Time's Swampland Ana Marie Cox: Journalists agree Obama's speech is "really good." Excerpt below.

“When I’m your nominee, my opponent won’t be able to say that I supported this war in Iraq; or that I gave George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I support that Bush-Cheney diplomacy of not talking to leaders we don’t like. And he won’t be able to say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether it’s ok for America to use torture – because it’s never ok. That’s why I’m in it.” ...

“This party – of Jefferson and Jackson; of Roosevelt and Kennedy – has made the most difference in people’s lives when we’ve led, not by polls, but by principle; not by calculation, but by conviction; when we’ve had leaders who could summon the entire nation to a common purpose – a higher purpose. And I am running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States because that’s the party America needs us to be right now. “ ...

“I don’t want to pit Blue America against Red America, I want to lead the United States of America.” ...

“I’m running because of what Dr. King called “the fierce urgency of now.” I’m running because I believe there’s such a thing as being too late. And that hour is almost upon us.

I run for the presidency for the same reason I fought to bring jobs to the jobless and hope to the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I stood up for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason I’ve fought for Illinois families for over a decade.

Because I will never forget that the only reason I’m standing here today is because someone, somewhere stood up when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn’t popular. And because that someone stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand. And then a few million. And together, standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world.

That’s why I run, Iowa – to give my children and yours the same chances someone gave me.

That’s why I run, Democrats – to keep the promise of America alive for those who still hunger for opportunity and thirst for equality.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand with me, to caucus for me, to stop settling for what the cynics tell us we must accept. In this election – at this moment – let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.”

But I don't think it was just the sugar high that made several journalists turn to each other and widen their eyes: "It's really good," one said. "Really."

He's up last.

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2007/11/jefferson_jackson_dinner_obama.html

November 10, 2007 10:24

Jefferson Jackson Dinner: Edwards

Posted by Ana Marie Cox

Before the speeches started, two of Edwards' senior staffers were touring the press filing center. Someone asked for a speech preview. One of the staffers rolled his eyes: "The expectations are so high for him..."

I wondered if that was something he actually thought or something he wanted us to think he thought. Having seen Edwards' speech, I think it was the latter -- someone who was really trying to rise above high expectations wouldn't have given the safe, cut-and-paste stump speech that Edwards just did. He recycled anecdotes that, however powerful, must surely be as familiar to politically involved Iowans as they are to reporters: The James Lowe one, the "Elizabeth and I decided sitting in a hospital room, after a day of tests" one, and the swimming pool suit one. Also, he hates lobbyists -- and his many pointed references to lobbyists and how he didn't take money from them were his only jabs at Hillary for the night. But I doubt anyone missed significance of this one: "In the 1990s, Democrats controlled the White House, the Senate and the Congress but lobbyists killed universal health care in the United States of America."

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2007/11/jefferson_jackson_dinner_edwar.html