Supporters Express Inspiration Over Obama’s Nomination

On the 100-yard line of the field where the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers will play next week, more than 75,000 people gathered to hear Sen. Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.At the Democratic National Conventions’ headline event, the anticipation of the moment kept everyone on their toes. Anchors on almost every station spoke about its significance.”Everyone will remember where they were at this moment. This is something that everyone will never forget,” said Wolf Blitzer, anchor of “The Situation Room” on CNN. Humbly waving and smiling, Obama approached the hungry audience, ready to consume his every word. After three straight minutes of applause, he cut through the cheers to begin his speech. And immediately he said the one thing his supporters have been waiting to hear for 18 months.”With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.” Students in a small dorm room on the campus of Howard University gathered to watch and listen on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the historic March on Washington. “We have been waiting for this since … since the Middle Passage,” said Kyndal Wilson, a senior political science major.”This moment is so amazing especially for those of us who have learned about the famous speech, but weren’t there to experience it,” Wilson added. “It gives us a part of history that we can appreciate and tell our kids about.” Jessica Detiege, a senior public relations major, said that “Obama’s plans for the future that were highlighted in his nomination acceptance speech were inspiring. I can’t wait until next year to see them implemented.” Although Obama recognized the significance of the date, he didn’t let it overwhelm his focus on politics. He discussed cutting taxes for middle class citizens and promised to put together a plan so that in 10 years the United States is not dependent on oil from the Middle East.”America, we are better than these last eight years. We are more decent,” he stated. “I will go through the federal budget, line by line, making sure the things we promise we can afford. But filling America’s promise must take more than just money.”Obama also made it clear that his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, wasn’t the one for the job and refocused the attention from himself to his supporters. “Change doesn’t come from Washington; it comes to Washington.” Brenda Mann, a consultant and mother of two, said: “He’s always very eloquent and strategic to what he says. He was setting a tone for the rest of the election process. It should be about the issues, and he knows that it’s about the people and wanted to let McCain to know that.”