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

[Ave-Gabrielle]

Boss man's been trying to get our attention through his songs for years. Last eight years he's been singing and talking to us, even giving rare interviews to get us to wake up. I have friends who were at a HUGE Obama rally and, the next day the entire Philadelphia media completely ignored that Michelle Obama and Mrs. Biden/Philly's mayor Nutter and Governor Rendell were all out at a community center and thousand upon thousands came out--and not one page on it the next day in any of the major newspapers. So, Philly, what's up?

[gr8abz]

Most of Philly's people are great and every bit as hip as New Yorkers (I have lived years in both cities particularly NYC) However Philadelphia's major local TV networks (ch.3, 6, 10) have always been slanted to the right. Event the major paper here, the Inquirer is now owned by a powerful Republican with bucks. Still when it comes to voting you can always look to Philly to provide some heavy Democratic punch (unless of course the Rethugs mess with people's right to vote).

[Sapphire1]

Philly is good TRUST....
Philadelphians could careless about write up in papers , the turn for Obama is HUGE here.
Rather show you then tell you..........VOTE!!!!!

[gifu]

Don't Tread On Me.

[scornflakes]

Big crowd at Ohio State today for Bruce and John Glenn. I'm starting to think that Ohio might actually go for the good guys this time.

[saltpeter]

Keep it up, Columbus (my hometown). I'm doing my part from NYC (making weekend visits to Pennsylvania to register people). Make sure all those newly registered voters keep up the hope, determinition, and civic pride that led them to register in the first place and let it lead them straight into the voting booth. Everytime I go back to Ohio, I hear less and less people who are able to bring themselves to be able to vouch for the NEO-CON rhetoric anymore when they, the working men and women of America, are the ones who have to live with the harsh reality of those failed principles the most. AND THANKS BRUCE. Beautiful thoughts and a wonderful gift to the Rust Belt voters who are finally coming out of their fog.

[Diogenis]

Words spoken from your heart Bruce, echoing the words of our muted mouths for so long. It's time we are heard. It's time to claim our Country and it's respectability both here and world wide. It's time to cling to hope. It's time to act! It's time to take charge. It's time...for Change we can believe in.

Obama/Biden 08

[Deidroni]

Bruce,

THANK YOU for the wonderful music and meaningful words yesterday. It was great listening to you on the parkway with thousands of Obama supporters. You are a true artist and an inspiration. I loved your last song, "This Land Is Our Land". That was a beautiful rendition of it.

Thanks again.
Deidre

[FdeBear]

Terrific!

[meschief]

words can not express how I feel about what you have done for US today... Thank You :)

[SpencersMom]

Ah, Bruce, as one who was there yesterday, I want to thank you! Thank you for donating your time, your talent, your personal resources getting your crew and equipment to the venue, and for inspiring tens of thousands of us to keep working as a team to take our country back!

I brought my little boy to his first "rock concert" and told him that he was not only getting a chance to see The Boss, my personal favorite since the 70's, but to be a part of a great political rally for Obama. And for those of us who came for the experience, it was both empowering and uplifting.

It was a magical day in every way. Thanks again, Bruce, we won't let you, Barack or our country down on November 4th.

PEACE

[Owlygirl]

Gosh, lucky you spencersmom!

What an awesome experience to share with your boy!

Obama/Biden 2008!!!

[bogey12]

Thank you Mr. Springsteen. I. like so many Americans, have about lost hope. I loved my life, my country, the feeling that no matter what happened, we had hope. We had opportunity. I am 56 years old. Have raised 4 wonderful kids. I was employed as a lender for 30 years. Circumstances beyond my control left me without a job. Without a job for so long, I began losing hope. Barely getting by. The consciousness, intelligence, and concern shown by Mr. Obama has become a light of hope we need so badly right now. The past 8 years have pretty much run in concession with the decline of my hope and financial stability. I too want America back. Even damaged, it is the greatest country on the planet. I know in my heart Barack Obama can lead us as we reclaim our legacy. The return of our America.

[jukesgrrl]

Best of luck to you bogey12. Many people our age made it through the Bush Administration, but for those who suffered hardships, the road back is very long and rocky when you have to compete with 20-somethings for the few jobs that are out there. I, too, hope we can "reclaim our legacy" and that you'll come out on top once we get our country back.

[bail me out]

I hope Bruce will be Senator from NJ soon.

[stephanemot]

keep speaking up. your voice will be heard. your words will resonate.

Obama is the best man at the best place at the best moment. America, don't you dare missing this opportunity to redeem yourself.

[jillles]

Thank you for all you are doing. I've enjoyed your music from my teen years through my middle years, and I am so grateful for the support you are providing to Barack Obama and all of us who support him. I went to Cleveland in 2004 to assist with voter protection and saw you play for Kerry the night before the elections. How about another pre-Election Day date this year? I'll be there looking for you! (Okay, and doing voter protection again.)

Thank you again.

[Hazelnut]

So beautifully said, thank you, Bruce Springsteen. You brought tears to my eyes.

[Bad Daddy]

Bruce Springsteen is the VOICE of AMERICA and he speaks the truth that is so hard to believe, much less understand. Bush and Cheney should be thrown out of this great land. Bruce has proven once again why the real people know him as........... the BOSS!!!

Long live Bruce Springsteen!!!

Vote OBAMA and BIDEN in 2008

[daBinsi]

I thought im the only one with teary eyes Haze. Thank you Bruce. I feel i have hope again.

[AthenaFromOhio]

Well said! (And good show today in Columbus!)

[Dandywalker]

Thanks Boss for always inspiring us with your words and music