January 26, 2008
Obama: "This will not be easy, make no mistake about what we're up against."
Celebrating a stunning broad-based win in South Carolina after a week of heated exchanges with his leading rival, Barack Obama said tonight that his victory proves that no one should doubt the country’s unified pull toward change. He said it signifies the rejection of political “tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems that people face.”
“We have the most votes, the most delegates and the most diverse coalition of Americans that we've seen in a long, long time,” said Obama after a crushing victory over Hillary Clinton. “You can see it in the faces here tonight. There are young and old. Rich and poor. They are black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American.
“In nine days, in nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying we are tired of business as usual in Washington, we are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again.”
He said that the win over Clinton, fueled by overwhelming support from blacks, women and younger voters, and an apparent rejection of the Clintons use of bare knuckle politics, proves Iowa was no fluke. He advised his backers that the road through Feb. 5 -- if it's anything like the last two weeks, which saw talk of race and negative campaigning dominating the discourse -- will be bumpy.
“But if there's anything, though, that we've been reminded of since Iowa is that the kind of change we seek will not come easy,” he said. “Partly because we have fine candidates in this field, fierce competitors who are worthy of our respect and admiration. And as contentious as this campaign may get, we have to remember that this is the contest for the Democratic nomination and that all of us share an abiding desire to end the policies of the current administration."
Then he pivoted, saying that there are “real differences” between the Democratic candidates. And without naming Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, Obama cautioned that there are some who will “say anything and do anything to win an election” and that their approach causes voters to “tune out.”
“We are looking for more than just a change of party in the White House,” he said during a speech punctuated by chants of ‘Yes We Can.’ “We are looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington.”
“This will not be easy,” he advised, “make no mistake about what we're up against.” But he promised to “give the American people a reason to believe again.”
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 08:55 PM
Comments
Obama cautioned that there are some who will “say anything and do anything to win an election”
Pot, meet kettle.
Interesting how throughout this speech, Obama wants listeners to champion him--but doesn't promise the same in return. I wonder how long it will be before voters pick up on this one-sided relationship?
corinne | 01.27.08 09:00 PM
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wha what ? i dont' get what the last comment means. make sense
what what | 01.27.08 11:12 PM
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