2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Claire McCaskill,...

2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by
Claire McCaskill, U.S. Senator, Missouri

/ADVANCE FOR RELEASE AT 11 P.M. EDT, TODAY, Aug. 25/

/ADVANCE/DENVER, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Claire McCaskill at the
Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25, 2008:

Scheduled for delivery: August 25, 2008 - 5:00-6:00 pm MT

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/DNCCLOGO)

It is an honor to stand before you tonight representing the great state of
Missouri. Missouri is in the middle of our great country. We have a nice view.
From the middle, we see America. As you look around my state, you see the best
of our nation--rich land, beautiful forests, shimmering lakes, wondrous cities
and, most of all, the people of Missouri, hard-working, God-loving,
family-centered, blessed with an abundance of common sense and with a tough
streak of Harry Truman-style independence.

We don't call it the "Show Me State" for nothing. Missouri is a place where
our country comes together. We are not a red state or a blue state. We are
proud to be a part of the United States. And this November, I am confident
that Missouri will help make Barack Obama the next president of this country
we love.

Barack Obama knows that what unites us as Americans is a belief in the common
dream that in America anyone can accomplish anything. He believes in our
stories--American stories. It's the story of a woman who grew up of modest
means in a small Missouri town. Her dad's family had the feed mill; her mom's,
the corner drug store. She worked her way through college and law school
waiting tables and went into public service. She now works for families of
modest means as a U.S. senator. That is my story, and it is an American story.

It's the story of a man who was brought up by a single mom and his
grandparents. He put himself through school with odd jobs, scholarships and
student loans. He took a pass on big money, went to work helping families
devastated by steel plant closings and dedicated his life to bringing people
together through public service. Barack Obama's story is an American story. In
America, all of us come from different places, but we come together because we
want that dream of opportunity for all Americans. That's why it's not just
your dream or my dream. It's the American dream.

For eight years we have watched our government take care of the powerful, the
few and the extremely wealthy. We have seen our dream put at risk by George
Bush's Washington. John McCain is running for four more years of the same old
politics and exact same failed policies that we had under George Bush. They
did tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, they're doing everything Big Oil
asks for, and look where we are.

Come on, America. Let's call on our common sense and stay focused on what's
important. We cannot choose that path again. That's a risk the American people
cannot afford to take. I have seen Barack Obama in the Senate, and I've been
by his side on the campaign trail. I know he will bring the change we need in
Washington.

I saw him take on both parties to help pass the farthest-reaching ethics
reform since Watergate. That's the change we need. I saw him run a campaign
that hasn't taken a dime from federal lobbyists and PACs. That's the change we
need. I know that this son of a single mom will stand up for the dreams of our
daughters. And I know that John McCain won't.

There is only one candidate in this race who has fought for equal pay for
equal work by America's women. That candidate is Barack Obama. There is only
one candidate offering real tax relief for the middle class, health care that
is affordable and accessible and protection of Social Security today, tomorrow
and forever. That candidate is Barack Obama.

It all depends on how clearly you see America--how clearly you see the best of
America. John McCain has been in Washington for almost 30 years. Maybe that's
why he has a campaign run by Washington lobbyists and thinks the fundamentals
of the economy are strong. In Missouri we have a ringside seat to the real
America, and I can assure you it looks much different.

It's time for someone who understands the real America: the waitresses, small
businessmen, single moms and truck drivers fighting to live their dreams.
That's the America that Barack Obama sees. He knows our stories, because he
has lived the American dream. And from where I sit in the middle of America, I
see a leader who knows that the American dream is not for a special few. It is
for all of us, each and every one of us.

You know, a week ago I walked into my 80-year-old mother's room to find my two
daughters there. The three of them were huddled around the computer. My mother
turned and said with a proud smile, "We are G-chatting with Obama volunteers
from all over the state." Don't tell me this campaign is not special.

I have seen Barack Obama bring people together--Democrats, Republicans and
independent, young and old. He makes us believe, once more, in the very best
of America. Barack Obama is going to be one great president for one great
nation--this great nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. Thank
you and good night.

SOURCE 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee

Democratic National Convention Press Office, +1-720-362-2006