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

[questor63]

Thank you so much for speaking out again and again for justice. You have been a light in the darkness. Maybe this time is our time!!!

[yaznaioutibia]

THE BOSS. MY HERO.

[newdreams]

Music does have an almost magic ability to change people, or at least it makes them slow down long enough to think an issue through from the other side. If there were ever a time that we needed our country to take a hard look at the issues, it is definitely now.

So many people carry the love of your music with them. We appreciate your sharing your words and songs with us, especially right now.

[loax]

Bruce, turn this into a campaign song. it is AWESOME!

[cindygump]

Thanks, Bruce!!! I too would like to see America back. You are a true American and one that speaks for those of use who don't have the forum to speak to. Love your music and keep up the great work you do....Love ya....

[schatsie]

Boss, you are a National Treasure... I loved 'The Rising' after 9/11 and the heartfelt and deep meaning of those songs. You were the one who turned addressed the Working Class impacts of that tragedy, not Guileane or Bush.. You speak for all of us who have lost pensions, healthcare, and jobs that were moved off shore and jobs that were no longer respected..

We will all be here with you this time and will not let the Election be stolen again! Maybe we have to have a demonstration in DC after the Election to either Celebrate or to be sure the votes are really counted. Palin is just Bush in a Skirt and McCain is still for deregulation, a snake is still a snake.

[phoenix8]

Dear Mr. Springsteen,

I find solace in your support to Obama because powerful voices are needed to ensure there is no chance McCain will win. I hope you have concerts planned in key battleground states and that you and other influential leaders in this country speak up now in a way that permeates the consciousness of everyone! It is too big risk to let McCain and this pseudo VP candidate win the right to lead this wonderful country. Thank you for all your help!

[sphinxy]

Damn, Bruce. I've never been a fan but that is without doubt the most beautiful election speech I've heard during this campaign. I hope Barack is aware of it and that he considers running it as a long commercial spot around the country. All by itself, it could push him over the top. It says the millions of things I've been thinking and feeling and it does it concisely. I guess it takes a poet. Thanks so much.

[Cambridge9]

I SECOND THAT!

I guess in todays world I could be called an elitist because I was brought up with the classics -- but I've just become a convert. Mr. Springsteen - you are CLASSIC!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

[SoFlaJet]

Last time I was lucky enough to speak with Bruce I thanked him for all he TRIED to do for John Kerry in '04. He replied "we do what we can" it's great to see him doing the same for Barack Obama...this time Boss, we WILL win...
a fellow musician down in south Florida

[alinsson]

America must learn an important lesson from history. There was once the mighty British empire, it became proud and puffy, lost its sense of direction and colapsed eventually. Today America is looked upon by all people as a beacon of hope. Yet over the last eight years of Bush/MacCain we have wittnessed an unprecedented erosion of American values and global leadership. If we make the American famous mistake of electing incompetents like Maccain/Palin this time around, mark my words, we will lose our claim to global leadership to China so help me God.

[LeftieLefty]

I may be Canadian, but I want to thank Bruce Springsteen for making this middle class chick from a swanky suburb a Liberal. (We actually use the word in Canada; we have a Liberal party; we paint it on the signs and everything).
Actually, let me rephrase that. He didn't make me anything. He showed me another side to life, he wrote about hopes, dreams, and struggles, and I was able to make up my own political mind, way back in the 80s. Keep fighting the good fight Bruce, and let's hope you are able to wrest your country back from the Right Wing Theocrats. The rest of the world is counting on you.

[Poboy]

Correction:

If there is one artist who speaks Americana, other than Mark Twain, he would be Bruce Springsteen.

[Poboy]

If there is one artist who speaks Americana, other than Mark Twain, he would Bruce Springsteen.

[hapiguy]

Thanks, you are the Boss

[hapiguy]

Thanks Boss, oh how i hope that Our Countryman are listening,,,you have put it, as usual, America the Beautiful..We want it back, for the whole world,,,with respect, honesty, and true prosperity for all.

[jcdf]

As a life long fan who knows how your words have always rung true.You have always spoke for the little guy that didn't have a voice at the table. The ones who fought this country's wars, or worked long and hard in the factories, the ones who try to make this country just a little better every day . You speak for me, my family and my belief in what we are as a nation. Thank you.