Obama Speech Preview: Focus On Middle Class

***UPDATE*** The Washington Post reports that Obama will use the speech to outline a new direction for America:

A day after Democrats officially named him as their presidential candidate, Barack Obama goes before a stadium crowd Thursday night to formally accept the nomination and lay out a plan to lead the nation in a new direction at home and abroad...

...In the speech, which caps the four-day Democratic National Convention and opens Obama's campaign for the White House as his party's nominee, Obama will offer "a fundamentally new direction to get America back on track, both here and around the world," said David Plouffe, his campaign manager. Appearing on morning television talk shows, Plouffe said Obama would explain his plans for dealing with the economy, health care and education, as well as international challenges such as threats to the United States and strained relations with other countries.

***UPDATE*** ABC News lists what they think Obama needs to accomplish with his speech tonight:

Barack Obama's chief challenges tonight are to persuade voters he's sufficiently seasoned for the presidency, better define his theme of "change" and cement his advantages on key domestic issues, chiefly the economy.

There's more: Obama needs also to expand his support among older, more reliable voters; maintain his lead on personal attributes such as empathy; protect himself on consistency; and capitalize on his advantages in enthusiasm and an aura of optimism.

And, as much as any other, to tie John McCain to the unpopular George W. Bush.

Not a short order for a night's work, but potentially a crucial one. The contest has been close; 49-45 percent Obama-McCain among likely voters in our pre-convention poll. Arguably that's closer than it should be, given the flight from the Republican Party and the broad public discontent that's accompanied the faltering economy, the unpopular war in Iraq and dissatisfaction with the incumbent president.

Barack Obama gave the Wall Street Journal a little preview of his Thursday night speech:

Barack Obama said he plans to focus on the struggles of middle-class Americans, including their tax burden, in his Thursday night speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president.

"The single most important thing I have to make clear is the choice we have in November between the same failed policy of the last eight years for the middle class and the new agenda to boost income for Americans and help families who are struggling," he said in a brief interview with The Wall Street Journal Tuesday. "I will make that contrast very clearly."

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ABC News has more on Obama's speech-writing process:

Because of the protracted primary season, Obama is playing catch-up a bit. He wrote an outline while on vacation in Hawaii, but didn't get any time for serious work while there with his family.

To prepare, he read the convention acceptance speeches of former Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as less successful Democratic presidential nominees Vice President Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

In addition to laying out his plans and providing some inspiring oratory -- though not as much as in 2004, aides cautioned -- one of the goals of the speech is to argue that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is no maverick, but rather, someone who represents a doubling-down of the current policies of President George W. Bush.

Meanwhile, John McCain staffers are already mocking the stage on which Obama will appear. Reuters reports that it will look like "a miniature Greek temple." ThinkProgress points out that the Virginia Republican Party went for a similar style at their convention this year.

For more Huffington Post coverage from the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

Comments

[themodernleader]

As usual, I underestimated the strength and breadth of Obama. He made Americans aware that he was aware of our economic, financial exigencies and that he was fully prepared to deal with them. It was a masterful speech, perfectly tailored for the occasion. He devastated the unfair propaganda of McCain against his character and competence. A mark of a great leader is to come up to the challenge. Obama succeeded brilliantly. In selecting the right leader for our times, we may have lucked out again. The question remains whether we can unite spontinate the stamina, courage and sacrifice to meet the perils of prosperity purchased at the expense of our future.

[Tobiasism]

The columned backdrop is meant to invoke the Lincoln Memorial and MLK's march on Washington.

[cariintexas]

the republicans are habitual whiners. They are calling the columns greek, when in fact they are gorgerin. At least BARACK DOESN' T OWN THEM. all the bluster coming from the Mc Cain crowd whose candidate has so many homes he can't count them.

[cariintexas]

JUST HEARD ON CSPAN, Susan Eisenhower, daughter of former Republican President and US Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower will introduce Sen. Obama tonight. Watch the rightwing media, they 'll probably play it down, or not even mention it.

[Crozier]

The REAL OLD GUARD REPUBLICANS IN THE NORTHEAST AND MIDWEST are all devoted members of the Democratic Party by this time. These former Republicans were hijacked by the Southern Dixiecrat and the Right Wing Theocrats and Idealogues. They now have more in common with the Democratic Party's moderate to conservative wing.

[BLOGMOMME]

Let us discuss the differences between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party's STATECRAFT and STAGECRAFT. The Democrats are the alternative to the Republican brand of STATECRAFT that has allowed our nation to lose its standing in the world. The Republicans are masters of STAGECRAFT TOO! Remember Bush's floodlit speech in NEW ORLEANS after Katrina. Master of the Kleig Lights.
Hurriccane Gustav just a timely reminder!

[MalamuteMan]

After that abomination of a so-called debate hosted by ABC’s Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos it is very difficult for me to give any credence to any opinion offered by ABC.

[Sportswoman]

Neocons are Lazy Americans. They'd prefer to pass legislaton to control women's bodies rather than roll up their sleeves and help the millions of children who come to school hungry for food while still hungry to learn. Instead of donating an hour each week to read to kids like Ted Kennedy, they'd rather criticize Ted Kennedy.
JOHN WOODEN; "Those who say something cannot be done shouldn't get in the way of those who
are doing it."

[lmab]

The Republicans are obsessed with pillars. It's a Freudian thing. Did anyone notice the "subliminal" phallic symbols in the McCain/Paris Hilton ads. What was the Tower of Pisa doing in that ad after showing two blonds and Obama?

[lmab]

For reference.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHXYsw_ZDXg&eurl=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/30/mccain-ad-compares-obama_n_115839.html

[SoCalNick]

HOW can ANYONE Mock the Pillars at this venue??? They are THE SAME AS YOU SEE ALL OVER WASHINGTON D.C.!!!

Are these people NUTTS???

[LondonTownNY]

Unfortunately, the R Neocon Spin Machine is not speaking to you and me. This rhetoric will sell to people not smart enough to make that analysis, to get them to vote against their self interest. This is how the Republican party preys on the fears of the lower income, lower intellect voters.

[MalamuteMan]

Sad but true...

[SMAGGIE]

If anyone believes that Obama will do good for them, I'm afraid you would be very disappointed. Now, if you are black, who knows, but the white and other races know he will not. What the heck is this all about the "MIDDLE CLASS"? I have always figured we had three, a high, middle and lower class. By lower class, I mean the people who are barely surviving with the little amount of money they are paid. Just what does anyone think he would do for you? NOTHING, because he is an eletist, remember?
Well, the Republican convention wouldn't have to do much to knock the Dem. convention down a hole.
All those dumb people at that convention did what they were told to do by our WONDERFUL DNC!
They even planned out who and when the motion was made to make DUMBAMBA the candidate by acclamation. More of the DNC!! As for unity, I don't think the Democratic will EVER unify as long as Pelosi, Reid and Dean have anything to do with it. So sorrry, because we could have had a decent candidate, but they didn't want that one. NO OBAMA IN 2008, 2012 OR EVER, UNTIL HE LEARNS HOW TO BE PRESIDENT!!!!

[Kencleanersystem]

How retarded.

[rayr1763]

Wow, Bitter much!

[Jacksbloodyface]

Hey, how bout no posting for you until you learn to form coherent thoughts and back them up with facts and logical rationale.

[gr8fullib]

You, my friend are not a Democrat or a liberal or a progressive. You are a mean spirited bitter (I'm guessin) woman. So by all means go join the Grand Oil Party...you'll fit right in.

[Charles1Goodwin]

Are you complaining about his commitment to Middle Class or your status of the three? I am not trying to be funny. It is hard to understand what your argument is for your statement "... you would be very disappointed."

[itsafreakingame]

Obama needs to address the issue’s on his tax plan, health care, and what he will do about the high prices of oil. I would like to know if he lowers taxes on middle income wages will it be offset by higher taxes on food, clothing etc.. I would also like to know his plan to keep jobs in America, right now he states he will give tax credits to big business if they stay in America, so my question is if you give the middle and lower income workers tax breaks and you give big business tax incentives to stay then where is the money going to come from for health care and his other programs?

[Temsi]

Where?
Simple: We're spending $12 Billion a month in Iraq - that's more than enough to provide free health care for every child in America for an entire year.
Also, make those who earn more than $250,000 a year pay a FAIR share in income taxes.
Right now, my bottom line income tax percentage is higher than theirs and I make less than $100,000 a year.
Stop giving tax "incentives" to those who are not in a position to create jobs.
Invest in alternative fuels. Getting off the Saudi spigot will save billions of dollars and thousands of lives.

[itsafreakingame]

Temsi its not that simple we are still fighting and paying for the war in Afghanistan, then there is that huge deficit that needs to be addressed, plus the possibility of a war with Iran. Obama’s plan to give big business incentives money (our money), sucks, why not tax the companies that build outside the U.S. by placing enormous import tax penalties on them. I also wouldn’t oppose a high tax on consumers that buy foreign made products.

[Charles1Goodwin]

The tax breaks are to stimulate the economy. People make money and the goverment collects taxes when money circulates. When we spend money, companies make profits and produce more goods. More goods equals less demand. Less demand equals lower prices.

Tax incentives help to keep businesses in America where Americans can be employed. The problem with import taxes is it encourages other countries to tax our exports. We still export food and feed products as well as some durable goods ie Catapiller machines to other countries. If we keep the regulations in country, it makes for an eaiser juggling act.

And sometimes this encourages other companies to manufacture in the United States instead of abroad, ie. Honda and Toyota. Again creating American jobs, even though the profits are still to a foreign company, as the mafia says "at least we get our beaks wet."

[theJuanStar]

You obviously know how to use the internet. What is also abundently clear is that you haven't taken the time to search, so I'm assisting you. You can view Obama's extensive plan that has been on his website since the campaign began:

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf

[lisaintexas]

Amen. I'm pretty sick of people saying Obama is 'style but no substance.' He's been accused of being a policy wonk and yes, visit his website. It's ALL there. That's how those of us campaigning on his behalf know where he stands on all the isues.

[itsafreakingame]

It still doesn't answer my question where is Obama going to get the money to pay for all this? It obvious you didn’t read my post. Next time read the whole post.

[mgh234]

What time is this speech....Every post is about it, but they don't put the time any where.....

I mean I can go look in the TV guide, but you would think Huffingtonpost, DailyKos, etc would make it easier...

[jingles32]

10PM EST, but they're running a litte late.

[progressivelady]

I hope he focuse's on tearing mcsame apart, limb by limb, I want him to do what the Right Is going to do to him next week, but he will do it with out having to lie

[ThankGodforAtheists]

McCain can label Obama as a celebrity or rock star, an elitist wine drinking sophisticated snob, a philosophical tree hugging yuppy or as simply The One. Any one of these will make a FAR better president than Bush has or McCain would. So, label away old wrinkly white haired guy, whoever said that.

[Temsi]

Only a delusional Republican could seriously try to make the argument that a mixed race African American who was raised by a single mother, is an out of touch elitist.

It's so ludicrous it's not even funny.

[MamaBird62]

It's because he excelled at Harvard, where he was accepted on merit, not Daddy and Daddy's money. Signs of intelligence certainly make you "out of touch" with the average Republican voter!

[hbhawaii]

Um -- why do they have him standing on top of what looks like a friggin UFO?

[sfpolarbear]

My thoughts exactly!