candidate barack obama addresses congressional black caucus
political landscape
An overflow black-tie crowd of legislators, dignitaries, celebrities and prominent businesspeople rode the emotional crest sparked by the eloquent oration of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. The Democratic party nominee lampooned rival Sen. John McCain for his economic and domestic policies as the Congressional Black Caucus’ 38th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. came to a charged conclusion Saturday night.
“It is unacceptable to expect the American people to hand this administration — or any administration — a $700 billion blank check with no conditions and no oversight to the very people who got us into this position in the first place,” he bellowed, pointing an indignant finger in the direction of the Oval Office as the resplendent crowd leapt to its feet. “I’m proud that the CBC and the Democratic Caucus [are] championing more oversight. We have to make sure that every penny that the American people spend to finance this solution is a penny that the American people get back.”
The auditorium practically quaked when Obama charged McCain with felonious campaign thievery for taking Obama’s transcendent campaign slogan ‘change’ which connected strongly with the electorate, and then using as if it were his own. “Change is not grabbing one of my signs. Change is ensuring that everyone has affordable health care. Change is lowering the taxes for 95 percent of Americans. So now you want to ‘change’ too. Change … you’re taking my stuff,” Obama said as the packed house unleashed a full-throated collective roar that rattled the rafters.
–terry shropshire
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