The euphoric moment was played out before millions who watched by TV and the internet around the world. It transcended politics as it shattered doubts that Americans of all races and backgrounds can unite behind an African-American candidate for president. Moreover, it raised hopes that people of color can soar above intrinsic White supremacy in a nation that for centuries embraced slavery, Jim Crow and modern-day institutional racism.

“With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States,” Obama told the crowd of flag-waving, cheering, chanting, applauding, stumping and crying supporters at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

He immediately recalled his 2004 speech to the Democratic Convention as a then candidate for the U. S. Senate.

“Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas – who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to,” he said. “It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.”

He continued, “That’s why I stand here tonight. Because for two-hundred-and-thirty-two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women – students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors – found the courage to keep it alive.”

In the speech titled, ”The American Promise”, Obama was referring to the 232 years of internal conflicts since the July 4, 1776, adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence. That was the congressional document that announced that the 13 American colonies at war with Great Britain were pulling out of the British Empire. Since then, America’s internal conflicts have included the Civil War as well as the Civil Rights Movement.

The fact that the historic speech, given on Aug. 28, 2008, fell on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” added to the euphoria of the moment. This was especially since one of the most memorable lines in Dr. King’s address, was “Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado.”

But, Obama did not allow symbolism to overshadow substance. He went straight for the political juggler, tying his opponent Republican John McCain to the beleaguered administration of President George Bush and ticking off a long list of public policy issues that he would tackle as president.

“Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive, credit card bills you can’t afford to pay, and tuition that’s beyond your reach,” he said. “These challenges are not all of government’s making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush. America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.”

He focused largely on three issues – education, health care and the economy – that African-Americans have named as their top concerns, according to the Joint Center on Political and Economic Studies.

“The truth is, on issue after issue that would make a difference in your lives – on health care and education and the economy – Senator McCain has been anything but independent,” he said.

He promised to invest in early childhood education; “recruit an army” of new teachers, “pay them higher salaries and give them more support.” He also promised affordable college education, accessible health care for every American and increased paid sick days.

On the economy, he distanced himself from Bush Administration policies, saying he would “stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America.”

He also promised to “eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.”

And after a momentary pause for emphasis, he vowed, “I will cut taxes –cut taxes – for 95 percent of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class.”

On the war in Iraq, he questioned John McCain’s judgement, noting that even after learning that Iraq has a $79 billion surplus ”while we’re wallowing in deficits, John McCain stands alone in his stubborn refusal to end a misguided war.”

That’s not the judgment we need.

He also indicated that he would lead on social issues such as “reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies”, gang-violence exacerbated by gun-ownership and “crime and despair”, which are often creditd to the irresponsibility of some fathers and negligence of some parents.

In a moment particularly relished and applauded by women, Obama declared, “Now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work, because I want my daughters to have exactly the same opportunities as your sons.”

Such promises, deemed as sensitive to women who still face gender discrimination may hit home with die-hard supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton who gave a resounding endorsement of Obama and threw her delegates behind him during the convention.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton – who made perceptually race-oriented statements that angered many Black political observers during the bitter primary contest – also vowed to fully support Obama.
“Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she’ll do everything that she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us,” he said. “Actually that makes 18 million of us – because, like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November.”

But, on the heels of the Democrats’ glorious moment, the very next morning the news was announced that McCain had chosen a woman as a running mate. She is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 44, the youngest governor in Alaska’s history.

McCain’s vice presidential pick guarantees a continued spirited race for the White House with two historic tickets. She is the first female vice presidential nominee since the unsuccessful campaign of Democrat Geraldine Ferraro In 1984 as the running mate of Walter Mondale. Palin’s candidacy also raises the challenge for the Obama campaign to work harder to win over the women supporters of Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile, Obama and his vice presidential running mate Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.); prospective First Lady Michelle Obama and Biden’s wife Jill, kicked off a “Working for Change Weekend of Action” at which they planned to appear at rallies and organizational meetings across the country for the purpose of firing up grassroots support and registering first-time voters. The two couples began the campaign with an “On the Road to Change” bus tour through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan the day after the historic speech. Obama lost in Pennsylvania during the primaries.

Obama’s aim to now win Pennsylvania and every other state possible is not only tied into American politics, but American history.

Nearing his closing on Thursday night, Obama reflected on the promise of equality that Dr. King talked about in his speech at the 1963 March on Washington, the promise that Dr. King referred to as a “bad check.”

Obama quoted King, “‘We cannot walk alone,’ the preacher cried. ‘And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.’”

Obama then appealed to the nation, “America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise – that American promise – and in the words of scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.”