A masterpiece, fierce, strong, meaty, best convention speech since Kennedy, 44 minutes of fireworks, were the reactions of pundits immediately following Obama’s historic acceptance speech, “America’s Promise.”

Obama Accepts the Nomination

Delivered before a crowd of 70,000, Barack Obama came out fighting, assailing the Bush-McCain economic and foreign policies.

Obama also challenged McCain directly on national security and the ability to keep America safe -- insisting that he welcomed a debate against the Arizona senator on the issue.

And when Obama went on to dress down McCain and the Republican party over their stances on taxes and healthcare, he roared: "That is not the judgment we need. That won't keep America safe. We need a president who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past."

The speech was, by in large, meaty.

Obama Slams McCain on Foreign Policy and Attacks on his Patriotism

Obama generally avoided lofty rhetoric. It wasn’t necessary. Being the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a Dream” speech, it was evident to all, as the first African-American became a Presidential candidate, that ”the arc of history bends toward justice.” .


Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As Representative Lewis, a civil rights warrior reminded the crowd, the “dream lives on.”

Representative John Lewis

Obama spoke of the American dream, but didn’t hesitate to draw clear distinctions between Republican and Democratic policies, emphasizing the destruction and despair that Republican policies have imposed on the nation over eight long years. “We meet at one of those defining moments - a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more,” Obama stated. Reminiscent of “the urgency of now,” a quote Obama has often used, the message that the stakes are high and the time is now resonated.

We must “seize this opportunity,” Al Gore told the crowd. Speaking before Obama, Gore hammered on the Bush-McCain policies focusing on environmental dangers. “We are facing a planetary emergency, “ Gore said, tying the environmental crisis to economic problems.

Al Gore at the DNC

The McCain camp reportedly was “speechless” after the final evening of the Democratic National Convention which left McCain camp operatives scrambling to recycle the “celebrity” meme accusing Obama of being“not ready to lead.”

Undoubtedly, many Americans feel differently.

Yes, we can!

Full Text of Obama’s Speech

Democratic National Convention Round Ups:

Day One
Day Two
Day Three