Barack Obama Democratic Convention Speech (VIDEO) (TEXT) »
Posted By not2needy 10 months, 1 week ago in News
With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.
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Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest - a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and to yours -- Hillary Rodham Clinton. To President Clinton, who last night made the case for change as only he can make it; to Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service; and to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night.
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not2needy
Hi And Welcome
I am a Christian, Married, Liberal, and retired social worker. One son. I enjoy my computer, gardening, reading, cooking and having a ...
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memestryker10 months, 1 week ago
Excellent speech. He successfully reframed "hot" issues very briefly to suggest there is a middle ground that works, in part, for everyone, while not discounting disagreement. And a 95% tax cut on the middle class. It will be interesting to see how the overall plan looks. The speech was almost Clintonian in its attempt to bring people together.
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Eagle_Eye10 months, 1 week ago
What a wonderful experience it was this evening watching Senator Obama accept the nomination and make history.
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I loved the way he took McCain to task and challenged him to a debate. I will be looking forward to seeing this man take back America for the American people.-
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not2needy10 months, 1 week ago
Historic, and touching. If elected, and if he can at least have a Dem Congress long enough to get some things accomplished, maybe, just maybe we can get back on track.
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MajJohn10 months, 1 week ago
Tonight was truly historic, the culmination of a movement that was tragically short circuited 45 years ago. It was an excellent speech, well delivered. Not a lot of substance but I kind of expected that. This allows for flexibility in the weeks ahead leading up to whatever debates there will be and finally the election. The message was one of conciliation. I did not find it comparable to Kennedy however. Kennedy challenged us to work for a better future, the challenge was missing tonight. But still, you have to hand it to Obama, his star shined the brightest tonight
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Charlson10 months, 1 week ago
I guess you and I didn't hear the same speech or have a different perspective.
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I was not going to vote for McCain and would have voted any democrat as president. But after his speech, I'm voting FOR Obama because he convinced me he's the man for the job. -
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miklkit10 months, 1 week ago
Not a lot of substance? He went from topic to topic saying what he planned to do. It sounded like a straight speech to me.
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sailrComment removed: User banned.
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bluetexasvalley10 months, 1 week ago
MajJohn, you must have taken a long bathroom break during the speech if you missed the substance and the challenge. I heard them.
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Spadecaller10 months, 1 week ago
Last night did more than introduce the chosen candidate to the nation. We heard a great speech, at a crucial moment in history, and we witnessed the prospect of a great leader coming to the aid of a failing empire. Of course, there will be those who deny this and will do everything and anything to oppose his election as the next president, but last night a valuable message with a vital road map to help this nation recover from the consequences of 8 years of failed policies was sent out to the world. I believe the majority of Americans will heed the call and come to support the man with the odd name and dark skin.
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not2needy10 months, 1 week ago
Why do so many people have a problem understanding such a simple concept SC? I know that the majority of the conservatives on Propeller aren't in the top 2 or 3 percent of the ultra wealthy in America. Why do they want to give tax breaks to big corporations, hoping that eventually some of it will trickle down on them. Why do they want to continue to live under the trickle down economic policy? It's amazing to me that they support anyone who's plan is to take care of the ultra wealthy and wipe out the middle class.
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nikkibabe10 months, 1 week ago
Today, Russian leader, Putin has charged that they have evidence that Bush instigated Georgia to create the conflict with Russia to help McCain display his foreign policy!.
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So, along with this here is McCain's platform for Americans to vote for him.
. Cooked up conflict with destruction & deaths in Georgia to shore up his Foreign policy.
. His Economic Plan - America is a nation of whiners and everything is fine with the economy
. There are no uninsured Americans when it comes to health care. Just go to ER.
. Attack Iran, Cuba & Venezuela to end anti American activities.
. Reignite the cold war and turn former Soviet Republics against Russia.
Pretty impressive.
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Mdiar10 months, 1 week ago
Anyone else catch what Buchanan is saying about this speech? He considers it one of the best speeches of his lifetime. He also said that it wasn't a liberal speech, or a conservative speech, but a unifying speech. I'm watching the YouTube version right now, thanks for the story N2N! So far the speech is amazing! I particularly like how he's taken the knife and jabbed McCain with it a few times- I had serious worries that Obama wasn't willing to hit McCain on anything, I was incorrect. So far he hasn't been overly harsh, which is equally good.
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sailrComment removed: User banned.
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Spadecaller10 months, 1 week ago
Does this sound familiar? Are we not facing what MLK said we would someday have to?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs5k32uTI2I -
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simonsez10 months, 1 week ago
The theme seemed to be "ask not what you can do for your country; ask what your country can do for you".
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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1=th=slogin-
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scott426110 months, 1 week ago
This is an historical speech and one of the greatest and most most inspiring speeches I've heard. It really is too bad that most conservatives are too self-absorbed to understand the inspiration this ticket represents. Obama will be the next president!
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capecoralM10 months, 1 week ago
My take on this speech was that it was A Plethora of Platitudes. It was a pellucid commentary for the Obama supporters and their warped view of the United States Of America. What I heard him say was look "I am from the government and I am here to help." No Thank You.
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I personally don't want the governments hand out or "help" to be the best that I can be. I/We don't need to be saved from ourselves as Obama and his supporters proclaim we do. The mere notion that we need the government to be successful is insulting at best. The mere notion that the Government knows what is best for us is shameful. I am Barack Obama your Saviour, Palleasse. His stated policy that he will take money from those that have worked the hardest to become successful and I will redistribute to those that are secure in there way of life is a barrier to becoming successful. His target is the small and medium size business owners that are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. Obama is simply repeating what Marx had to say and that is "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need ..."
The concept that "punishment" is in order for being successful in America is contrary to the ideals that America was founded on. His stated policy has a long history of failure.-
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simonsez10 months, 1 week ago
I couldn't agree more, cape. If we got everything he promised, why should we work any more. Let the so-called rich pay for me ...
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He is a talented speech writer and deliverer, but that doesn't mean he has the depth of experience, knowledge and character to lead this country. -
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rivermint10 months, 1 week ago
It is not completley true that the wealthiest members of our society are the hardest working. While I am not sure that I really understand all of the arguments about individual right to profit versus the common sharing of profits, I do know that working class and middle class people work very hard.
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I also know that the wealth of the top percent of our society actually depends on the work and labor of the working class(either here or overseas).
Ingenuity aside, I think that many of us work very hard so the idea that wealthy = hard work and everything else =less work is innacurate. How do we decide what functions in our society are more valuable than others?
I do not have any answers to these problems but I do think that if we are really going to live in a healthy and peaceful society we will have to think and question deeply about the best way to work with both human nature and the world around us. -
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raats666210 months, 1 week ago
CapercoralM- You know, my Mother gets information in the mail nearly every week about hearing aids. I could send one to you if you like!
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"What I heard him say was look "I am from the government and I am here to help." "
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CLEARLY your hearing is fading since.....From the speech....
"Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology." -
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cleare10 months, 1 week ago
what obama actually said was that change does not come about in washington, it comes TO washington. a statement that is very far from "I am from the government, and I'm here to help you". he also over and over repeated the importance of personal, community, corporate and national responsibility.
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what you heard, though your conservative filters, is not what he said or meant. -
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djn3nunez310 months, 1 week ago
I like how he challenged Americans to rise above the fray and the partisain bickering and name calling we've seen in the past 16 years.
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" Obama supporters and their warped view of the United States "
Way to maintian the neo-clown staus quo!
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simonsez10 months, 1 week ago
You want to increase revenues ... tax all the non-profit exempted businesses such as churches, charities and universities, undoubtedly the most profitable businesses in the country.
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Want to stop killings in the cities ... legalize drugs. Control them, regulate them, tax them. Make them affordable to users, eliminate the profit motive and killings would drop by 90% overnight. Use part of the profits to treat users and assist with general medical costs of clinics.
Nobody has the cajones to do what will help the most. Instead, lets condemn those who excell in our society, that already pay most of the bills for government, but what the hell, they were just lucky anyway.
Community service for high schoolers to get "affordable" college tuition help. Sounds good, doesn't it?
So lets put an army of kids out there, eliminating menial jobs that other Americans need. Most businesses don't want un-trained kids around their businesses, so they end up sorting clothes at the salvation army or good will centers. Good Will, by the way. is an extremely profitable non-business. Management does very well.-
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miklkit10 months, 1 week ago
I see. You are an anarchist! Law of the jungle. No thanks. I have a conscience.
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cleare10 months, 1 week ago
you are assuming that people who "excel in our society" got there through hard work, but in my experience that is not true. my considered observation is that most of the people at the top got there through family connections, graft, cheating, lying and luck.
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i strongly disagree with your first paragraph; agree completely with your second paragraph; dispute your third; have considered and rejected the fourth and can't make sense out of your final comment.
taxing non-profits...a new idea, but a bad one and i think you are overstating their "profits".
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Codi693410 months, 1 week ago
He talked about govt bailing out people that made bad choices, but the next breath was about personal responsibilty. Which is it? We can not allow the govt. to have a toe hold in every tiny bite in our lives. When do you become responsible to anwser for your actions. According to him, the govt. will bail you out no matter what.
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He wants to leave Iraq "responibilty "which is different then what he has said before. I don't want to make this an argument on why we went, we are beyond that now. We need to win and come home, not just leave. Hasn't the last 30 years taught us anything! What I see happening is "IF" he is elected, Iraq has been improving for months now. He will draw down and take credit for success that he did not agree with nor never supported.
We don't have the technology to get off oil in 10 years. We will aways need oil, more then gas is made from oil. We need about a 30 year source of oil to buy us time so make this change.
We said he will defend this country. Which I believe he will, AFTER the attack. But, you are too late AFTER the attack. You is he going to do to stop the attack before it happens?? THAT HAS BEEN MY BIGGEST QUESTION THE WHOLE TIME!!
Taxes will go up, defense budget will be cut, unemployment will increase, small businesses will go out of business. O hail the BIG "O". You think it is bad now. You wait, the dark days are coming soon if he is elected.-
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raats666210 months, 1 week ago
Codi-Help me out here.
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When EXACTLY has he EVER said ANYTHING differently then he wants the leave Iraq "responsibly". Please show ANY proof that Obama has EVERY said 'we are going to leave Iraq as quickly and carelessly as we went into Iraq'. Please
And while you're at it please tell ALL of us what you and John McCain would define "We need to win and come home"
John McCain has made this statement OVER and OVER, but he has NEVER said what winning is.
Bush proclaimed "Mission Accomplished" when Saddam Hussien was removed. John McCain announced in 2003 that war in Iraq was nearly over.
So PLEASE, tell us what WINNING would look like so that the troops could come home.
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Poulenc10 months, 1 week ago
Yes, yes!
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Brilliant speech, Senator Obama. Don’t loose the fire and want.
The line between the old and new has been decisively drawn--between the belief that most Americans are doing just fine and the reality that they are, in fact, hurting.
Hurting bad.
Also splendid: O. challenging McCain's nonsensical charge that because he, O., opposed the was in Iraq, he'll leave America defenseless.
Best of all, perhaps, the transmitted sense of the possibility of a new brand of politics.
To me, the choice for president seems crystal clear. And it AIN'T McCain. -
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4cprocess10 months, 1 week ago
Yes and in those 18 months she "cleaned house" of all the corruption in Alaska's state government and I hope she does the same thing in Washington if she's lucky enough to get elected.
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What has you're candidate done in the last 18 months to rid Washington or even his own state of corruption? Knowing how corrupt the Chicago political machine is, he wouldn't have to look very far for qualified candidates. -
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vor10 months, 1 week ago
Remember what Obama said last night about denigrating the opposition!
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One thing good I can say about Sara is that she is not **** Cheney!
If only we can export that man to Dubai where he can once again run Haliburton (that patriotic company now headquartered overseas). Then have a Democratic Congress and President who would terminate all of their no bid contracts!
Funny that the experience question must now come back to haunt the Republicans. McCain is not far from the grave and they now want America to support a VP candidate with little national experience. Just like who else? They continue their hypocritical ways. -
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Codi693410 months, 1 week ago
She has more jobs in leadership positions then the Big "O"!! His ticket is upside down. At least Biden is a 6 term senator. Blows his whole idea of change.
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Spadecaller10 months, 1 week ago
The time has come to restore our constitution, to dismantle the power of K street, and to empower middle class Americans with the opportunity for better jobs, education, and freedom from government exploitation. Only one candidate offers that hope. Only one candidate had created legislation against the lobby corruption. Only one candidate is willing to stand up against the oil companies. We all know who that candidate is.
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jesh10 months, 1 week ago
It was a beautiful speech, a real feel good about were we are going inspirational speech. but now lets come back to reality shall we, how can you say you can do all these programs , cut taxes , create jobs , to get our economy back on track , and we wont have to sacrifice anything ??? it will all be paid for by these evil ultra rich and big business ? How many of these ultra rich people do you think we have anyway, it is a pipe dream , when you hurt businesses they pass the cost down to the consumer and cut jobs or move them to other countries [ buy the way NAFTA was Clintons idea ]. So we should take the money from businesses that are creating jobs and investing so we can give it to the government. We all know how well they handle things from their past. That’s the answer to help our economy? I would love it if it were true and I didn’t have to pay for it ,but I have heard that before and we all end up paying and don’t get any real change , now give me a real plan that will work
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bluetexasvalley10 months, 1 week ago
I clearly heard him say that he would go through the budget line by line, eliminating all the programs which are no longer needed (and there are many, many of those) or which have outlived their purpose (there's many of those, too). That sounds like a pretty good start to me.
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Did anyone else see the movie, "Dave"?
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cleare10 months, 1 week ago
i agree with a commentator i saw on cnn last night who said the speech was more a "symphony" than a speech. i thought obama's voice was beautifully modulated. sometimes loud and assertive and sometimes soft and personal. and the content finally won over my mom, who'd been a rabid hillary supporter. i consider that a major victory.
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great speech, great candidate...now let's get him into office. -
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TimALoftis10 months, 1 week ago
Flipping the channels last evening looking for various commentary about the speech, it was hard to find anyone critical of it. Even Pat Buchanan of MSNBC was gushing over it.
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I was a little surprised at the level Obama went after McCain but democrats and many media pundits for some time have said that the Obama campaign was not hitting back hard enough against the negative charges McCain started running and using some 6 weeks ago.
Gergen is correct...Obama looked mature, stronger and much tougher than earlier in this campaign. -
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4cprocess10 months, 1 week ago
I believe it was a good speech but the problem I have is that it's just a speech. Give me some hard core samples other than community service or co-sponsoring a bill that this guy has accomplished since he was elected Senator.
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Promises are simply that, promises. They are not guarantees. There needs to be more substance to his promises such as how in God's name is he going to pay for all these promises. If you tax the oil companies they are simply going to pass this along to the consumers. Jimmy Carter can explain this to you in detail.
OK, let's not give them tax breaks but I'm not so dumb as to think all their exploration is cheap and when was the last time anyone looked at the amount (in numbers) of how may oil platforms that we already have in the Gulf of Mexico. These are not cheap to build.
Anyway, we will never be free from fossil fuels in 10 years. Period. Not gonna happen. My proof, try to engage in defending this country with military equipment that is solar or battery powered!
I agree with him that Bush should share in the responsibility for some of the mistakes made in the war in Iraq but to blame him for high gas prices and the housing mess is just way over board. So unless he plans on controlling all the banks and investors in this country or planning on controlling OPEC there is absolutely nothing he will be able to do on that front.
And as far as the deficit, I'll say it again for those who still don't understand it's CONGRESS that controls the purse strings of this country and last I checked the Democrats are the ones in control of the most poorly favored congress in history.
I still haven't decided who I will vote for but I can tell you this for sure, he had better start giving a little more details on how he plans to deliver us if he even has a chance of me voting for change.
In God We Trust-
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willottica10 months, 1 week ago
"My proof, try to engage in defending this country with military equipment that is solar or battery powered!"
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Now, when you say "defending this country" do you mean provoking war with Russia? Do you mean starting wars in the Middle East? Because you should realize that that kind of aggression does nothing to "defend" the country. -
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Charlson10 months, 1 week ago
You folks were harping about specifics and lambasting Obama for being too naive but when he gave you specifics, it's not good enough. Nothing will satisfy you and you'll be endlessly calling for more and more. Let's see how specific McBush is with his speech and then let's compare.
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protoham10 months, 1 week ago
Well said 4C.
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Ron Paul is the only one I have seen that has a proven voting record, but I don't think he stands a snowballs chance in Heck of be elected.
So we are left voting for the lesser of two evils. One guy who has a voting record and one who doesn't.
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vor10 months, 1 week ago
A brilliant speech. No other word comes to mind. The sad part is that the people who most needed to hear the message spoken, likely turned away in horror. Frightened to death of such an intelligent man from such a diverse background. So non-divisive, such a wonderful example of what America (and the world) is capable of producing. And for those who have never read his platform his key points were well laid out. I don't expect his words to change the truly hard headed but i do wish they would listen with an open mind. But of course their closed mindedness is why they vote the way they do. No more trickle down, there is only hope when it comes from the bottom up. The fact that this will likely be a close election shows that ignorance is not only alive and well but thriving still in America. I don't want a President who I would be comfortable drinking a beer with. I can do that anytime with my buddies down at the local bar. I want a thinker, a person of intelligence, someone capable of exacting the change America is so desperately in need of, I don't want 10% of that! I want Barack Obama to be my President.
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willottica10 months, 1 week ago
The only thing I'd add is that I'd be very UNcomfortable drinking a beer with John McCain. I would constantly be worried about him starting a fight with someone in the bar (I wonder if he's got a wee bit of a Napoleon complex, hmmm?) or encouraging my wife to join the wet t-shirt contest.
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Now Barack, I could drink a beer with.
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Spadecaller10 months, 1 week ago
"The change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it—because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time. America, this is one of those moments."
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—Barack Obama in last night's acceptance speech -
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RCHIII10 months, 1 week ago
I switched over to FOX as soon as the speech ended. I had to hear what they were saying. To my surprise William Kristol thought it was wonderful. He had nothing negative to say. I was amazed. Then they went to the others on the panel and they started ripping off the usual republican talking points that absolutely had nothing to do with the speech I had just heard. It was pretty pathetic so I changed the station before it was too late. I barfed in my mouth a little, but not too bad.
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fsev4110 months, 1 week ago
She probably agreed to compete with Cindy in a wet t-shirt contest in the rose garden.
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