26 August 2008
“Lion of the Senate” Calls Democratic Party to Action
Kennedy speaks on opening night in classic style of U.S. political oratory
Washington -- In the American political process, the rhetoric of national conventions is focused on the future -- new ideas, new directions, new candidates. Yet invariably the success of those messages hinges on the ability of convention speakers to tap into the shared experiences and shared aspirations of the audience in the convention hall and in front of television screens across America.
On Monday, on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy of Massachusetts gave the sort of speech that has been the lifeblood of U.S. political conventions since the days before piped-in music, light shows and slick video presentations.
A man known as the lion of the Senate for his powerful defense of liberal causes and his successful legislative record drew on the shared history and common passions of the Democratic faithful to send a message of unity and a call to political action.
“For me this is a season of hope -- new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many, and not just for the few -- new hope,” the senator, still undergoing treatment for brain cancer, told the crowd. “There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination -- not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our nation.”
In the United States, the Kennedy family name -- carried by the long-serving senator as well as his brothers President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy, both assassinated in the 1960s -- has a special hold on Americans, particularly Democrats, that to some extent transcends politics.
Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama early in 2008 is regarded by many as a key factor in Obama’s successful pursuit of the Democratic nomination.
Following is a transcript of the senator’s speech:
(begin transcript)
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Democratic National Convention
Denver, Colorado
August 25, 2008
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Caroline.
My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here.
And nothing -- nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight.
I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals, and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States.
As I look ahead, I am strengthened by family and friendship. So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and seen setbacks, victory and defeat.
But we have never lost our belief that we are all called to a better country and a newer world. And I pledge to you -- I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin the great test.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
For me this is a season of hope – new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many, and not just for the few – new hope.
And this is the cause of my life -- new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege.
We can meet these challenges with Barack Obama. Yes, we can, and finally, yes, we will.
Barack Obama will close the book on the old politics of race and gender and group against group and straight against gay.
And Barack Obama will be a commander-in-chief who understands that young Americans in uniform must never be committed to a mistake, but always for a mission worthy of their bravery.
We are told that Barack Obama believes too much in an America of high principle and bold endeavor, but when John Kennedy called of going to the moon, he didn't say it's too far to get there. We shouldn't even try.
Our people answered his call and rose to the challenge, and today an American flag still marks the surface of the moon.
Yes, we are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon. We scale the heights. I know it. I've seen it. I've lived it. And we can do it again.
There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination -- not merely victory for our Party, but renewal for our nation.
And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.
(end transcript)
