From the Stage at the Vote For Change Rally in Philadelphia

The following are my comments from the stage at yesterday's Vote For Change rally in Philadelphia:

Hello Philly,

I am glad to be here today for this voter registration drive and for Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.

I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real: opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape, and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another.

I've spent most of my creative life measuring the distance between that American promise and American reality. For many Americans, who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no healthcare, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities, the distance between that promise and that reality has never been greater or more painful.

I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his work. I believe he understands, in his heart, the cost of that distance, in blood and suffering, in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president, he would work to restore that promise to so many of our fellow citizens who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning. After the disastrous administration of the past 8 years, we need someone to lead us in an American reclamation project. In my job, I travel the world, and occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I've continued to find, wherever I go, America remains a repository of people's hopes, possibilities, and desires, and that despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain, for many, a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down.

They will, however, be leaving office, dropping the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis in our laps. Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, looted, and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care; it needs saving, it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts, and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness, and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again. But most importantly, it needs us. You and me. To build that house with the generosity that is at the heart of the American spirit. A house that is truer and big enough to contain the hopes and dreams of all of our fellow citizens. That is where our future lies. We will rise or fall as a people by our ability to accomplish this task. Now I don't know about you, but I want that dream back, I want my America back, I want my country back.

So now is the time to stand with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves, and come on up for the rising.

Here is the video:

Comments

[simkmer]

Love it! Hope it makes a difference this year!!

[PENSFAN]

THANK YOU for addressing the need to get out & vote. Your voice at the rally was truly inspiring & it was amazing to be there with so many others who feel the need & time has come for a change to the way our country is being managed.

This election is not only about the now, it's also about the future of our country & what it will hold for our children. Get out and vote & let your voice be heard.

Thanks for taking the time to share your voice & what an amazing performance from the heart.

[godsbreath64]

Bruce(!),

Also yesterday you appeared at my alma matter EMU in YPSILANTI(!) Michigan:) I was twenty and enrolled here when Born in the USA was released upon us. So it meant alot to see you for the first time, here. Its ALWAYS a thrill to here your songs. But here, in the outfield? Wew!

Thanks for finding new places in our hearts. Oh, how we need this. Thank you too for this precious work you do for our next president. We've only had a precedant since 2000 >; = /

Also, this piece is just outstanding! Viva! g

[theophagousmonkey]

Let us hope that these are not just voices in the darkness. Let us hope these thoughts transform into action and break out into the light.

[JazzyJim]

This kind of truth can get you "smeared" by Hannity, Limbaugh, Faux News & Friends. Not that the Boss is afraid of the lies spewing from the sewer that is FOX.

[PhantomAviator]

..

Town Hall THAT.

Right on.

.

[jkrauss]

I propose Bruce Springsteen as our next Poet Laureate.

[ruberube]

Bruce is an American treasure!

[scutter22]

Have you ever been to one of those Bruce concerts where he gets the crowd in an even more frenzied state simply by LOOOKING at them ? He looks to the left ..the crowd to his left is earsplittingly loud, only to be outdone by the crowd he soon looks to next. It is POWER he commands from that stage, but its in the rock concert moment and helped along by the words and music of his songs, but also the performances he is known for himself alongside the house rockin', pants droppin', earth shockin', hard rockin', booty shakin', love makin', heart breakin', soul cryin', death defyin' legendary E Street Band. Back on the stump, no matter how clear the right and wrong choice seemed to him with Kerry, j his cause lost.. Once again he is trying to fit the square pegs of songs like Promised Land, The Risin, and from four years ago, Kerry's theme, No Surrender, through the round holes of a political campaign. His gift as an orator was mostly only known to his truest fans who followed him for more than just his ability to write a catchy hook. And I think 4 years ago, he was viewed more as an entertainer than as a political activist. It seems the words are more carefully constructed and it's more important to him to have them heard and acted upon this time...and his stature as a statesman continues to grow.

[oandjoe08]

That's why we call him the boss!!

[wrylass]

Wow. This speech blows me away and resonates far better with me than his music ever did. Go Bruce!!!

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

I have loved Bruce for years and have been to his concerts. What a true American Hero he is along with being a great talent. Thank You Bruce for taking time out to help get this country back on track. WE LOVE YA........

[jolie420]

God Bless The Boss!!!!!

[Pacojam]

The boss's music never did much for me.

However I have a great respect for what he is doing to help this country! Both now as well as 4 years ago.

[mamadeus]

Wish I was there. You say it so well. Your music inspires far more than the stupid insulting nonsense of Sarah Palin and John McCain. Keep up the good work.