Pool Report of Obama's United Steelworkers Speech

Pool Report – No. 1
July 2, 2008

Senator Barack Obama spoke via satellite to the United Steelworkers Conference in Las Vegas. From a room at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, sitting on a stool against a blue backdrop and a single American flag, Mr. Obama delivered his remarks from a Teleprompter.
Former Senator John Edwards, who was at the conference, offered a long introduction of the presumptive Democratic nominee to the steelworkers, mixing the biography of Mr. Obama with themes of Mr. Edwards' own presidential race.
“This is our moment, this is our time to build the one America we all believe in. If you believe we can do better, trust your heart, help Barack,” Mr. Edwards said. “The next president of the United States, my friend, your friend, Barack Obama!”
The speech began at 2:05 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, and ended at 2:21 p.m.
A copy of his speech is attached to this report. He largely stuck to his remarks throughout, reprising calls for change in Washington. The speech included sharp criticism of Senator John McCain.
“We don't have to wait for the verdict of history to know that the Bush years have been a disaster for hardworking families,” Mr. Obama said. “And that is why we cannot afford to let John McCain serve out George Bush's third term.
“I have said repeatedly that I honor Senator McCain's service to this country, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine. But while he can legitimately tout moments of independence from his party in the past, such independence has not been the hallmark of his presidential campaign.
“It's not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush 95 percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year.”
The speech was interrupted frequently by applause. At the conclusion, the president of the union, Leo Gerard, said: “Are we going to work for Senator Obama? Are we going to knock on doors? Are we going to make phone calls? We're with you!”
As he left the university campus, Mr. Obama spoke briefly to several dozen fans who had assembled near his motorcade. “I appreciate you guy,” he said. Then, he told them to be volunteers for his campaign, adding “Go to Barack Obama.com!”