The Speeches of Barack Obama2002 Speech Against the War in Iraq (
text,
partial video 
)
"Delivered on Wednesday, October 2, 2002 by Barack Obama, Illinois State Senator, at the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq war rally (organized by Chicagoans Against War in Iraq) at noon in Federal Plaza in Chicago, Illinois; at the same day and hour that President Bush and Congress announced their agreement on the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War, but over a week before it was passed by either body of Congress."
[NOTE: Since that day, the full video of the speech has been lost. The video above is the only known footage of the speech, a single 13-second clip, supplemented by a collage-style re-enactment of the rest of the speech by Obama supporters across the country.]Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (
text,
video ,
Mefi)
Obama's break-out moment on the national stage, his inspiring keynote address vaults him from a little-known state senator to political rock star and potential presidential candidate.
"Call to Renewal" (
text,
video,
Mefi)
Obama speaks about the role of religion in public life and the best ways to put to rest the partisan divide it often manifests in our politics.
Announcement of Presidential Campaign, February 2007 (
text,
video ,
Mefi)
Delivered on a cold February morning outside the old Illinois State House -- the same place Abraham Lincoln announced his candidacy.
Speech on Technology at Google (
video )
Participating in the search giant's "Candidates@Google" program for the second time, Obama discusses his views on technology and takes questions from the audience of Googlers.
Speech at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner (
text,
video )
Obama's speech at the influential Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Iowa gives him a chance to sway the electorate in the nation's first caucus.
Iowa Caucus Victory Speech (
text, video
part 1 ,
part 2 ,
Mefi)
After his stunning upset win over presumptive favorite Hillary Clinton, Obama delivers a powerouse address to an ecstatic crowd of supporters in Des Moines.
"Yes We Can" Speech (
text,
video ,
music video,
Mefi 1,
Mefi 2)
After an unexpected loss to Clinton in the nation's first primary, Obama gives a surprisingly triumphant speech that forms the basis for will.i.am's "Yes We Can" viral video.
"The Great Need of the Hour" (
text,
video )
Delivered at Martin Luther King, Jr.'s church in Atlanta, Obama's speech calls for the seeking of social justice and economic equality among all people of the United States.
"A More Perfect Union" (
text,
video ,
Mefi)
After controversial statements by his pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright surface in the media, Obama delivers a bold speech on the nature of race in America.
Clinching the Nomination (
text, video part
1 ,
2 ,
3 ,
Mefi)
After clinching the Democratic nomination, Obama speaks to a capacity crowd in St. Paul -- in the very same arena that will soon host the Republican National Convention.
"A World That Stands as One" (
text,
video )
Delivered in at the Victory Column in Berlin before a crowd of 200,000.
Introducing Joe Biden (
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video ,
Mefi)
Obama debuts Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential nominee.
Formally Accepting the Nomination (
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video ,
Mefi 1,
Mefi 2)
Obama's formal acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination at Invesco Field in Chicago is followed by a spectacle of fireworks and orchestral music.
Fredericksburg in the Virginia Rain (
video )
Delivering a determined speech during an evening rainshower to a crowd of 25,000 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Bittersweet Speech at Charlotte (
video ,
Mefi)
On the verge of winning the presidency, Obama speaks emotionally on the death of his grandmother in Hawaii.
General Election Victory Speech in Chicago (
text, video, Mefi)
[COMING SOON]
Inaugural Address on the Capitol Steps (
text, video, Mefi)
[COMING SOON]
Via
Rhaomi on MetaFilter.com* * *
Carl Cameron talking to Bill O'Reilly just now on Fox reveals that McCain aides were truly "shocked" at the "gaps in knowledge" Sarah Palin displayed once they were stuck with her. He said that, in the most startling shortcoming, she actually didn't "understand that Africa was not just a country, but a continent." This led, among other things, to her asking how, in that case, South Africa could be a separate country. She also could not name all of the countries in North America, he said, not even the NAFTA partners. And she did not know many of the basics of civics and local/state/national duties. O'Reilly pooh-poohed all of this.
