends with me, if you'll believe with me." Now they are screaming and jumping, and the place is in an uproar. "Then I promise you this: We will not just win Ohio, we will win this general election, and you, and I, and Joe Biden, we will change this country and change the world."

Obama can barely be heard as he says, "Thank you. God bless you and God bless America."

I'm so tired of all the meaningless, gossipy VP posts.
I want to hear about Obama, the Democratic party, and what we're saying and doing to win this election.