Watch Obama says the country is better than what it has gotten the past four years.
I imagine that lots of you out there remain fierce critics of Barack Obama. Next week Republicans will legitimately debate and challenge many of his ideas, especially about his call for a more activist government. It will be fascinating now when John McCain and Obama meet in debates.
But for this moment and for this purpose, I saw Obama's speech tonight as a political masterpiece. As I had a chance to say on CNN a few moments ago, it was in many ways less a speech than a symphony. I also sensed that we saw tonight an Obama who is growing into a new, more mature leader - stronger, tougher, harder-hitting than he had appeared only a few weeks ago.
Watch: 'Our work won't be easy,' Obama says
Whether Obama will win this Novemember or not is still very unclear, but if he does, I imagine we may look back and say this was a major turning point.
Many of you, I know, will disagree. From all of you, I would welcome your thoughts - you, after all, are the voters who will actually decide the fate of the country.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/18/art.huckabee.japan.jpg caption="Mike Huckabee said Thursday he is not McCain's vice presidential pick."]
(CNN) – Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told supporters Thursday he would not be John McCain’s running mate, and emphasized that he was never vetted by McCain’s presidential campaign.
"I have never been contacted by the McCain campaign at any point about the VP slot," Huckabee wrote in the statement posted on his political action committee’s Web site. "I have never been asked for any information, background, etc., so as I have said repeatedly in interviews, I didn’t consider myself to be under any consideration."
"I think people thought I was being coy and just not talking, but I have built my political life on trying to shoot straight and tell it as it is and as I see it," he added. “I have been honest in telling you that I had no reason to believe I was ever seriously considered or “vetted” for the ticket."
Huckabee, whose surprising win in the Iowa caucuses, helped derail rival Mitt Romney's presidential bid. His position on issues such as same sex marriage and abortion made him a favorite of social conservatives. Huckabee told supporters he, too, “will await news of who Senator McCain selects.”
“I hope it will be a person with a solid record and solid convictions on the foundation issues that bring many of us to the process,” Huckabee wrote. “I’m taking this unusual step to communicate so it will come from me and not from some of the ridiculous things being said on TV and websites tonight.”
McCain is set to appear with his vice presidential pick in Ohio on Friday.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/28/art.ap.obama.dnc.jpg caption="Sen. Barack Obama waves to a sea of supporters Thursday."]
An advance copy of the Obama speech has just been distributed. Because of the embargo, I won't go into content for the moment - but know that it is long and is much meatier than most acceptance addresses. Word count estimate: about 4500 words. Will look forward to hearing listener comments as we go.
(CNN) - John McCain’s presidential campaign has decided not to reveal the name of his running mate until Friday, a senior McCain source tells CNN.
McCain will appear in Ohio tomorrow with his vice presidential pick.
“This is Barack Obama’s night,” said the source.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/28/art.gore.gi.jpg caption="Gore addressed the Democratic National Convention Thursday."]Before it gets lost in the excitement at Mile High Stadium, it is worth going back and reading Al Gore's speech tonight. While his delivery was way too rushed, the substance of his speech was something that the country needs to think and talk about a lot more: a possible catastrophe building up around us.
Gore has been trying to tell the U.S. and the world for some time now about the dangers of global warming, and to his credit, he has been honored with both an Academy Award and a Nobel Prize for his efforts. But neither of the candidates - nor have the parties - spent enough time talking about what is ahead and what we must do. Every expert I know thinks it will require sacrifice on our part - higher prices for using fossil fuels. When will the candidates level with us on what is required?
Some of you, I am sure, disagree with Al Gore and perhaps you don't even like him, but I must say that from my perspective, we need to pay attention to what he is saying.
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