August 2, 2008 1:26 PM
- Text
Obama Set to Address National Urban League
From CBS News' Michelle Levi
(TITUSVILLE, FLA.) -- "Our march is a march for America. Not black America or white America," Barack Obama is expected to say during his upcoming speech to the National Urban League, according to prepared remarks released by the campaign.
On the day after John McCain spoke to the primarily African American group, Obama will say this is a "defining moment in our history" and list what he sees at the precarious economic environment. "With seven straight months of job losses; with the highest percentage of homes in foreclosure since the Depression; with family incomes down $1,000 and the costs of gas, groceries and health care up a whole lot more than that – so many people are looking at their children, wondering if they'll be able to give them the same chances they had."
Among his grievances, Obama will note "the problems of our cities aren't just "urban" problems any more." He lists job loss, home foreclosure, unaffordble healthcare and faulty infrastructure before launching into a criticism of McCain saying he will continue President Bush's policies. He contrasts his positions with his opponent on No Child Left Behind, housing plans, corporate bail outs and mortgage fraud, minimum wage and taxes among other things.
Obama will also say, citing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "You know that you can't take that seat at the front of the bus if you can't afford the bus fare. You can't live in an integrated neighborhood if you can't afford the house. And it doesn't mean a whole lot to sit down at that lunch counter if you can't afford the lunch," he will say launching into comments on contemporary problems in the African Amerian and general American public.
"I stand here before you today feeling no small amount of gratitude. Because I know that my story, and so many other improbable stories, would not be possible without all that the Urban League has done to put opportunity within reach of every American" Obama will say thanking the organization. "It's because of the doors you've opened, because of the battles you've fought and won, because of the sacrifices of people in this room and all those who came before you, that I come here today as a candidate for President of United States of America."
He will also reference the time he spent as a community organizer in Chicago's South Side. "I'll never forget how my journey began. I'll never forget that I got my start as a foot soldier in the movement the Urban League built" he will say. After explaining his work with African American churches he will explain that "that work taught me a fundamental truth that has guided me to this day: that change doesn't come from the top down, it comes from the bottom up."
His remarks are expected to begin at 2pm.
(TITUSVILLE, FLA.) -- "Our march is a march for America. Not black America or white America," Barack Obama is expected to say during his upcoming speech to the National Urban League, according to prepared remarks released by the campaign.
On the day after John McCain spoke to the primarily African American group, Obama will say this is a "defining moment in our history" and list what he sees at the precarious economic environment. "With seven straight months of job losses; with the highest percentage of homes in foreclosure since the Depression; with family incomes down $1,000 and the costs of gas, groceries and health care up a whole lot more than that – so many people are looking at their children, wondering if they'll be able to give them the same chances they had."
Among his grievances, Obama will note "the problems of our cities aren't just "urban" problems any more." He lists job loss, home foreclosure, unaffordble healthcare and faulty infrastructure before launching into a criticism of McCain saying he will continue President Bush's policies. He contrasts his positions with his opponent on No Child Left Behind, housing plans, corporate bail outs and mortgage fraud, minimum wage and taxes among other things.
Obama will also say, citing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "You know that you can't take that seat at the front of the bus if you can't afford the bus fare. You can't live in an integrated neighborhood if you can't afford the house. And it doesn't mean a whole lot to sit down at that lunch counter if you can't afford the lunch," he will say launching into comments on contemporary problems in the African Amerian and general American public.
"I stand here before you today feeling no small amount of gratitude. Because I know that my story, and so many other improbable stories, would not be possible without all that the Urban League has done to put opportunity within reach of every American" Obama will say thanking the organization. "It's because of the doors you've opened, because of the battles you've fought and won, because of the sacrifices of people in this room and all those who came before you, that I come here today as a candidate for President of United States of America."
He will also reference the time he spent as a community organizer in Chicago's South Side. "I'll never forget how my journey began. I'll never forget that I got my start as a foot soldier in the movement the Urban League built" he will say. After explaining his work with African American churches he will explain that "that work taught me a fundamental truth that has guided me to this day: that change doesn't come from the top down, it comes from the bottom up."
His remarks are expected to begin at 2pm.
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