Barrack Obama in the Democratic National Convention

In 2004 Barrack Obama exploded into the political arena when he wrote and delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. Still a member of the State of Illinois Senate Obama delivered what many considered to be the beginning of the "reclaiming of the American Dream." Even before he was elected into the U.S.

Senate Obama rocked the political world and earned the love and respect of not only Democrats but Americans everywhere. He started the address by talking about his maternal grandfather, a World War II veteran who was a beneficiary of government programs such as the New Deal FHA and G.I. Bill programs. Then he remarked that:

"...people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice."

Then he deftly switched arenas by talking about Corporal Seamus Ahern from East Moline, Illinois, questioning, "Are we serving Seamus as well as he is serving us?" Thereby calling into question the Bush administration's management or rather mismanagement of the Iraq War:

"When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never, ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world."

Finally, as he neared the end of his address he called out for national unity. He called upon all Americans "Red and Blue" to unite together as Americans and to cease the political bickering declaring that:

"The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States.

We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

With this rousing finish Obama made his electric debut. Three years later and the shock waves are still coming as more and more of the nation begins to rally behind the young charismatic leader in his bid for the presidency in 2008. Obama is out to change the world, and where better to begin than with the United States of America?