Barack Obama's Backstage Message to the Country [Video]

Last night the DSCC's Road to Victory series caught Barack Obama backstage just before he made his dramatic surprise appearance at the convention. Obama talks about how important it is to elect enough Democratic Senators to pass his agenda in 2009 (and note him whispering to the camera while you can hear Senator Biden giving his acceptance speech to the convention hall).

The convention has focused this week on electing Obama president, and rightly so -- it is the first priority this year and the most important thing we can do to change the direction of the country. But unless Democrats have a bigger majority then the narrow two seats they hold today, Obama's plans will run into the same obstructionism from Senate Republicans that has thwarted much of the Democratic plans the last two years.

For more of the DSCC's road to victory series, click here.

For more Huffington Post coverage of 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

[Trinidad707]

Vote Green Party,vote libertarian...vote independent...vote anything but republican or democrat...get rid of corrupt two party system

[sarchasm]

GOBAMA!

[All57States]

Here is his message:

"i've got no experience, no accomplishments, but I've got you all fooled. Is this a great country er whatt?"

[schatsie]

yes and how does this compare to Bush who was a figurehead in Texas????

this man has a resume that makes Bush look like a piker....

[djelimon]

You're just making stuff up.

[generationyes]

Speaking for yourself, I see.

[Celldumceen]

I could spend the next couple of paragraphs taking you apart point by point but why bother. Facts have little impact on people ike you! In 66 days, you and your ilk will be thrown onto the trash heep of history!

[mybostonjack]

People... it is indeed the urgency of NOW! We must get Obama elected in November.

[Notapathetic]

I will vote for Obama, but what I am REALLY voting for is a changed Justice Dept., a new State Dept., a new Intelligence service, a Supreme Court, a Treasury that is not owned by the wealthy, an Environmental team that is honest, and on and on it goes throughout the entire Executive branch.

Why the Dems are making this a simple McCain vs. Obama contest seems very short-sighted and very dangerous for them.

[jeg]

I'm right behind you, but the truth is, people voted for George W. Bush in 2004 not because he was a great leader, but because he was "sincere". There's a large chunk of the population that simply doesn't pay attention to Washington, and doesn't know how broken the system has become.

You can't read Obama's Blueprint for Change, or the DNC's platform without realizing that the issues you mention have to be addressed-- unfortunately, at least 70% of the electorate will never read either.

[swift goat pet for truth]

I agree.

This is the part that made Hillary's speech great, a reminder what MY values are.

[MargaretO]

Say what? "Why the Dems are making this a simple McCain v. Obama contest ..." ???

On the contrary. It's been the Republicans and the media who have chosen to marginalize this election. John McCain running around shouting he's a POW every third word, and lying. The Republicans and their silly, lying, petty attacks, their filthy, lying emails and letters and the media who chooses to loop it all over and over.

[Questinia]

Didn't anyone read "Audacity of Hope"? This guy knows politics.

[NoSandwiches]

I have read both Audacity of Hope and Dreams From my Father.
I reccomend both, but Dreams From my Father is an easier read because it is very personal.

I was a Hillary supporter first until my older son came home from college and turned us onto Obama with his enthusiasm. I began with reading everything on his website and then both his books before I signed on and have never looked back.

I was especially struck by the notion that is obvious, yet often looked over, and the subject here--No POTUS can pass an agenda without support from congress, and congress needs help from local Democrats--from the county board member to the precinct committee officer--all these people need to do their part.

I am not a joiner normally, but I joined my local Legislative District Democrats club and have been working to help get Democrats elected on all levels. I find that Obama is great "gateway drug" to getting people out to vote for other candidates.

Think about it, people. Local issues get solved locally. National campaigns bring out the voters.

"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

[JadedAggie]

That' s exactly right. Unfortunately schools no longer seem to teach how vitally important local politics actually is.

[drkazmd65]

I did - and one of the reasons I have chosen to support Obama over Clinton post-Kucinich's and Richardson's withdrawls from the race is the information in that book.

Obama is charismatic, politically savy, and appears to be a realist on most fronts. He's no hard-core Liberal, but he is close enough for me, and what's my alternative? McCain? Barr? Whatever Socialist candidate is running this time?

[teron678]

He lost his Voice .. realized this yesterday ....

[bpd1069]

its called whispering...

[teron678]

no .... Did you hear him yesterday ...... when he made his surprise visit ......

[kid5rivers2]

lol

[geekkid101]

Don't worry he'll find it tonight!

[amazinggrace]

Obama and Biden are going to be a few miles from my home Saturday. I will be in NYC Saturday. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

I did get to see Obama back in March at a townhall meeting though. Hope that he comes back to my area really soon

[judyc]

How do you find out where they are going to be?

[vbwr1]

I love it! This is great, Go Obama!

[Decipher]

This guy is not as dumb as people think.....he has a strategy in place that benefits everyone.

[drkazmd65]

Who thinks he is dumb? Naive or inexperience maybe,.. but dumb? C'mon.

[BobsNotWorking]

Naive? Not! You think naive beat the Clinton machine?

[filo]

Obama is a lot smarter than some people give him credit for. That says the same thing but it is phrased a little better. I don't mean to quibble rather defending what I think you meant to say.

[jcwtts1]

This is why I love the guy. If we can actually get to 60 in the senate there is nothing we can't do. But even getting close allows for some leverage to be applied and there are always midterms. I think we can get the 60 but just like so many of us give obama 25 bucks a check we have to rally and give as much as we can to races in Oregon, and NH, and NC, and MS and CO, and NM, and AK... etc. We can do this. I think we can roll Olympia Snow if we fund the race correctly. Make a list and give money. Imagine the liberal justices we can appoint if we get to 60.

J

[AnotherToerag]

Dscc.org has a contribute link.

[aklib]

I live in Alaska. I give money to Mark Begich. He just won the democratic primary here on 8/26/08. Encumbent Ted Stevens also won his primary contest, which is good because he has been indicted on several felony counts and is scheduled for tial in September. It is looking very good for Mark Begich to take the Senate seat here in Alaska. GO OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!

[JadedAggie]

I hear you loud and clear. I live in CA so I have done everything I can to support democrats that are in competitive races. I suggest the same to other Democrats who really want a 60 member majority and live in an extremely blue state. We may not be able to help these Democrats with our votes, but we can help them in getting their message to the voters who can!