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DEL.ICIO.USLewis brings them to their feet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Aaron Gould Sheinin asheinin@ajc.com
Denver — In a rousing morning address to a joint meeting of the Georgia and Alabama delegations, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) rallied Democratic delegates here to “march again … march on the ballot box” in November.
Lewis’ remarks this morning at breakfast were likely a preview of the speech he will make tonight at Invesco Field, in front of 75,000 people. That speech itself will advance the acceptance speech of Democratic nominee Barack Obama.
Today is already awash in symbolism as it marks both the day a black man accepts a major party nomination for president and the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington. Lewis reminded the delegations that he was one of 10 people who spoke on Aug. 28, 1963. He was number six. Martin Luther King Jr. was number 10.
“For those of you who tell me that nothing has changed, I would like to tell you to come and walk in my shoes,” Lewis said. “So, I was there 45 years ago. I was there when Martin Luther King Jr. stood and said ‘I have a dream today. Out of all the people who spoke that day, I’m the only one still around.”
He said Wednesday night’s vote at the convention to nominate Obama as president, together with tonight’s acceptance speech, is “a down payment on that fulfillment of that dream.” But now the worst must begin to make it a reality, he said.
“As Democrats, black and white, from Alabama and Georgia, you must go out and work, and we must march again,” he said, slapping the podium. “But this time, in our two states, we must march in every town, in every hamlet, in every village, in every neighborhood, we must march on the ballot box and make Barack Obama the next president of the United States. You can do it. We must do it.”
The old guard is largely gone, he said, and it’s up to those here now to take up the struggle.
“Go out and do it,” Lewis said. “Dr. King is not here. Others have gone on. Let’s march for them on Nov. 4.”
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By Barry
August 28, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Oh, good grief. “March” and “struggle,” ad nauseum. No wonder the Dems wouldn’t let Mr. Anachronism speak in prime time. (Of course, it also could have been because he endorsed Hillary rather than the man he now considers the fulfillment of the “dream” because of his race - even though that “dream” was supposed to be colorblind.)
By Zane
August 28, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Barry,
I never write into these comments sections, but your comment inspired me.
Yours is the absolutely dumbest comment I have ever read on any subject anywhere on the Internet, and I am a McCain supporter.
By Matilda
August 28, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I think what Barry is trying to say that when an older gentlemen references the struggles he endured and the priciples he fought for as a younger man, he is a pathetic old anachronism, is that right? Will that still apply next week when McCain bores us about what a hero he was when he screwed up, got captured, and spent five years in another country’s jail? I think he also got whacked in the head with a baton for standing up for American principles like Congressman Lewis did. Look for Barry’s comment on how tiresome that is, and how this is no country for old men. Right Bar?
By Paige R.
August 28, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Lewis is speaking? Will they have an interpreter or just scroll the words on a screen above his head?
By Zane
August 28, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Paige,
You are running a close second
By Paige R.
August 28, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Zane - Are you really trying to say that John Lewis is a solid, even average, public speaker? This isn’t about race….Obama is a better public speaker than any white member of the US Congress. Even though I didn’t agree with virtually anything she ever said….even Cynthia McKinney was a good public speaker. As in she used proper English and didn’t mumble like Mr. Lewis. I have heard him speak a dozen times…..WHEN you can understand what he is saying…..you hear so many “aint’s” and double negatives….that it is VERY hard to believe he is a member of the United States Congress. I suggest you spend some time actually listening to the man talk before you comment in the future. And if you have heard him speak….and still think I was out of line….then your standards are just much lower than mine!