Garling Gauge

Obama Wins Iowa & the Speech That Started It All

HuffPost: “Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., and his wife Michelle and daughter Malia, left, celebrate with his supporters after his victory in the Iowa caucus Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)”

The speech that started a movement

Watching the presidential candidate speeches to their supporters after the results of the Iowa caucuses, Obama’s victory speech stood out, and not just because he won. What stood out was the chant of the audience during his speech. Atop Obama’s rising cadence and powerful statements rose from the audience: “U-S-A!” “U-S-A!” “U-S-A!”.

While the cheers for “Hill-ar-y!” “Hill-ar-y!” from the Clinton camp were strong given her third place showing, of all the presidential hopefuls only Obama inspired his supporters to cheer not only for their candidate, but for the entire country.

And that’s why he won.

Echoing messages from his 2004 keynote address to the Democratic National Convention, Obama spoke of unifying the country and transcending red states and blue states.

Below is Obama’s Iowa victory speech followed by the speech that started the Obama movement, his 2004 DNC keynote address.

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Obama’s victory speech in Iowa

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2004 DNC Keynote Address: Part 1

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2004 DNC Keynote Address: Part 2

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Video montage