Barack Obama election victory speech, 2008

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"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." --Barack Obama, November 4, 2008 Obama08acceptance.jpg
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
—Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

Following his victory in the United States presidential election, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama gave his victory speech [1] at Grant Park in his home city of Chicago, Illinois, [2] on November 4, 2008, before an estimated crowd of 240,000. [3] [4] Viewed on television and the Internet by millions of people around the globe, Obama's speech focused on the major issues facing the United States and the world, all echoed through his campaign slogan of change. [5] He also mentioned his maternal grandmother Madelyn Dunham, who had died just two nights earlier.

The President-elect of the United States is the person who has won the quadrennial presidential election in the United States, but who has not yet been inaugurated as President of the United States. President-elect is also the honorific title accorded to this individual.

Barack Obama 44th president of the United States

Barack Hussein Obama II is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American to be elected to the presidency. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008.

Contents

References in the speech

Crowd at Grant Park during Obama's speech Awesome (3004956813) (cropped).jpg
Crowd at Grant Park during Obama's speech

The speech heavily referenced the inaugural addresses of former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, and also referred to speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. [6]

John F. Kennedy 35th president of the United States

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician and journalist who served as the 35th president of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. He served at the height of the Cold War, and the majority of his presidency dealt with managing relations with the Soviet Union. A member of the Democratic Party, Kennedy represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate prior to becoming president.

Abraham Lincoln 16th president of the United States

Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and politician who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. He preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.

Echoing Martin Luther King's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address, he declared, "But tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America" and "The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year, or even in one term—but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there." [1] At another point in the speech he again referenced King when referring to the "arc of history", a phrase King used regularly, most notably after the Selma to Montgomery marches, saying "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice".

"I've Been to the Mountaintop" is the popular name of the last speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.

Selma to Montgomery marches

The Selma to Montgomery marches were three protest marches, held in 1965, along the 54-mile (87 km) highway from Selma, Alabama to the state capital of Montgomery. The marches were organized by nonviolent activists to demonstrate the desire of African-American citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote, in defiance of segregationist repression, and were part of a broader voting rights movement underway in Selma and throughout the American South. By highlighting racial injustice, they contributed to passage that year of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark federal achievement of the Civil Rights Movement.

Obama directly quoted Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address, by saying "As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

Obama also referred to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address by saying "...that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth"

Gettysburg Address speech by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln

The Gettysburg Address is a speech that U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg. It is one of the best-known speeches in American history.

Obama proclaimed, "It's been a long time coming, but...change has come to America," an allusion to the Sam Cooke song "A Change Is Gonna Come". [7] [8]

Sam Cooke American singer-songwriter

Samuel Cook, known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer, songwriter, civil rights activist and entrepreneur.

Obama also made a reference to a prospective presidential pet for his daughters. [9] [10]

United States presidential pets pets of US presidents and their families

United States presidents have often kept pets while in office, or pets have been part of their families.

Sasha and Malia … I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us … to the White House.

Issues

Supporters at Grant Park watch Obama delivering his speech My vantage point in history (3004680657).jpg
Supporters at Grant Park watch Obama delivering his speech

Obama spoke of the core issues facing the United States at the time, among them the economy, and the Iraq War. [11]

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education. [1]

On the economic crisis:

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

A message to America's enemies and friends:

To those — to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

Forward-thinking challenges:

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair. [12]

To our future as Americans:

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Significance

Supporters cheering as Obama delivers his speech in Grant Park View to the presidential stage (3005516622).jpg
Supporters cheering as Obama delivers his speech in Grant Park

In his speech, Obama reflected on the hard times of the campaign and the "challenges that America would face ahead." TV coverage of the speech showed Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey weeping in the crowd. [13] [14] Obama's speech also marked the first time a President-elect referred positively to gay Americans in an acceptance speech. Sam Perry experienced a brief moment of fame when Oprah Winfrey leaned on him while crying on his shoulder.

Grant Park was the location of many protests of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which were significant for ending in violence, riots and police brutality. CNN declared, "History gave Grant Park another chance Tuesday as the scene of a peaceful and jubilant celebration of Barack Obama's presidential victory." [15] Obama's speech has been praised as having "...the rare ability to cultivate the things that are common to all human beings, regardless of artificial and arbitrary distinctions." [16]

Ann Nixon Cooper

Obama delivers his speech Barack Obama Rally in Grant Park November 4, 2008 (3005905248).jpg
Obama delivers his speech

One of the primary references within Obama's speech was to Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old resident of Atlanta, Georgia.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky, when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. [17]

Obama also made reference to his popular campaign chant, "Yes We Can":

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t; and the people who pressed on with that American creed: 'Yes, we can.' [17]

Security

Security checkpoint along Columbus Drive Secret service (3004840473).jpg
Security checkpoint along Columbus Drive

Due to the general high security threat involved, Obama delivered the speech protected by two pieces of bulletproof glass (2 inches (5.1 cm) thick, 10 feet (3.0 m) high, 15 feet (4.6 m) long) to each side of the lectern to deflect any shots from the skyscrapers overlooking Grant Park. [18] [19] There was no glass shield in front of the lectern. [20] A no-fly zone was also imposed over the area, with only police helicopters allowed in the air. [19] [20] The gathering involved the deployment of thousands of police, Army and Secret Service personnel. The event cost the Obama campaign an estimated $2 million. [21] [22] Even with the large threat at hand, no arrests were made related to the event.

Music

Supporters at Grant Park Wearing unofficial Obama swag in front of the official swag depot (3030041598).jpg
Supporters at Grant Park

Prior to Obama's emergence onto the stage, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder, "Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn, and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson were played. When Obama, Joe Biden, and their families appeared on stage following the speech, music from the films Remember the Titans , composed by Trevor Rabin, and The Patriot , composed by John Williams, was played. [23] [24] "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen was also played following the speech (Springsteen had endorsed Obama).

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 CQ Transcripts Wire (November 4, 2008). "Sen. Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech in Chicago, Ill". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  2. ↑ Bambi (November 5, 2008). "Obama Acceptance Speech". Times of the Internet. Archived from the original on November 8, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Chicago News | abc7chicago.com". ABC. November 5, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2016. City officials estimated the crowd at Grant Park to be 240,000 people.
  4. ↑ "Rally crowd heads home for the night". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 5, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ Gilbert, Debbie (November 6, 2008). "Residents relate the personal significance of this election". Gainseville Times. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  6. ↑ Obama’s victory speech: What happened 221 years ago?
  7. ↑ "David Hinckley, Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' theme song for Barack Obama's presidency". New York Daily News. November 7, 2008.
  8. ↑ Kerry Candaele (November 7, 2008). "Barack Obama And Sam Cooke on Election Night". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ Spillius, Alex (November 7, 2008). "Nation debates the Obamas' White House puppy". London: Telegraph. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Obama's girls about to go into the fishbowl". CNN. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  11. ↑ TAPPER, JAKE (November 7, 2008). "Economy Dominates Obama's Speech". Abc News. Archived from the original on November 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  12. ↑ "Transcript: 'This is your victory,' says Obama". CNN.
  13. ↑ "Barack Obama's win: News to make Jesse Jackson weep | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  14. ↑ Colleen Mastony (November 11, 2008). "No-longer-a-mystery man and Oprah reunite - chicagotribune.com". Chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  15. ↑ "Chicago's Grant Park turns into jubilation park - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. 2008-11-05. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  16. ↑ "Obama Helps Us Believe, & We Help Him" Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine .American Satellite Magazine Retrieved 2008-11-06
  17. 1 2 Brown, Chandler (November 5, 2008). "106-year-old that Obama cited has led active life in Atlanta". AJC. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  18. ↑ Winnett, Robert (5 November 2008). "Fears grow for Barack Obama's security". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  19. 1 2 ERWIN, MILES (November 6, 2008). "Bullet-proof glass at Obama victory rally". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  20. 1 2 Thompson, Paul (November 6, 2008). "Bulletproof glass shields Obama for victory speech as security is stepped up for President-elect". London: Mail online. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Clout Street: Daley puts Obama rally tab at $2 million". Chicago Tribune. October 23, 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Obama's election night party will cost $2 million". Thesouthern.com. October 24, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  23. ↑ Goldstein, Patrick (November 6, 2008). "The Big Picture: Hey, Obama, Name That Tune". Los Angeles Times.
  24. ↑ Seelye, Katharine Q. (November 5, 2008). "The Caucus: Live Blogging election night". The New York Times.
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