By Tom McCrae
Latest opinion polls have Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in a dead heat in the race for the White House, so the US president's speech to the Democratic Convention this afternoon was arguably the most important one he's ever made.
He used it to outline what he says is the clear choice American voters face in November.
“If you believe in a country where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone gets their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules then I need you to vote this November,” said Obama.
He was preaching to the choir in the convention centre, but his message was really aimed at undecided voters in the prime-time television audience.
“When you pick up that ballot to vote you will face the clearest choice of anytime in a generation. Over the next few years big decisions will be made on jobs, the economy taxes the deficit energy education, war and peace, decision that will have a huge impact on our lives and generations to come, on every issue the choice you face won't be between two candidates or two parties: it will be a choice between two different paths for America, two fundamentally different visions for the future.”
“As citizens we understand that it's not about what can be done for us, it's about what can be done by us.”
Earlier a bevy of celebrities - along with the vice-president - said Obama had helped America turn the corner after the worst recession in decades.
“He has never wavered, he never, never backs down, he always steps up and he always asks in everyone of those critical meetings the same fundamental question: how is this going to affect the average American, how is this going to affect people's lives?
"That's what's inside this man, that's what makes him tick - that's who he is,” said vice-president Joe Biden.
And the president didn't hold back on his Republican rival.
“We've heard over and over again from our opponents that bigger tax cuts and fewer regulations were the only way -since government can't do everything it should do nothing,” said Obama.
And he addressed the claims he hasn't done enough to pull the country out of recession.
“I never said this journey would be easy and I won't promise that now. Yes our path is harder, but it leads to a better place, yes our road is longer but we travel it together. We don't turn back we leave no one behind we draw strength from our victories and we learn from our mistakes but we keep our eyes fixed on that distant horizon, knowing that providence is with us and that we are surely blessed.”
The Democrats say America is on the hinge of history, they'll find out in November if it swings their way.
3 News
source: newshub archive
