Sen. Barack Obama has traveled to the Democratic National Convention arena, making an unscheduled and unscripted appearance to join the party in celebrating his historic presidential nomination.
Sen. Barack Obama has traveled to the Democratic National Convention arena, making an unscheduled and unscripted appearance to join the party in celebrating his historic presidential nomination.
Obama joined the newly-nominated vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden on the platform and they hugged and applauded in unions.
Obama told roaring delegates that he wants people to understand why he is proud to have "the whole Biden family on this journey with me to take America back."
He deadpanned at one point that he thought the convention had "gone pretty well so far."
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
DENVER (AP) _ Barack Obama will accept his party's presidential nomination by laying out a case for sweeping political change and illustrating the choice voters face between his candidacy and that of Republican John McCain, a top adviser said Wednesday.
Previewing Obama's convention speech for reporters, senior strategist David Axelrod said the Illinois senator had substantially finished the text but would probably continue to edit it right up until he delivers it Thursday night. Obama began working on the speech shortly before leaving for vacation earlier this month, Axelrod said.
The stakes for the speech were high for Obama, a relative newcomer to the national stage who rose to prominence after delivering the keynote address at the Democratic convention in 2004. While that speech was widely praised as an inspirational stem-winder, Axelrod said Obama would use his nominating address to convey a more simple message about what he would do for the country as president.
"His goal is to talk to the American people about the challenges we face and what we need to do to solve them, and the stakes of continuing to do what we are doing," Axelrod said. "I will leave it to others to decide the inspiration factor."
Axelrod said Obama had looked to past nominating speeches as models, including Bill Clinton's in 1992, Ronald Reagan's in 1980 and John F. Kennedy's in 1960.
Obama won't shy from drawing a stark contrast between himself and McCain, especially on economic matters. But he will do so in a respectful way, Axelrod said.
"There are stark differences on the economy. Senator McCain thinks we're on the right path, and Senator Obama knows most people disagree with that," Axelrod said. "McCain is wedded not just to the Bush economic policy but also to the Bush foreign policy."
The McCain campaign has been mocking the setting of Obama's speech _ he is delivering it on the 50-yard line at Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos _ as well as the stage set, which the McCain team labeled "the temple of Obama." In recent weeks, Republicans have tried to depict Obama as a fatuous celebrity not ready to be commander in chief.
Axelrod dismissed that criticism, noting that "Senator McCain and his people are shooting barbs about the opulence of our convention from the mountaintop in Sedona at the McCain estate."
Obama has tried to lower expectations for his speech in recent days, saying his would likely pale in comparison to the week's other headliners. Those included his wife Michelle on Monday, Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday and Bill Clinton on Wednesday.
Axelrod said Obama's comments shouldn't be taken to mean that the speech would be dull.
"He thinks he can be direct and clear with people and still not boring," Axelrod said.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.