A Speech to Remember

OPINION
Presidential Acceptance Speech: One For the History Books

November 6, 2008
By: Kevin Kern
Contributor, Web Editor

When the sun rose on November 5th, 2008- Barack Obama had already been named the president elect for a matter of hours. In the wake of a historical election night that seemed to be over before it began, America had elected her first African American president. With gracious ease and a quick bow-out, John McCain had given his concession speech, and the projected president-elect was primed to take the worldwide victory stage from Chicago's Grant Park. With close to 100,000 watching live from the windy city, and millions more watching at home, Illinois Senator Barack Obama addressed his nation for the first, of what is sure to be many times.

In a speech that lasted more than twenty minutes, Obama praised his supporters, and nay-sayers alike. In this speech, in this moment, the nation may have seen a glimpse of what is to come from his leadership, if at all is like his character. Carrying himself like a president- walking tall, strong stance, and unwavering attention to the people, he thanked his fellow candidate-"Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves"- as if trying to showcase the gentlemen standing before the masses. With poise and poignant clarity, Obama made clear that change is coming to America, someway, somehow. Noting that now, the real work begins, and the real hardships fall. The coverage of images picked up by many different news outlets seemed almost surreal- a hazy and backlit stage, engulfed by people at every angle, the City of Chicago in the background twinkling like stars, and one-man- a black man- at the center of it all- the superstar of a nation. Echoing the oratorical likes of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., Obama's speech was not over the top, not too dramatic- it was merely profound as the diversity of people in this country. It was something to appreciate, while at the same time something to remember for its shear historicity.

Much like the after effects of the events of September 11, 2001, people seemed to share some sense of national pride- not necessarily in the candidates who won or lost, but in the system that makes this country great. Barack Obama may be our next president, but as this election proves, it is the Democratic system set by our forefathers that deserves the biggest compliment. For now, our republic is working, and individual faith in the political system may be renewed. Candidates matter- but so does the system that puts them in office. One needs only to look at the heart of what makes this country tick to understand how (like on Tuesday) America is, has, and always will be, ready for change.

*Photo Courtesy of www.hometownannapolis.com